Eclectic is such a great word. It also best encapsulates the vehicles that we see appearing on our desks here at Barn Finds. Regular readers will be used to seeing a wide assortment of desirable muscle cars, pony cars, European exotica, and some of the craziest customs that you could imagine. I’m not sure I’d describe this 1961 Hot Rod as a crazy custom, but it could provide a hugely entertaining driving experience when it returns to our roads. The current owner purchased it from an estate, locating it in a barn. He has coaxed its V8 engine back to life, but it now needs someone to return it to a roadworthy state. Located in Granger, Indiana, you will find this cool custom listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has sailed past the reserve and currently sits at $8,850. As you will see, someone is going to own something pretty special for their money.
When the owner located this Hot Rod, it had been sitting in a barn for more than 40-years. It doesn’t appear that it suffered unduly from the experience because the Black paint that graces its panels still shines brightly. The history of the car is unknown beyond it being built in the 1960s, and that its now-deceased former owner used to have a blast behind the wheel. It isn’t clear what frame hides below the surface or whether it is a custom-made job. The state of the frame seems to be good, although I did spot some chipped paint and minor surface corrosion. What is certain is that this classic is tiny. It measures just over 11′ in total length, making it barely 6″ longer than the original Mini. The panels are an interesting mix of traditional hot rod touches like fixed fenders over the wheels, coupled with a touch of 1950s in the fins and curving rear deck. The seller doesn’t specify the panel material, but if it is steel, it remains rust-free. It also shows no evidence of dings or dents while the trim and windshield are in good order. In keeping with its overall character, this custom rolls on a set of vintage American Racing Torq Thrust wheels. The minimal bodywork that the Hot Rod features means that it should be pretty light, and when combined with what is hiding under the hood, it should make it a bit of a road rocket.
A lightweight vehicle doesn’t usually need a lot of power to provide impressive performance. This Hot Rod would not be particularly heavy, which means that the 1956-vintage 265ci V8 that occupies the engine bay should make the car fly when the pedal hits the metal. This motor features the factory Power Pack cylinder heads, as well as the matching intake and carburetor. In its original home, it would’ve churned out around 180hp. Bolted to the small-block is an adaptor plate and what is believed to be a Ford 3-speed manual transmission from around 1939. That is not the most refined of setups, but it should effectively send the power to the rear wheels. Four-wheel finned drums perform braking duties. Given the vehicle’s overall dimensions and its lack of significant body panels, I couldn’t imagine that it would weigh much beyond 2,200lbs. If that’s the case, this thing would be a jet when it’s running correctly. After four decades of inactivity, the owner has coaxed that 265 back to life. It runs okay, but there will be some work for the buyer to complete before it’s roadworthy. The brakes will need to be inspected and flushed, while the same is true of the fuel system and tank. The owner indicates that the carburetor would benefit from a rebuild, but returning the Hot Rod to a roadworthy state could be easy and relatively inexpensive when you begin to consider the mechanical components that we’re dealing with. This is sounding more tempting every minute.
This Hot Rod’s interior is by no means sophisticated, but it is definitely practical. It appears that the transmission tunnel and floors are clad in aluminum, while the dash is painted steel. The seats feature Black vinyl covers with Red piping, and they are the only upholstered surfaces inside the vehicle. If the buyer decided to leave it untouched as a survivor, there would be no shame in that approach. However, a competent upholsterer should make a nice cover to disguise the transmission tunnel, along with a carpet set to cover the floors. With those additions and some other basic refurbishment work, the interior could present pretty nicely. In the spirit of classic hot rods, it’s not an interior loaded with luxury extras. The only thing worth noting is the AM radio, so don’t expect to find such touches as power assistance for anything or ice-cold air conditioning.
Well, you can’t say that we don’t offer you variety here at Barn Finds. This 1961 Custom Hot Rod is different from most mainstream offerings, and when you consider its specifications, it’s easy to see why the former owner loved it so much. It is not a spotlessly clean classic or a rare exotic that is worth a fortune. It is not a car that is to be taken seriously. This Hot Rod is a car designed to plaster your face with a mile-wide smile every time you slip behind the wheel. Life can be pretty serious, and the stress of day-to-day existence can prematurely age some people. If you are a car enthusiast and wish to alleviate that sort of stress, perhaps this is the vehicle for you.
If you want to authenticate this car’s age I can tell you the whole early hot rod bunch was using ’39 Ford transmissions, me included in my ’32 coupe and ’34 pickup. Used to grab one whenever I could and pile them in my garage. They are a bit fragile if used hard so spares were the answer. Quite a build.
I remember when I was a kid on a bike seeing home made cars quite often. Not all were up to this cars build. Some were very unsafe and not so well thought out lol. Still great times to be a kid and this definitely brings a smile. Hope who gets this has fun.
Vintage coolness. I have too many cars already or I would be entering my bid.
omg! awesome!
Put disc brakes on the front.
If Batman built a hot rod, it would look a lot like this! I love it!
I agree wholeheartedly. Maybe this is Robin / Nightwing’s ride. Love it! If I could spare the bread, I’d buy this and add little more than modern brakes, rollover bars, and five-point harness. What a ride.
ya know, the only thing I’d change is the bumpers. Some kind of skinny chrome piece like an early Bug “straight” section, or even nerfs like on a Spitfire or C2 Corvette
It’s like an American take on a Lotus 7.
Cool car Daddy-oh.
Its different for sure.
From the looks of the radiator, it once had a flathead Ford in it. That would explain the Ford transmission. The finned Buick drums are a nice touch, no need for disc brakes with those drums, and the light weight of the car. Leave it alone, clean it up, tune it up, and drive it as is.
What’s with the nose on this thing? I really can’t see from the photos.
That said, don’t change a thing. No “improvements.” This is such a personal statement. It’s like editing a classic novel. Would you really change what James Fenimore Cooper wrote? Or Herman Melville? Or Charles Dickens? They’re hardly perfect by today’s standard. (Did you know Dickens was paid by the word? That’s why his books are so long). But the books reflect their times and the writer’s personal style. Like this car.
Someone who won’t change this please buy this before someone who would change it does.
This car does not need disc brakes (as much as I love disc brakes) because those drum brakes on the front are finned aluminum brakes from a Buick that weighed 4000 lbs.. That is one thing I would do is clean the yellow paint off the drums, sort of looks dumb.
I like how the front fenders are mounted and turn as the wheels turn. That is pretty slick.
Back when some states made fenders required on home build’s or most all jalopy’s.
This is a nice build and looks like someone knew aircraft metal work by the looks of the inside.
Love me some Goodyear Polygalas’ !!!!!!
All front wheels equipped with cycle fenders do this. Nothing special there. It’s a legal requirement where fenders are mandatory.
Install a AM-FM radio, red for the brake drums, chrome the bumpers (and get rid of the trailer hitch), and detail the engine compartment. That’s all I would do. This would be one fun ride. And don’t forget the goggles.
Paint it flat black and call it a Rat Rod!
You need the hitch to tow the little trailer with the cooler with the beer in it.
Pretty interesting car, but I think I would call it a home-built sports car. I would love to see shots of the bottom, as the builder put a lot of thought into the construction: possible underslung tube chassis, hand-made front axle, it is really quite sophisticated for the time period, but then, again, a lot of hotrodders built a lot of sophisticated machinery in the era. It appears the licensing office made a mistake on the VIN, as I think the 9 is actually a 7. The body appears to be all hand-formed, and I think the builder was a guy I would have liked to know. I also think the builder had a lot of “blasts”, judging by the paint worn off the driver’s seating area, and I also think he did pretty well all of the build himself. The cycle fenders are reminiscent of the 1950s Allard, but this treatment is a style all of its own. I find it hard to believe that this car did not make it into one of the period carmags. Bravo for him. This is a car that I would really like to own. BTW, The front & rear bumpers are connected to each other by welded tubing.
OldGuyCar, Boy, I get it. It reminded me of one of my favorite sports car racing “Specials,” of the 50s. Ken Miles MG Special was the bomb. Ken Miles was always on the edge of racing rules. I attached an article from Vintage Road & Racer. As you will see from the firs photo, SCCA said that the sports car had to have fender. Ken’s MG special sort of has fender. :-)
https://vintageracecar.com/remembering-ken-miles/
The only other change besides adding disc brakes would be to put on a roll bar/cage of some sort. For, you know, safety sakes. Reminds me of an Allard.
I remember seeing this – or something very much like it, in my youth while going through my Dad’s archive of old Popular Mechanics (I think, could have been Popular Science or Mechanix Illustrated) magazines. Really nice to see that it made it off the pages of a magazine and into the real world.
The whole car looks like it was built in someone’s “50s” racing shop. It’s a nice build. I’d like to see the chassis. Looking at the interior, what we can see of it, it appears to be a sheet metal mono cock chassis, like my old Lotus Elan’. I’d want to add a roll bar and anti-intrusion bars. You’d be sitting outside of the chassis. With some work and a four speed trans, it could be converted to a vintage ’50s “Special” sports racer. Or it’s an interesting take on a “Lakester.” A custom aluminum radiator and electric fan might ruin it’s vintage appeal but, it would be quite an improvement. You couldn’t build this, now, for $8,500, even if you could find the same pieces.
Like the Lotus, it a death trap, with a roll bar and anti-intrusion bars. You’d are sitting outside the chassis.
I agree, the bumpers have to go. I wonder what they towed, with the trailer hutch. Probably a Teardrop trailer.
Safer than a motorcycle.
My mistake, after looking at it again. I see a tube frame well. I’d still add a roll bar. I’d like to see the undercarriage. Shoot! I’d want to drive it.
and if you hurt yourself is comes with quad crutches
Why “modern” brakes? Those drums will be more than adequate for highway use, and they’re period correct. Discs would look out of place.
I agree with Carbuzzard on the brakes. Those front drums are aluminum with a steel liner from a Buick Super/Roadmaster that weighed 4000 lbs. plus and fit right in to the period. So many street rodders are running them to this date with a lot more horse power. Why would you want to put disc brakes on this car. The only reason I read these comments are to start my morning off with a smile with comments made by people that don’t have a CLUE.