Ron and Deb Cizek’s 1940 Ford Coupe may be named “Checkered Past,” but the Ridler Award-winning vehicle is more likely an indication of a bright future for custom car builder Andy Leach.
The coupe is the very first car built by Leach’s new hot rod shop, Cal Automotive Creations of Omaha, NE.
A veteran of Troy Trepanier’s Rad Rides by Troy, Leach set the bar high with the shop’s first creation. Named “Checkered Past” for its history as a race car, the 1940 Ford Coupe includes an impressive list of modifications and mechanical goodies–enough to stand above the other seven finalists for the Ridler (see more pics of the Pirelli Great 8 below) at last weekend’s Detroit AutoRama:
Engine & Drivetrain
- Flathead V8 with electronic fuel injection and GMC 4-71 supercharger
- Offenhauser cylinder heads and Isky camshaft
- Bowler 6-speed T-56 transmission
- Ford 9-inch rear-end with 3.70 gears
Suspension
- Independent rear suspension with control arms and coil-over shocks
- A-arm front suspension
- Disc brakes
Body Modifications
- Hood shortened four inches from stock
- Custom 1940-style grille shortened five inches from stock
- Re-contoured front/rear fenders and wheel openings
- Hand-formed running boards
- One-off custom wheels
- Checkered Past Red paint by Charley Hutton’s Color Studio
Interior
- Two-tone leather seats with distressed leather inserts
- Mercedes cognac wool carpeting
- Classic Instruments gauges
Special thanks to TMG Event Marketing for these images.
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