Bobby WaldenPomona, California'46 Ford Tudor Sedan
Drivetrain: The stock Flathead had never been out of the car before Bobby got it, but when the rear main decided to leave the premises, he decided it was time to freshen things up, hot rod-style. Doug Scott at JJ Machine punched the little Flattie out to 276 cubes with a 3 5/16-inch bore and a 4-inch stroke, then stuffed the cylinders with 8:1 Ross pistons. The block was ported and relieved before it was capped off with Eddie Meyer heads, intake, and air cleaner. Stromberg 48s provide fuel, and a Harmon/Collins dual coil lights the fire. Doug Scott's brother Dennis is responsible for the flawless sheen on all the aluminum parts under the hood. The transmission is the stock '46 three-on-the-tree.
Chassis: The car was so nice and original when Bobby bought it that the body never had to come off the frame. All he did was raise the front and rear crossmembers, add a Magnum dropped axle, and throw on a set of '58 Buick finned aluminum drum brakes. The rearend is something truly special, an original Columbia two-speed that Bobby found in a barn outside Borger, Texas, and pieced together with help from an early hot rod parts enthusiast named Dan Krehbiel. The standard gear ratio is a deep 3.78:1 for nice acceleration off the line, and the second overdrive speed is 2.70:1, which allows the sedan to cruise comfortably at 80 mph all day long.
Wheels & Tires: The stock Ford 16-inch wheels were widened to 6 inches so they can wear a set of Firestone bias-ply wide whitewalls. Stock '46 center caps and trim rings finish things off.
Paint & Body: Doug and Russell Sanderson at Kustom Koach Kraft in Hereford, Texas, rubbed out and restored the stock Ford lacquer before laying out the traditional-style flames with a bevy of colors that were available in 1958. Amarillo resident Terry Warlick then outlined the licks with a steady line of blue One Shot. The firewall, engine compartment, and wheelwells were all painted Wimbledon White and then pinstriped, as well.
Interior: Reynolds Upholstery in Fritch, Texas, totally covered the stock interior with red vinyl, which feature a flawless 1 1/2-inch pleated tuck 'n' roll job. The heater box was flamed and the headliner was redone in white perforated vinyl for a finishing touch. All of the stainless trim inside the car is stock and untouched.