Lionel Corrigan is the proud owner of a custom 1938 Ford coupe that he has owned “forever” in his words, but since 1993 if one sticks to Lionel’s long history with the car.
The 84-year-old resto mod warrior was built to be driven on extended road trips (and look ultra-cool along the way) in the grand scheme of things for Lionel.
Jim Sutherland
Mission accomplished because Lionel has driven his ’38 Ford over 77,000 kms (roughly 48,000 miles) since its last engine rebuild in 2012. Incidentally, the engine is question is a bored-out 406 Chevy that used to be a Chevy 400 small block before the upgrade.
The 406 is connected to GM’s 200 R-4 automatic overdrive transmission because the tranny delivers a solid blend of reliability and efficient performance for Lionel’s adventures in his ’38 Ford.
Lionel told MyStarCollectorCar his ’38 Ford was “½ done” when he got it, but he drove the car until 2011 before he began its transformation into his signature custom ride. The process only took about 9 months, according to Lionel, because he and his car buddies like to get things done in a hurry so they can all hit the road.
Lionel belongs to a club of like-minded car guys who love the old school classics in custom form because they can put their personal stamp on their rides and then drive them-a lot. Like most of his car buddies, Lionel has owned plenty of vehicles over the years, but “this one’s a keeper”, in his words.
The ’38 Ford has been lowered from its factory height to a level that gives the car a cool stance, but requires careful navigation to avoid potholes, speed bumps and other road hazards, along with a sturdy skid plate to protect its undercarriage. Lionel did not chop the roof because he wanted to see the road ahead of him during his many trips in the ’38 Ford.
The overdrive transmission allowed Lionel to install a 4:11 rear end that delivers plenty of punch at the start but does not make the beefy 406 small block scream at highway speeds. The generous number of bug splats on the front of the ’38 suggests Lionel likes to run at the front of the pack, a notion he and his car buddies confirmed when MyStarCollectorCar interviewed him.
Lionel’s Ford is equipped with a Mustang II steering system to greatly improve its handling, along with a front disc and rear drum braking system to help slow the car down much better that factory. Lionel also has an electric windshield wiper that was originally on the back window of a Hyundai sport utility before it was repurposed for the ’38 Ford.
The custom prewar Ford has Toyota Celica front seats to provide extra comfort on the road, along with cruise control to make the long hauls easier on Lionel when he gets behind the wheel.
The net result is a very cool 1938 Ford custom coupe that is built for long road adventures with its understandably proud owner.
Congratulations on a job well done because Lionel has the ultimate custom road warrior with an off-the-charts cool factor built into it.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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