Ford Fixer-Upper

Fortunately, Bob and Nancy G. saw past the obvious when they saw the ‘46 Ford convertible in a Lodi barn in 1995. If they hadn’t, it might still be rusting away there. Although he had redone a few Mustangs for the family, Bob had a hankering for a Forties convertible and the ‘46 Ford fit the bill. It was complete and even ran…in a fashion. He decided to drive it home and stopped at almost every gas station on the way, with the original flathead V-8 using twenty quarts of oil. The body had rust so badly in the rocker panels and rear fenders that they would have to be replaced. So the Grays embarked on a nine year project to convert the Ford into a modified street rod, with Bob doing much of the work and Nancy over quality control, a job which Bob says she took “very seriously.”

Bob was helped by several companies owned by fellow Roamin Angels: Lee’s Metalworks in fitting the ‘48 Caddy grill, Lanmark Auto for wiring and plumbing, and Van’s Auto Body for chopping three inches off the pillars. Bob removed the bumpers and shaved all the chrome, using solenoids to open the doors and trunk lid. He frenched, or inset and blended in, the headlights and taillights, giving the Ford a smooth clean appearance. For a drivetrain, he dropped in a Chevy 350 CID engine in front of a Turbo 350 auto trans running through a Buick rear end. Steering was helped by using a Mustang II front end and the four-wheel power disc brakes made stopping easy. Now Bob and Nancy ride in style because their “fixer-upper” is all fixed up.

1946 Side Notes:
A custom “V” windshield replaced the original two-piece one. The lowered Ford rides on aluminum Billet wheels. Although not seen here, the beveled-glass rear window in the convertible top is from a 1917 Buick touring car.

Bob built the 350 CID engine to be streetable, with torque rather than horsepower in mind. The Walker aluminum radiator keeps the engine cool while Vintage air keeps Bob and Nancy cool when the top is up and temperatures rise.

Story and photos by Roamin Angel Ron C. ©2007