For the Missus

It all started when Dennis, aka “Gio” went to “just look” at a ‘28 Ford touring car street rod. He had promised his wife Bev that he would not buy it, but then how many wives have heard that before looking out in the drive to see a new “toy”? This was the case with the touring car.

The problem was not that he bought a car, but that Bev does not like riding around in an open car, especially for any distance. That being the case, there was only one thing to do: buy another car that was closed. So Gio kept his eyes and ears open for a rod that they both could love. When he heard of a ‘34 Ford two-door sedan for sale he had to check it out. The steel body was chopped three inches and a Cadillac electric sunroof was added. It had a pumped up 350 CID Chevy engine matched to a Turbo 400 auto trans. With Jag independent rear suspension and a TCI front end, it had the safety of four-wheel disc brakes. And it needed them. The engine had a tunnel ram intake with dual carbs and was so hot that flames came out of the headers. Gio got the owner to change it to a milder Edelbrock and single four-barrel carb. Although it was less radical, Gio later did more de-tuning to make it more street-able, so that now they have a smooth-running reliable street rod. They have taken it all over California with the Roamin Angels on various runs. And although Bev doesn’t like to drive it, she is willing to ride, so Gio can say, “I bought this for you, dear.”

Story and photos by Roamin Angel Ron C. ©2007