Hank Fournier's 1936 Ford
1936 Ford 5-Window Coupe owned and restyled by Rhode Island King Pins member Hank Fournier of Warwick, Rhode Island. All work on the coupe was done by Hank in the carport alongside his house around 1950.[1] He chopped the top 3 inches, sectioned the body 6 inches and channeled the body an additional 6 inches over the frame. All these modifications gave Hank's coupe a new, low and sleek appearance. The running boards were modified by narrowing them in the rear. The doors were shaved for handles, and the deck-lid and hood were de-ornamented as well. The shaved hood featured a scoop, securing enough cooling to the warmed over 1951 Oldsmobile mill. Grille bars from a 1936 Chevrolet were installed and fit inside the stock shell with chrome trim outlining. A set of 1940 Chevrolet headlights were adapted and frenched to the front fenders. All body seams were hammer-welded and a set of 1941 Packard taillights were installed in the rear along with a continental kit. A new interior was stitched up, consisting of pleats and rolls. The dashboard was handmade.[2]
The hood scoop on the coupe was off of an F900 ford truck. According to The New England Hot Rod and Kustom Historical Society, the story behind the scoop is that Hank forgot to check if the hood cleared the carb with an air cleaner which it didn't! His father came home with the f900 scoop they cut it in and the carb and air cleaner fit perfectly into the scoop![1]
In 1958 Hank's coupe appeared in Custom Cars December 1958. This version ran 1937 DeSoto ripple-bumpers and fender-skirts. The same year the car was shown at the 1958 Hot Rod & Custom Car World's Fair in West Springield, Massachusetts. This version ran bumpers made from Ford and Plymouth components up front, and a modified Plymouth bumper in the rear. This version was also featured in Car Craft March 1959, and it did not run fender-skirts. The exterior was was painted in purple enamel. The 1951 Oldsmobile 303 cui engine featured a Ford clutch and a 1940 Ford transmission with Zephyr gears.
Hank's old coupe is still around, and in 2011 it was owned by Don Vieno of Caryville, Tennessee. The 2011 version of the old custom has been painted yellow and it has been fit with other bumper guards on the rear bumper. Sidepipes with three outlets have also been installed on each side of the car.
Magazine Features
Custom Cars December 1958
Car Craft March 1959
References
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