Beschreibung:

239ci Flathead Ford V8 Engine 4-Barrel Holley Carburator Est. 250bhp at 5,500rpm 3-Speed Automatic Transmission Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle Front Disc - Rear Drum Brakes *Well-known, period-built Southern California Hot Rod *Customized in 1948 by Jerry Moffett and Art Lillis at Olive Hill Garage, Hollywood CA *Featured in Hot Rod Magazine in the period, and a later issue of Rod & Custom *Ready for the local cruise-night or Hot Rod show Previewing at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California by appointment. Please contact motors.us@bonhams.com for scheduling. THE FORD HOT ROD The availability, looks and design of the Ford V8 made them the preferred basis for the Hot Rod movement. Shortly after WWII many servicemen settled in Southern California, and there was a renewed enthusiasm about the pursuit of happiness which drove the Hot Rod development. People were excited about life and wanted to enjoy it behind the wheel of something unique. Most men had spent the last 5 years wearing the same clothes and driving the same vehicles. It was time for a change and many people took that to the open road with the cars they drove. The Ford remains the most iconic symbol of American Hot Rodding, and although the popularity of hot rodding caused many cars to be built in later years, the early cars of the 1940s and 1950s remains the 'Original Hot Rods' fabricated by Custom shops with all-steel bodywork. The ones that survived and made an impression on the era in terms or a feature in Hot Rod Magazine, remain as popular as ever. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED This cool 1939 Ford Hot Rod is of all-metal construction carries the importance of being customized back in the day. The original work was done by Jerry Moffett and Art Lillis at their Hollywood-based Olive Hill Garage, and the car was featured in the September 1948 issue of the new magazine of the time Hot Rod, published by the late Robert Petersen The top was chopped 2 ½ inches, the body channeled 4 ½ inches down over the frame, and the front fenders were raised while the rear fenders shortened 2 ½ inches. The metal work was proper hammer and weld type workmanship. The Hot Rod was acquired in 1969 by a gentleman who often visited the shop of Jerry and Art, and who had seen the car as it was being constructed in 1948. The gentleman kept the car for 26 years before starting the restoration in 1995. Nothing beyond restoration was planned for the body since it had already been so tastefully modified in period. The original flathead was replaced with a rebuilt 1948 Ford 59AB engine and was put together with a 4-stroke Merc crank. The engine was updated with Edelbrock intake manifold and cylinder heads, and a Holley carburetor was fitted. The rest of the chassis was prepared by Frantic Fred of Sun Valley, California, and modifications included a Bell axle with a 4-inch drop, and three-leaf parallel springs in the rear. Stopping power was provided up front by Magnum disc brakes on Magnum spindles, and drums in the rear fitted to a 9-inch Ford rear end. The new owner enlisted Scott Guildner of Van Nuys, California to repaint the Hot Rod using four coats of House of Kolor Candy Red with clear coat. The interior work was turned over to Montrose Auto Upholstery where the beige Naugahyde and brown cloth combination was stitched and pleated. VDO gauges were added and the electrical system was converted to 12 volts via Ron Francis wiring. This car was featured in the June 1997 issue of Rod & Custom as the cover story "Long Lost Friends". The car is accompanied by posters and magazines of both the September 1948 Hot Rod issue as well as the 1997 issue of Rod & Custom story. A tastefully prepared, period-built custom like this can be used for many things; local shows or cruise-ins, spirited drives around town, and a great piece of garage art from the golden era of hot rodding - here is an opportunity not to be missed.