Ed Roth's 1930 Ford
1930 Ford Model A Tudor owned and built by Ed Roth of Maywood, California in 1955. The Sedan, better known as the Little Jewel was Ed's first foray into the show car scene. Ed started to build the car after returning from four years of service with the US Air Force.[1] According to the Hot Rods by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth book, Ed named his Sedan the Little Jewel due to Duane Steck and his 1954 Chevrolet called the Moonglow. Everyone thought that it was really cool to have names for their cars, so Ed went on and called his the Little Jewel.[2] Ed restyled the car by swapping the original grille for a 1932 Ford unit. The car featured nerf bars with small accessory turn lights. Ed Roth made the nerf bars and turn lights himself at his shop. The car was painted in red enamel by Wally Jordan, and featured a white Naugahyde top, and white running boards. The interior was upholstered in black and white by Martinez Upholstery.[3]
In order to turn his car in to a trophy winner, Ed chromed the undercarriage of the car. The rake on the car was accomplished by installing a 3-inch dagoed front axle. Juicy brakes were borrowed from a 1948 Ford passenger car, while the shocks were 1949 Ford pickup components. Under the hood, the firewall was liberally pinstriped, and the stock engine was swapped for a 1950 Oldsmobile engine. Roth did the engine swap on the car himself.[3]
Contents
Lee Rhodes of the Long Beach Renegades buys the sedan
Ed Roth sold the Little Jewel to Lee Rhodes of the Long Beach Renegades in late 1958 in order to get money for chrome on the Outlaw.[2]
Sold again to Henry Cantu
The car was later sold to Henry Cantu. Henry had the car painted lime green with white pearl scallops by Ed. By 1962, the hood was removed and a small-block Chevrolet engine had just been installed. The car has not been seen by the public eye since, however rumor has it that it is probably in Henry's garage.[4]
Magazine Features
Car Craft February 1959
Car Craft April 1959
References
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