1937 Ford Truck Transformation: A Rat Rod Build

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WC Glasscock, III

1937 Ford Rat Rod

Photographer: Wayne Hunter

Instagram:  @hunterseyephotography

Performance Stats: **Best run for the truck:  12.22 at 110 mph

A Lifelong Passion for Cars

WC Glasscock III, a 61-year-old retired automotive machinist, has been married to his wife, a fellow racing enthusiast, for 26 years. With a daughter and a gearhead son following in his footsteps, WC's love for cars runs deep in the family. His son has embraced racing and performance automotive work, continuing the family tradition.

Early Beginnings

WC owned his first car, a 1950 Ford two-door, at just 9 years old. By the age of 13, he had rebuilt his first engine on his own. His career in the automotive industry began in 1981 when he ran an automotive machine shop until 1993. He then joined his father at his automotive repair shop, eventually taking over the business in 2009. WC retired in 2022 due to health reasons but continues to work on hotrods and drag cars in his home shop, Glasscock Racing. His specialty and passion have always been MOPARs.

A Father’s Legacy

The inspiration behind WC's automotive journey is his father, who worked on cars for 60 years until retiring in 2009 at the age of 75. Now 90 years old, WC's father still visits the shop almost daily. He began working at a Ford dealership at 15 and continued as a mechanic after enlisting in the Army. Upon discharge, he worked at a Chrysler dealership until opening his auto repair shop in 1993, where WC and later his son, Dan, joined him. Three generations of Glasscocks have worked together, creating a legacy of automotive excellence.

The 1937 Ford Truck Project

Why This Truck?

WC built this truck out of a passion for rat rods and a love for trucks. After building show cars and high-performance drag cars, he wanted to try something different. The truck project allowed him to explore a new creative avenue and brought immense joy throughout the process.

1937 Ford Rat Rod Project: The Build Process

Finding the Project

WC and his son found the abandoned truck in a field, and WC knew immediately it was his next project. They brought it home and began the transformation. Using a 1964 Chevelle frame, WC cut off the front section and made the rear section from 2" x 3" box tubing. Without a hood or grille, he used a 1936 Dodge hood and grille from an old Tennessee firetruck, requiring significant modifications to fit.

Sourcing Parts

Parts for the truck came from various vehicles and ideas from rat rod shows. WC and his wife spent time antiquing to find the perfect details to bring his imagination to life. With the help of his son, the project was completed over three years.

A True Rat Rod

Rat rods are known for their uniqueness, and WC's truck is no exception. From welded nuts and bolts skeleton hands for rearview mirrors to copper wire stitching on the ripped rear fender, the truck is full of unusual details not seen at typical car shows.

Thrilling to Drive

Driving the truck is an exhilarating experience. With a Mother Thumper cam and electric cutouts, the truck has a distinct, trash-talking sound. It's fast, loud, and handles surprisingly well for a rat rod. The truck often receives looks, smiles, and thumbs up from onlookers.

Technical Specs and Build List

Engine: 440 Dodge engine with steel crank, 440 Source connecting rods, Keith Black 10:1 pistons, Comp Cams Mother Thumper flat tappet hydraulic cam, 452 steel pocket ported heads with stainless steel valves, PRW stainless steel roller rockers, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, 750 HP double-pumper carburetor

• Transmission: 11" TCI torque converter, 727 transmission with shift kit
• Rear: 8 3/4 positraction rear with 3.23 gears
• Exhaust: Headers with 2 1/2" full exhaust, Flowmaster mufflers, electric cutouts
• Suspension: Front suspension from a 1964 Chevelle with drop spindles and disc brakes, front sway bar, power steering, rear suspension with leaf springs and traction bars, drum brakes
• Interior: Minivan third-row bench seat dyed two-tone, door panels and headliner from old burlap sacks, floor made from leftover black and white tiles, trans tunnel from an oil pan, shifter boot from an old spittoon
• Wheels: Wheels Vintique with dog dish hub caps, 3" whitewalls from Coker
• Best run for the truck: 12.22 at 110 mph

The Builders and Shout Outs

WC builds complete cars himself, including engines, transmissions, carburettors, and differentials. He also handles all frames and metalwork. Due to a back injury early in the project, his son significantly helped, making it a memorable father-son project. WC's son now has his own shop, continuing the family tradition.

Contributors

• Paint: John Pihs
• Headliner and Door Panels: Mike Prather
• Wiring: Dan Glasscock
• Miscellaneous Assistance: Dan and Donnie Edgerton

Future Plans and Dream Car

While WC doesn't have immediate plans to modify the truck further, he anticipates building another engine and transmission for it someday, driven by his love for creating bigger and better drivetrains. He enjoys driving the truck and plans to continue doing so for the foreseeable future.

Dream Car

WC's dream car is a 1941 Willys coupe gasser with a 392 Hemi engine, a 4-speed transmission, and a patina paint job. He envisions it as an all-steel survivor car.

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