$28,592
This handsome 5-window coupe is an extremely solid fiberglass body car that was obviously put together by high-end pros, and the end result is a crispness and level of detail that's usually tough to find at this price point. With a traditional rake, big-n-little tire combination, and a lot of neat details like the chopped top and open engine bay, it sure looks like the traditional hot rod Ford that collects all the trophies at your local cruise-in. GM 350 cubic inch V8 crate motor up front. Chevy small blocks are some of the most reliable machines ever devised by man, and this one is no exception, with a Weber 4-barrel carburetor up top handling the fuel-and-air mixture up top. It looks quite OEM with the familiar long-tube headers, a chrome air cleaner, and chrome valve covers, and a custom pulley and bracket system mounts the alternator and R134a A/C compressor tightly to the block. A big aluminum radiator with an electric fan keeps it cool, and all the plumbing has been neatly routed to make things easy to service. The suspension is familiar, with a chromed-out dropped I-beam and rack-and-pinion system up front and a 9-inch rear on a 4-link with coilovers out back. A TH400 3-speed automatic transmission handles gear swaps smoothly and the dual exhaust system with chambered mufflers sounds absolutely fantastic at idle, or when the throttle is opened up and barreling down Main Street. Beautiful 15- and 16-inch American Racing alloys are a great choice and wear 205/70/15 front and 275/70/16 rear blackwall radials to complete the killer look. The steering column is a beautiful polished tilt unit topped by a leather-wrapped 4-spoke Lecarra steering wheel, and the simple dashboard was painted in matching red and filled with Dolphin analog/digital gauges. A/C controls and vents have been cleverly integrated into the overall design, power windows are a welcome addition, and many of the secondary controls have been stashed out of sight for a cleaner look. There's also a taut headliner above that matches the seats, some extra storage behind the buckets, and plush carpets below that tie the entire cabin together very nicely.