1934 Ford Coupe: The Mistress and 1931 Ford Model A: The Jigalo SEMA Builds
Discover the journey behind Donnie Limbock's iconic 1934 Ford Coupe "The Mistress" and 1931 Ford Model A "The Jigalo" SEMA builds. Learn how passion, craftsmanship, and family create these unique builds for Sema.
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Donnie Limbock -
1934 Ford Coupe “The Mistress” and 1931 Ford Model A “The Jigalo”
Instagram: @donnie_limbock
By Photographer/Author: Donnie Rochin
Instagram: @r0cean11
Facebook: r0cean11 Photography
Website: r0cean11.com
The Road To Sema
I’m Donnie Limbock, 65 years old, living in Clarksville, Texas—a small town that was once booming with industries but now has a population of around 3,000. My wife and I own a small ranch with 50 head of cattle and three horses. In addition to this, I run my own business—Donnie's Plumbing, Electric, Heat, and Air. Our family owns seven vehicles, including three Fords and four Pontiacs, but today I’ll be focusing on my prized 1934 3-window Ford Coupe.
A Passion for Cars
My automotive journey began when I was young. I started with dirt bikes, racing all over Northeast Texas and building a name for myself until a bad accident left me with broken ribs. That didn't stop me; while my love for motorcycles remained, I soon found myself gravitating toward cars—particularly fast ones. My first car was a 1976 Carousel Red Trans-Am, and that’s when the adventure truly began.
A huge influence on me came from my best friend, Burrell, and his family who owned a car dealership in Clarksville. They were integral in fueling my passion for cars and eventually encouraged me to start showing them.
The Journey to "The Mistress"
It wasn’t until later in life that I began showing my cars. I was at a car show when I saw a 1932 black coupe, and I instantly fell in love with it. This sparked my drive to take my own 1934 Coupe to the next level. Every time I bring her to a car show or have her out on the street, I’m always honored by the admiration she gets. I enjoy talking to other car owners and spectators, gathering their feedback and opinions—though I often see my car differently because I’m so close to it.
What makes my Coupe stand out is her vibrant Inferno Orange color paired with a Champagne roof. The entire car is chromed out, and when the sun hits her just right, she absolutely shines.
Building the Cars
I’ve done most of the work on my 1934 Ford Coupe with the help of family and friends. A big shout-out to my neighbor, Eugene Davis, for all the mechanical help, and to Diver from Signature Series Detail for the necessary paintwork, and Maupin Metal for alterations to the interior.
Then there’s “The Jigalo”—a 1931 Ford Model A with a unique twist. The fenders, truck firewall, and bedsides were hand-built. The truck bed was lowered to match the lines of the cab, and the firewall was sunk to fit a stroked 408 small-block Ford engine. The interior was redone with plush leather and carpet. The hood was modified with hinges from a ’66 Nova, and a frame was added to hold the hood sheet metal.
The air breather and fuel injection cover were hand-milled from aluminum, while the brake and gas pedals were also custom-made from aluminum. A Borla 8-stack fuel injection system was added, as well as 17-inch Ridler chrome wheels. The car also has a C6 Ford transmission with a 2800 stall converter and a Currie 9" 4-bar rear end. The Heidts super-ride front suspension makes for an incredible ride, and the House of Kolor Candy Brandywine paint gives it that extra touch of flair. The stainless steel exhaust system makes sure she sounds as good as she looks.
Modifications -
Engine and Performance -
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350 Chevy 4 bolt main engine
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Chromed 3 Duece intake
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Three chromed 2, barrel Rochester carburetors
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Three stormtrooper air breathers
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Chromed mach serpentine belt system
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Chrome rocker arm covers
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Chromed spyra-coated headers
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Complete stainless steel exhaust system
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Chromed rear-end and tailpiece and drive shaft
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Gold and chrome plated accessories underneath
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700R-4 speed Transmission, chromed
Suspension and Brakes -
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QA1 coil overs Suspension
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'70 Ford Mustang Brakes
Wheels and Tires -
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Chromed Mag Rambler wheels with gold centers and lug nuts
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18.85x8 Niddos front tires, 20x85x10 Niddos rear tires
Interior -
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Tri-colored leather seats and headliner
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IDIT chrome steering column with Billet specialty steering wheel
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Polished aluminum skull shifter with a matching skull on the gas cap
Audio -
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Kenwood stereo system
Exterior-
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Chromed custom bumpers
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Inferno Orange paint with Champagne paint on the roof
Car Show Experiences
Being part of car show families has been one of the best parts of my journey. I’ve had the privilege of working with some fantastic groups, including Raceway Muscle Car Club, Project 7, and East Texas Car Shows Only, with promoters like Kirk Henson and Gabriella Eguia. Many of the shows these groups host benefit worthy causes such as crisis centers, toy drives, veterans, cancer research, and other civic activities.
At one particular show, I was unexpectedly honored with the "Man of the Year" award. My wife, Camey, was also presented with a crystal trophy in recognition of the battle she’s been fighting with cancer. Additionally, we received the "Eye of the Tiger" award for our efforts in the car show community. We’ve also been fortunate to win numerous other accolades, including "Best in Show Coupe" at the World of Wheels in Shreveport, LA, and the "Master Builder" award at AutoRama Dallas, TX. One award that holds a special place in my heart is the "Top Dog" award, which we've won three times at the East Texas Car Shows. Whether it’s SEMA, World of Wheels, or AutoRama, the pride and joy I feel seeing our cars admired by others is unmatched. I’ll never forget the moments when people stop at gas stations to take photos of our cars, sharing how our builds have inspired them.
Dream Car
While I am incredibly proud of the cars I’ve built, my ultimate dream car is a 1969/1970 Pontiac Trans-Am. It’s a car I’ve admired for years, and one day, I hope to make it a part of my collection.
Final Thoughts
My advice to anyone passionate about cars or building a project is to never stop pursuing your dreams. Pay attention to the details, and always believe in yourself and your build. Whether you're building a car for the street or for show, do it for yourself and never let anyone else's opinions hold you back. At the end of the day, it's your car, your passion, and your vision. And that’s what truly matters.
Call to Action
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