Grants Pass has a reputation as being the home to some of the best and most creative hot rod and custom car builders in the Northwest. Randy Grubb, teve Simons, on Tippet, ill Schoenleber John Huering and then our own buddy, ave Hamilton. In Dave’s case, e is helped along by being the owner of Ham’s Auto Body and it is from that experience and support that all of his creations have been a clear statement reflecting the theme and build quality of the times represented. Nothing over board, ut everything completed to a 100% representation of what might have been built in a time past, y creative thinkers working with Model A’s and the cars that followed, n the infancy of Hot Rodding in this country.
Dave’s passion for these cars started with a visit to Bonneville about fifteen years ago to witness the Speed Trails. In the parking lot of one of the Hotels there was a display of vintage Lake Bed Racers. After the WWII, need for thrills led builders to build fast cars from what was sitting around. Nothing was impossible and they soon found themselves pushed from street racing to Speed Trails on the Lake Beds of Southern California forming the Southern California Timing Association. One of the first specialized cars to come out of this movement was the “AV8”, he Model A body on a 32 Ford V8 pinched frame. Model A cowls were narrower then the 32 Ford and pushed less wind then a 32 did at speed. All of Dave’s previous builds have been modeled along this theme and the AV8 Roadster Pickup is the latest and greatest of the previous five.
The Body and Chassis are almost all brand new parts. An interesting note, verything that is the color black has been powder coated except for the frame rails which was powder coated in primer before being painted. The Pinched 32 Frame is from Blackboard Hot Rods, arrowed at the front of the body cowl to fit the A firewall. The front of the body shell was modified to accommodate the frame rail height at it’s intersection so the need to raise the whole body was negated. Pete and Jake’s Ladder Bars locate the Ford 9” Limited Slip Rear End and SoCal Hair Pin supplied the locating parts for the Front End. A vintage Model A Front Axle Modified in period by Moore Drop Axle supports the 1940 Ford Spindles carrying the 1939 Lincoln Front Brakes with added cooling air scopes. Suspension is supported by Posse Superslide Springs front and rear. Steering is through a Flaming River Vega style Steering Box. The Wire Wheels were custom made by Rally America to Dave’s specific off set order and then covered with Firestone Bias Ply Tires.
The 1964 Chevrolet 327 was hand built by Peckham Precision Engines. It was bored .020 over for new Aluminum Hypereutectic Pistons. 202 Fuelie Heads were installed, ontrolled by a 280 degree Comp Cam and fed by a new Hot Rod Carbs Tri Power 2 Jet Carburetors operated by a progressive linkage. Roller Rockers chase the cam, vintage Mallory Distributor, onverted to Pertronix Electronic Ignition, upplies the spark and a Zipps water pump riser allows a mechanical cooling fan to keep the temperature under control by pulling the right amount of air through the New Walker Z-Line Radiator. Gear Drive created custom Lake Style Headers using the rear axle drive flange of a vintage Ford for the collector Flange pattern. Gear Drive Block Off Plates allow the gases to be channeled into a Mandrel bent Exhaust System, hermal Coated, ut to the Smitty Mufflers. A new Tremec 5 Speed manual transmission runs to the custom driveshaft and on to a Ford 9” with a 4:11 Limited Slip Spool.
Finally, he body. The new Stretched Brookville ’31 Roadster Pickup body was properly channeled at the front of the bottom cowl for the pinched 32 Frame. The bed also required some minor modification to fit the frame without spacers or a less then professional method. Oak Flooring comes with the body and was beautifully finished before being opened up to fit the filler neck on the custom aluminum fuel tank sitting between the rail frames. In the bed, custom locking Highway Products Utility Box was installed. Headlights come from a 35 Buick, ail Lights from a Model A and not wanting the body to be completely new, he front radiator support is original Ford Model A (Dave is very proud of that particular part).
Inside was more of the same. A Limeworks Steering Column with Column Drop is capped with a 1940 Ford Steering Wheel. The 1932 Style Finned Dash made of Cast Aluminum is filled with Stewart Warner Mechanical Gauges. The simple Interior was done by Greg’s Upholstery in Grants Pass with the Glide Seat covered in Free Range Hides (with the scares and marks from the open county still showing). Under the dash is a restored Vintage Arvine Heater for those days when the 2” Chopped Windshield lets a little too much cool air in. For warmer days, mechanical 32 Cowl Vent was installed.
Finally the car was painted in Glasurit 22 Line Single Stage Paint. Don Tippet did a masterful job of hand Pin Stripping the entire car in a tasteful and understated manner. As you can see in the images, he whole package presents itself wonderfully and I for one can not think of better colors or combinations for this creation.
An inspection prior to bidding or a purchase is welcome and recommended. Better to ask before then after. Miles from the time of completion are 3,830. Because the frame and body are new parts, regon has assigned the title a “Replica” brand title along with the VIN# OR90372 after their inspection.
Please call Paul at 541-479-8888 if you have any questions. For more images send us your e-mail address and I will forward them on to you. The car is available for inspection 9-5, onday through Friday at Automania, 95 SE Gladiola Drive, rants Pass, R 97528, 41 479 8888, regon Dealer DA1287. The Oregon title is clear and clean with no brands or liens.
If you do not have at least 10 positive feedbacks, lease do not bid without contacting me first or your bid will be cancelled or blocked. We do not discuss reserve amounts unless the vehicle does not sell. This vehicle is available for sale at our retail place of business and we reserve the right to end this sale early for any reason. Please see any of our other sales on Ebay or our Ebay Store.
We accept collected funds only and for the amount of the sale. A $1000 deposit must be made within two days of the end of the sale through Paypal or other means of collected funds. We offer a 7 day grace period after this Ebay sale closes to inspect the vehicle yourself and if it is not to your liking, full refund of the deposit will be made. There will be no questions asked, fter your inspection at our shop, f you do not like the vehicle. Payment is due in full after 7 days. The vehicle cannot be picked up until funds have cleared or prior arrangements have been completed. Shipping quotes should be from 97526 Grants Pass, regon to where you are. Please, o not use fly by night shippers. We try to offer clean vehicles honestly and to see some loon strapping a car, ike or motor home to an open trailer with bald tires is heart breaking. I can assist the shippers, ut that will have to be ordered and paid for by the winning bidder. We cannot accept personal checks. If you have any questions, lease e-mail me before bidding and I will do everything I can to answer your questions. Thanks and good luck.