Fifty years, fifty faves. Well, to follow suit, I thought it would be appropriate to whip up my take on one of my all-time favorite hot rods from the R&C archives, the cover car from the December '53 issue to be exact. That issue is easily one of the best in my opinion. This issue was loaded with Bonnevile coverage. Open it up, we have a story on the cover car, the "Salt Scorcher," followed by no less than six stories based on B-ville! A few custom cars and a couple'a more rods, and well, what more needs to be said!
With apologies to Charles Sugden and his beautiful little '29 roadster pickup from Salt Lake City, let me illustrate my take on this bitchin' li'l Bomb! As cool as Mr. Sugden's roadster is, I really have an affinity for low Model As on '32 rails, highboy style. The louver pattern on that full hood is repeated on the illustration as are the lunchbox latches. The deuce shell stays too. The deuce frame is Z'd front and rear. Suspension pieces are connected to the rails with drilled radius rods front and rear. The 16-inch black disc wheels with smooth chrome caps mounted on blackwall 'Stones hold up the four corners. Do I have to say what the "50" on the door signifies? I subbed out the painted version of the original for a chrome windshield frame and posts and chromed the door hinges too. Let's say a nice built flattie hooked up to a T5 trans is what motivates this roadster.
Without fail, every time I draw one of these cars, I take the time for a short mental joy ride, WOOHOO! Hope you enjoyed this little excursion as much as I enjoyed laying it out on paper for you folks. Did I mention the hottsie little pinup in that issue... -Jimmy