1938 Chevy coupe,Don Wood, Torrance Performers?

I just bought a 1938 Chevy coupe and am trying to find some history on it. It was rebuilt in 1968 by a guy Named Don Wood from Gardena Ca. It has a decal in the driver side quarter window that says Torrance Performers. It looks like it was Like a midnight blue. It has been sitting since 1971 and rumor has it that its because don wood was running from the cops on his motorcycle and crashed and died...

If anyone knows anything about it please let me know.

 

pics please.

 

let's see some pics of this bad boy

 

Will get pics up ASAP. Have been puttin in quite a bit of time at work so i havent gotten around to it.

 

Subscribed... interested in seeing how this turns out!

 

Wow I havent seen that car in years!!! My ex uncle in law was good friends with that person. My ex uncle in law was one of the police officers in the original Gone in 60 Seconds by Tobi Halecki. Anyway that car has been around for a long time. Don Wood lived on Denker and 152nd in Gardena. Oddly enough he had a shooting range under (thats right I said under) his garage and driveway. You would walk to the back behind the garage go down stairs and you were under ground. That 38 sat in that garage for years. You have a special find my friend enjoy!!!!!!
From what I have heard that rumor is true.
Where in the world and how did you come across that old 38?

 

Asshole! Good for you Chris , I know what I offered on it.

 

Damn....The power of the Hamb!! Thats prob the most informitive 3rd post ever! Great find and story guys!

 

HAHA, Sorry tiki, I have been bugging them for like five years and they finally gave in.

 

The carhas been sitting at his mothers house iver on 139th in gardena. I seen this car and started bugging them and they have to get rid of it now so they gave me a call. i will get pics up today!!

 

Got some interior pics, i am too lazy to push it out of the garage.

 

Anybody else have info? Pics? I am ging to get the car out this weekend to take some current pics.

 

Got any pics of the car? I just picked up a 38 coupe..very similar story!
What are your plans to do with it?

 

...and still no pics?

 

is that a maroon color interier....hummmm looks familar....

 

Sorry took over a year to get these up but here are a few

 

A few more

 

so what's next ?---looks like a great start...

 

Well the 327 from a 68 vette had gotten water in it sometime in the 40 years it was sitting so I pulled that, dropped in a 350/350. Front suspension was stock parallel leaf so I pulled that and put in a m2. 56 olds rear end was in good condition so I left that alone. Running new wiring and plumbing for brakes and just going to drive it like it is body wise. Also putting on some silvertowns and stock steel rims(not red). No chop, no bags, no door poppers or power windows. Just a lil upgrade on the suspension and drivetrain and going to drive the hell out of it. What I'm not looking forward to is registering it. Hasn't been regestered since 71 and is missing the body tag and I have no title.

 

good luck with your new project, looks very solid.
...here's my 37 for inspiration...

 

is the dash a maroon/plum color...?.....?.....any colors under the blue...?

 

Yeah, the dash is a maroon color. The whole car was at one point. I took out the headliner that was falling down in chunks and it is also maroon under that. Any particular color you were looking for?

 

Nice gasser. When I got this car it came with all the sheetmetal to make it a 37 but didn't wanna alter this car too much so I kept the 38 front end on it and have sold some of the parts. I still have the hood and grille.

 

My car as of yesterday

 

What shape is that extra 37 grille in? Ever thought of selling it?

 

Straight but pitted. Pm me your email address or cell number if u want pics.

 

Congratulations!
I'm right behind you on the build but I'm going to keep mine as a Gasser
I'm searching for a pair of trunk hinges if you know of anyone that has a spare. I'm in Los Angeles area if you ever need extra help.
Best,
JW

 

if you do not find any; Rocky Hinge company makes some for your car...

 

with the plum color - it could have come out of Sacramento - maybe in the late 50's ?.....does it look like there was some GMC motor mounts in there at some point ? - the chrome dash still gets me...I'll make a call to my uncle tonight...

 

I don't have any or know of anyone that does but have a few contacts that I could ask. I just read your post about your car the other day, I'm glad you decided to keep it a gasser. That car is bad Ass. Would love to see it in person. Where in LA are you?