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Custom automotive events bring out some of the best hot rods from around the country. Whether they’re traditional or a bit more on the custom side. Here at Rod Authority, we’re lucky enough to be able to get up close and personal with such vehicles and their owners state-to-state. It gives us the rare opportunity to feature cars that have just made their public debuts. This gorgeous Model A owned by Ken Schulter of Longmont, Colorado is one such car, featured here fresh off it’s hot debut.
Taking part in the Road Knights’ breast cancer benefit poker run in early October, we came across plenty of gorgeous rides. But it was the unique color combination and the fresh build of Schulter’s 1930 Ford 5-window Coupe that really stood out in our minds. And thanks to the generous amount of information Schulter supplied, it is our pleasure to be able to feature it here, first!
Tell-Tale Signs Of A Hot Rod Enthusiast
Even at a young age, Schulter was drawn to the automotive industry, including the hands-on aspect of building. “My father always made or fixed whatever he needed whether it be wood, electrical, plumbing, etc,” he told us. “I guess I picked up his genes and got right to work.”
Having a particular interest in the changing designs that went along with new model years, it was only natural for Schulter to progress through the vehicle scene customizing the gamut. From model cars, slot cars, and bicycles to look-like-new cars on the road, and finally getting his motorcycle license when he was 18. “I couldn’t wait until the new year models rolled out,” Schulter recently told us. “Every year was different and exciting and the commercials actually told you about the car, which is quite different from today.”
From motorcycles to American musclecars, Schulter always had something to tinker on from a very young age, but it wasn’t until about four years ago that he acquired his first hot rod – the 1930 Model A you see here.
“I only had one new car in my life, but many used cars,” Schulter told us. “I was raised on the later 50s, 60s, and early 70s and have rebuilt many. They were my daily drivers and I still prefer them today over the new disposable 4-wheel circuit boards.”
Plans of Plenty
After picking up the pieces of the ’30 coupe from a local owner who had listed the vehicle on Craig’s List, Schulter decided if he was going to build a hot rod, he was going to build it his way – something of a more vintage style than the flamed out customs you see plenty of today.
“I was always attracted to hot rods built around the 20s and 30s coupes and roadsters, and wanted to have a hot rod done in a 50s – 60s look,” Schulter said. “The billet look never did it for me. Guess I’m old skool.”
Once Schulter brought the hot rod back to his home in the back of a Uhaul, he began selling off parts that weren’t of any use for his build, like the frame, fenders and running boards.
From there, it was on to the inspiration phase in which Schulter looked to books, magazines, the internet and even area car shows to gain more knowledge and to develop a plan for his own build. In the end, it was a trip to the L.A. Roadster Show that put the finishing touches on the car – the unique paint scheme that makes Schulter’s car stand out from the crowd.
From Bare Bones to Beautiful Beast- Suspension, Brakes & Wheels/Tires
Using a P&J 30/31 fully boxed chassis with a kick-up in the rear, Schulter built his hot rod from the frame up. Laying the ground work for the car is a 4-inch dropped Super Bell axle with a parallel 4-bar suspension and a panhard bar in the front, as well as a parallel 4-bar suspension with a panhard bar and Aldan Eagle coilovers in the rear. The car also features Kingpin control arms, an ode to the gasser style, Armstrong steering and a Vega steering box.
With the custom suspension system comes prime braking power thanks to disc brakes in the front and drums in the rear with an added power booster. There’s also all new brake lines in the hot rod. This setup is complimented by 15-inch smooth chrome steelies wrapped in 205/65R rubber in the front and 255/70R rubber in the rear, both of which were Craigslist finds.
Not surprisingly, Schulter did all the installation on his car’s suspension, brakes and wheels/tires, with a little bit of alignment and 4-bar design help from his buddy Jim Dinnebeck.
Body Molding and Morphing
Sitting atop the P&J chassis is the original yet highly modified steel 1930 Model A body. Up top, the hot rod has been chopped 2 inches and filled in with ribbed Howell’s sheet metal. You’ll also find the car’s welded-in front visor still prominently displayed along the front of the roof line.
Working your way around the car, you’ll find new floor pans and a custom firewall, the car’s original cowl with a cut-off gas tank (the tank has been replaced by one from Tanks Inc. and relocated to the interior between the seats and trunk), and a remote-control trunk-mounted flip-up gas filler from EMS. Up front is a welded in spreader bar and boxed horn rails.
Unique pieces, like the car’s original grill shell fitted with a ’51 Studebaker V8 emblem, ’50 Pontiac taillights,and headlights with built-in LED turn signals, give the hot rod even more spice. The original rumble seat was also converted into a trunk, with all body and fab work taken care of by Dan Coy of Coy’s Customs.
A Painted Piece of Art
Giving the customized hot rod body an extra pop is the unique custom PPG mixed Ford Saddlewood paint scheme with Gloss Black accents laid by Kris Luis of Full Throttle Custom Cycles in Longmont.
“I had originally thought of it (the car) being fendered, orange with black, then black, and then a black on black Highboy,” Schulter told us.
This changed, however, after Schulter attended the L.A. Roadster Show while visiting family in California and decided last minute (the car was supposed to be painted while he was in California) that he wanted something different. That’s where the modified Saddlewood color came into play- a color that Schulter tells us he absolutely loves!
Topping off the Saddlewood paint scheme is custom orange and black pinstriping, including a custom V8 pinstriped rendering on the trunk lid, done by Mart Ford.
Engine & Drivetrain Tactics
Also sitting atop the P&J chassis is one heck of a powerhouse- a 1976 350 SBC bored over .030 inches with a 4-bolt main. Boosting the classic Chevy small block’s performance is a Crane RV camshaft, turn crank, 9.5:1 compression ratio and stock cylinder heads with a three-angle valve job.
The engine also features an Edelbrock four barrel 600cfm carburetor with a Hillborn style scoop and finned carb spacer, Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, Walker radiator, HEI ignition and block hugger headers strapped to a 2 ¼-inch dual exhaust with Porter “shorty” mufflers.
Everything is kept cool with a Cooling Components electric fan with the alternator and compressor held together with brackets from Bill’s Hot Rod Brackets.
Tying the engine to the Ford 9-inch rearend is a 700R4 automatic transmission, a choice Schulter still ponders whether it was the right idea as he’s a “three-pedal person,” controlled with a Lokar shifter. Last but certainly not least are 3.89 rearend gears, giving the hot rod a little more oomph!
All the engine work was done by Dave Wrench of Autowrench while the transmission was rebuilt by Scott Cooper and the 4th gear lockout done by Zach’s Transmission, all of Longmont.
An Interior To Match
With a car as beautifully built as this 1930 coupe, it’s only right that it feature a similarly configured interior. Inside the car you’ll find a Picasso of components, from the custom fit fourth-generation Camaro seats and finned metal dash, complete with Classic Instruments‘ All American Wings gauges finished in nickel, to the ididit tilt steering column and Lecarra 4-spoke Lakes style steering wheel. Heat and air conditioning come compliments of a Vintage Air system.
A (Hot Rod) Family Affair
While Schulter asked to thank all the people and businesses who put time and effort into making his hot rod build possible, including Tom Albano from QDE Hot Rod and Bert’s Model A Parts, as well as major contributors Coy, Luis and Dinnebeck, he especially wanted to thank his wife Janis for all her encouragement and support.
“There is a piece of all those people who have contributed to this build and if I didn’t mention you by name, I apologize but you are still a part of this coupe,” Schulter included.
And now, thanks to all those who supported the hot rod dream along the way, the car can be enjoyed indefinitely.
“There is no greater feeling than going down the road in a car that is hand built,” Schulter concluded.
“I can think of no better project to engage in whether it is for yourself or to do with a child than to build something and enjoy the outcome. It is leaving a legacy in its own right. This coupe, in my honest opinion, turned out great. It is not a trailer queen and may not win trophies but it will get its fair share of battle scars and it will run down the road with mud flying and tires screeching. And in the end, that is what it is all about!”
We couldn’t agree more! Be sure to check out more photos of Schulter’s amazing hot rod in the GALLERY below!
