There are some cars that grab your consciousness with retina-ripping authority, spellbinding their viewer. Such is the case with this '31 sedan built by Tracy Tichenor and his father, Roger. The car exudes an aura of retro and throwback that transports onlookers to another time and place.
What makes this A-bone so special is its culmination of early '60s rod building and custom techniques. While this car is a brand-new build, less than a year old, it is a classic example of the custom culture trend that descended upon hot rods during the early '60s. Lil' Coffin, the Beach Boys' Coupe, and countless other rods all carried similar styling traits into competition in show arenas across America. If time travel were possible, the Witch Doctor, as this car is affectionately called, would be the perfect capsule for delivery.
The body mods performed are what take you right back to 1963 and what top contenders on the World of Wheels Show circuit back in the day were wearing. Tracy is the owner and do-it-all guy at T and R Auto Body and performed all the modifications. TheWitch Doctor is his latest calling card and works better than the typical photo, phone, and fax numbers cardboard.
Styling cues from the past culminate in this car to cast their spell with brute authority and in-your-face styling. If you have fond memories of those '60s custom years, or are just an avid fan of the look, we hope you dig this car as much as we do.
Tracy Tichenor
Hammond, Indiana
'31 Ford Tudor Lowboy
Drivetrain
A '56 Hemi provided the raw material for the motivative power for this A-bone. The block was given a 0.30 overbore before the stock crank and new Seal Power pistons were completely balanced. An Isky cam along with stainless steel valve and PAW Adjustable pushrods complete the valvetrain. Where things get really cool are in the engine bolt-ons. Up top is a rare mid-'60s Weiand intake manifold mounted with four Strombergs. Those organ-pipe velocity stacks are more of that period-correct theme in the form of 45-degree cut exhaust extensions. Exiting exhaust is treated to an even rarer mode of release through a set of Nicson Marine manifolds. These thick aluminum exhaust manifolds are wet style, but to date have held up to extended driving periods and all the heat that this elephant has put out--so far. Power is transmitted to the rear via a column shifted Turbo 350 transmission.
Chassis
A handbuilt frame of 2x3 box tubing was double Z'd to get all four corners down in the weeds. Up front hangs a suicide drilled I-beam straight axle mounting '48 Ford spindles and juice brakes with split wishbones and friction shocks. A Mustang steering box was used for correction duties. A buggy spring-hung '49 Olds rear with a posi unit and a set of 4.11s reside out back.
Wheels & Tires
This in-the-weeds sedan rides on a set of 14x7 and 14x8 five-spokes. Ribbed slicks are just too cool, although the Hemi has quickly gobbled this set in short order.
Body & Paint
The sedan's body was chopped 5 1/2 inches, channeled 9 1/2 inches, shaved, and wedged. The doors were suicided as well. Up front is a cut-down '32 grille shell that sits a mere 2 1/2 inches off the pavement, and that is ride-height my friends. The defining body panel on this sedan is its roof insert. In place of the common cloth or steel insert is a spider web of piping. The webbing leaves no doubt of this custom's theme. The entire package was sprayed in House of Kolor Candy Tangerine with heavy orange 'flake. Tracy then laid on his own "lines of distinction" with classic pinstripe wisps. Final touches include a set of mid-'30-something Plymouth front turn signals turned into taillights and the rear-mounted machete.
Interior
Removing all those inches out of the body makes one get very creative in the interior appointments. Starting up front is a narrowed '55 Chevy dash with gauge inserts. Steering duties are controlled through a '59 Cadillac steering wheel. The floor picks up the spider web creative from the roof insert by bead-rolling the design into the floorpans. Marco's Creation stitched custom seats in cream-colored Ostrich leather. The creative for the seat back shares many design elements with early '60s-period furniture. A super soft pad is mounted to the floor. The car was so fresh when we shot it that the seatbelt/harnesses had not been installed yet--but rest assured, they're going in.