BAD-TEMPERED BOWTIE – MARK EWENS 1934 CHEVY ROADSTER
Confronted with the age-old question of why car owners drive, restore or build the vehicles that they possess, the majority will answer; “It’s my dream car!” Just like this street neat ’34 Chevy roadster owned and built by Mark Ewens.
Mark’s first hit out at this thing we call hot rodding, was rescuing an unloved 1948 Ford Prefect ute from a farmer’s paddock. He then proceeded to resurrect it with a three inch top chop, added five extra inches down the middle and equipped it with Torana running gear. Just twenty years old at the time, the little Pommy pickup was the perfect project for this enthusiastic house builder to learn new skills. Along the way he became good friends with seasoned campaigner Charlie Dunbar, who had done the hard yards on old tin before.
“I was fortunate to make friends with Charlie who took me under his wing and shared a lot of his experience with me,” reflects Mark.
Finished in Candy Apple Violet and torched with multi-coloured flames it is unmissable, and still takes pride of place in the Ewens stable today.
Now completely bitten by the hot rod bug, Mark set his sights on a 1936 Chevy sedan which he acquired from a deceased estate. Once completed, it was moved on to help fund this Chevy roadster and fulfill a long-term desire.
“This is my dream car. One that I have always wanted so I built it the way I wanted it!” Mark declares.
With folding coin in his back pocket and a firm plan in his noggin, Mark contacted Rockhampton based company, Custom Fibreglass and ordered one of their 1934 reproduction bodies, complete with running boards, fenders and grill shell. There was no bonnet or roof in Mark’s visionary blueprint so those savings were funnelled into a pair of suitable rails fabricated by Lilow Auto Tech.
With two major model pieces ticked off the shopping list, it was only a matter of time before he received the call to say that the new body was ready for collection. Ecstatic by the news he wasted no time to claim his new project.
“I said to dad, ‘let’s go for a drive,” he laughs.
Embarking on Thursday morning, the father and son driver duo hit the road for a 5,000 kilometre round trip, arriving back home the following Sunday morning. Surprised by their dedication and sense of adventure, they were treated to a full Custom Fibreglass workshop tour on arrival by owner Wade, as well as a town garage crawl before departing with trailer and cargo in tow.
Almost as soon as the roadster was unloaded, Mark got on with the build, adding familiar components to the repro rails. Situated under the blunt ’34 Chevy nose, a HR Holden front end is employed for suspension and steering duties, bookended by a 9” diff attached to stainless steel four bars and coil overs. Sandwiched in the middle, a Turbo 700 transmission conveys around 500 horsepower to the rear from the healthy stroked small block Chevy mill. Topped with a twin tunnel ram intake, dual quads and Hilborn style scoop, it has all the visual hallmarks of a traditional street rod engine bay and one well worthy to show off.
On closer inspection not all adds up, and many confused onlookers with any mechanical prowess advise Mark regularly that the setup of the carbies should not work… and they would be correct! Unbeknown to most, it’s all smoke and mirrors for appearance and is actually a cloak disguising a clever EFI arrangement concocted by flathead Ford guru, Mike Davidson and Mark.
“It goes like stink and has no typical tunnel ram flat spots,” he grins.
Just as decisive as he was about dicing the bonnet, Mark was also adamant that this roadster will remain topless with no roof attaching provisions included in his master plan. With an absence of rust repair or major bodywork required, the only modifications performed were recessing the rear licence plate and creating a full new floor with transmission tunnel.
“As a kid I enjoyed sailing and in turn played around with fiberglass,” Mark divulges, “that came in handy when I redid the floor.”
In an effort to maximise curb appeal and achieve a stealthy stance, Mark sacrificed cabin room for drivetrain clearance and constructed a floor to comply. Measuring in at six foot two, he says that leg room hasn’t been compromised and it’s a pleasure to drive. With modifications complete, all body panels were handed over to Mark Sweetman for laser straight augmentation before they were skillfully sprayed PPG Delton Jet Black, by Anthony Johnson.
Glistening like an onyx jewel in sunlight, the roadster was in need of some fine threads to complement the freshly painted exterior. Luckily for Mark, his cousin Dave Jury is a dab hand at motor trimming and was eager to put his hand up and pitch in. Operating under his part time business banner of Fleurieu Auto Upholstery, Dave assisted his cousin to complete the unique interior suitable for year round top down cruising. From owner constructed wraparound seat cove, dickie seat and console to the intricate crafted flame door cards, Dave stepped up and stitched together miles of water resistant leatherette in a palette resembling that of burgundy wine with claret toned carpet. Visual highlights are executed with a billet column, steering wheel, pedals, gauge bezels and a neat skull topped B&M shifter. Chopped and chromed owner fabricated windscreen complete the interior package.
Mark capped off the roadster’s sinister stance by bolting on a set of Dragster rims from Billet Specialities, dressed with spinners for good measure. Kumho rubber hoops do their best to gain traction when the angry is unleashed from Mark’s right foot.
“The angry name just happened,” Mark explains, “I had a friend with me when I first started it up and he said, ‘wow that sounds angry!’ “I said, ‘well it just got its number plate.”
He is also quick to add that it’s no reflection of himself… it’s just a mechanical musical that he loves to amplify often. He also adds that it was built as a driver and not a show car, but it has still picked up its fair share of top honours, including Best Hot Rod Show and Street, Best Paint and Best Roadster at Adelaide’s premier Hot Rod Show 2012-13.
“Half the fun is building them but I also love driving this one. I built it as what was in my head, for me and not awards. It also turned out a lot better than I thought it would for a home built hot rod in my 6mx6m garage.”
After two years of hard labour creating this unique and individual Chevy, one would imagine that Mark would be out driving the wheels off his completed dream car? Well, he also confesses that he doesn’t sleep much and that he’s also completed a ground up resto of a ’69 HT Monaro last December, and now there’s a Model A Tourer project occupying his time. At least his wife knows where to find him so she shouldn’t get angry!
