Timeless Taildragger – Mike Kilen’s 1936 Ford is a Classic Example of California Custom Style in Texas
While the practice of personalizing vehicles most certainly dates back the earliest days of production cars, the concept of automotive customizing as we know it in the realm of hot rodding was likely born in the late 1930s. The fat-fendered, Art Deco-inspired cars that began rolling off assembly lines in the mid-’30s were practically begging for some smooth, streamlined enhancements, and by the 1940s a defining style had emerged that included lowered suspensions (often with a rearward rake), fender skirts, shaved emblems, and chopped tops.
Mike Kilen’s ’36 Ford roadster is an excellent example of this enduring early custom template. In fact, when he cruised into the Texas Motor Speedway infield during the LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals, it was almost as if the sleek, slippery custom had just emerged from a time warp, straight from 1940s California. As it turns out, we were partially correct – the Ford is indeed a recent Texas transplant from the West Coast.
“I haven’t owned the car very long,” Mike explains. “I had been looking for a taildragger ’36 roadster for over a year when I found this one for sale. I wanted a traditional hot rod with a chopped roof and a proper stance. This car was built in California by Fred Morris. I bought it off Eddie Castellano in Las Vegas, who bought it off Fred. I am happy to be the roadster’s new custodian.”
Mike obviously knows a cool custom when he sees one, and it’s easy to see why he seized on the opportunity to own this example. While it looks like it could almost be a restored survivor from the early days of custom cars, the truth is that Fred Morris only began building the roadster about a decade ago, though he obviously had some very classic inspiration.
Fred started with a South American Ford body, which was modified to American-style specifications by Carillo Customs, where most of the metal and fabrication work were performed. The rumble-seat body retains most of the original Ford design and character aside from the 2-inch chopped windshield and top, lowered headlights, and a few other minor enhancements. Josh at Carillo Customs also crafted a custom set of reverse-curve fender skirts to match the shape and flow of the rear fenders.
The skirts complement the low, down-in-back stance that helps define the car’s classic custom style and enhances the teardrop shape of the back end. It’s achieved using an original frame with traditional parts, like a flat rear crossmember and dropped spring locating the banjo-style rearend with 3.54 gears and slide-out axles by Hot Rod Works. A dropped Ford front axle from Sid’s brings the front end down, while a rebuilt ’37 Ford steering box guides direction. Lincoln front drum brakes work in conjunction with ’40 Ford rears and are fitted behind 16-inch steel wheels wearing rare Lyons wheel covers and Firestone 6.00-16 wide whitewall tires.
Naturally, there’s vintage Flathead V8 power rumbling under the Ford’s hood. The 239c.i. 59A engine was built by Arizona’s Coyote Flathead using Offenhauser heads, a Harmon Collins dual-coil, dual-point distributor, a tall Weiand intake with dual Stromberg 97 carbs, and Fenton headers exhaling into a dual exhaust with Porter glasspack mufflers. A rebuilt ’39 Ford three-speed transmission sends power to the rearend.
When the metalwork and body work were completed on the exterior, John Van Pelt bathed the body in a classic black PPG finish. Fresh chrome by New Age Metal Finishers provides some contrast, along with a white top by Tom Sewell.
Sewell is also responsible for the fresh upholstery inside, which consists of burgundy leather stitched in classic rolls and pleats over the original bench seat, along with door and side panels stitched in a simple style. The dash is fitted with restored original instruments, along with auxiliary Stewart Warner gauges below the steering column and a vintage Sun tach strapped to the top. A banjo wheel, finned starter button panel, and original shifter add to the cockpit’s vintage appeal.
Finished a few years ago, the roadster captures a custom style that’s both classic and timeless – a perfect combination for those who appreciate hot rod history and good design. The fact that the car has found two new owners since its completion is evidence of the lasting appeal of a stylish, well-crafted custom. It’s been said that tradition never goes out of style, and Mike is a firm believer in that adage whenever he fires up the Flathead and takes this timeless taildragger for a cruise.
Photos: Damon Lee
