Top Five Hot Rod of the Year Finalist: Jav’s Model A Coupe gets a new lease on life thanks to Hot Rods and Hobbies
Congratulations to Ryan Kalil and Hot Rods and Hobbies for being selected as a Top 5 Finalist for the Tanks, Inc. Hot Rod of the Year with this fun 1931 Ford Model A Coupe.
Scott Bonowski and his Hot Rods and Hobbies team are no strangers to the Tanks, Inc. Hot Rod of the Year competition, as they won the title back in 2018 with a Model A roadster built for David Martin. They brought Ryan Kalil’s ’31 Model A Coupe this year and found themselves in the Top Five with the great-looking, hard-running coupe, just a few months after it was a West Coast d’Elegance finalist in Del Mar.
This Model A Coupe has family history for Ryan, as it used to belong to his wife’s grandfather, known as “Jav” since he was “thin like a javelin.” Jav was heavily involved in the Southern California hot rod scene in the 1940s and ’50s, and Ryan wanted to honor his history when he took ownership of the car. In fact, Jav was closely involved in the build until he passed away. Hot rod designer Eric Black connected Ryan with Scott at Hot Rods and Hobbies, where the vision for the Flying Jav Model A came to life.
The Model A coupe is based on a custom frame with Deuce rails, a dropped I-beam front axle, hairpins, a Flaming River steering box, and Lincoln drum brakes. A triangulated four-link suspends the Banjo-style rearend, and there are Wheelsmith 15- and 16-inch wire wheels and Coker Excelsior tires fitted all around. Modern power comes in the form of an LS3 engine and 4L65E trans, but they have vintage style thanks to a Borla 8-Stack fuel injection system, Thunderbird valve covers with custom emblems, cast exhaust manifolds, and thoughtful detailing.
The Model A body was treated to a chopped top, which was also stretched to accept flush-fit sedan doors. The coupe was also “updated” with a Deuce grille, fenders, and running boards, along with the leather-strapped hood. A custom front spreader bar was fabricated and complemented with a thin nerf bar in the rear, which is bookended with ’37 DeSoto taillights in custom buckets. The body is bathed in a beautiful custom-mixed Axalta green hue.
Chris Plante at Plante Interior Co. handled the tasteful upholstery work, which included beautiful brown leather stitched over a Glide seat, with matching door panels and other soft parts. A classic four-spoke, wood-rimmed steering wheel tops the custom column, while Classic Instruments gauges are fitted in the dash. Topping the Gennie shifter is a custom knob fitted with a knight’s head taken from a medallion that Jav wore back in his young car club days.
The Flying Jav performed flawlessly in the Hot Rod of the Year competition, even getting sideways during its impressive burnout. Even better was having owner Ryan Kalil there to enjoy the festivities. We’d like to think Jav was there in spirit, too.
Photos: John Jackson, Marc Gewertz
