Customs Definitive Carson Top '36 Ford Roadster

awesome car, great photos, and nice work!

 

I saw David's car at the GNRS "Customs, Then and Now" display and it was incredible. One of my favorite '36s. Period.

 

This has to be one of my (if not THE) favorite 36 I've seen!

 

To think that I let this slip through my fingers 15 years ago...

 

That sucks ...you know I would still be upset about it 15 yrs later as well

 

Absolutely stunning car in every respect! Congrats to Dave for the upholstery job. There is only a fine line between good looking Carson top and something that looks like a full diaper and this one landed squarely on the right side!

 

TECH SPEC​

Owner: David & Louis Zivot
Occupation: Historian
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Designer: David Zivot
Engine Builder: Ray Brown, John Wolf, & David Z
Year: 1936
Make: Ford Roadster
Color: Tuxedo Black
Paint Type: Lacquer
Painter: Jeff Savage & Alan Brunson
Engine: 1947 284 cid Mercury, br 3 3/8" x str 4" J & E forged pistons; Winfield SU-1A cam
Trans: 1939 Ford with Lincoln Zephyr gears
Exhaust: Cast iron Fenton with dual Porter mufflers
Intake/Carb: Original Edelbrock Super-Dual with 94 type carbs
Ignition: Modified Ford crab type
Rear End: 1940 Ford banjo 3:54 final drive
Suspension: Stock Ford transverse leaf
Brakes: 1940 Ford juice
Wheels: Original 1940 Ford
Tires: 610 x 16 Firestone
Seats: 1936 Ford Coupe
Upholstery: Rolled & pleated Carson style; designed by David Z; laid out & executed by David Martinez Industries
Dashboard: Stock chromed
Steering Column: Stock column with 1937 Ford box
Gauges: Stock
Headlights: 1940 Ford 1 ton truck
Taillights: Stock
Horn: Original Garvin air horns
Steering Wheel: 1936 Ford banjo
Body: 1940 Buick skirts; 1940 Olds bumpers; 1940's Eastern Auto Accessory solid hood sides; Original 1940's accessory bull nose; knobs all original 1930-40's Bakelite

 

Thanks for that post...wonderful car.

 

A truely remarkable Roadster! And it's "Portified", makes it that much sweeter! Thanks for being a Porter Supporter. Would love to see a video of it running.
Clark

 

Wow, Michelle, thanks for the great post. What a beautiful car.

Love me some '40 Olds bumpers--which isn't to say that every other part of your '36 isn't right in place, because it is!

 

Kinda stunned- good read Michelley- best written thread on the H.A.M.B., save maybe those of young Ryan's. I'll leave it at that, with thanks for the massive input by you.

Great car of David's- unanimous praise, kick-butt responses here from cats in the know.

I'm Interested in mention of the 'California tops'. They were a fashionable addition to some higher- end American tourers here in Australia in the period 1923?- 1928? These were solid tops, chiefly seen on Studebakers & Hudsons. Very rare now, they were a fashion rage for a while back then ( as were fabric bodies).
May have to look into this one.

 

Nice 36 !

 

One hell of a nice car. It is done perfectly ! Thanks for sharing. I got some great ideas for mine in the future.

 

Hello Spoggie & Pals!
Thank you for your kind praise and observations. I've always been amazed at the Australian proclivity for early Americana, especially automobiles of the immediate pre and post -War era. As for the subject of California tops, they were also a very fashionable (and practical) addition to touring cars, phaetons, roadsters, and runabouts, in the U.S. during approximately the same period. It's interesting that a motorist could acquire one through expensive coach maker and dealer sources, as well as do-it-yourself kits that the owner could assemble and install himself. I have seen evidence of these on all makes from Packard to Model T. Some appearing to be a facsimile of a folding top, while others look like later Carson style so-called padded top. Because of their construction, very few have survived for historical inspection. However they can readily be seen in the background scenes of silent films shot in sunny Southern California, featuring Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, and others.
Best of Luck in Your Endeavors!​

 

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Michelley thanks for the information on the 36 story another good read by you. love those 36's..Here's mine.

 

To learn from the Master priceless your a lucky man.

 

’36 Ford Roadster – Early Style Custom
One of the Best Authentic 1940’s Los Angeles, CA Style
by David Zivot
Timechanic™
​

The ‘36 Ford roadster was never a plentiful commodity. Very seldom seen today, they were uncommonly encountered even during the 1940’s and 50’s. When featured in car oriented publications during those decades, the terms “rare”, “scarce”, and “not often found” were applied. Talking with fellows who are old enough to know (80+), ’36 Ford roadsters were coveted and well used whether hopped-up, warmed over, or customized. They say “well used” because rolling stock being hard to come by during the War years, and a couple years after, they drove the hell out of ‘em. Especially since they were light, easy to maintain, and thrifty. But most of all they were girl-grabbers. Stylish and sporty, and when lowered, smoothed, and customized, even more so.
I’d had a ’36 rag top in my past, but it was largely junk. My desire to have a really solid and straight one was complicated by the unfortunate fact that most of what you will find in the worldtoday are not too far removed from the earlier one I had. I was close to giving up the chase when I was informed that a real hot rod guy by the name of Johnny Wolf might sell his. Now John Wolf is no ordinary early Ford V8 guy, and his roadster was no ordinary early V8. John has a long history of dry lakes, street, and Bonneville hi-speed runs. His hand at building flatheads that pour on the coals is equally legendary. So this roadster of his looks River Rouge stock on the outside. Under the hood is one of John’s Mercury flathead motors circa 1946, built by him and Ray Brown. Yes, that Ray Brown. The car was owned by Ray before selling it to John. Considering this remarkable pedigree, and that the car had this very hot flathead, I made the deal.
Now stock high-hat height Fords are not my way. So it was time for lowering all around, chopped windshield, solid hood sides, tear drop skirts, bullnose, streamline bumpers. A shave here and a shave there, and of course black nitro lacquer. The only other thing to do was the ultimate Los Angeles golden era touch. A Carson padded top. I mean Carson, because I wouldn’t have one that wasn’t as accurate and as clinically exact to the product that Glen Hauser was turning out from 1938-46. I wanted the type and profile seen just before WW2 and was in vogue until about 1947. It would only make sense to have a complementary 1940’s Carson style interior as well, right?
This is a real Ford roadster that is set up the way they were done in California during the period 1940-47. From the City of Los Angeles proper, east to Pasadena, south to San Diego, heading west to Santa Monica, or north to Santa Barbara, this was the most desirable custom ride of the time, and represents the high end of that restyling. This particular approach is the most traditional, and yet timeless in its taste and appeal. ’36 Ford roadsters were few and far between even during the 40’s and 50’s, and were much sought after. Finding one of this caliber is even more improbable when considering the former ownership.
The two owners prior to me, Ray Brown and Johnny Wolf, both of whom are extremely well known and respected original California hot rodders, engine-chassis builders, racers, and inductees to the American Hot Rod Foundation. Ray Brown owned and drove this roadster regularly, then sold it to John Wolf, who also drove and maintained it impeccably. The built Mercury flathead motor and drive train are a result of their efforts. Anyone who knows these guys or does the research will attest to their skills at engine building and putting together old Ford roadsters. Ray Brown’s ’32 Ford roadster currently resides at the Peterson Museum (they paid $135,000 for it in 1999, valued at $350,000 today).
Other legendary talent had a hand in this car. Eddie Martinez built his final authentic Carson style padded top for this roadster, accurate in every detail and line. He had the expert assistance and quality workmanship of David Martinez, also a Carson top and upholstery specialist. David Martinez Industries was responsible for the exact replication of a 1940’s Carson or Gaylord interior, down to the proper carpet and contrasting binding. Plus a spot-on set of side curtains.
The short list of period approved modifications done, with attention to period essentials, and were considered must haves in the 40’s: lowered (pre-War) stance, chopped windshield and posts, removable padded top with headliner complementing upholstery, solid hood sides, bull nose grill, ’40 Olds bumpers, centered plate mount, smoothed deck and doors, ’40 Ford 16” rims with Firestone wide whites, Hollywood flipper disc hubcaps, ’40 Buick teardrop fender skirts, teardrop accessory sealed beam headlights. Hand rubbed black lacquer of course. Interior modifications and upgrades of the era include: ’36 Ford three-window coupe seat and seat frame (backrest lifts up for access to trunk area), chromed dash, banjo steering wheel. The two-tone rolled and pleated upholstery is done in the correct fashion of individually hand stuffed pleats and rolls with correct form and contour. Chassis, engine, and driveline highlights: ’40 Ford steering, original Ed “Axle” Stewart dago’ed (dropped) axle, tube aircraft type shocks front and rear, ’41 Ford dropped spindles and hydraulic brakes, ’40 rear end with 3:54 gears, ’39 Ford heavy duty 3 speed trans with early 26 tooth Zephyr gears. ’46 Mercury V8 flathead engine as built by Ray Brown and John Wolf to their usual specs: 284 cid, 3 3/8 bore, 4” stroke, J & E forged pistons, Winfield SU-1A cam, NOS early original block letter Edelbrock heads and early NOS Edelbrock super-dual intake manifold with a pair of NOS Holley 2110 carburetors. Ignition 59A 12127 crab style distributor. Original Fenton cast iron headers flowing into 22” Smitty’s. NOS original ’36 Ford radiator. The grill is perfect. Car runs very fast and strong, handles and drives well. This car was a low miles Ford, and retains all its original sheet metal and components that it was delivered with.
This roadster, was chosen from a very select number nationwide to participate in a limited gathering of famous, influential, or otherwise iconic customs, in a separate Building #9 at the 2011 Grand National Roadster Show at the Fairplex in Pomona. This exhibit known as “Customs Then & Now”, organized by Axel Idzardi and Rik Hoving, displayed these representative historic customs from the early 1940’s up to the 60’s. This automobile may be driven, shown, or added to a collection of real hot rods and customs.
I was able to get the result I wanted. Thanks to Jason & Joe Kennedy (chop & lowering), Eddie Martinez, David Martinez (top & interior), Alan & Carl Brunson (paint), Michelley, & lots of design and wrench work by myself. Bart Bartoni’s 1946 photograph of Rick Lefeldt’s epoch ’36 was a spectre of inspiration.

 

Saw that this car is currently for sale on ebay. Man I'd sell my house (if it was worth anything anymore) to buy this beautiful car. You just don't see cars like this very often.

 

I have never seen a more beautiful 36, it is perfect in every way.

 

Wow Michelle, awesome car and very informative article. Thanks so much for sharing all that info. Hope you take it out and run it alot. Hope to see it around Vegas and at some of the local shows. YRUHOT........Doug

 

Not sure how I missed this, but way cool...

 

what a car what a read made my sunday

 

Thanks, Michelle -- I had never heard of these "lift off soft tops" before. Great information and photos, as always...

 

Thanks for all the background info and wonderful images of this spot on custom. Ryan should put you on the payroll !!