Doug & Florinda HoppeSioux Center, Iowa'37 Ford Cabriolet
Drivetrain: The engine compartment is a sea of chrome. The 350 small-block is a Scoggin-Dickey-modified ZZ4 with aluminum heads, rated at 465 hp at 7,000 rpm. Induction comes from an Edelbrock Airgap intake manifold and single 600-cfm carburetor. HPC-coated Block Hugger headers handle the exhaust. Dress-up stuff includes the chrome valve covers from Yogi's and the billet air cleaner. The good-looking small-block is tied to a Lokar-shifted TH350 automatic with a 2,500-stall torque converter.
Chassis: Downs Manufacturing offers a selection of chassis including the Mustang II version with a tubular X-member that forms the platform for Doug's '37. In front, it's MII tubular A-arms and spindles, plus GM 11-inch disc brakes and Monroe shock absorbers. The rear features a '78 Ford 9-inch with 3.73:1 gears, Aldan coilover shocks, and Ford drum brakes.
Wheels & Tires: The overall style of the car called for a combination of plus-size rims and low-profile rubber. The rear fenders are packed with 20x8-inch Boyd Coddington Rodders model billet wheels with Michelin P245/40R20 tires. The front wheels measure 17x7 with P215/45R17 Michelins.
Body & Paint: Doug was happy the workmanship that went into the Downs Manufacturing fiberglass '37 cabriolet body, which features a 2-inch chop. The only body prep work required on the smooth '37 was a little bit of block-sanding and gap-filling once the car got to Roger Burman at Lakeside Rods. Chromed side louvers were added to continue the look of the grille. Doug and Florinda wanted the car finished in a rich shade and liked the idea of using color-shifting paint. They picked ChromaLusion's Twilight Fire, which goes from raspberry to copper. Chris Mernka at Lakeside Rods shot it.
Interior: Just a little bit of the body color continues in the interior, on the handbuilt dash and the steel face of the custom center console. Otherwise, practically everything else is covered in tan Ultraleather. Tracy Weaver at The Recovery Room in Omaha, Nebraska, did the upholstering. The custom bucket seats were built by Interior Supply Corporation. VDO gauges fill the instrument panel. The steering wheel is from the Billet Specialties catalog. The shifter and pedals came from Lokar. Doug added sound system components from Kenwood and Sony.