The original concept of the hot rod: simple, light, and fast, has been lost in today's world of over-blown custom builds laden with every creature comfort imaginable. Guys call us all the time and say, "If it doesn't have power steering, I don't want it." What? Has something happened to the full-grown men of the 21st century that they don't have the muscle to turn a steering wheel that ladies of the 1930s and '40s managed without difficulty? Have we become so soft that a Sunday drive without air conditioning is akin to being locked in the box at Strother Martin's prison camp? Do we really NEED power windows, remote-controlled doors, power tops, complex stereos, and other gadgetry that proves to be perennially unreliable and fragile when installed in a custom car? Simple CAN be better, as this 1936 Ford roadster so ably proves. Get in, turn the key, start smiling. If that's not for you, why not? Fun in an old car is the whole reason we're doing this, right?

OK, so this 1936 Ford isn't exactly an "old" car; it's made from 100% new components, including the handsome fiberglass body shell. There's no question it's a '36 Ford, given the iconic front end and beautifully peaked fenders, all of which have been expertly reproduced in 'glass that looks right. Prep and finish work were expertly done and without putting a magnet against the surface, you probably won't be able to determine what it's made of. The glossy black finish doesn't betray any of the usual waves and wiggles that you often see in fiberglass bodies, indicative of expert work before the paint went on. You'll note the gaps are tight and even, the doors fit beautifully, and the reflections in the paint's surface are crystal clear. There are quite a few modifications, including shaved bumpers and door handles, a total elimination of anything that's chrome, and those cool taillights spliced into the rear fenders right at the crease. It's just gorgeous. A simple indigo blue pinstripe highlights the beltline, but that's it for graphics—nothing goofy or dated, just a clean, elegant look that will always look great. You'll also see neat little lamps under the fenders for turn signals, the sleek rear-view mirrors that look like they were born there, and a center-mounted taillight in back. It's clean, it's smooth, and it looks awesome.

The beautiful tan leather interior should address your concerns about luxury. It's simple, but obviously there were no cut corners. The buckets come from a late-model of some sort, although they've been so heavily re-shaped and sculpted it's unlikely that even their own designer would recognize them today. Matching door panels have simple sculpting to add interest and that cool raised shifter platform is beautifully done. The carpets are Mercedes-Benz-grade, so they're plush and help absorb noise and heat, while the polished tilt steering column carries a leather-wrapped billet wheel. Vintage-looking gauges from Classic Instruments aren't too far off what a '36 Ford carried when it was new, with these monitoring all the important statistics. There's also a powerful Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 capability. It's a roadster, so there are no windows, but it does have a nicely trimmed black canvas convertible top that folds easily and stows under a matching black boot. You'll note that the windshield tilts open for additional ventilation, so stop whining about A/C. The trunk is configured like a rumble seat so it can be easily converted if that's your desire, but as it sits today, it's beautifully upholstered and includes the stereo amplifier, CD changer, and access panel for the battery.

More simplicity under the side-opening hood in the form of a 350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8. Plenty potent for the lightweight roadster, it includes an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and an HEI ignition system, all of which are designed to be reliable and trustworthy. Plenty of polished aluminum like the valve covers, air cleaner, and even the Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, means that you won't hesitate to show it off at shows, and even the brass radiator took a trip past the polishing wheel. There's a giant electric fan that has no problems keeping it cool (because it doesn't have to fight through the A/C condenser) and with manual rack-and-pinion steering, effort is quite light without the complexity of a power steering pump and lines. Turn the key and it fires easily, idles well, and pulls the roadster around with genuine authority, as you'd expect. It feels quite fast on the road and the elemental experience of being closely connected to the machine is enjoyable, not difficult. One drive and you'll understand, I promise.

Underneath there's a fabricated chassis with a custom A-arm front suspension and coil-over shocks. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission snaps through the gears with authority and with the lightweight bodywork, they were able to use very reasonable gears in the Ford 9-inch rear end, so it's comfortable on the highway. Power disc brakes are included and the custom Flowmaster dual exhaust gives it that traditional hot rod soundtrack that's especially delightful when you're in an open car. The rear suspension is a 4-link with another set of coil-overs, and they've tweaked it for the perfect stance. Ride quality is surprisingly good, it doesn't crash and bag over bumps, and you'll find thoughtful details throughout the chassis—the hallmark of a professional build. Staggered Budnik billet aluminum wheels look awesome and carry 205/50/16 front and 255/50/17 rear Bridgestone performance radials.

Simple is better. Just you, the engine, and minimalist bodywork. That's where hot rods started and this car delivers an authentic experience with a high degree of finish quality. Thoughtful details, bulletproof reliability, and a very usable interior all add up to a car that you'll love to drive. This is a traditional man's car—are you up for it? Call today!