Cops N Rodders-1939 Chevy Master Deluxe
Hello, Tipp City, and welcome to another edition of Cops N Rodders!
This month's edition of Cops and Rodders is one of my favorite cars, owned by one of my favorite people, Mr. Bill Bickley.
Bill is a car guy through and through. I have the pleasure of meeting Bill through one of my mentors in the advanced training driving world, the legend himself, Mr. Jonathan Holland. Jon was a Springfield man whom I met at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia. I know, small world? Jon and I became quick friends. When I bought my new Ford Explorer Sport, Jon was in Ohio, so Jon, Bill, and I all met at Frisch's in Tipp City for breakfast. Jon and Bill took the Explorer out for a quick trip (Literally) to Vandalia and back. Both were impressed. Bill was mostly impressed because he is a Chevy guy!
Speaking of Chevys, let's jump in and talk about Mr. Bickley’s excellent 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe!
As the story of this car begins, fifty years ago.
Bill bought a set of Weld Wheels in search of a vehicle to put them on!
Bill found the car of the state of New York. He bought the car 45 years ago! As soon as he got it home, he chopped the top! Not once, not twice, but three times, altogether he took about five inches out of the top.
The 1939 Chevy started life with a factory inline six-cylinder engine. Bill originally installed a 427 cubic inch V-8 in the car. Then he found a Chevrolet, 355 cubic-inch V-8 engine, and a blower (supercharger); the car remained in that configuration for 20 years.
The car is now powered by a Chevrolet 350 cubic-inch V-8 crate motor, paired with a 400 turbo-automatic transmission and a 4.11 posi-trac rear end, which propels this beast down the road.
Since its construction, the car has only accumulated 9,041 miles. All of them are going to and from car shows.
The best part of the car is that Bill built it himself. From the running gear to the bodywork, Bill did it all.
The car features a Jaguar leather interior and a Cadillac steering column with tilt and telescopic adjustment.
The center of the roof was made from a 1962 Chevrolet Station Wagon roof insert for the ribs. He did all the welding with a gas welder and a coat hanger! Some other features include French-tail lights from a 1959 Cadillac, the license plate insert from a Ford Van, and the gas door from a Honda. The headlights are off a 1940 Chevrolet that he cut and worked into the body. The car has power brakes and manual steering.
This car is a meticulously crafted custom street rod. After 44 years, it looks fantastic. Bill is humble about his car. He says it looks its best when driving by you at 40 MPH!
Do you have a car with a great story you'd like featured in this column? You can email me at Marcthecop@tippgazette.com.
The opinions and statements in this column are those of the author, who is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency. This column is for entertainment purposes only. Persons referred to may be fictional for comedic purposes only.
