I found this 1938 Dodge Brothers Humpback Panel Van, in Tucson at a machine shop. It was originally owned by a Chinese grocery store here in Tucson. It didn’t run, had rust, and the doors were hanging off. It hadn’t been running for 20 years, and a family of ‘packrats’ had moved in! It seemed like a special vehicle, which turned into a 7-year project.
I fit in a Keith Black, Polished Aluminum 426 H.E.M.I. motor that had been bored and stroked to 510 cubic inches. Hooked it up to an 4L80E Transmission. I used an 8:71 Supercharger U.S.A. Blower, with a F.A.S.T. electric fuel injection, and put the body on an Art Morrison chassis. I’m a fan of the “old school” look, so Jay Moody used ‘House of Color’ Candy Apple Red Paint, on a black base coat with ceramic gold flake. The Wilwood Disk Brakes have drilled and slotted Rotors, with Hydro Boost.
“Eleven Hot Rods later, I still love to take my first build to car shows, this is still my favorite Hot Rod!”
OWNER
Rich Wille
YEAR/MAKE/MODEL
1938 Dodge Brothers Humpback Panel Van
NICKNAME
Ram Rod Express