'62 Chrysler
Elwood Dapp, Paradise, PA
Here's something near and dear to my heart-a Chrysler custom! Elwood Dapp wanted something a little different, so he rolled a '62 Chrysler Newport into his body shop (Dapp's Auto Body) and, with the help of Jerry Jones, rolled this creation out a scant six months later. The Newport sports a reworked rear end with '62 Buick taillights and exhaust tips poking through '53 Packard parking light housings in the molded pan. A custom grille insert dresses up the front. Elwood and Jerry also peaked and extended the quarter-panel character lines and added custom peaks on the roof and decklid before spraying an orange pearl finish with tangerine fades and custom flames. A stock 361ci big-block and Torqueflite provide power.
'32 Chevy
Neal Ruesch, Nashville, IN
This is one serious-looking sedan! Neal Ruesch sliced and diced his Chevy every which way, with a chopped top, channeled body, and Z'd frame giving it a sinister demeanor. Mechanically, however, the Chevy is pretty straightforward-Mustang II IFS, 9-inch rearend, and a 350/350 combo. Sanderson Limefire headers poking out the side (with Flowmasters underneath) provide the bark to back up the bold yellow-with-purple-flames paint job. Neal says he "wussed out" on the interior by adding creature comforts like a tilt wheel, power windows, and air conditioning, but we won't hold it against him. Such amenities only mean he'll be spending more time behind the wheel of this homebuilt bruiser, right, Neal? We thought so!
'32 Ford
Jim Roberts, Pullman, WA
Where were you in 1959? Jim Roberts was cruising in his '32 Ford roadster, much like he continues to do today. Jim started a 10-year renovation on the car in 1992 by updating the frame with a TCI IFS, Detroit Locker 9-inch rearend, Weld Racing wheels, and 502ci Chevy crate engine. The all-steel body now wears a coat of PPG Dark Garnet Red metallic paint, while the fenders and frame are Black Cherry metallic. The burgundy top (with cherrywood-stained top bows and stainless hardware) covers a pleated gray leather interior. After more than 40 years, we're sure that Jim is happy to still be cruising in such a cool roadster, and punching the throttle on that 502 is certain to make him feel like a kid again.
'36 Chevy
Stephen Woodruff, Hamilton, IL
Stephen Woodruff tells us his dream is to have his car, built entirely by himself, in a national rod magazine. Well, Stephen, you've finally done it! And what an unveiling this is. Stephen's '36 Chevy has a '76 Corvette engine with an Edelbrock intake, triple Rochester carbs, and a Hilborn scoop, with various polished aluminum and chrome accessories thrown in for good measure. Underneath are a Mustang II IFS and a Nova rearend providing comfortable cruising manners. The interior is subtle gray tweed, while the paint layout is a flashy two-tone job with a mix of magenta pearl on the top, black on the bottom, and aqua flames separating the two. Yep, there's no doubt this car was built for stardom.