The Idaho ’39

Over half a century ago, the folks at AMT produced a 1940 Ford sedan model kit. It was part of the 3’n 1 Trophy Series where they gave you more than enough pieces to finish the project as well as the next two, maybe three if you had a long attention span. From its injected Olds to miniature nerf bars, the 1/25 scale kit had a lot to offer for show and go right out of the box. In addition to all these customizing parts, AMT gave you an option I had never seen before—they let you choose between ’39 and ’40 Ford DeLuxe grilles. I went with the ’39. It was undoubtedly the hardest decision I had to make all week.

When I bought my AMT ’40-turned-’39 Ford sedan model kit in the early 2000s, I’d wager the bill came to close to $20 after I had picked out the paint and glue. Back in the mid-’50s, Larry Cloyd paid the same amount for his sedan, although his was one year older and 25 times larger.

What happened next were a series of typical modifications to an atypical car. Gutting, cutting and dropping in the biggest engine that could fit were mainstays of the transformation. Underneath the hood, a 4×2-equipped Chrysler replaced the outdated flatty. Inside, a repurposed oxygen tank accompanied Larry as he clinched the banjo wheel and jammed away at the fragile ’39 Ford transmission.

Number 969 was strictly business in the looks department. Hundreds of small holes in well-planned patterns increased airflow on the nose, deck and all four fenders. Moon discs aided streamlining, while green Plexiglas windows were installed to save weight.

By 1958, all this weight cutting eventually paid off; Mr. Cloyd pushed the sedan to a new track record near his hometown of Nampa, Idaho, with a 109mph blast. Not bad for an ’ol fat fendered Ford that costs less than a model kit.

—Joey Ukrop  

Photos from HRM, December 1958