When reminiscing on American automotive history, the detour into the hot rod subculture sometimes raises the question: was there one car that started it all?
Frank Morawski of Bel Air, said you can point to three cars that began the entire hot rod movement we enjoy today. Of those three cars, a ‘34 Ford named “California Kid,” a ‘34 Ford known as “Jake’s coupe,” and the ‘34 Ford “Super Bell” coupe, he is the proud owner of the later.
The Super Bell, as it came to be known, was purchased in 1983 from good friend Jim Ewing, then owner of Super Bell Axle Company in Monrovia, Ca., a man who is considered an icon in the hot rod world. At the time, the three-window couple was unremarkable.
Painted a green hue and with little done, Ewing was determined to turn it into a true race machine that could reach the 200-mile mark at the venerable Bonneville Salt Flats.
Once Ewing, along with friend Ed Belknap, found a design he could apply to the existing body, he turned to father and son duo, Jim and Dale Caulfield in California, who would begin the build. The two fabricated the frame horns, fixed the doors, reworked the hood, chopped a new windshield frame, and altered the firewall which ended up giving the three-door couple its distinct appearance. The suspension became the bellwether of Ewing’s company, a set up consisting of remanufactured tube axle, spindles, steering arms, and brakes. Ford experimented in the late ‘30s with an economy model using lightweight parts that became the basis for Ewing’s tubular design axle. Ewing picked this form to duplicate because it was the most popular design back in the era of early Fords, Morawski said.
The most striking appearance modification would become the original one-off front fascia, a sloping nose design built entirely in aluminum by famed race car builder Kenny Ellis. While this represented a unique approach in terms of material, the restrictive design created airflow problems while the sheet metal used was too conductive to afford proper cooling. The original engines, which included a tri-power-equipped Chevy big-block, a 350 Chevy small block, and another blown small block, all ran too hot. Ewing would eventually downgrade to a V6 Buick engine to correct this problem. Ewing continued using the Super Bell as a demonstration vehicle for all his company’s products until he sold it to Morawski after he and business partner Victor Leon parted ways.
You may think Morawski just landed in the right place at the right time. But the Bel Air fiberglass technician wasn’t merely a stakeholder. He decided to add some appointments that would point back to the car’s original look. Removing the Dietz racing headlights, a pair of ‘34 Ford commercial lights were fitted. Halibrand wheels replaced the 16” Ford steel wheels. Unique to Morawski’s contribution was the move from a GM 12-bolt rear axle assembly to the 6-bolt Halibrand quick-change axle, which allows him to tweak the rear differentials. He said he normally runs 3:70s, but has the option to gear lower or higher as the need arises.
While the paint is original and starting to show its age in various places, Morawski has no plans of making significant changes to his legendary acquisition.
What do you drive?
It’s a 1934 Ford 3-window coupe.
Why do you drive it?
It’s just a fun car to play with. It’s very simple, very basic, and very unique.
What makes this car so special?
Number one, the history of it…who built it. Also, its association with the company. This kind of car is fairly rare on the East Coast. It was more of a West Coast heavy modification deal.
What is your most memorable driving experience?
The farthest I ever drove it was out to Louisville, Kentucky to a show and it’s a fun car to drive down the highway cause obviously it catches everyone’s eye.
What was the first car you owned?
A ‘32 Ford I bought. Took my drivers test in it and everything. It’s still sitting in my garage. I don’t get rid of nothing.
What’s currently in your CD player?
You couldn’t hear anything because it’s so noisy. I got it on, but I don’t pay much attention to the radio.
And your first ticket? What was it for?
I got a ticket for no front license plate. A policeman pulled me over and said, “Where’s your front license plate?” It’s under the front seat. And I said, “Tell me where am I supposed to put it?” There’s not an area where you could put a license plate on the front on that car. Honestly, you’ll never get them to admit to it, but I think he said, “I’m going to pull him over so I can take a look at the car.”
Check Out My Stats:
Engine: V6 Buick
Performance: Halibrand quick change axle, 5-in dropped Super Bell tubular front axle, flex-steering cable, Chrysler telescopic steering column, cricket rack-and-pinion, TH400 transmission
Exterior: ‘34 Ford commercial lights, Halibrand wheels
