If you think the government is too involved in the private sector now, then you would have hated living in 1940s America. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government made it illegal to produce or sell new cars, among many other luxuries we take for granted today. After the war ended, it took even large automakers a few years to switch gears and start cranking out truly new cars again. But when they did, it was well worth the wait.
The 1949-51 Fords and Mercurys inspired the first wave of a new generation of hot rodders who embraced new cars and new ideas, and to this day they remain very popular with those who turn a wrench for a living. Up on eBay we found an excellent example of a ‘51 Ford hot rod done right…though the name we could live without.
Get your giggles out of the way now, for this ‘51 Ford has been lovingly dubbed “Dirty Sanchez”, which is neither original nor a very apt description of a car that is as beautiful as it is also clean. With a 7-inch chopped roof and 383 stroker engine under the hood, you’d think this Shoebox Ford was as vintage as it gets.
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But underneath the flame-covered exterior and tunnel ram carburetor setup is a very modern automobile. Starting with the fully modern LED lighting system, we’d then like to point out the Pro E Air Ride suspension with digital switches and remotes, and the huge front disc brakes. With an asking price of nearly $35,000, this isn’t exactly a cheap shoebox, and judging from the pictures there are more than a few little details that really need finishing, like all the exposed wiring hanging by the gas and brake pedals. Would you be down to clean up this Dirty Sanchez?
