The timingtower.com pick for an award at the 2021 Western Nats has the traditional appearance of a 1950s hot rod, but closer inspection reveals this 1934 Ford five-window coupe is a clever mix of old and new elements. Tony Davidson’s ’34 highboy has an original steel body and an engine from the early 50s, but a look underneath reveals a new frame from Hotshoe Hot Rods. This frame has impressive tubular cross members and a triangulated four-link rear suspension.
Without hood sides you can see the 1956 Cadillac V-8 with Offenhauser valve covers. Tony included a beehive oil cleaner to match the finned valve covers. The intake is aluminum but painted to look like the old 1950s cast iron manifold. Helmet- topped air filters keep the three Stromberg two barrel carburetors running clean. Horsepower from the old Caddie is handled smoothly by a 700R4 transmission. The open headers have baffles provide a nice rumble without being obnoxious.
Up front a 4-inch dropped I-beam suspension sports disc brakes. Tony gave us a ride across the bumpy grass field at the Kern County Fairgrounds and we were surprised at the smooth ride from the solid axle front suspension.
A ’40 Ford steering wheel was a common interior add-on to hot rods in the 1950s, but Tony felt the large diameter of the original wheel was cumbersome and substituted a reproduction 16 inch ’40 Ford wheel from LimeWorks.
To recreate the 1950s look, the coupe has an unfilled top, guide headlights, and rear wheel slicks. A nicely upholstered rumble seat gives passengers a unique ride. However, now the usual occupants of the rumble seat are Tony’s grandkids. The whole package is wrapped in a beautiful paint job of Pepsi blue.
In this highboy coupe, Tony skillfully combined a mix of modern safety and reliability with the great look of a 1950s hot rod.
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It was our pleasure to meet Tony and his outstanding coupe.
