A Custom 1936 Ford Roadster Scores the Fuel Curve Custom of the Year Finalist Spot in Scottsdale
We’ve all had one of those projects where we set out to make a few small repairs, changes, or improvements, only to watch things snowball into a complete teardown and rebuild. That’s basically what happened with Ron Hernandez and his custom 1936 Ford roadster.
“When I bought the car, it had some issues – road rash, chips, accessories to be taken off,” Ron says. “That’s when it started. Repair a chip became a complete rebuild!”
It’s one thing to see a project evolve like that, but for Ron it delayed a dream that was already a decade in the making. He had spied the roadster 10 years prior and had been chasing it all that time, trying to convince the previous owner to sell. Once he had it, though, he decided that making the car exactly how he wanted it was worth the extra time and effort.
The Ford blends the best of both worlds, as the classic custom exterior is complemented with updated underpinnings. The original Ford frame has a Mustang II independent front suspension, a two-link rear suspension locating a 9-inch rearend, and air springs all around delivering a ground-hugging stance. Front disc brakes and rear drums are found behind 15-inch steel wheels wearing BFGoodrich wide whitewalls and Cadillac wheel covers.
The engine is a basic 350c.i. small-block Chevy that’s dressed up with finned aluminum accessories, an Edelbrock carb and intake, and electronic ignition. Block-hugger headers lead to a dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers, while a 700R4 overdrive transmission keeps the rpms reasonable on the freeways around Phoenix.
Ford coupes and roadsters from 1936 were some of the first to be modified by early custom pioneers, in part because their sleek lines were so attractive to begin with. Simply lowering these cars and cleaning them up a little provided an easy custom look. Besides a chopped top, Ron’s roadster remains largely stock, aside from the addition of rear fender skirts. Streamline Collision is responsible for getting all the panels extra straight in preparation for the beautiful black PPG finish.
The roadster’s cockpit is just as clean and classy as the rest of the car. Patrick’s Interiors covered the bench seat, door panels, and other soft parts in black rolled and pleated leather, with a vintage cloth insert on the seat back for a little accent. The dash wears restored original gauges and a tilt and telescoping Lincoln column with a banjo wheel.
After spending five years on the 1936 Ford’s rebuild, Ron is still thrilled that he gets to cruise in this cool custom. “Taking it for the first drive home, I couldn’t get the smile off my face,” he says. “This is my dream car.” Congrats on being named a Finalist for the Fuel Curve Custom of the Year during the Goodguys FiTech Spring Nationals presnted by Grundy Insurance.
Photos by Damon Lee
