A-CLASS – JOSH EVANS 1931 FORD VICTORIA
Ever since the first wheel of an automobile was thrust into motion, transportation was changed forever. In time, personal vehicles were affordable for everyone and history notes that Henry Ford put America on wheels with the Model T. In the modern-day of motoring and the disposable car, past vehicles have become more than just a means from A to B. They become time machines that transport us back to cherished memories, present day adventure and future inspiration for the next generation.
For Josh Evans, this stunning version of the very distinctive Ford Victoria is his link to a memorable upbringing in his dad’s rodded 1934 Ford Aussie sedan.
“I was almost born in that sedan!” Josh states without exaggeration.
During labour, his mum was rushed from the small mid north coast settlement of Sawtell to Coffs Harbour in the 302 Windsor-powered Ford with dad at the wheel. From there, his childhood revolved around the family hot rod and attending the nearby Valla rod run, annually. Fond memories of tooling around the renowned event in a 4hp mini rod still raises a smile just recalling those times.
Before embarking on a tree change destination, Clarrie (Dad) was a seasoned Sydney rodder and the ’34 was built typical of the day with many parts retrieved from local wrecking yards and modified utilising home garage engineering. It was just the way things were done.
At age 13, Josh’s parents parted ways and he went to live with his dad. Year’s later, after marrying his lovely wife Amy, he thought it was time to have a hot rod of his own and put the squeeze on his old man for the ’34, only Clarrie was wind of his son’s intentions.
“Dad knew that I wanted to chop the top and was very reluctant to sell it to me,” he laments.
Even though the old family rod was housed in his own garage, Josh gave up the fight and decided to do his own thing, circling an ad in Cruzin magazine to visit C&W Components and discuss buying one of their new reproduction bodies.
“I had a model of a ’31 Vicky that I really liked. After I bent the front axle and repositioned the rear wheels it sat exactly how I wanted mine to sit.”
After driving past their secluded entrance several times, Josh finally called Michael Deskins for an inside tip of access. Once inside, all Josh’s questions were answered and he left a few hours later with a quote for a body and chassis package. Enthused by his decision to build his first hot rod with the future and kids in mind, life stalled his plans.
“We sold our unit, bought a house, and then had our first child Lincoln, then a dog… you know how it is!” Yeah we hear you mate.
While obstacles arose at random intervals, or should I say more important matters arose, Josh kept in touch with Michael about his intentions. Off the cuff, Josh invited Michael, wife Danielle and their own little sprout for a family BBQ to which they accepted. Somewhere between steaks and salad they all realised that they were childhood acquaintances who frequented beckoning pickup trays during cruise time at Valla rod runs and their renewed friendship flourished.
When Josh could finally commit to his own hot rod dream, Michael was well into his own version of C&W’s remastered Victoria. After eyeballing Michael’s progress, an agreement was forged between the two and with Josh helping to finish Mick’s and then him to reciprocate the favour of Josh’s. We have all heard stories of fizzed out friendship over these types of deals, but thankfully this isn’t one of them. On the contrary, Josh openly admits that his friendship with the whole Deskins family (yes even Wally) is almost as important as the finished hot rod.
“What changed me during this build was not; it’ll do! Mick is a perfectionist. Things that I couldn’t see he would show me. He would show me how to do something once and let me go.”
Now with two boys in tow, Josh was wise in his decision to select such a complete package as offered by C&W. With a full rolling chassis completed in house by Mick, all the guess work is erased for any novice rodder. Combine that with their outstanding reproduction body and you are a long way in front of the eight ball! To achieve Josh’s toy model’s appealing stance, Michael was ahead of the game when he reworked the fender contours out on his own own Vicky to encompass the appearance of an air-bagged profile. Many modifications were employed to the fender/valance package to achieve the desired effect which we outlined in Cruzin #162, so we won’t go over old ground, but with further development this ’31 is far superior to even its masters. Now equipped with C&W’s exclusive incorporated composite floor; its state of the art ‘glass.
Drive train decisions were simple for a Ford devotee like Josh, implanting a 302 Windsor, C4 and 9” was really a no brainer for a family intended hot rod. It was paint finish, upholstery and wheel combination that really rattled his cage. With the ’31 now in his home garage, Josh could continue to induce his own personality into the build. Take the exterior colour for example. The unusual finish is actually plucked from the latest model Ford Territory, but you would never know. The Glasurit Havana Brown takes on a whole new appearance when applied by Michael’s deft hand with the gun using BASF clear. Underneath is just as attractive as the topside, detailed using the same colour and materials with matt clear applied to the drive train for contrast.
While Josh was eager to learn all he could during sanding and filling ‘All You Need’ body prep, when it came to buffing the final coat of clear he was taking no part.
“He warned me not to go through the paint when buffing. I said that you can buff it because the painters an arsehole and I don’t want to deal with him.”
With the Vicky’s individual persona emerging, Josh knew that it deserved an interior of significance. After viewing Chris Bakker’s previous handiwork, Josh tracked him down and conveyed his vision. Wanting to avoid an interior that hits you in the face upon opening the door, he agonised for eight months over colour swatches eventually choosing subtle Mocha Brown imported leather with Aubergine Mist inlays and matched suede headliner. The seductive ensemble is completed with Mercedes carpet underfoot. Amy’s only stipulation throughout the build was to install air-conditioning. Josh honoured her request with by adding a Billet Specialties True Trac serpentine system to the snout of the reworked 302 that delivers Vintage Air climate control 24-7. The quality aftermarket manufacturer was also chosen for the interior handles and winders, column, steering wheel, pedals and that gorgeous dash panel filled with Classic instrumentation.
The last big ticket item was selecting wheels, but once he opened the box to his chosen hoops he had second thoughts.
“The wheels were a huge gamble, chosen on a wing and prayer that they would work. When I opened their box I felt sick. I felt like that for a couple of months,” he confesses. “Even when they were mounted on the car while it was in green gel coat I still felt sick and looked for other options. Once the car was painted with the guards on, the sick feeling went away. Tucked way under the guards they work.”
It’s funny, friends can build cars, but cars can also build friendships. When Josh helped his new mate Michael to finish his own Victoria, they embarked on a journey to debut it at the Valla Rod Run which meant a great deal to both of them. There and then they made a deal to repeat the special occasion in Josh’s completed ’31.
“When we drove into Valla I paused on top of the entrance hill with Michael beside me, it’s hard to describe the feeling but it was good. Receiving a Top Ten of the run was unbelievable. Top Ten and Rookie at the following Yamba rod run is still sinking in.”
Literally born into rodding, Josh has followed in his father’s footsteps and has brought his childhood dream to fruition. Now it’s his turn to pass on the passion for old cars to his next generation. By all accounts he’s already preaching to the converted.
“I’d like to thank my boys, Lincoln and Brooklyn for being my shadow, handing me tools, and cleaning and polishing. I would like to acknowledge Mr Jack Daniels for getting Michael and I through the painting stage, and thank Danielle and the girls for letting me steal their dad. Thanks to Bryan Pratt, Dean and Glen Crossley and Dion at Vehicle Wraps. I would also especially like to thank Michael, and of course Amy as if it wasn’t for her, it would have never happened. To let me finish it to the level it is, I can’t praise her enough.
