2024 Meguiar’s Street Rod D’Elegance Finalist – 1936 Ford Club Cabriolet
Like a finely aged wine, some projects just take a little longer to achieve perfection. Such is the case with Tim Frey’s 1936 Ford Club Cabriolet. The car was originally from Argentina but was brought stateside by a sailor out of New York back in 1986. Tim found the car, a bit worse for wear, via an ad in Hemmings Motor News and started in on the build process in the early 1990s.
Shortly thereafter, the Ford was pushed into the corner of Tim’s garage and mostly left alone for a couple decades. Things happen, time passes. Finally in 2019, Tim dragged the forlorn project out of its slumber and set about getting busy building it into a stylish street rod.
The rough condition of the sheet metal and car didn’t deter Tim as he set about the bodywork. With the help of his pals Scott and Ron Schnabel, they dug right in, starting with a 2.5-inch chop to the top and windshield, lowering the headlights a touch, shaving the trim and door handles, and adding ’39 Cadillac taillights. The hood also was pancaked, the front end was skirted about 1.5-inches, the front bumper was removed, and a custom bumper was crafted for the rear. Once the bodywork was finally complete, Tim and buddy Scott Schnabel applied a subtle Axalta Ceramic Grey finish.
Tim knew that to achieve the stance and ride quality he wanted, the smart move would be to start with a new frame. So, he ordered a Total Cost Involved chassis with an independent front suspension and installed a trick Jaguar IRS in the back. Wilwood disc brakes are found on all four corners behind the 17×6- and 20×10-inch Schott wheels.
For power, Tim chose an LT1 from the late-’90s but updated it with a coil-on-plug MSD ignition system along with a Borla 8-Stack electronic fuel injection system. The fuel and spark are controlled by a Holley Terminator X system while a Zoops front drive assembly keeps the accessories spinning. Sanderson cast headers lead to a polished stainless steel exhaust system that wraps around a 700R4 overdrive transmission.
Under the Sid Chavers custom convertible top you’ll find yards of bold Ferrari red leather stitched by Finish Line Interiors over contemporary bucket seats and a custom console. The dash has been smoothed and features Dakota Digital gauges, Vintage Air, a polished Ididit tilt column, and tasteful billet knobs, pulls, and vents.
Sure, the 1936 Ford Club Cabriolet took a bit longer than expected, but the finished product looks fantastic, and Tim says he would not have done anything differently. He thoroughly enjoys taking his rare cabriolet to shows and chatting with all the great people in the hot rod world.
See the other Meguair’s Street Rod d’Elegance Finalists:
Photos by Michael Christensen and Damon Lee
