A lot of street rods have passed through our doors, and obviously some are better than others. The various components tend to be important to the finished product, but even more critical is the skill of the guy putting it together. Some rods just drive better than others, even with the same parts in them, and that only comes from experience, skill, and care. While we’ve sold quite a few 33-34 Fords of various types, we probably haven’t had one that drives better than this screaming red 1933 Ford 3-window coupe. Better yet, it has all the goodies you want in a modern build: cold A/C, overdrive transmission, great stereo, comfortable seats, and a bulletproof motor. Get in, turn the key, and go just about anywhere in comfort. That’s the promise of the modern hot rod. Many fall short of that goal, but this beautiful coupe definitely delivers.

Based on a real 1933 Ford frame and a custom N&N fiberglass body with steel fenders and running boards, this ’33 Ford coupe has the right hot rod look. The roof has a mild chop, which combines with an awesome rake to give this coupe that iconic look. Finish quality is excellent throughout, with great gaps, smooth transitions, and a deep shine that only comes from a lot of tedious prep work. The three-piece hood is full of louvers to help keep the hot small block cool and it opens from either side for easy access. We’re especially pleased to see that they skipped the graphics (which always end up looking dated) and pinstripes (which aren’t to everyone’s taste) and instead stuck with the basics: great bodywork and a great color. That’s Corvette Torch Red paint, so it’s the right color for a performance car like this, and thanks to modern urethane paints, it’ll look this good for decades to come if you care for it. Custom details include shaved door handles and hinges, built-in parking lights in the front fenders, a billet grille, and deleted bumpers that really let the coupe’s shape speak for itself. There’s nothing that is over-done or questionable, just an ultra-straight, solid, clean 3-window coupe that speaks softly and carries a big stick.

The custom interior is based on a pair of extensively modified C5 Corvette power bucket seats that were wrapped in off-white leather with red highlights. Black carpets provide an anchor for the bright interior, and matching door panels give it a very finished look. The simple dash was painted to match, a look we like a lot, and it’s filled with custom gauges from Classic Instruments that include red lighting at night for a trick look. A chrome tilt column makes it easy to get comfortable and that big leather-wrapped wheel feels great in your hands. Vintage Air supplied the HVAC system, and the A/C is especially effective, making this a great car for road trips. Other accessories include power windows and locks with keyless entry plus a hidden stereo system with a very cool hand-held remote that makes it easy to use. It’s surprisingly spacious and easy to get in this car, and someone was obviously thinking about real-world use when they added things like the custom floor mats, 12V power outlet, and LED courtesy lights. For safety there are dead-bolt latches for the suicide doors and if you hit the switch on the console, the power trunk lid lifts itself out of the way. Inside you’ll find a fully upholstered trunk with custom bulkheads to hide things like the battery, Ron Francis wiring system, and stereo unit.

The engine is a 355 cubic inch Chevrolet small block V8 from Jon Barrett Hot Rod Engines. Jon retired a few years ago, but his work stands out and this sucker is definitely a runner! Dressed in lots of chrome and polished aluminum, the small block Chevy looks right in the Ford’s pointed nose and with an estimated 420 horsepower on tap. On top there’s a Holley 770 Street Avenger carburetor with RIGHT NOW throttle response and a great idle, while Dart aluminum heads shave weight to make it easier to handle. Other goodies include a billet HEI distributor, aluminum water pump, Edelbrock high-volume fuel pump, and a giant aluminum radiator with programmable electric fan. It’s a tidy package that looks as good as it runs and offers bulletproof reliability that will make this car fun to drive for years to come. There are a few signs of use, of course, but with only 940 miles on the clock, they’re quite minor.

Underneath, the original 1933 Ford frame was reinforced and upgraded, starting with a Heidt’s independent A-arm front crossmember that includes coil-over shocks, rack-and-pinion steering (power assist isn’t needed, it’s a joy to steer!), and power disc brakes. The transmission is a rebuilt 700R4 4-speed automatic from Rick’s Transmissions, and it feeds a Ford 8-inch rear end with a TrueTrac limited slip from Posies and what we believe to be 3.50 gears inside. An auxiliary transmission cooler hangs on the outside of the frame rail and there are charging posts discreetly tucked underneath, just in case (there’s also a pigtail for your favorite battery tender in the trunk). A full custom exhaust system uses Borla stainless mufflers for an awesome soundtrack and it rides great thanks to reasonable spring rates and proper tube shocks. A new gas tank hangs out back and you can see that it doesn’t have much driving, as even the undercarriage is extremely clean. Obviously rust is a non-issue on a ‘glass rod, but they did take pains to make it look good as well as to drive right. That perfect stance is accentuated by a set of staggered Rocket Racing wheels which carry expensive 185/60/15 front and 235/75/17 rear Michelin radials.

If you drive a lot of street rods, eventually you get a feel for decent cars versus great cars. For someone who loves to drive, who wants a car that can be used regularly, and who doesn’t want compromises, this is one of the best we’ve ever had in our showroom. It isn’t perfect, but it shows extremely well and you’ll always be proud to be the guy getting out of the driver’s seat at events. In a hobby filled with compromises, we can find very few on this awesome ’33 Ford. Call today!