Sam Benton's 1936 Ford Coupe

1936 Ford Coupe owned and restyled by Coupes of Tulsa member Sam Benton of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Benton's Coupe was customized in the 1950s, transforming it from a practical street machine into an award-winning showpiece. Originally intended as a grocery hauler for Benton's wife, Ruth, the car evolved into a top-tier custom rod through years of labor and modifications. Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

An early iteration of Sam's Coupe as it appeared in 1954. This version featured a lowered rear end and fender skirts. Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

The body of the Coupe underwent a comprehensive rejuvenation process. Benton replaced all rubber fittings and chrome trim, ensuring a fresh appearance. Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

The dashboard was dressed up with 1949 Mercury gauges. Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

At the drags! Featuring a 284-cubic-inch 1948 Mercury flathead V8 with Edelbrock heads, a three-carb manifold, and a full-race Harmon-Collins cam, the car became a dominant force on the strips as well. Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

A photo of Sam's Coupe taken at an indoor car show. The photo was developed in May of 1957. Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

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The Duke Custom Shop of Tulsa was tasked with upgrading the interior, replacing the original cloth top with a canvas-covered metal panel to prevent leaks. The interior was also fitted with a rolled and pleated Naugahyde finish. Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

"Sam's Shoewpiece" - After completion, Sam and Ruth Benton’s Ford Coupe dominated the custom car show circuit. It also landed a featured story in Car Speed and Style June 1958, gaining national recognition. Written by Don Elliott, the story featured photos by Larry Bouldin. According to the story, it was refreshing to see a pre-war custom amongst all the 1958 model cars at the show.

When the coupe was featured in Car Speed and Style June 1958, Sam and Ruth had won eight out of ten competitions they had entered the car in, including a class victory at the Kansas City show. Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

Another photo of the car taken at an indoor car show. Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

A second photo from the same show. Photo courtesy of Gabe Naccarato.

Lost & Found - 1936 Ford

1936 Ford Coupe owned and restyled by Coupes of Tulsa member Sam Benton of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Benton's Coupe was customized in the 1950s, transforming it from a practical street machine into an award-winning showpiece. Originally intended as a grocery hauler for Benton's wife, Ruth, the car evolved into a top-tier custom rod through years of labor and modifications.

Build History

Sam spent four and a half years perfecting his 1936 Ford Coupe. Initially, the car was meant to serve as a utility vehicle for his wife, but Benton soon incorporated custom modifications that turned it into a premier show car. Despite initial disagreements, Ruth Benton eventually embraced the project and became actively involved in presenting the car at shows.

Exterior Modifications

The body of the Coupe underwent a comprehensive rejuvenation process. Benton replaced all rubber fittings and chrome trim, ensuring a fresh appearance. To reduce road noise, he installed fiberglass sheets inside the body panels. The Duke Custom Shop of Tulsa was tasked with upgrading the interior, replacing the original cloth top with a canvas-covered metal panel to prevent leaks. The interior was also fitted with a rolled and pleated Naugahyde finish.

Engine and Performance

The car was powered by a 284-cubic-inch 1948 Mercury block that was extensively modified. The engine featured an 8.5:1 compression ratio, using Edelbrock heads and a three-carburetor manifold from the same brand. A full-race Harmon-Collins camshaft was installed, along with Chrysler "62" intake valves, a 20-pound cut steel flywheel balanced by Edelbrock, and an Auburn clutch and plate. The engine was ported and relieved to improve performance, and these modifications resulted in the Mercury engine developing over 180 horsepower.

The car's power was transferred through a column-shifted 1940 Ford transmission paired with a 3.78:1 rear end from the same model year. The suspension and braking system were upgraded with Monroe tubular shocks and hydraulic brakes. The coupe rode on 6.00-16 front tires and 6.50-16 rear tires, which enhanced both its stance and handling. With these improvements, the vehicle had a total weight of 3,040 pounds.

Show Success

After completion, Sam and Ruth Benton’s Ford Coupe dominated the custom car show circuit. It won eight out of ten competitions it entered, including a class victory at the Kansas City show. It also landed a featured story in Car Speed and Style June 1958, gaining national recognition. The car's show-stopping looks and performance made it too valuable to risk as a daily driver, leading Benton to work on a new Pontiac-powered 1940 Ford sedan as a replacement for Ruth’s transportation.

Legacy

The 1936 Ford Coupe built by Sam Benton stands as a testament to the golden age of custom car culture in Tulsa in the 1950s. Its meticulous build quality, high-performance enhancements, and dominant presence in the show scene exemplify the craftsmanship and dedication of early hot rod enthusiasts. While Benton moved on to new projects, his 1936 Ford remains a celebrated example of period-perfect customization.

Where is it Now?

Sam Benton's grandson, Gabe Naccarato, is searching for his grandfather’s old custom. He believes the car was sold in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in late 1958 or early 1959. Key identifying features include a filled roof with a Naugahyde "fake" insert, 1949 Mercury gauges, a full-race 59AB flathead engine, and a 1940 side-shift transmission. Gabe has collected several photos of the car from its show days and is eager to find out where it ended up. If you have any leads on the whereabouts of Sam Benton's 1936 Ford Coupe, please reach out to Kustomrama at mail@kustomrama.com]. Any information, no matter how small, could help bring this piece of custom car history back to the family.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Car Speed and Style June 1958