suedebox

Less is more. This formula is what LOWTECH is all about. And it also sums up what Martin Anderson's shoebox is all about. As we all know the term 'less' doesn't have anything to do with stopping halfway on your path. It's more about concentrating on the essence of the machine. The craftmanship. The details. The style. The stance. The attitude. But don't let me get carried away. Just enjoy all these fanastic pictures Martin sent me. And read his story in his own words.
(photo © Adam Schatzl, Robin Pettersson)


»I bought my 1950, Custom Deluxe, Shoebox back in 2007 in Sweden. The shoebox however is an old Nebraska car that the importer said was bought from and indian reservation. After that it was a few years of slow progress because of work, and trying to figure out were to start with everything.«
(photo © Adam Schatzl, Robin Pettersson)


»Eventually I restored the entire drive train after I found out that the old flathead was busted. So now it has a souped up flathead with dual 97's, Offenhauser high comp heads, 4" mercury crank, port works, dual ignition, bored to 270cui and headers connected to side pipes coming out in front of the rear wheels. The rear end is a ford 8" from a Maverick with 3;53 in gear ratio and the gearbox is the standard three on tree manual.«
(photo © Nicklas Hedström)


»The idea for the customization has always been a mild custom dated to somewhere around 1955-56. Subtle changes to enhance the already fine lines of the shoebox Ford.«
(photo © Nicklas Hedström)


»Already from the start I decided to keep the roof height and not do a top chop. So I started to clean up all the emblems and then shave the deck-lid from the trunk handle, I did however leave the license plate in place.«
(photo © Martin Anderson)


»After that the hood got a Bullnose hood ornament and the stance was had with a pair of Jamco 4" lowering springs up back and Ford aerostar coils up front for a 2.5 - 3" drop. The first real big custom change I had done was the frenching of the headlights with a pair of headlight rings from a 1952 Ford. Those original rings always seemed to make the shoebox goggle eyed in my opinion.«
(photo © Nicklas Hedström)


»I then re-added the side trim to the car but shortened it, when I bought the shoebox the side trim had been removed. I do however plan on making the small piece on the door a little longer by chopping up an original trim piece that goes over the door. The seam above the rear wheel housing is also chiseled away and welded shut for a more smooth appearance.«
(photo © Nicklas Hedström)


»The interior was one of the things that has gotten most of the attention lately. Everything inside goes in the colors, oxblood red, black and white.«
(photo © Nicklas Hedström)


«The seats are dressed in 1" oxblood red tuck and roll as well as the door sides. No headlining at the moment but it is going to be white with oxblood red piping along the cars width.«
(photo © Erika Olsson)


»A modified Cal-Custom bullet-delete grill from 1954 is going to be mounted up front this upcoming spring along with a pair of mystery bumper guards to accompany it. Plans on a set of foxcraft fender-skirts is also being processed along with plans on rounding of some corners on the doors and trunk lid. In due time the car will be stripped of paint, have all the rust repairs done to it and then add a fresh coat of shinny paint to it. What color it is going to have is being debated at the moment.«
(photo © Nicklas Hedström)

Original: LOWTECH :: traditional hot rods and customs