Mike Young had planned to build his next street rod using a reproduction body, but when he found an original all-steel 1929 Ford roadster online, he couldn't resist buying it instead. What began as a touch-up project evolved into a full frame-off rebuild that yielded this beauty.
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For longer drives, Mike and Glenna Young pop the soft black top up on the roadster to cut down on wind buffeting. The top is the handiwork of Walt Curry of Mulvane.
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A closer look at the custom upholstery work in the trunk reveals the pinstriping pattern stitched into the red leather over the wheel tubs.
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The red roll-and-pleat panels continue over into the trunk area, which is also carpeted to match the passenger compartment.
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For safety's sake and to add a bit of style to the rear end, the under-dash fuel tank was scrapped and a modified '32 Ford tank tucked between the rear frame horns.
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A set of Magnaflow mufflers are tucked between the fat Mickey Thompson tires in the back, giving the hot rod a distinctive rumble when the motor is fired up.
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Looking forward toward the chromed 2-inch dropped axle reveals the TCI Street Fighter automatic transmission fitted to the small-block Chevy V-8.
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Classic Stewart Warner black gauges fill the engine-turned dash insert. Santa left the Tiki head shift knob in Young's Christmas stocking.
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The flames even roll under the hood panel on the roadster. Shane Zimmerman painstakingly outlined every flame on the car in Sherwin-Williams white.
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The '29 roadster was already black with flames when Young bought it about five years ago. But he wanted more traditional looking flames, so a complete repaint was in order, producing theses impressive results.
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American Racing Wheels provided the extra-wide 15-inch Salt Flats rear rims, complete with three-bar knockoff spinners.
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The all-steel roadster features a set of rear wheel tubs that make it possible to stuff a set of 18-1/2 inch Mickey Thompson street tires inside the stock-width rear fenders.
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Walt Curry of Mulvane handled the interior appointments of Young's rod, modifying the existing bench seat and cloaking everything in rich red leather. The nifty armrests are set off with pinstriping-style stitching.
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Chris Carlson and Wess Lewis of Chaotic Customs, where the roadster was completely rebuilt, applied the full frontal flame job on the fenders, grille shell and hood.
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Young estimates the ZZ 383 crate motor pumps out about 450 horsepower, more than enough to move his street rod down the street in style.
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A leather-wrapped Grant banjo-style steering wheel atop a Flaming River custom steering column keeps the little roadster pointed in the right direction.
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Warmer weather means the beautifully fitted soft top on Mike Young's roadster is carefully stowed away so he and his wife can enjoy open-air cruising.
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Mike Young's 1929 Ford roadster, awash in flames, poses a serious threat of starting a small forest fire in this wooded setting in Derby. His theory: "You can't have too many flames or too much chrome."
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