“Orange Crate”

When Bob Tindle of Portland, Oregon, bought this 1932 Ford sedan in 1959, the previous owners had already begun to modify it. He replaced their flathead Ford V8 with an Olds V8 backed up by a LaSalle transmission, and the car became a formidable performer in regional drag racing. But he wanted to get into the car-show scene, and the Ford was turned over to builder/machinist Keith Randol for a radical makeover. Randol fabricated a new sprint-car style tube chassis with adjustable suspension and a Halibrand quick-change rear. The Olds engine was opened up to 417 cubic inches and treated to Hilborn injection and a B&M Hydro transmission. With the engine and chassis chromed and polished, Tindle decided the best way to show it all off was to make a tilt-up body. The task was assigned to Von’s Body Shop and, when finished, the big square box of a body received a paint job in stunning Naples Orange, hence the name. The car won awards at the major shows, taking America’s Best Competition Car at the ’61 and ’62 Oakland Roadster Shows and appeared on the cover of Hot Rod in February of ’62. Through several owners over the years, the cars whereabouts became vague but not unknown. After receiving a total restoration in recent years, it now resides at 3 Dog Garage.