Words: John Gunnell
We’ve seen Max Shesto’s 1930 Model A Ford five-window coupe at several Cheaterama events in the Milwaukee area. The Cheaters is a talent-packed hot rod club in the “Brew City” area, and their members have built some of the coolest traditional hot rods to be found anywhere in the Badger State.
When Max’s car showed up at the recent O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels at State Fair Park in Milwaukee, it struck us that it is truly an A-1 example of the perfect ‘60s-style full-fendered hot rod.
We always tell modern hot rodders who have an old school bent that the guys who built cars in the ‘60s really wanted their cars to look like Hot Rod Magazine cover cars. Those who left their cars in gray or black primer with Indian blanket interiors and hardly any chrome did so because of tight budgets. But in their hearts and minds, they wanted their cars to have 20 coats of hand-rubbed lacquer, ribbed and pleated interiors and loads of bright metal goodies.
Max Shesto’s 1930 Model A has the look that was the dream of many car builders back in the day. Its medium-dark blue finish is just about flawless and is set off nicely with deep red belt line pinstripes. A slightly lighter blue color is used on the vinyl insert in the coupe’s un-chopped roof. The deep red finish also accents the car’s disc wheels and finned, polished aluminum “Corvette” valve covers.
Bright metal hub caps and wheel trim rings set off the deep red rims and wide whitewall tires are mounted up front, with larger wide whitewalls at the rear. Chrome or stainless steel trim accents the cowl, the headlight lenses and the headlight tie bar. The windshield also has exterior bright metal trim and there is a chrome outside rearview mirror on both sides of the cars. The car has no bumpers; however, there is also bright metal trim around the ribbed rubber running board mats.
The engine - a vintage Corvette small-block V-8 fitted with three two-barrel carburetors - is detailed to the nines with an aluminum tri-power intake and gold-finished carburetors topped off with individual bright metal “computer monitor” air cleaners. And as you can see from the photo of the cabin, the restored vintage two-spoke steering wheel and matching brown pleated interior are also A-1 additions to this A-1 Model A.
