Tord Enström

A photo of Tord's 1955 Triumph Tiger 650 custom that he developed in 1968. Tord built the bike in 1966. The same year he became friends with Staffan Runhag, who was one of the first hot rodders in town. Photo from The Tord Enström Collection.

After the Triumph Tiger, Tord built a radical 1954 Triumph Thunderbird chopper that his buddy Staffan Runhag named "Länsmans Längtan." Photo from The Tord Enström Collection.

Tord showed the chopper at the 1970 Hot Rod Show in Marmorhallarna in Stockholm. Photo from The Tord Enström Collection.

Tord's first hot rod was a flamed 1939 Ford Tudor street rod. It was Staffan who tipped him about the Tudor in 1971. Working on and off the car, he completed the build around 1983. Photo from The Tord Enström Collection.

Tord did most of the work on the tudor himself. "I painted it black at the school where I worked in 1982. The following year, Staffan and I painted the flames with a small Humbrol paint gun. That took three weeks of working evenings. Ivve Hallberg pinstriped the flames baby blue."Photo from The Tord Enström Collection.

Photo from The Tord Enström Collection.

Tord Enström of Enköping, Sweden, has carved a niche for himself in the realm of custom and classic cars. His journey, punctuated with unique creations and meaningful collaborations, stands as a testament to his dedication and skill.

The 1955 Triumph Tiger 650

It all began in 1966 when Tord ventured into custom vehicle creation with his first project, a 1955 Triumph Tiger 650. This marked the onset of a lifelong passion that would see Enström create numerous memorable vehicles. 1966 was also significant for another reason - it was the year Enström formed a lasting friendship with Staffan Runhag, a pioneering hot rodder in Enköping. This friendship would play a crucial role in Enström's future projects.

Triumph Thunderbird Chopper: Crafting "Länsmans Längtan"

Enström's next project was a radical 1954 Triumph Thunderbird Chopper. Aptly named "Länsmans Längtan" by Runhag, this chopper showcased at the 1970 Hot Rod Show in Marmorhallarna, Stockholm, was a clear indicator of Enström's evolving expertise.

The Journey From Choppers to Hot Rods

In 1971, Enström's attention turned towards hot rods, starting with a 1939 Ford Tudor street rod. Reflecting on this transition, Enström recounted to Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in 2020, "I bought it from Åkers Styckebruk in Strängnäs." The car, equipped with a broken down 60 horsepower flathead V8, was ripe for transformation.

Without a garage, progress on the Tudor was initially slow. Enström began by separating the body from the frame and sandblasting the frame. He then embarked on repairing the rusted body. "1975, I got a 1936 Ford Cabriolet project for Christmas from Staffan Runhag. I built a house with a big garage 1976 - 1978." This period was crucial for Enström, as it allowed him to resume and intensify his work on the Tudor.

The Tudor's transformation was a testament to Enström's meticulous approach. "I painted it black at the school where I worked in 1982. The following year, Staffan and I painted the flames with a small Humbrol paint gun. That took three weeks of working evenings. Ivve Hallberg pinstriped the flames baby blue." The Tudor was powered by a modified Mercury flathead 59A engine with three Stromberg 97 carburetors and Ford Comet heads. It featured widened 1939 Ford 15-inch wheels at the back and 14-inch wheels at the front.

The Tudor's unveiling was a resounding success, securing second place in the Closed Class at the 1983 Hot Rod Show. In 1986, the Tudor found a new home with Pål Otto Aspen of Trondheim, Norway.

The 1936 Ford Cabriolet Project: A Gift and a Challenge

Post-Tudor, Enström focused on the 1936 Ford Cabriolet, a Christmas gift from Runhag. The frame was reinforced by Kristan Johansson in Bålsta and equipped with a Jaguar front and rear end, along with a small-block Chevy engine. In 2002, this car too found a new owner in Jan "Blomman" Blomstrand, another Enköping local.

Tord Enström's Cars

Tord Enström's 1936 Ford Cabriolet
Tord Enström's 1939 Ford Tudor Sedan