Expedition "Twin Rod"
Southern California after WW2 was ground zero for the Hot Rod movement in the US.
The twin brothers above, Fred and Frank both served together and returned home safely to Riverside California.
The family had bought a 1930 Model A Ford new and it was taken over by the boys and treated to the works.
Flathead V8 engine, 39 Ford trans, juice brakes, 32 Ford grille and radiator, 39 Ford taillights , BLC Headlights
and 16" Mercury wheels with trim rings and hubcaps. They pulled the front fenders off for that Hot Rod look
and fitted it with a bit taller tires out back to give it the rake.
The boys were well known around the Riverside hang out spots and were extremely popular with the ladies.
One of those ladies set the hook with brother Frank and lived happily ever after and the Coupe came along for the ride.
Frank remained very active in the car hobby through his lifetime and had many cars, but the Model A held a
special place in his heart. It was pulled off the road in the 1960's and was partially disassembled and remained
one of those "projects I'll get to some day" until his passing several years ago.
Frank's wife Mary told me the story of seeing those two good looking brothers hot rodding around town.
Even in her 80's she told the tale with a twinkle in her eye. "Those two were hot!".
The car is it sits today is identical to as it was when it roamed the streets of Riverside California in
the 50's, but time and exposure has aged it greatly. Fortunately the dry Southern California climate
has been kind on the steel, but the paint and soft parts show the effects of time and exposure.
A brand new net of period Firestone tires and tubes have been mounted to the original rims
so that it can stand proud once again. It remains in need of mechanical attention as the engine is
stuck, but all major components are present.
A genuine period Hot Rod in fully untouched condition is a rarity in any condition
but with the current trend of originality and patina being what it is, I personally think it would be a shame
to erase Mother Nature's work and restore the car. Get it running and driving and leave it as is
and the crowds will go crazy seeing it and hearing the story.
Ive enjoyed the amazing discovery and extraction of this bit of Hot Rod History
but I have taken it as far as I want to go. The next step is finding a home that will respect and celebrate
the importance and history that this car represents.
This next series of photos are of the car as found.
Parked in a side yard in an old part of Riverside California the Ford has been hibernating
waiting for discovery. This is what I saw when I first walked in the yard.
It didnt look like much at first glance, but as I inspected closer I spotted the signs of its period
modifications, and when I spoke with the widow of the owner/builder , the importance of the car
truly came alive.
Thanks to the help of a bunch of good friends, we pulled the car out of the yard to bring back to the
lab here at Carchaeology. It had been sitting in this spot for over 45 year...it did not come easily.
The passenger front fender was loose enough for easy removal
A raccoon had taken residence in the trunk
A nearby shed held all the important small parts that had been removed decades prior
The long silent flathead V8 was found in the corner of the yard.
Remnants of an original water slide Riverside Speed Center decal are still visible in the window.
Last tagged in the 1960's
Once back at the Carchaeology compound, the parts were hung back in place.
Such an amazing patina and look the car has. If only it could talk and tell its tales of racing
through So Cal in the early days.
The dropped steering column, 39 Ford trans with V8 logo shift knob, it is so
incredibly period pure...frozen in time.
The body remains in very straight and solid condition and the finish is just as Mother Nature created it
over the years. This is the "real deal" not a faked patina or wanna-be.
The 39 Ford taillights are in great shape
The home build "roll pan" underneath the body is a cool touch.
The tires were cooked rock hard on the back, while the matching front wheels were used
long ago on a small utility trailer. The trailer remained in the backyard as well so we grabbed that too
so that the car could be complete and proper. Even the original Mercury hubcaps and wheel trim rings were
located around the property after careful hunting.
Ready for the ride
With a call to Coker tire, the period correct Firestone bias ply tires with tubes were ordered up
and fitted to the wheels and car. Seeing it standing tall again was a great moment.
Its just so droolingly perfect in its fade and patina.
Leave it as is or perhaps seal with a coat of linseed oil...I will leave that choice to the next owner.
Such a great ride.
The condition of the body is super solid as well, so there are no rust holes or nasty bits to deal with.
Finally out of the hot sun
Since the period photos of the car show it without the front fenders, we decided to pull them off just for effect.
The will come with the car to the new owner, but just for effect I felt it had to be done.
Not every 5 window Model A Hot Rod was chopped and open wheeled.
The vast majority were done on a budget by normal folks with a need for speed.
The magazine cars of the day may have been the iconic images that pop in everyone's minds
but cars like this were the players in the "real scene".
The 32 Ford Radiator and grille shell are in great shape
All the glass is good, but aged.
The rear body filler panel gives it a nice fat look to the back.
Taillights are the legit originals, not some reproduction junk.
Doors and trunk all fit nice and open and close well.
Hydraulic brakes will need rebuilding but are complete.
Roof was capped off with steel back in period rather than the soft vinyl.
The age and patina here is so perfect
Some de-lamination along the base of the original windshield glass, but it just helps prove the age.
The B.L.C. Headlamps...period perfect!
The flathead V8 has been slipped back in place
This is the engine the car ran back in the late 40's and 50's.
It was removed in the 60's and remained sitting for decades.
It will not turn as it sits, but Ive made no ttempt at soaking the cylinders or messing with it.
The upper section of the wood floorboard is missing, but everything else inside is intact
Rear brakes
Still the "banjo" rear axle
Very straight and solid body
Even the battery is the one left in the car when parked.
Raccoon nest has been removed and everything has been cleaned up a bit
but nothing to disturb or manipulate the original finishes
Very solid in the corners
Behind the seat
Underside of the roof panel
Original mirror and wiper assembly is present
Some age and cracking to the wheel...but it is all here
Column drop
Original instruments in the dash
Odometer stuck at 99999
V8 logo shift knob is awesome!
I even love the interior as it is.
The new Firestones look amazing and all the matching caps and trim rings are on the wheels
Front fenders and splash panel for under the grille are included in the sale.
The fenders are quite straight and solid and are the originals from the car.
When fitted the patina matches beautifully
A pic with fenders fitted for reference.
Realistically its probably best to ship the car with the fenders in place, so I will slip them back on.
Cowl tag
Nothing quite like a good flathead!
Unfortunately the twins didn't have fat pockets in the day and dress up the engine with speed equipment
but it is still awesome to see it in here.
The Harley Davidson horn is another droolingly awesome original period detail
Wiring is all still here but is un-tested.
If you look straight down at the frame rail under the headlight and horn
you can see a crack in the tip of the frame rail. This is well forward of the suspension mount
so it is not a structural issue, but it is a flaw.
Its really an incredible find. You just don't stumble into this sort of car often these days.
The true "time warp" barn-find is a dream of many. Ive lived the dream of discovering and extracting it
now its time for the next owner to breathe life back into it and enjoy the drive.
The "Twin Rod" is Hot Rod History all the way around.
I truly hope the next owner respects that and continues on with the preservation rather than
turning it into something else. Its an important part of our American heritage.
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