Chris Casny's 1931 Ford
1931 Ford Model A Coupe owned and built by Chris Casny of Hollywood, California. This was Chris's second hot rod, and he had to sell his boattailed 27' Nash to finance the build. A 1930 - 1931 Ford on a set of 1932 Ford rails was Casny's dream car, so Chris began searching after a decent body to base his build on. A buddy of him tipped him about a 1931 Ford which Burbank Choppers member Aaron Kahan had for sale. Chris went over to his house to take a look, and it was "the one". Chris just had to have this coupe! Aaron told him that he had a buyer already, however he promised to contact him if it did no sell. A couple of weeks went by, and Chris did not hear from him. He began calling him, but he would never pick up the phone or return his calls. Chris got more frustrated by the minute, so his wife Gloria finally had to admit that she had bought the Coupe for him as a Christmas present for him. Christmas 2007, Chris received a 1931 Ford as a christmas present from Gloria! She's definitely a keeper![1]
Chris disassembled the car, and began by chopping the top 4", and channeling the body 1/2" over the frame to eliminate the gap between the body and frame. He got hold of a pinched and boxed 1932 Ford frame that had been built by Kiwi Konnection in Bakersfield, California. Up front, the frame was fit with a Model A crossmember, and the wishbones was Z'd in order to clear the frame. The front axle was dropped by Jordan Graham of Solvang, California and drilled by Chris. Chromed shocks were installed in front of the front axle. The steering box hailed from a 1966 Mopar car, and he had to build a mini roll bar, bridging the two frame rails to anchor the steering box solidly. Chris fabricated the pitman arm as well as the steering column.[1]
The 322 Buick Nailhead had been fully rebuilt at a high school in Palmdale, and was for sale for a total amount of $1500. A six carb intake manifold was installed along with six Stromberg 97 carburetors that Chris rebuilt. He modified the firewall to allow the Nailhead to fit in the car. He fabricated a set of headers for it by using a SBC lake pipe kit, exhaust flanges from Hot Rod Chassis and Cycle, and pieces of bent pipes, sliced with a cut-off wheel. Not wanting a modern automatic trans, he got hold of a Offenhauser 309 adapter plate and installed a 1939 Ford transmission, turning the power to speed with a 1936 Ford rear axle containing 3.78 gears.[1]
The rear bumper was fabricated by Chris in 7/8 stainless rod, which he bent with heat to his desire, sanded and polished to a chrome-like effect. A set of 1941 Chevrolet taillights were installed, matching the square shape of the Model A. Classic Guide 682-C headlights from OTB Gear was bought and installed on a modified 1932 Ford headlight spreader bar. A repro 1932 Ford grille shell was also purchased. Chris found a 1960s style fliptop aluminum gas filler cap at a swapmeet that he installed above the deck lid. The dash tank had been eliminated, and the dash itself was cleaned and fit with Stewart-Warner gauges. The interior and trunk was upholstered in rolled and pleated oxblood colored leather.[1]
After two years of construction, Jeff Savage was flown in from Brownsburg, Indiana to top it of with a high quality gloss black paint job. Jeff used 3 weeks from bare metal to finish buffing. The paint came out flawless with a rich deep gloss. To finish it up, a set of 1940 Ford wheels were installed with 5.00-16 Firestone Implement tires up front, and 7.50-16 Firestone DeLuxe Champions in the rear.[1]
Magazine Features and Appearances
Rolls & Pleats number 34
Rolls and Pleats Number 35
Powerglide 19
Rod & Custom June 2010
Pistol Magazine No.6
References
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