For Tom Kowalski, every day is a good day to relive his youthful automotive memories and also create special new ones. Back in high school, Tom didn't have the monetary means to come close to the "big man on campus" who drove a customized '47 Lincoln convertible, but now after a few decades of hard work, he's paid his dues raising a family and making a career to the point where he now owns his own bank and can afford the rides he's long dreamed of owning.
With high-end classics such as V-16-powered Cadillac convertibles and a V-12-powered Lincoln Zephyr, along with a few all-steel early Ford hot rods already in his garage, Tom felt it was time to add a traditional custom to the fold. A search for the proper starting point led to a '52 Chevy hardtop found on the Internet that seemed to fit the bill perfectly. Tom gambled and spent the money and, much to his delight, the car far exceeded his highest hopes. The 52,000-mile Bow Tie was indeed a cherry piece and was deemed worthy of sending over to Pinkee's Rod Shop in Windsor, Colorado, for a mild custom makeover.
The rebuild began with upgraded chassis components that consist of a complete Total Cost Involved independent frontend equipped with disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering mounted up front and a 9-inch Ford rearend tucked under the tail. A rebuilt 1966 Chevy 327 small-block connected to a 700-R4 auto/overdrive transmission slipped nicely into the upgraded original chassis. Period performance dress-up includes a 3x2 Edelbrock intake topped by a trio of Rochester carbs flanked by a pair of polished Corvette valve covers.
Being a custom, Tom's '52 received the greatest amount of attention proceeded by very careful planning to the exterior. Tom wanted the custom touches to blend with the original car so trick touches start up front with a pair of '56 Oldsmobile headlight rings, a peaked, one-piece hood, and four teeth added to the original grille. Moving backward, a one-piece Olds windshield cleans things up a little more and a custom flare added to the fender skirts is a nice touch. Both bumpers were flipped and smoothed before being treated to a fresh coat of chrome from Sherm's Plating. After a few more mods, like shaving the door handles and decklid, Nice Rides in LaSalle, Colorado, sprayed the smooth body with a rich coat of PPG custom-mixed mint green under a midnight black top.
Inside more custom tricks were in store with a '55 Chevy steering wheel hanging on an ididit tilt column attached to the slicked-up stock dash, augmented only by A/C vents to route the cool air from the Vintage Air unit. The project was wrapped up with a mild and classy interior using a mint green and maroon leather combo stitched up on the stock seats and door panels by L&R Upholstery in Aurora, Colorado. The finished product is exactly what Tom wanted, a fact you can "take to the bank," and Tom does just that when he cruises his classy custom to work.
Tom Kowalski
Centennial, Colorado
1952 Chevy Hardtop
Drivetrain
A cruiser with the heartbeat of a hot rod, Tom's Chevy is powered by a vintage '66 327 that has been treated to a host of performance goodies that include a pair of Edelbrock heads, an Edelbrock intake topped with triple Rochester carbs, a set of flat-top slugs, and a Mallory ignition system. Behind the rebuilt engine is a 700-R4 auto trans that makes cruising even more of a pleasure with its long-legged overdrive top-end gearing. The power supplied by the 327 winds through a Ford 9-inch rearend.
Chassis
Starting with the clean original chassis, the Pinkee's crew updated the low-mileage 'rails with a fresh IFS from Total Cost Involved and a pair of POSIES leaf springs mounted under the rear. Braking is a disc/drum combo with steering handled by a fresh rack-and-pinion unit.
Wheels & Tires
Stock 15-inch steel wheels are wrapped in a full set of 215/75R15 wide white radial from Diamond Back.
Body & Paint
Age-old custom tricks like nosing, decking, and shaving were all accomplished along with the fitment of a set of '56 Olds headlights by Pinkee's before Nice Rides sprayed on the custom-mixed very light Mint Green under Midnight Black PPG paint. Flipped and shaved bumpers are the crowning touch.
Interior
Keeping it simple and clean is a mint green and maroon leather stitch job by L&R Upholstery over the stock seats. Staying true to the early custom period, a '55 Chevy steering wheel fits right in on top of an ididit tilt column.