The custom car scene in the Middle East and more pertinently, Dubai, has always been a little bit underground. Yes, we knew the cars were here, but stepping over them and seeing them on a regular basis just never happened. Having said that, the tide seems to changing a little bit. Welcome to the stunning 1939 Ford Tudor owned by Saeed Bushalat.
Well, I say 1939. As you’ve probably guessed, this particular model built in 2004 by RK Motors in North Carolina, USA is fresh, unique and built to full show car standards, yet is totally functional and ready to cruise the usual hang out spots in Dubai.
“I’d been searching for almost ten years now for a hot rod, and a Ford specifically,” explains Saeed. “I looked at a ‘33 coupe, a ‘34 coupe, and up to the ‘37. I never came across something that really caught my attention though. Then I found this one on the Internet, and immediately fell in love.”
The body on the ’39 was hand-formed and later used to create moulds for after market bodies, but this one remains the original and to date, we believe to be the only one of its kind.
The front end is a bit of mish mash of 1938 Deluxe/1939 Standard look with a custom touch. The body on this ‘breadvan’ is completely hand-formed and utterly stunning in the flesh. The guys at RK Motors told us that the bonnet required nearly 40 hours to hand-form. There is lots of custom work all over the body, from the raked-back A-pillars, unique C-pillars and that rear window, the ’39 keeps you staring.
Exterior bright work has been kept to a minimum, with just that front grill, headlights and trim rings, plus a pair of tiny billet mirrors hanging off the doors adding sparkle. One touch we did like we the ability to pull the rear side windows so you can cruise all windows down, for the full Street Rod experience.
Powering the ’39 Tudor is the stalwart of Street Rod customs. Tiny and after years of use and development, it’s one of the most reliable units out there; the LT1. As with any self respecting full on show car, all hoses and wires have been tucked away and the injector covers have been painted the same 2-stage red as the body. Clean, clinical and sexy. Thankfully in the Middle Eastern weather, there is also a Vintage Air A/C system hooked up and ready to blow cool into the cabin.