The coupe was purchased from the grandson of the original owner who had purchased it new! The ’33 Chevy coupe was passed down from one grandson to another but each time there was interest but never enough to get the job done. When Bob went to pick up the coupe the body was sitting on 4x4s with all the parts in storage. As for body damage it was minimal, a few spots of rust. A deal was made and the Chevy went to its new home.

Technically it’s a ’33 Chevy three-window Master Sport Coupe that came with an original 206-inch straight-six. During the build process it would receive a GMC 302 six that would be bumped up to 320 inches.

About the motor, the machine work was handled at R&R Machine where the block was bored 0.125 inch and set up for full-pressure oiling. Next, American Custom Cams provided a reground cam. Sissels Automotive received the nod to work with the stock iron head and then modified it to accept a stainless steel intake (1.94-inch) and exhaust (1.60) valves and Crower springs. While you can’t see this “performance” you sure as heck can see the mesmerizing Clifford intake manifold topped with the three Weber DCOE 45 sidedraft carbs fed by a Carter electric fuel pump. Lighting the fuel load is a Mallory dual-point distributor with a PerTronix coil, Packard 440 primary wires, and lit by an Optima RedTop battery. The spent gases exit via Bob’s own handiwork in the form of four-into-two dual exhausts measuring 1-3/4- and 1-7/8-inch primary tubes that empty into 2-1/4-inch exhaust tubes, all ceramic coated, through MagnaFlow mufflers. Other engine appointments include a Chevy 235 six-cylinder water pump, starter, while the alternator is a Powermaster PowerGen. Cooling falls to a Thomas Brice aluminum radiator along with a flex fan. As six cylinders have a way of performing, the torque is rated higher than the horsepower: 350 lb-ft and 300 hp. All this power is run through a Powertrain Industries driveshaft linking the TREMEC TKO 600 five-speed. The clutch package is a McLeod Super Street clutch setup, including pressure plate and a Z/28 nodular flywheel and a ’57 Chevy rearend running 4.11 gears.

The inline-six rests between the boxed stock framerails that features dual 1×2-inch rectangular steel K-style crossmembers and an added shock crossmember. The front suspension is based on a 2-inch drilled-and-dropped axle by Sid’s Axles with Posies Super Slide springs and ’56 Corvette spindles and a pair of chrome Pro Shocks. Also included is a 3/4-inch adjustable sway bar and stock-style parallel leaf springs. The steering is a ’38 Chevy box (19:1) and steering column. The rear suspension is based once again on stock-style parallel leaf springs with lowering blocks, Posies Super Slide springs, a pair of Monroe tube shocks, and an adjustable 3/4-inch rear sway bar.

Stopping power comes by way of ’62 Buick 12-inch drums that are covered with finned aluminum drums with drilled backing plates that also use stainless steel screens. The master cylinder and pedal assembly comes from a ’39 Chevy. All of this rides on a set of Wheelsmith 5×16 and 6×16 Smoothie powdercoated wheels wrapped with 5.00×16 and 7.00×16 Excelsior/Coker Super Sport radials.

The steel ’33 Chevy has a few modifications, such as the rear tire mount removed, car runs minus hood side panels, but LimeWorks leather hood straps can be seen. The Chevy still features a wood superstructure with much of it replaced with a combination of David Entler Reproduction Wood and home-shaped pieces. All the wood was then finished with a clear epoxy sealer.

The bodywork was handled by Salamanca Metalcraft and from here Arts Place applied the single-stage urethane Commando Green (’15 Jeep) color. The original dash features a Haneline engine turned insert with Stewart-Warner Wings gauges then wired through an Enos Custom Components harness. From here a Brooklands-style banjo wheel is used along with the ’38 Chevy column. BJ’s Auto Trim stitched over the Ford Escort bucket and rumble seats in a Nappa old leather in Bourbon Brown with a taupe-hued headliner. Black aircraft-style lap belts are also included.

If it weren’t for dreams, there isn’t a hot rodder alive who would have his current or “soon-to-be” ride. Thank goodness all of us never stop dreaming.