Twisted Customs Coupe

It isn't very often that I spot a feature car in the swap meet of a car show, but that's exactly where I found this tidy Model A coupe - a promotional car built by the Kutztown, Pennsylvania based hot rod company Twisted Customs. I was at the Wheels of Time show in Macungie PA. a show that draws over 2,000 cars from all over the east coast and beyond. I was immediately drawn to the early ‘60s feel that the coupe gave. Dressed in basic black… shiny black mind you, the car has just enough shine and period touches that a hot rod from that era should have.

The first thing that catches your eye is the flawless black paint, something achieved after many hours hammering out bodywork and sanding. If it’s going to be shiny black, it has to be straight. The crew found the car online and had to basically re-do everything to get it up to their specs. Rather than make another clapped out junker copy, the guys decided to make a calling card for the top-notch work that they do.

The top has been chopped heavily, and the Deuce shell has been sectioned to fit the lines of the car. The top insert features a large number of louvers and was left in bare metal. If you'll notice, the glass has a blue tint to it. Very cool and correct. Guide headlights look just right on this coupe, as do the period chrome reverse wheels that have been wrapped in bias ply tires & piecrust slicks and bolted to early Ford brakes with drilled backing plates.

Another area where some people go wrong is the engine. Twisted Customs stepped right up and placed an early Olds engine, complete with a Sharp three-deuce aluminum intake with three Rochester carbs and velocity stacks, between the rails.

Straight pipe, coned headers exit right into the air to the delight the senses. It’s all complemented by the gloss white fire wall. They even used a chromed generator in plain sight, just to send a message on what the shop is all about. Of course the car was kept fenderless and hoodless, with the body channeled over the frame. The rear of the body is kept simple with Pontiac tail lights and sits up just right. The perfect amount of rake gives this coupe a mean stance for sure. Inside you'll find a group of Stewart Warner gauges and a half sweep tach in custom built panels, but best of all you'll notice that both feet will be kept busy with a pedal for each at all times. An early 60's shifter was used and fits right into the theme, even though it may not be the smoothest shifter out there, it looks cool.

Overall, the car screams late fifties/early sixties. Every sense has been satisfied that it’s from that era and that's fine with me.

Read the rest of this article in ISSUE 25: Hot Rod Revolution