Joe Pirronello's 1923 Dodge

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Joe's Dodge as it sat when it was featured in Popular Hot Rodding January 1963
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Joe's Dodge from a featured story in Hot Rod Magazine December 1963
Eddie Dye's 1929 Ford Model-A Roadster and Joe's Dodge on a The Lively Set lobbycard from 1964
Joe gave the car a Candy Burgundy paint job to match a race car he was partner in.[1]
The Candy Burgundy version advertised for sale.[1]
The Dodge as it sat in 2010 when it was advertised for sale on Hemmings.
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Joe-pirronello-1923-dodge-lively-set.jpg

1923 Dodge Roadster Pickup built by San Diego Prowlers member Joe Pirronello in the late 1950s. Joe, who was a fireman by trade, got the urge to build the car after seeing Norm Grabowski and Tommy Ivo's Model T's. Joe's Dodge consisted of a 1923 Dodge Touring body he had found buried in the desert. The body was mounted on a 1928 Ford Model A frame. The bed was a widened 1927 Ford Model T pickup bed, and the grille shell was from a Model T. Joe used a 1937 Ford V8 60 front end, Ford Banjo rear end, and 1940 Ford juice brakes. The first version was painted bright red.[2] With help from his friends Terry Bowman and Joe Perretta, the build took 3 1/2 years. When it was featured in Popular Hot Rodding January 1963 the car was powered by a 283 Corvette engine and a 1939 Ford transmission. The tail lamps were converted 1912 Ford kerosene types. The interior was upholstered in Pearl Naugahyde. A Cragar steering wheel was fit on top of a 1941 Willys Ross gearbox mounted vertically.[3]


In 1964 Joe's Dodge was used in The Lively Set movie where it was driven by Doug McClure. Mickey Thompson did the stunt driving.[2] The same year it was also featured on the cover of Car Craft January 1964.


Later on Joe gave the car a Candy Burgundy paint job to match a race car he was partner in. The Candy Burgundy version was advertised for sale by Joe. According to the ad, the car then sported a 301 Chevrolet V-8. Total investment in the build was $6,500.[1]


The car received a frame off restoration in the late 2000s, and was advertised for sale on Hemmings in January 2010. The owner was asking $150,000 for the car.[2]


Magazine Features

Popular Hot Rodding January 1963
Hot Rod Magazine December 1963
Car Craft January 1964


References




 

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