Don Cordts of Leesburg has always been interested in anything that goes fast, looks good coming and going, and makes noise. Among other things, this lead to a ten year venture into S.C.C.A. racing. About five years ago Don got into street rods by building a 1933 Ford 3-Window Coupe from the ground up. It was Ford powered, and took about a year and a half of hard work. For his latest ride, Don decided to buy this recently finished 1936 Ford Pickup back in March of this year.
The body is all steel, except for the rear fenders, and wears ‘77 Corvette Yellow paint. A low stance, slight rake, and a set of Wheel Vintiques painted wire wheels all add up to a somewhat nostalgic hot rod feel. And with that bright yellow paint not only are bugs attracted to it, but also admiring people.
Power comes from a dressed up Chevy ZZ3 fueled by a 650 Holley and ignited by an MSD ignition system. It is then routed through a 700R4 overdrive automatic to a 9 inch Ford rear end fitted with 3.55:1 gears. Underneath it features a Heidt’s polished stainless steel independent front end, a triangulated 4-bar system out back, and Aldan coil-overs all around. A set of Wilwood disc brakes are located at all four corners for sure stops.
Inside it was Tom Johnson at Johnson Auto Interiors in Longwood that got the nod to stitch up the blue tweed upholstery, featuring a unique split bench seat. An Ididit tilt steering column is topped with a banjo style steering wheel, plus there are lots of billet pieces rounding out the tastefully executed interior. A Vintage Air system keeps the cabin cool, which comes in pretty handy as we head into those hot Florida summer months.
Don told us that he had always wanted an early model Pickup, so he was thrilled to find this one. It fit all his needs; it goes fast, looks good coming and going, and has that “hot rod” sound. But most of all Don and Nancy Cordts enjoy going to cruise nights and car shows with their friends. CN
