SP Rides: Vovo’s Hot Rod
By Michael Kitchens
Name: Deanna Dela Pena Yee
Occupation: Manicurist
Hobbies: Family, shopping, shoe enthusiast
Year/Make/Model: 1931 Ford 5-Window Coupe
Color: Fire Engine Red
Engine: 355cu with a 671 Weiand super charger , custom exhaust, custom gas and brake lines, cooling hoses, nitrous oxide line are by Gary Decoicoi, fuel tank and exhaust by Craig Inuma
Suspension: Jaguar shortened rear end with 4 Aldan coil-over shocks, all chrome, Heidts Super Ride front suspension
Exterior: Re-built rumbleseat, all steel body with a Bitchen fire wall and floor
Interior: Acura Integra seats, Grant steering wheel, custom aftermarket steering column, Steward Warner guages, Gennie shifter, upholstery by Aloha Upholstery
Wheels/Tires/Brakes: Intro Wheels – 20×15 inch rear, 18×5 inch front with Mickey Thompson tires, Wilwood brakes.
Deanna Dela Pena Yee has been surrounded by some of the best custom vehicles ever made. Her father, Bena, was a well-known gear head who produced custom cars, and her husband, Alan, is also a noted custom fabricator. And yet despite being immersed in the hot rod culture since she was in elementary school, Deanna didn’t always appreciate the loud and proud rumble of the hot rods her father drove her to school in every day.
But that’s all since changed.
The story of this week’s featured car — a 1931 Ford 5-Window Coupe — is a long one, having been worked on over the past 18 years. Handed down to Deanna by her father, the Ford began life as a total rust bucket, welded together with huge aftermarket fenders. Husband Alan removed the fenders and, to his surprise, discovered that a 1932 Highboy frame was underneath. The immediate decision was to rebuild it as a hot rod highboy and the car was stripped to its bare frame.
Once construction began, a rumble seat hard-welded into place was one of the first things the couple found while stripping the car. The rumbleseat was eventually un-welded, refabricated and returned to its former glory.
The chassis, engine and body were rebuilt and then all of it came together to form the jaw-dropping hot rod you see on these pages. This car has received the best of the best — big buck and rare items combined with custom-built modifications. Of special note are the custom-built crazy wheel-arched headers that are absolutely mind-blowing. The valve covers are vintage and rare Moroso items that are worth a few thousand dollars.
Every aluminum piece on the car has been chromed out and is now practically blinding. Although pricey, no expense was spared as the 355cu engine was rebuilt with a 671 Weiand super charger. The hoses and nitrous oxide lines are custom made and when combined with the rest of the components, this engine is simply glorious to look at while hiding menacingly behind the classic front grill. The car is lathered in Fire Engine Red by PPG NAPA Paint Center, and the result is eye-catching!
The entire suspension has been rebuilt with Heidts Super Ride in the front and is a fully independent setup, which produces an incredible upgrade in handling. The Ford’s backside is a shortened Jaguar rear end full of chromed components. Intro Wheels at 20×15 in the rear and 18×5 in the front are fitted with Mickey Thompson tires. The brake system has been upgraded to Wilwood pieces.
Aloha Upholstery is responsible for the luxurious interior that comes with no seams or buttons, as everything is hidden in a rich Ostrich Brown. The rest of the interior features reupholstered Acura seats, gauges by Steward Warner, a Grant steering wheel and a chromed aftermarket steering column.
Now complete, Deanna, who is affectionately called “Vovo” (Portuguese for grandma) by her granddaughter, could never give up this cherished gift. And why would she? She’s having too much fun melting the rubber off the wheels of this vintage hot rod.
