1935 Ford Project - In The Beginning...

by Dick Zakrzewski

Before I built my coupe I worked around cars the better part of 40 years, so when I started the project I thought I knew all I needed to know…I was wrong. I quickly learned how much I didn't know. Since everyone doesn't have the time or desire to build their own car, but would still like to learn how its done, I went looking for someone who was ready to start a project that we could showcase. I was delighted to find that one of our oldest suppliers, Mark Toth at PowerMax Coatings, was preparing to street rod a '35 Ford coupe. Mark and PowerMax Coatings supplies us with high quality ceramic coated headers and custom coatings.

We often hear people say that the days of finding a prize car in an old barn at a reasonable price are only stories from by-gone days. Well, Mark is living proof its still possible in the year 2001. He found the car in an old 40' x 70' barn near Canton, Ohio. The barn contained 14 other old cars ranging from a Model T to a '48 Ford.

A primary goal for this project is to build a '50s style hot rod with a SBC /350 Turbo combination and keep spending to under $12,000. Mark also projects completion of the project in 14 months. Within the constraints of this goal, Mark plans to do the following:

• Change the front cross member.
• Install body mounts. motor mounts and transmission mounts
• Split the wishbone.
• Install a straight drop front axle retaining the transversely mounted leaf spring.
• Install a 9" Ford rear with parallel leaf springs, shocks and sway bars.
• Adapt original peddle assembly to modern braking with disk fronts and drum rears.
• Install power steering
• Trick detail the chassis and the 350 SBC crate motor.
• Prepare the body…will include filling the hole in the top with a sheet metal insert, spot sheet metal repair and painting.
• Wire complete car.
• Install exhaust system.

The project will conclude with a road test that will be captured on a digital movie and posted to this site.

If you have questions about the project as work is progressing, you are invited to post them on the Roundtable. Make the subject "1935 Ford Project". Mark and/or I will be happy to supply the answers.

Dick Z