DIGITAL EXHIBITION: KEVIN CARROLL

Photo by Kevin Carroll

Name: Kevin Carroll
Vehicle: 1934 Ford 3-window Coupe

1. How did you find your Hot Rod? Where did you find it?

After years of saving during and after college, my parents came to me saying they would allow me to get a “dream car” before life got in the way, and I would no longer be able to afford one. I luckily found this 1934 Ford 3 window coupe on Craigslist from an older gentleman in Grass Valley, CA, who was clearly a muscle car guy and not a hot rodder. He didn’t fit very well in the car, and with the car being imperfect I could tell the car was not meant for him. He let the car go at a very reasonable, hard-to-pass-up price and after it all I had a real steel coupe at age 23! Lucky and undeserving to say the least! I owe everything to my gracious parents for the opportunity and friends who loaned me some money to get this car. This one isn’t for sale... EVER!!

2. What got you interested in Hot Rods and “rodding?”

Hot Rods were destined to be a huge part of my life from the beginning. My grandfather grew up with these cars racing around Northern CA as a kid and then later helping friends race at Bonneville for some years. This love was then passed down to my dad and his brothers and eventually me and my brother. I was surrounded by Hot Rods my entire life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

3. What makes the Hot Rod culture so special?

Hot Rod culture has given me a lot. Countless friends made, and many memories were caused by these cars. What pulls me in the most is the culture as a whole. These cars allow myself and my generation a glimpse into the past into a time much simpler than mine. It also encompasses every walk of life, and everyone can be included. It’s so interesting to me to be able to walk around a show and see so many styles of cars and to see everyone come together all for the love of cars. It’s something that many other places can’t give.

4. Can you describe the customization process of your Hot Rod?

My Hot Rod is just about to be under a massive transformation. I bought the car for one main reason, and that was it’s a real three-window coupe that was a driver. My end goal is to transform the car into a more traditional 50s look. I know the car will go through many iterations in my lifetime, but as for now I have collected all the pieces, and within the year the car will be a more traditional styled build.

My coupe has a simple 350/350 motor/transmission set up, and the current configuration built by Ernie Harmon, A long time racer. Past his ownership, I have no real history of the car and would like to know! The more I get into the car and the more snippets I pull and uncover into the build; hopefully, one day I can track the history back as far as I can go to preserve anything special.