1951  Other Makes : All Models  Henry J Item number: 4505670265   Current bid:  US $5,500.01     Ends Nov-28-04 16:03:03 PST Start time: Nov-18-04 16:03:03 PST Item location:  Medford, OR United States     Description  (revised)  Item Specifics - Automobiles  Other Makes :  Henry J  Old School 1951 Henry J Street Rod ex Drag Car      Miles:  9200    Doors:  2 doors   Transmission:  Automatic    Interior:  Blue   Engine:  8 - Cyl.    Year:  1951   Warranty:  No    VIN Number:  --   Title:  Clear    Exterior:  Blue   Condition:  Used    Inspection:  --   Vehicle Description  Old school Henry J built with no frills and no hi-tech, just solid, dependable engineering. This Henry J was once a drag racer (as so many were) but managed to survive the quarter mile wars and live again on the street. Basically, the car is all steel, is straight, and has no rust. It's garaged and has been well maintained by the man who put it back on the street. He also performed all the power train and body mods that I'm about to list in detail. Starting with the engine, it's a '69 Pontiac 400 backed by a Turbo 400 tranny putting power to an 8" Ford rearend. The engine has an aluminum Torker intake manifold topped with an Edelbrock four barrel to get the fuel and air in and headers to help the burnt remains get out quicker. Other than that, the engine is stock. Engine has a substantial set back which reminds one of the days when this old girl was the terror of the 1320. The powertrain was fresh 9200 miles ago. Tires are like new and mounted on 15X10 and 14X6 Cragar SS wheels. Wheel openings have been radiused and flared. Fuel tank filler has been moved from the rear quarter to behind the frenched license plate and the tank holds 20 gallons. Front suspension is from a Toyota pickup which is a plenty strong unit for this little car and has the same 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern as the rearend. Center bar has been removed from the windshield and the glass butted together. Handmade front end brightwork using parts from a '62 Cad and a lot of imagination. Also has a Datsun 240Z front spoiler and Yamaha turn signals. Rear taillights are tunnelled and from a '62 Plymouth. A rolled rear pan has been formed and complements the custom nerf bars. Headlights are frenched. All seams filled. Door glass is one piece as the vent glass has been removed. Interior is done in a velour cloth stitched in a waffle pattern. Headliner is done the same as the seats. Seats recline fully if you need to take a nap along the way to the next rod run. Back seat is good for small fry or for use as extra trunk space as the trunk won't hold much. A '57 Plymouth has donated it's instrument cluster which includes a certified 150mph speedometer. The shifter console is out of a '69 Pontiac GTO. There's also a plexiglas window in the firewall that shows off the motor. Years ago, some show cars had this little feature. As I said, this is old school and was built quite a few years ago. Paint is in good shape but does have some chips from driving and light scratches from numerous washings and waxings. Has some tasty pinstripes, too, with some dry brush work for highlights. Keeping in mind the old school type of car this is, there is no power steering, no power brakes, no air conditioning, no billet aluminum, no LED's, no million watt stereo, no trick nothin'. Just a solid, well engineered car that does everything it's supposed to do, has the things it needs to have to be safe on the road, and gets more than it's fair share of attention whenever it goes out. It's not perfect but, then, a car made to drive doesn't need to be. This car lives in Medford, OR but has been to Hot August Nights, been to Pleasanton, been lots of places and gotten back with no muss nor fuss. Runs cool on the road and, aside from the short wheelbase choppy thing sometimes (depends on road condition, of course), is a pleasure to drive. A couple imperfections worth noting; the passenger side door glass has a small crack up towards the front of the door and the passenger side windshield wiper has decided to retire. The wiper motor came from J.C. Whitney and they probably still sell them. That's about all I can think of at the moment.