1931 Ford Sedan owned by Jeremy Gilbert

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Issue

November 2022

Owner

Jeremy Gilbert

Ride

RODFATHER
(1931 Ford Sedan)

Meaning Behind the Name

I wanted my car to have a gangster feel so I named it after the most powerful & iconic gangster there was "The Godfather".

Photographer

Nick Means

Ride Details

What was the inspiration?

My inspiration for this build was my best friend that passed away in 2022. He was always into the Ratrod scene as I was into the street rod scene and building diesel trucks.

How long did it take you to build?

The build of this car has never stopped since I started, I continue to change & add.

How long have you been building?

I purchased the car as a body and driveline only in 2019 and my building had continued since then.

Club Affiliations

Ohio Rusted Hoodlums Misfit Kruisers

Your future plans?

In the near future I plan to do a full driveline swap with a twin turbo setup. Also finish the build on my 1953 Dodge as it will be a wedge hauler for my Sedan.

Vehicle history

I found the body and driveline for sale. Since then I have built the chassis, 4-link the rear-end with air ride, used 8.8 interceptor rear-end with disc brakes with 3.73 gears. The front is mostly made up with components from Speedway Magazine.

Thanks to

Shawn Sisco for my inspiration. And most of all to my wife Lindsay for the patience she's had with me during this build supporting my love for the Ratrod scene.

Previous Rides

1963 Dodge Pickup 1954 F100 1968 F100 1971 Camero

Engine Details

Make

Oldsmobile 1967

Cylinders

Displacement

Super Rocket 425 cu in (7.0L)

Engine Mods

Comp roller cam Edelbrock gapped intake Custom in house headers (zoomies)

Driveline Details

Torque Converter

B&M 2,500 stall converter

Axle

Ford interceptor 8.8 rear end

Gears

3.73

Chassis Details

Chassis

Custom one off frame made from 2x3 steel square stock.

Mods to Frame

Z style made frame that is custom made to store air for the air ride.

Frame Builder

Myself

Drop or lift inches

Full body layout, body has been channeled 4 inches.

Front Shocks

Speedway shocks

Rear Shocks

Speedway shocks with ride tech air bags

Spindles

Speedway

Springs

Speedway

Four Link

Custom made by myself

Compressor Info

Vieira 450c

Airbag Info

Ridetech

Chrome, Paint, or Polish

NAPA single stage paint

Wheels Details

Front Wheel Type

Weld wheels

Rear Wheel Type

Bart wheels

Front Wheel Size

15x4

Rear Wheel Size

15x14

Front Tire Size

5.60x15

Rear Tire Size

29/12.50/15

Paint Details

Color

Black and Copper

Paint Type

NAPA

Graphics Description

Pinstripes and door logo all done by Darin Allen. The bearded skull with the polka dot hat is a memorial tribute to Shawn.

Painted By

Myself

Graphics By

Killer Designs by Darin Allen

Body Details

Channeled

4 inch

Grille

Not sure, was a Creek Find

Addon Accessories

Custom transmission cooler coiled up on the firewall.

Body Mods

4.5 inch chop top 4 inch channel

Body Mods by

Myself

Interior Details

Dashboard

Original

Gauges

Auto Meter

Steering Wheel

Original steering wheel wrapped in steer rope.

Shifter

Hand bent shifter with a one off shifter knob made by my wife.

Seats

Made from reclaimed wood from my wife's family barn.

Upholstery Description

The whole interior is made from reclaimed wood, steel materials from our barbs, and finds off of our properties. Steering column is held in place with connecting rods from engine. Logo work on dash done by Killer Designs.

Upholstery By

Myself

“RODFATHER”

Introducing the “RODFATHER” – a 1931 Ford Sedan that oozes with a gangster vibe. Owner Jeremy Gilbert built this car in memory of his best friend who was passionate about the Ratrod scene. Gilbert aimed to combine his friend’s interests with his own love for street rods and diesel trucks. The result is a stunning custom build that has never stopped evolving since its inception in 2019.

Under the hood, the RODFATHER features an Oldsmobile 1967 Super Rocket 425 cubic-inch engine with a Comp roller cam, Edelbrock gapped intake, and custom in-house headers. It has a B&M 2,500 stall converter and a Ford interceptor 8.8 rear end with 3.73 gears. The car sits on a custom one-off frame made from 2×3 steel square stock with a Z-style frame to store air for the air ride. The body is channeled four inches and features a 4.5-inch chop top.

The RODFATHER’s NAPA single-stage black and copper paint scheme and pinstripes were done by Jeremy himself, while Killer Designs by Darin Allen added the bearded skull with the polka dot hat as a memorial tribute to Gilbert’s late friend. The car’s interior is made from reclaimed wood, steel materials from their barn, and finds from their properties. The whole interior is held together by connecting rods from the engine.

Gilbert’s future plans include a full driveline swap with a twin turbo setup, as well as finishing his 1953 Dodge as it will serve as a wedge hauler for the Sedan. The RODFATHER is a tribute to the passion and artistry of the custom car scene and the love and friendship that inspired Gilbert to create this masterpiece.

Owned by: Jeremy Gilbert

Photos by: Nick Means