Hot Rods Fab32’s five window made it to Autorama Detroit

One year ago I asked Frank’s (Fab32) widow if I could finish his coupe for Autorama? She said yes and it took me (with a lot of help) until 7:00 am move in day, but I drove it up to the house and into the trailer. Then I drove it into Cobo Hall which was kind of emotional. That coupe was Frank’s dream car. He bought it in 1977, a week after I was born and it’s been off the road since 1979-80. Frank’s wife and son even made the trip to come see it on display.

I built an entirely new chassis using the original rails. Added a 600+ HP Malcuit racing engine from a pavement Super Late Model, Muncie 4 speed, and a 9” with 3.70 gears and a spool. A coworker buffed out the 50 year old Corvette Honduras maroon. Another friend powder coated the wheels, and Stichbitch in Minnesota handled the seat. Lots of work ahead, but it drove for the first time since I was in diapers and that’s pretty cool. The coupe will be on display in two weeks at Cleveland’s Piston Powered Auto-Rama.


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saw it at the show! kool thing you did! im sure frank approved.

 

Right on, knockout job, the stance is perfect and the wheels really look good on there too and I generally don't get too jazzed up about steel wheels.
How does that 600 hp motor like those rams horn exhaust manifolds?

 

Thanks. Yeah it made 600 HP with 180 degree headers and a giant single plane intake with a 750 Holley. I’m sure it’s a lot closer to 500 HP now. I’ve driven it less than a quarter mile so I’m not sure how it likes the exhaust? But at least they’re the 2.5” ones and it sounds pretty obnoxious.


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Also saw it at the show you did a great job bringing it back .

 

You did a great job bringing it to life. Looking forward to seeing it in Cleveland!

 

Thank you,it does my heart good to see a car Frank wanted to get back on the road do so,I'm sure it was emotional driving the car into Cobo Hall,you did a great job!

A wonderful tribute to a man we all thought highly of. HRP

 

Nice car, good karma. Well done.

 

Nice job, good to remember him! Appreciated.

 

That is so awesome, great job!!!

 

Lots of emotions involved in this build. I’m at the shop right now just finished talking to Frank’s wife about the future of this car. There were a couple of nights during the build where out of frustration, lack of sleep, and just plain missing that old guy, I sat on the floor leaning against the coupe and just lost it. I thought I was going to have a rough time driving into Cobo, but more than anything I was happy. Plus I just gave his wife a ride back up to the house in the coupe. Sadly she never got to experience that with Frank. She was all smiles.


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...you already know what I think. I miss him, too.

 

Looking forward to seeing it in Cleveland !

 

Wow. Cool. Tons of props, Lucky77

 

Great story and hot rod.

 

Miss old Frank here.
I’d bet he was right there with you every step of the way.
600? Oh my. That little thing will be a rocket ship.
Good job. Looks great.

 

Awesome car, well done!

 

Well....600+ on the dyno with 180 degree headers, a single plenum intake and 750 Holley. I know the guy who had this motor in his ‘57 Chevy and it would haze the tires at 60 mph. It’s a lot closer to 500 HP now with the Corvette ram’s horns and Rochester tri power. Still, it should be enough to motivate this old coupe.


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It was looking good in the basement.

 

Nice.....Best story there. The car looks great!

 

Do you have a close up shot of the show sign board for the coupe?
Thanks
Russell

 

Perfect stance man. I love it.

 

Ya done good.

 

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I miss my old buddy Frank and our Friday lunches.
I was glad to be around to see Frank's wife and son come down to see the car at Autorama. It was a little emotional. I tried to blame on dirt in my eyes, but nobody was buying it.
Thanks for doing this Scott. I know it wasn't easy for you at times, but it was important to a lot of people.
I hope the car has a promising future and that you continue to play a role in it.

 

Well done on getting it there.

 

Thanks for posting the pic of the sign.
I knew the history of the coupe however it is nice to read it again.

 

Ten years from now we’ll still be having the same conversation about missing our buddy Frank. Seeing Patrick and Sharon’s reaction to the coupe being there on display was worth all the long nights. Thanks though, I appreciate the encouragement I got from you and others during this build. I definitely needed it.


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Very cool...many of us youngish guys had a Frank in our lives and they are no longer with us..what a killer tribute...I hope to one day find my “frank” Gators old T he built back in the day and put it back to how he had it..car looked great and I’m sure his family were thankful.