Jim Reid Prowler Member #101

Hi! I’m Jim Reid.  I don’t know when I really became a hot rodder.  My revered Uncle Harold and grandfather were mechanics.  I first subscribed to Hot Rod magazine at 14.  I hung around the neighborhood gas station after my paper route to see the hot rods that would drop in to visit. I ditched my homework to watch 77 Sunset Strip hoping to see Kookie’s T roadster for just 3 seconds!  I could never shake the desire to build a “cool” car.

My first hot rod came out of a 1927 Ford T bucket and Model A frame I bought from Carl Burnett in 1964.  One afternoon in 1966 I found an invitation to a Prowler meeting left on the seat by Curt Holmquist and later joined the Prowlers.  I drove that car less than a year when it became obvious the T Bird engine and 39 ford box wouldn’t ever live up to my expectations.

  The ’27 roadster body got a new frame and running gear using the new Ford/Shelby 289 and automatic.  It was fast (really fast!) and fun.  We drove all over So.Cal.–Visalia, L.A.Roadster shows, Huntington Beach, the annual Prowler run to Palm Springs at Easter and Halloween Parties in Pauma Valley.

I wanted it to capture elements of the late 40’s homebuilt Model T modifieds of the dry lakes, salt flats and dirt tracks.  I’ve used designs and in some cases used retired parts of early racecars mixed with more contemporary ideas and materials and have kept it homebuilt.   The engine is a 302 Ford with a 4 speed aluminum toploader and old Champ quickchange.  Four corner aluminum drum brakes are from 1976 and 87 Buicks.  Wheels are Ford pattern 15” and 17” wires.  The steering gear is an old Schroeder racing unit.  An old Ford windshield is chopped to less than half height.  Instrumentation utilizes Stewart Warner gages from the 60’s.