Fantasy Junction

Description

1935 Ford Cabriolet Hot Rod

VIN – 181238639
Exterior Color – Garnet Metallic
Interior Color – White Leather
Engine – 350/350hp cu. in. V8
Transmission – GM Th 700R4 automatic
Current Miles – 2,158 (since build was completed in 2006)

General Overview

Ford revolutionized modern automobiles in the teens and early 20s, but by 1934 the formerly upright design of the Model T and subsequent Model A and 32 Ford was streamlined into a very attractive series of cars. Available in a range of models, the distinctive design and refined features defined a new interest in styling even for family cars. After the war, the bounty of left-over prewar cars made for inexpensive hot rodding fun using 1930s era cars, forming the genesis of the iconic American Hot Rod. Hand-built hot rods have advanced to new heights with every consecutive decade culminating in million-dollar visions bringing home top awards as new generations of builders raise the build quality of these unstoppable American powerhouses of performance and design.

History and Build Details of This Car

This 1935 Ford Cabriolet Hot Rod was the subject of a custom professional build which began in 1998 when the commissioning owners engaged Bob Rigg of Bob’s Rod and Custom, Logan, Utah. Completed by 2006, the car won Best of Show at the 2009 Carson City Silver Dollar Car Classic, Carson City, NV. Shortly after the 2009 win, the patriarch of the current family owners purchased this car, retaining it in their private family collection.

The heart of the build is the Chris Boggress metal work which was carefully done in order to capture the right combination of vintage era modifications creating the right look. The all-steel body features a perfectly raked stance, lowered body position, and lowered fender/running board drop. The body rake is enhanced by large and small diameter tires and chrome plated Vintiques wire wheels wearing Coker Classic wide white wall tires. The project began with a 1935 Ford all steel body which was removed from the stock frame. The finished body was mounted to a TCI boxed ladder frame chassis with a lightened center cross brace. The finished body was painted Garnet Metallic by Sonny Bonomo, and a pair of stainless steel front and rear bumpers were installed. 

For the mechanical features, a GM Ramjet Fuel-Injected 350/350 hp V8 and GM Turbohydra 700R4 automatic transmission were installed along with a Griffin aluminum radiator, dual electric cooling fans, Bogus Induction by Bob Roggs, a 20 gallon stainless steel fuel tank, HPC coated headers, dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers, and chrome plated pencil tip under bumper finishers. For suspension duties, a Ford 9” solid rear axle with telescopic rear shocks and longitudinal leaf springs were installed, while the front suspension included independent tubular A-arms and adjustable coil over shocks. Braking is provided by four wheel ventilated disc brakes and dual piston Wilwood calipers, a chassis mounted power-assist brake booster, and braided stainless brake lines. A contemporary Vintage Air and heat system was installed and operates via a single wide-band serpentine belt with controls located on the custom built center console.

The interior was designed and finished by custom interior specialist Jack Larsen. The interior features high-quality white leather throughout including contoured split-bench bucket seats with center armrest, custom contoured and embossed matching white door panels, garnet carpet, and a white leather bench seat for the rumble seat area. The dash is finished with matching garnet color, VDO gauges, a custom under dash and center stack console, a garnet finished IDIDIT dropped steering column with a column automatic selector, and a wood rim Grant banjo-style steering wheel. Other interior features include an Eclipse AM/FM Cassette stereo with 10 speaker sound system and separate six disc CD changer, power windows, gold tone interior accents, and a rear view mirror with Ford branded vintage clock.

In November 2025, the car was serviced by Performance Fabrication who replaced all eight fuel injectors, installed a new MEFI ECU and MAP sensor, installed a new injector seal kit, new plugs, cleaned the fuel tank, replaced the fuel filter, performed a brake fluid flush, and road tested the car. In May 2026 the air conditioning system was charged with R1124A freon.

Condition Overview

Today this 35 Ford Hot Rod is ready to enjoy and show. The vivid garnet metallic exterior finish is glossy and smooth, and the vintage trim and detailed features are in excellent condition. The doors, hood, and rubble seat lid all open and shut with excellent closure, very nice panel gaps, and great fit including the louvered hood panels. The overall body work has been very well done with great position and stance. The dropped front and rear stainless steel bumpers are excellent perimeter accents to the wide stance further enhanced by the chrome plated Vintique wire wheels and white wall tires. The iconic chrome finished 1935 grille features large diameter headlights, chrome surround, and centered blue Ford oval.

The convertible top has been fixed in place with retaining bolts, and the top bows have been upholstered with more padding for added insulation. As such, the top does not lower in the current configuration. The rear “mail slot” window zips down for additional cabin ventilation and the Vintage Air Conditioning blows cold. The car is equipped with power windows. The passenger side window operates up and down, however, the driver’s side window is currently not operable and has been parked in the down position. A rocker switch behind the driver’s seat activates a release for the rumble seat and both doors are “poppers” which open when button activated.The interior is well-appointed with plenty of room in the leather trimmed split-bench bucket seats, matching interior rumble seat, and beautifully finished dash with working instrumentation and multi-speaker Eclipse stereo.

Under the hood, the 350 V8 engine is beautifully finished with excellent components and details, polished surfaces, and chrome plated parts. Clearly the build quality is of a very high level and was performed by experienced hot rod builders with proven suspension, a durable powertrain, and state of the art brake components. The underside of the car is in excellent condition consistent with the overall build quality of this fine hot rod.

This is a beautifully built and prepared 1935 convertible hot rod with wonderful vintage hot rod details, proven modern drivetrain, and excellent mechanical systems. The finish and build quality make it ideal for cruising and showing at any hot rod or custom car event.

Included with this Hot Rod

This Ford hot rod is accompanied by a large custom display placard, a car cover, a convertible top boot, and a removable custom made rear bulkhead panel trimmed in matching white material.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608