Noteworthy combinations include...
Noteworthy combinations include finned Buick aluminum brake drums with Wilson Welding and Machine finned aluminum backing plates combined with vintage Guide headlights and a Magnum 4-inch dropped axle.
Nothing says hot rod like a hopped-up Flathead V-8 and Ron wasted no time building a stout 239ci mill using a '53 Ford block as a base. He filled the block with a stock crank and slugs linked to Henry's rods while sealing the deal with a set of Edelbrock finned aluminum heads. A rare Hexagon Tool & Die two-pot intake topped with a pair of reverse-mounted Holley 94s breathe deep while a Mallory dual-point ignition adds the spark. Owner-fabbed side-exit headers dump spent gases while gears are spun through an '87 GM T5 transmission.
Focusing on the body, Ron worked with Dennis Davern of ARC Tech in Alden, New York, and Darryl Stachura of Stahu & Son Speed Shop in Depew, New York, to get started by chopping the coupe's lid 6 inches. From there Ron and Davern focused on a multitude of changes to the body, including a 16-inch channel job, modifying the cowl sides to accommodate the exhaust, creating a new rear valance, reworking the rear quarter-panels to dial in a stock-looking beltline, and frenched license plate and '39 Ford taillights. To complete the sheetmetal updates, Scott Fentzke of Performance Fabrication in West Falls, New York, fabbed up the custom floor pans allowing Ron to sit deep within the confines of the coupe. To bring the tired steel back to life, the team at The Miracle Workshop in East Aurora, New York, worked their magic till everything was razor sharp. Jay Taylor and Ray Giester at the Workshop got the nod to spray the vibe combining PPG ivory with just enough Kansas City Teal to complement the scallops laid down by Ron at his Rondvoo Art Studio in East Aurora, New York, where he now resides.
Inside, the wicked coupe continues to wow you with a '49 Merc dash filled with a combination of stock and VDO dials while a pair of vintage movie theater seats adds plenty of cool to the mix. To complete Ron's office, Upholstery Unlimited of Lancaster, New York, worked their voodoo stitching up just enough peacock and ivory marine vinyl to accent the '56 Pontiac wagon side trim. Looking at Ron's hammered coupe proves that his artistic talents brought the car to life and although he never got a ride in the old Deuce that inspired him as a kid, he and his wife, Amy, are putting down the miles in their new hot rod and that's downright bitchin' in our book.
(Editor's note: Ron received the Editor's Choice award from ye ol' Editor Brennan himself this past year at the Detroit Autorama while attending the "Basement Dwellers" portion of the show.)
Wow, where do you start? A...
Wow, where do you start? A cut-down '49 Merc dash from old friend Pete Krebs filled with stock and VDO dials sets the tone for the classic wooden movie theater seats complemented by yards of rolled and pleated marine vinyl by Upholstery Unlimited of Lancaster, NY.