Dave Lane’s concept for this vehicle was simple— to build the ultimate Sedan Delivery. Keeping in mind that the car was meant to be a commercial vehicle, possibly hauling products or providing a storage area for tools or other items, Lane took a utilitarian approach.
“It was built bare-bones, just very nicely detailed. It was meant to be a work-type vehicle, and we wanted to stick with that, just finish everything in a very high degree,” said Lane, owner of FastLane Rod Shop in Donahue, Iowa. “[It has] a Spartan interior with just a steel and wooden structure, along with rubber floor mats that lent themselves to the ‘work truck’ feel. Even the firewall is left exposed on the inside.”
Three individuals were responsible for the initial concept, said Lane. The car’s owner, George Poteet and Lane worked out the initial overall concept, then brought in Eric Brockmeyer to do the rendering and add some ideas of his own. After Poteet sent a body shell, Lane went to work, doing everything at his shop including paint, exhaust, wiring, glass install and scratchbuilding the chassis. The only work that was outsourced was the wood work, which was created by Kelly Page and the seats, which were done by Steve and Marylin Ralfs. “It never left my shop until it was done,” said Lane, who added that the build took just over two years to complete.
The most challenging part of this incredible build?
“The interior,” said Lane. “Everything on the inside was scratch-built, but most will not realize this, as we built all panels to look as though they are original. The door panels were taken from a ’32 truck door and remade to fit. The kick panels were made to correspond with the door panels. Even the lower ‘A’ pillars were remade so the kick panels would flush-fit.
“Painting was also challenging, since there is just so much steel to be painted. All of the paint on the car— underside, topside and inside— was sanded and buffed. For one person, it was a pretty daunting task,” said Lane.
But it was worth the effort. “Delivery” has won a slew of awards to date, including the Goodguys 2008 Street Rod of the Year Award, the Pro’s Pick at Goodguys Nashville in 2008, the George Busti Memorial Outstanding Detail Award at the 2008 Grand National Roadster Show (in addition to other awards won at the show). At the ‘08 Darryl Starbird Show, the car took home 1st Place Street Rod D’Excellence and a Fine Nine award. It was also named a Rod & Custom Top Ten Pick for 2008.
“We believe this is how the Sedan Delivery should have been built,” said Lane.
If you would like to view all of the car’s modifications and features, as well as see detailed build shots, visit FastLane Rod Shop’s website at www.fastlanerodshop.com.
Stat Sheet
Car: 1932 Ford Sedan “Delivery”
Owner: George Poteet
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Builder: Dave Lane, FastLane Rod Shop, Donahue, Iowa
Interior: Modified stock seats covered in canvas material by Steve and Marylin Ralfs of Durant,
Iowa. Rubber floor mats were custom-cut and sunk into the metal floor.
Powertrain:1968 Chevy 327 with double hump heads with an estimated 350 horsepower. Three Rochester two-barrel carburetors setup by Larry Fulton at Hot Rod Carbs. Speedway
polished stainless ram horns exhaust. Powermaster chrome PowerGen chrome pulleys,
Walker radiator. All chrome work done by Custom Chrome Plating in Grafton, Ohio.
Body & Frame: American Stamping Frame Rails (boxed) built by FastLane Rod Shop
Tires: Front: Firestone 450/475- 16 bias ply; Rear: Firestone 600/650- 18 bias ply
Wheels:Handmade by Fossbinder Fabrications in Moline, Illinois from solid aluminum blocks.
Front: 16 x 4.5; Rear: 18 x 7. The wheels feature custom-made hubcaps that are
proportionally larger in the rear, mounted on a “hub” with bearing so the “V8” stays
upright when rolling.
Paint: Painted by Dave Lane using DuPont ChromaPremier Super Jet Black Basecoat/Clearcoat. Pinstriping by Jim Hetzler of Muscatine, Iowa.
Tags: 1932 Ford, Award Winners, Car of the Month, Dave Lane, Fastlane Rod Shop, George Poteet, Goodguys, Grand National Roadster Show
