A Coupe with Class

“Gee, that sure is neat!” They’ll say as you motor along in a machine manufactured in a time when roofs were tall to accommodate the hats of the modern gentlemen. No need to modify the bodylines—this is nothing but mid-’20s charm here, neatly built to impress. Imagine the reaction when these top-heavy trompers rolled out of the factory—Oh the amenities! And how about that weather protection? Stupendous visibility, too! Forty years later, the T still had its class and could most certainly draw the right kind of attention when built with restraint.

Try today’s 1924 tall T on for size. It carries the quintessential mid-’60s look without throwing a bunch of bric-a-brick into the equation. No chop. No channel. Fenders and running boards? Check. Spare tire? You betchya. Need some brightwork? Chrome handles, Motometer, windshield frame and tail lamps fill the bill. Still looking for a little more? Glance at the (chromed) crank handle for just a second and then lift the stock hood. Here you’ll find a warmed-over 265 Chev loaded with tri-power (hot!) wedged between the rails. Don’t worry, they were boxed. Wondering why it sits nice and snug in the front? Thank the dropped axle for that.

“How’s it driving that old-timey automobile?” The bystanders will ask. A swing of the door reveals a button tuft and black lacquer on all sides. Gauges fill the dash to make sure all systems are go, while an original steering wheel with wooden rim ensures the coupe heads in the right direction every time. And at the end of the day, Ehrl Enyeart—the proud owner—steered the tall T into his Long Beach, California, garage.

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There’s no denying tall Ts make great hot rods. Whether they’re on the street or at the drags, they’re hard to miss and even harder not to fall for. You can build these things in hundreds of ways for a multitude of purposes, but it looks like Mr. Enyeart successfully built a coupe with class.

—Joey Ukrop

Photos by George Elliott, Popular Hot Rodding, June 1965