1931 Ford Model A

“Road King”

Owned by: Doug Lewe

Photos by: Double D

Some hot rods are built to sit under bright lights. Others are built to chase trophies. And then there are the rare ones built for one simple reason: to be driven.

Doug Lewe’s 1931 Ford Model A falls squarely into that last category. This isn’t a trailer queen or a “once-a-year” show car. It’s a hard-running, road-eating traditional hot rod with 150,000 miles, stories from 19 states, and a build philosophy straight out of the late ’50s and early ’60s.

If a kid could’ve dreamed it up in a garage back then, that’s exactly the vibe Doug and the Road Kings were after.

Old-School Inspiration, Real-World Miles

The goal from day one was simple: build something that felt right. Not overdone. Not modernized. Just a clean, honest hot rod that looks like it could’ve rolled out of a club garage sixty years ago.

The project started when the body was discovered sitting in a railroad boxcar in Michigan. From there, it made its way back to the Road Kings clubhouse, where the real work began. What followed was a true club-built hot rod, with hands-on help from members at every stage.

Start to finish, the build took just one year—and once it hit the road, it never stopped moving.

Powered by Early Hemi Muscle

Under the hood sits one of the most iconic engines ever built: a 1954 Dodge Red Ram Hemi. With a 241ci displacement and classic hot-rod upgrades, it delivers the sound, torque, and attitude you’d expect from a proper traditional build.

The setup includes:

• .030 overbore

• Ross forged racing pistons

• Racer Brown cam

• Offenhauser 3-deuce intake

• Custom stainless headers built by Saltworks in Sarasota, Florida

The engine was assembled by Dan Sprinkle and finished with show-quality chrome from Custom Metal Finishing—but don’t let the shine fool you. This Hemi was built to run, not just look pretty.

A Chassis Meant for the Road

The Model A rides on a 1932 Ford frame, modified and built by Saltworks. A 4-inch dropped front axle gives it the perfect stance, keeping things low without sacrificing drivability.

Out back, a Ford 8-inch rear with 3.55 gears helps the car cruise comfortably on long highway stretches—something this Ford has done a lot of.

This isn’t a “park it and wipe it” kind of setup. It’s built to rack up miles, and it shows.

Traditional Wheels, Tires, and Stance

Doug kept the rolling stock period-correct:

• Wheelsmith steel wheels

• 15×5 up front, 15×7 out back

• Firestone 5.60 front tires

• Firestone 8.20 rear tires

The combo nails the early hot-rod look and keeps the car planted whether it’s cruising Main Street or crossing state lines.

Paint & Body: Subtle, Timeless, Right

Finished in Washington Blue, the paint gives the Model A a deep, classic tone that fits the era perfectly. The body wears traditional pinstriping laid down by Rich Michelson, adding just the right amount of flair without stealing attention from the car’s overall lines.

The body itself features:

• A 5½-inch chopped top

• A 1-inch channel

• A 1954 Chevy roof

• A 1932 Ford grille shell

Bodywork was handled by the Road Kings alongside Fallen Angels Kustoms, keeping everything true to the car’s roots.

Inside: Pure Hot Rod Style

The interior keeps things just as traditional:

• 1932 Ford dashboard

• Moon gauges

• Limeworks steering wheel

• Custom shifter by Mitch Roberts

• Blue and white tuck-and-roll upholstery by Bob Barnett

• Seats sourced from a ’90s Caravan (because hot rodders make anything work)

It’s simple, functional, and comfortable enough for long drives—which explains how this car has logged so many miles without hesitation.

Doug credits the entire build to the Road Kings and his dad—because this Model A truly was a team effort. Since completion, the car has done exactly what it was built to do: get driven.

No major future plans. No big changes coming. Just more road, more fuel stops, and more memories.

Doug Lewe’s 1931 Ford Model A is proof that the best hot rods aren’t always the flashiest ones. Sometimes, the coolest cars are the ones that get driven the hardest.

Built with friends, inspired by history, and backed by real miles, this Model A doesn’t just look like a late-’50s hot rod—it lives like one.

And honestly? That’s what hot rodding is all about.