This is one of those incredible stories that we love to share.
Story: T-Bone, Build Photos: Sapers Family, Finish Photos: T-Bone
It all started early one Saturday morning at Donut Derelicts. Right in front of the donut shop was a pretty clean ’32 Ford Tudor. It had the ubiquitous 350 GM crate motor, yet I was stopped by the story.
Marc Sapers stopped me and shared how this car was built as a father/son project. Intrigued, my interest forced him to continue to tell the story of how he an his son Scott took a perfectly good stock 1932 Ford Model B Tudor Sedan and turn it into the hot rod we see here. I learned later, they did this in the very same backyard garage where Marc’s father (Scott’s Grandfather) taught Marc how to wrench on cars in the 1950’s.
They’ve never taken on a task quite like this before. The project took 7 years while Scott was working full-time and Marc (recently retired) was taking care of his ailing mother. Some evenings, mostly weekends, they worked together, learned about each other, and bonded like a Father and Son rarely do these days.
They bought the car in 2005, and drove it all around for a couple of years. In 2007, they took it to the 75th Anniversary of the Deuce at the Petersen Museum. The following day, they took it to their patriarch’s garage to start it’s transformation.
They raised the body (un-marred) from the frame with only a pair of 2×10 sticks of lumber and 4 jack stands. “Experts” told them after the fact that this isn’t possible. They had the photos to prove it. Sometimes naiveté has its benefits. They sold the frame right out from under the body with its running flathead 4 and stock wheels. In the same fashion they dropped the body on a fully equipped TCI chassis which they had brush painted with POR 15.
They blended their complimentary styles as Marc was shooting for a traditional ‘50s Hot Rod and Scott was into more aggressive features. This proves a great collaboration and more bonding not only with themselves but with their ancestral legacy.
Scott presented a gauge panel designed to fit in the original dash as a Fathers Day present to Marc. Another easily missed detail is the exhaust system. Marc requested a set of Sanderson headers without the downtube and cutout. There are 5 inch long glasspacks just inside the collector. They have been such a hit that Sanderson now offers the setup. Another standout are the headlamps. A replica or an early design Guide light. Notice the peak in the turn signal lens. The three deuces are connected with progressive linkage.
Scott wired the car completely in one-day with a Ron Francis wiring kit. He was a bit rushed as his wife Rebecca and he were moving to Hawaii. They got the car finished in time for the 2012 George Barris Culver City Car Show.
This car is a driver. With independent front suspension and 4-link rear it’s ready for their next Father/Son adventure a trip from Santa Monica to Chicago along the Mother Road. All the while their father/grandfather will be riding along each mile in their hearts and mind.
Hear it in his words. Here’s a link to a video of Marc sharing the build book with us.