Shawn Smith's 1934 Chevy Vicky
(from Volume 18, Issue 197)
 

Shawn Smith spent a lot of his younger years in Canada, playing hockey in the Great White North. This is also where he met his lovely wife, and got into auto mechanics. The marriage produced two sons (who are both also into cars), and his career as a mechanic got him into hot rods. The 1933 Chevy Vicky is the third vehicle Shawn has done, the first being a ‘55 Nomad, and the second a ‘29 Ford Model A.

The Smiths moved to Florida about 11 years ago, and though he now owns a ‘34 Chevy Vicky, ironically he is a mechanic at a Ford dealership. While Shawn was quick to point out that the Vicky was initially build by someone else, he has changed a lot of things on it along the way to make it his personal toy.

The car utilizes a Downs frame, upon which a Downs body is mounted. Up front you’ll find a stainless steel Heidts Super Ride independent front suspension, a Corvette independent rear end with 3.55:1 gears out back, and disc brakes all around. Popping open the hood reveals a ‘94 Corvette LT1 fuel injected engine, which is fitted with a stainless steel exhaust and Griffin radiator, while shifting duties are the responsibility of a 700R4 overdrive automatic transmission with a B&M shift kit.

The exterior of the car is painted maroon with some subtle pinstriping along the beltline, a small pinstriped graphic behind the doors, and a set of Billet Specialties rims. However, Shawn believes one of the best points on the Vicky is the interior, which was done by Howard Krusey of Complete Auto Upholstery in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Shawn believes that since Howard owns a street rod himself, he really understands what a fellow street rodder wants in an interior. For Shawn’s Vicky that includes sculpted cream vinyl upholstery, a set of Cerullo bucket seats, Vintage heat and air, half-wrapped Billet Specialties steering wheel, Dakota digital dash, a tasteful compliment of billet trim items, power windows, tilt steering column and cruise control. If you are checking out the interior of the car be sure and look up too, as the headliner is extremely stylized, and includes storage compartments, an overhead console for the JVC stereo system, and speakers.

Shawn is now over 60, living in Largo, Florida, and enjoying the fruits of his labor. Both of his sons are also into cars, so the lighthearted argument around the Smith dinner table is who will get the car when Shawn is gone. I’m sure that is a long way off....as Shawn plans on enjoying his ‘34 Chevy Vicky for many years to come. It is always a hit at car shows and cruise-ins, and makes Shawn feel like a kid again when he climbs behind the wheel. CN

Corner
 
Corner
e