1929 Model A's color is the perfect Halloween hue
Jerry Peters has a deep-seated love for high-octane hot rods. A lot of that passion stems from his early childhood, which was spent around petroleum products.
“From the time I was 7, my father owned a gas station in Chicago,” the McHenry resident said. “I grew up in them and around them, watching the cars come and go.”
Later, Peters' father owned a Standard station in Arlington Heights and the boy's love for the automobile continued to develop. Once the youngster got his license and a set of wheels, he further became immersed in the cruising and racing scene.
“In high school, most nights I would hang out with car buddies at Henry's Drive In (in Chicago) and also Skip's (Fiesta) Drive In (in Melrose Park). We did 'American Graffiti' long before the movie,” Peters said.
With such a background, it was only natural that Peters' interest was piqued when he heard about a 1929 Ford Model A roadster for sale in 2002. The kit car's chassis and fiberglass body had originally come from the Roadster Shop in Elgin.
“The seller's husband had started putting it together but had passed away,” he said. “The widow didn't quite know what to do with it. I wanted to make sure it went to someone who would appreciate what it was. That just happened to be me.”
The Model A was painted in a hard-to-miss Hugger Orange, a color usually found on Chevrolets.
“When you get into orange paints, it seems there's an infinite variety of shades and hues. But this is my wife's favorite. She just loves it. It has such a glow.”
The engine is also sourced from General Motors and is a 350-cubic-inch V-8.
“Its so reliable and rock solid,” Peters said. “We never wonder if it'll start up or overheat.”
One item Peters made changes to was with the exhaust system. The previous owner had the exhaust dump out underneath and it was hard to see, which didn't suit Peter's preference. “I'm a fan of the old-school look and wanted the big echo cans out the back.”
Those aren't the only outlets for spent fumes; openings are also just behind the front wheels.
“If I uncork those, it really makes some noise and is so much fun to drive. It's like a big, V-8 go-cart!”
Other items that were needed to get his full-size Hot Wheels on the road included changing the shocks, rebuilding some of the engine and redoing some of the chrome trim.
Since it's completion, Peters and his wife have motored to area shows and events in St. Charles, Hampshire and various locations in Wisconsin. Even the threat of inclement weather doesn't deter the car-loving couple from leaving the convertible top at home.
“We've been caught in the rain but still prefer to leave the top off. It's such a pleasant open-air experience. And it looks better too!”
While cruising around his V-8 treat certainly brings back fond memories, Peters is able to relive them with a special group of pals. “I'm still talking and loving cars and hanging out with the same friends from high school,” he said. “It's like we never grew up.”
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