Expertly built and detailed to a very high level, this is a no-compromises rod that simply works the way you've always imagined.
The 1937 Fords were some of the most stylish cars on the road in the late 1930s, taking the traditional and turning it on its Art-Deco head. Dramatic V-shaped grilles and those gorgeous teardrop-shaped headlights faired into the front fascia make for an iconic look that has captured the imagination of street rodders from the very beginning. Real Henry Ford steel cars, particularly open cars, are extraordinarily rare, with production of, say, the cabriolet models amounting to only triple digits. The next best thing, then, is this 1937 Ford cabriolet, the construction of which required no actual 1937 Fords and therefore it remains eminently affordable despite its huge list of features and amenities.
The body is by Downs Fiberglass, one of the best in the business. They got everything right on the '37 shell, capturing the beautiful lines almost perfectly. From the peaked pontoon-style fenders, long tapering deck, and, yes, the fantastic front end, there's no mistaking this awesome ragtop for anything else. Using all-new parts also pretty much guarantees a high-quality result and the bodies coming out of the Downs factory are consistently sharp pieces that produce exceptionally nice rods. Check out the gaps on this cabrio and you'll find they'll pass the Lexus ball bearing test, the doors close with a reassuring solidity, and despite being a ragtop, it's completely devoid of squeaks and rattles—try that with your Henry Ford steel rod! Of course, fiberglass being what it is, there are likely hundreds of hours tied up in the finish work on this car and the effort pays off because the reflections in every surface on the car are clear and distortion-free. The two-stage urethane finish is durable and easy to maintain, with the black over charcoal gray color scheme giving the car a long, lean look. A hand-painted bright blue pinstripe separates the colors and if you look closely, you'll note that the colors and the pinstripe continue into door jambs and across the firewall, a sure sign of craftsmen at work.
Familiar hot rod tricks include the flush-mounted LED taillights (including CHMSL), a smooth fuel filler door, and shaved bumpers front and rear. Modern rear-view mirrors are fitted to the doors but they're so small and painted to match the bodywork that they virtually disappear, and the Vee-d windshield gives it a much more up-to-date look without changing any of the classic proportions. Access to the doors and trunk are by remote control, although there's a fail-safe under each running board to grant access in the event of a dead battery.
The gorgeous gray leather interior is anchored by a pair of supportive low-back buckets that are supremely comfortable for long hauls. With integrated seat belts and adjustable backrests, this pretty Ford is every bit as comfortable as your daily driver and almost as practical! The wrap-around door panels feature moldings that blend into the custom dash as well as an alligator-skin insert to add some contrast. Extensive use of sound-deadening materials ensures that it's smooth, quiet, and cool inside and it's easy to get comfortable thanks to a polished tilt steering column. A custom billet instrument panel features retro-looking Auto Meter gauges and the fabricated center console houses the Vintage Air HVAC controls up high and the shifter for the 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission down low. Hidden switches between the seats control the power windows, power trunk, and electric cooling fan for the engine and the gauges for the Air Ride system are stashed on the driver's side to help keep them out of sight. This is strictly a 2-seater, but there's a fully finished package shelf behind the seats for the folded top and it also handles the AM/FM/CD/iPod stereo system head unit, which offers a remote control for easy access. The black canvas convertible top is beautifully made and stretches over a custom-built frame with polished stainless hardware and oak bows for just the right look. The trunk is also fully upholstered to match with faux bulkheads to hide the battery and Air Ride system's compressor and tank.
Tilt the pointed hood forward (that's a pretty cool trick, no?) and you'll find a freshly rebuilt 350 cubic inch Chevy V8. It's nestled deep inside the engine bay, yet was still dressed for show with lots of chrome and billet aluminum. Reliability and performance were important, so it received a mild cam, an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor, and block-hugging headers with plenty of clearance. The accessories are chrome and mounted high and tight to the block to fit in that pointed engine bay, and there's a big radiator up front cooled by a powerful electric fan. It starts easily and idles without difficulty, even when it's cold, and on the road it has the instant throttle response of a fuel injected motor without the added complexity. You'll note that extra care was used to hide the wiring and plumbing out of sight and even the blue pinstripe that separates the two colors on the outside of the car continues through the engine bay and along the mirror-finished firewall.
A 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission provides the kind of effortless cruising you'd expect from a build like this, and after driving a car with overdrive, I constantly wonder why anyone would settle for just three gears? That overdrive transmission means that the 9-inch Ford rear end with 3.73 gears inside is a smart choice, making the Ford feel fast around town but settling down for highway cruising. The frame is a custom piece that was detailed for show when it was built and now shows a few signs of use, but the quality is evident everywhere you look. Check out the custom exhaust system, the beautifully finished Heidt's A-arm front suspension, and the air shocks at all four corners that allow you to fine-tune the ride and the stance from the driver's seat. Four-wheel discs are another upgrade that should be standard equipment on more rods and that great stance is emphasized by a set of 17- and 18-inch Boyd Coddington wheels with 215/45/17 front and 255/45/18 rear Falken performance radials.
Expertly built and detailed to a very high level, this is a no-compromises rod that simply works the way you've always imagined. There are a lot of trick features and it's none too easy to build a car that works this well all from scratch. Nevertheless, this is a car that you can get in and drive comfortably from the moment it rolls off the trailer and should provide years of fun and enjoyment that will never go out of style.