Early Ford V8 Club #109

BOB FOLDY.      WINNER F&F 2018 PARTICIPANTS CHOICE BEST CAR

1937 LINCOLN ZEPHYR.

1987 My parents went for a trip to Port Hardy.  They had stopped for lunch in Sayward and my Dad saw the add for sale of a 1937 Lincoln.  The car was located in Courtney, so we called and bought the car.
I think we paid $3,500.00 for it back then.
When we made the deal the seller said he had a four door that we could part out located in Cumberland.  We drove out there and stripped anything good and were on our way.

The car had a 283 Chevrolet, power glide, and Pontiac rear end.
We started by going with a 5.0-liter EFI, 4 speed top loader, and 9” rear.  Many other hodge podge parts and pieces. Work started and stopped over the years and the car mostly sat idle.

About 7 years ago we built a 351 Clevor for the car to replace the 5.0 litre. By this time we had more time and money to put into the car. We custom made the rear suspension with ladder bars Currie torsion sway bars, and QA1 coil overs. 9” was replaced with an 8.8 torsen and 3.73 hear set.

Front suspension starts with a Lucky 7 axle and retains the transverse leaf. Front also has the Currie torsion sway bars and QA1 shocks. Axle is held in place with SoCal speed hairpins. The front was a challenge to fit together and actually work. We had to add leaves and reverse the eyes to get the right stance. Braking is all Wilwood.  The front and rear calipers have individual masters located under the dash.  Keeps engine bay very simple.

Transmission is a Tremec T56 magnum 6 speed.  Clutch is McLeod with hydraulic throw out bearing.  We fit the master under the dash on the same mount as the brakes.

My dad and I had many discussions during the build.  His favourite saying was “who’s going to see it”.  I would get all bent out of shape on details under the car, and this was the famous come back line. Lol.
Some of the best ideas came form my Dad, and with my machinist background and his make anything work philosophy we made it happen.

When all the mechanical was done it went to Dave Bennet for paint. Then back to us for assembly.  Then back to Dave Bennet and Critter for more assembly and upholstery.

It is so nice to be able to drive this car.  Mother’s Day was our first drive.
I hope the next one doesn’t take 30 years!

Thanks, Bob

The Early Ford V8 club 109 extends our hearty congratulations to Bob and his family on such a fantastic rebuild on the Lincoln Zephyr. The participants trophy win is so well deserved and we all thank you for attending Fords & Friends 2018.