It was Nick’s desire to have a “steel blue” primary color coupled with an accent color. After Nick, Ganahl, and Compani put their collective thoughts together, the light blue, along with the maroon, was arrived at. For instance, Nick and Ganahl thought painting the grille and wheels maroon was “unusual,” but once completed, they believed it truly enhanced the overall appearance. Although the body color was a light-blue custom mix and left Nick apprehensive, Ganahl and Compani dialed in the color and put Nick at ease.

Ganahl says the 1936 Ford three-window body already had a 4-inch chop when it arrived, likely done in the ’50s. Additional custom touches include 1937 Lincoln Zephyr bumpers, front and rear. Up front, the fender seams were filled and the headlights lowered. In back, the taillight stands were shortened—note the gas filler in the driver-side stand—and the spare-tire mount and its holes were filled in on the decklid area. SCR&C also fabricated the grille bullnose from brass and then plated it, while the rest of the grille surround received the shop’s custom treatment to complement the maroon grille. The exterior rearview mirrors and the single driver-side windshield wiper were also removed.

After the body modifications, Compani Color completed the final sheet metal prep and paint, applying a subdued custom blue that lets the car’s styling and stance speak for itself. (Editor’s note: Congratulations to Joe Compani of Compani Color, founded in 2012. After spending his early years learning at Roy Brizio Street Rods, he was inducted into the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame this year. —B.B.)

Nick’s custom captures the traditional low stance, this time with a mild rake that suggests forward motion even at rest. That attitude comes from the taller rear tires: Diamond Back Auburn Deluxe wide whites with buffed sidewalls, sized 700-15 in the rear and 560-15 up front. Maroon-painted Wheelsmith steel wheels, accented with Ford V-8 caps and trim rings, complete the look.

SCR&C started with stock framerails and modified the chassis to accept Slam Specialties air suspension, a Heidts Mustang II IFS with tubular A-arms and spindles, and a rear C-notch. Custom-mounted shocks work with the airbags at both ends. Out back, a custom triangulated four-link, air suspension, Ford 9-inch rearend, and drum brakes handle the rear suspension. Up front, GM discs and calipers are fed by a Corvette-style master cylinder, while a Wilwood master cylinder operates the hydraulic clutch. The drivetrain uses a McLeod flywheel, pressure plate, and clutch from American Powertrain, paired with a modified TREMEC five-speed transmission. Power comes from an iron-block Chevy 350 fitted with an Edelbrock polished intake, Holley Sniper II EFI, MSD electronic distributor and coil, and Taylor plug wires. An OPTIMA battery, Powermaster alternator and starter, Sanderson headers, and 2-1/2-inch exhaust with glasspack mufflers round out the package. Oldsmobile Rocket valve covers add another touch of detail. Cooling comes from a polished-aluminum water pump, an aluminum radiator painted black with an electric fan, and a Billet Specialties Tru Trac serpentine system. Fuel is supplied by a Tanks Inc. tank with an in-tank Holley pump. The small-block Chevy is painted in the same maroon used elsewhere on the car, creating a strong contrast against the cream-colored firewall.

The interior centers on a detailed stock 1936 Ford three-window dash with a cream-colored insert and modern Stewart-Warner Wing Series gauges. The dash trim is another example of SCR&C’s craftsmanship. The tach sits in the traditional knee-knocker position to the left of the solid-tube steering column. Also notable is the Zephyr steering wheel, customized by Steering Wheel Kris (Olsson Kristoffer) with Nick’s last name, “Ruggiero,” raised on the horn button; the same artwork appears on the shift knob. Chris Plante of Chris Plante Upholstery trimmed the interior in maroon leather, including the traditionally pleated seat and matching pleated door and kick panels. Comfort features include Vintage Air for heat and A/C, with one air vent and the accessory knobs mounted in a custom lower center-dash panel. The windshield can be opened with the factory crank for those moments when a little fresh air is desired. Mike Velasco handled the bulk of the wiring for the interior and the rest of the 1936 Ford three-window, based on a Driven Wireworks fuse panel. A Lokar pedal operates the throttle, while the modified clutch and brake arms use reproduction pedal pads.

For those who managed to attend this year’s Grand National Roadster Show, you probably saw this 1936 Ford three-window custom in the SCR&C booth in Building 4. Or, if you attended the Sacramento Autorama, you saw the three-window capture the Custom D’Elegance award. Nice going.