Bring a Trailor

This 1935 Chevrolet school bus was produced by Superior Body Company and was refurbished and modified under prior ownership. Power comes from a 454ci V8 paired with a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission, and the bus is finished in yellow with black accents over a reconfigured interior with mixed seating for 11. Additional features include air conditioning, tinted windows, an Alpine CD stereo, and a rear entertainment system with a fold-down flat screen and a DVD player. This modified school bus was acquired by the selling dealer in 2022 and is now offered at no reserve in Texas with a conditional Georgia title.

Superior Body Company operated from 1909 to 1980 under various names and produced school buses in Lima, Ohio. This example was reportedly refinished in yellow under prior ownership and features black accent stripes and “Just Kiddin’” side decals. Additional details include a chrome front bumper, chrome headlight hardware, tinted windows, a folding entry door, a black rear bumper, and an emergency-exit rear door. Scratches are visible in the paint on the rear door.

Silver 19″ wheels are wrapped in Linglong tires up front and 225/70 Aurora tires out back. The bus is equipped with power steering, power-assisted brakes, and a dually rear axle. An anti-sway bar has reportedly been installed.

The cab is equipped with a high-back driver seat upholstered in red vinyl along with a matching padded arm rest, lower dash panel, and black carpeting. Features include a lap belt, a floor shifter, a lever for opening the folding entry door, a multi-panel rear-view mirror, air conditioning, and an Alpine CD stereo.

The four-spoke steering wheel features a Chevrolet-logo center cap and sits ahead of a 120-mph speedometer along with gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and voltage. The five-digit odometer shows 5k miles, approximately 300 of which were added by the selling dealer. Total mileage is unknown.

The rear compartment features seating for 10 with four forward-facing seats and two inward-facing benches. Amenities include crank side windows, overhead lighting, collapsible cup holders, a Pyle fold-down flat-screen monitor, a DVD player, and audio speakers.

The replacement 454ci V8 was installed under prior ownership and sends power to the rear wheels through a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes an open-element air cleaner, an aluminum radiator, an electric cooling fan, exhaust headers, and a dual exhaust system. The oil was changed in preparation for the sale.

Additional underside photos can be viewed in the gallery below.

This REO Speed Wagon pickup was the subject of a custom build conducted over a multi-decade period by its previous owner, and it is powered by a 460ci Ford V8 mated to a C6 three-speed automatic transmission. The truck is finished in yellow over gray upholstery, and the body was modified with a custom-fabricated bed assembly and Chevrolet-sourced front fenders. Additional modifications include a replacement Ford truck frame, a dually rear axle, power steering, power-assisted front disc brakes, 16″ wheels, bucket seats, and a touchscreen media unit. Acquired by the selling dealer in 2022, this modified REO is now offered at no reserve with a clean Oregon title listing it as a 1942 REO pickup.

The body was customized, mounted over a replacement Ford-sourced frame, and refinished in yellow during the build according to the seller, who notes the hood and fenders have been welded together to form a front-hinged clamshell-style enclosure. Exterior details include a custom-fabricated bed and tailgate, Cadillac-style taillights, Chevrolet-model front fenders and headlights, chrome bumpers, fresh-air vents, side mirrors, and REO badging and graphics.

The eight-lug 16″ wheels wear chrome covers and are wrapped 225/60 Cooper tires. Braking is handled by power-assisted front discs and rear drums, and the truck is equipped with power steering. The suspension utilizes leaf springs in the rear along with twin I-beams and coil springs up front.

The interior of the cab features bucket seats clad in gray cloth and vinyl upholstery along with color-coordinated carpeting and body-color surfaces. A touchscreen media unit is mounted at the center of the dash, and the truck is equipped with provisions for air conditioning, although the seller notes the compressor is disconnected and the system is inoperative.

A three-spoke steering wheel frames aftermarket instrumentation including an 80-mph speedometer and readings for voltage, temperature, oil pressure, and fuel level. The six-digit odometer displays 153k miles, and actual mileage is unknown.

The 460ci V8 features polished Ford Racing-branded valve covers and a matching treatment for the air cleaner housing. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a C6 three-speed automatic transmission. An oil change was completed in preparation for the sale.

Additional photos showing the suspension, chassis, and underside of the bed, as well as spots of corrosion on the underside are presented in the gallery below.

The VIN listed on the Oregon title corresponds with the sequence 119XHS6782 stamped on the frame.

This 1937 Studebaker J5 Coupe-Express is one of 3,125 examples produced for the model year and was built by Studebaker of Canada Limited in Walkerville, Ontario. It was purchased by the seller in 2014 and subsequently refurbished and modified. Power comes from a 5.7-liter LT1 V8 paired with a four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission, and the truck is finished in cream over red leather upholstery. Features include an independent front suspension and a four-link rear with QA1 coilovers as well as a Chevrolet 12-bolt rear end, a Fat Man Fabrications steering box, power-assisted Wilwood front disc brakes, a Be Cool aluminum radiator, driving lamps, chrome bumpers, running boards, a metal windshield visor, a side-mount spare wheel, air conditioning, power windows, a Grant banjo-style steering wheel on a tilt column, and a Bluetooth stereo. This modified J5 Coupe-Express is now offered in Scottsdale, Arizona, with refurbishment photos and a clean North Carolina title in the seller’s name.

The L5 Coupe-Express was a light-duty pickup that was introduced for 1937 and utilized the Studebaker Dictator passenger car frame and powertrain. It received annual styling updates until it was discontinued after the 1939 model year. The bodywork on this example was reportedly sandblasted and the fenders were widened by 2″ before it was repainted cream with red pinstriping under the seller’s ownership. Features include modified 1933 Ford chrome bumpers, driving lamps, Ducati-sourced front turn signals, a hood ornament, a metal windshield visor, dual side-view mirrors, running boards, and taillights sourced from a 1937 Chrysler. Imperfections in the finish can be seen in the gallery.

The 15″ red-painted wheels were reportedly sourced from a Corvette, and they wear chrome trim rings, Studebaker hubcaps, and BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. A spare wheel and hubcap are mounted under a body color cover in the right-front fender. The truck features an independent front suspension as well as a four-link rear setup, QA1 coilovers at all four corners, and a Fat Man Fabrications Mustang II-style steering box and stabilizer. Stopping power is provided by power-assisted Wilwood front disc brakes with slotted and cross-drilled rotors as well as rear drums.

The cab features a bench seat trimmed in red leather upholstery along with a matching headliner, door panels, and lower dashboard. Black carpets line the floors, and additional equipment includes power windows, a VintageAir HVAC system, and a Bluetooth stereo paired with Focal audio. The dashboard has a Bobby Allison signature.

The Grant wood-rimmed banjo-style steering wheel features a Studebaker hub button, and it is mounted on a tilt column ahead of a painted steel dash housing an AutoMeter 120-mph speedometer and auxiliary gauges. The digital odometer shows 53k miles, 15k of which were added under the seller’s ownership. Total mileage is unknown.

The 5.7-liter LT1 V8 was reportedly sourced from a 1996 Chevrolet and was rebuilt and installed under the seller’s ownership. An alternator is fitted along with a Be Cool aluminum radiator, dual electric fans, a custom airbox, and an Optima Red Top battery.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission and a Chevrolet 12-bolt rear end.

A collection of photos taken during the build can be seen in the gallery.

This Ford five-window coupe was acquired by the seller in 2018 and has been refurbished and modified using a chopped 1930 Ford steel body and a narrowed 1932 Ford-style frame. The car is finished in red over black vinyl upholstery and is powered by a 276ci Mercury flathead V8 paired with a three-speed manual transmission. Features include a drilled front drop axle, a Chassis Engineering frame crossmember, a chrome-finished windshield frame, 16″ steel wheels, hydraulic drum brakes, and a 1932-style grille and headlights as well as dual Holley carburetors, an Isky camshaft, forged aluminum pistons, stainless exhaust headers, a Vertex magneto distributor, and a Halibrand quick-change rear end. This Ford hot rod is now offered with a build sheet and a clean California title in the seller’s name listing the car as a 1930 Ford.

The steel body is finished in red and features a 5″ roof chop and a tilt-out aluminum windshield frame. Additional exterior features include chrome-finished headlamp buckets, a 1932 Ford-style radiator shell and grille, replacement window glass, a windshield visor, a driver-side mirror, a vinyl roof cover, aftermarket taillights, and dual exhaust outlets with polished finishers.

Staggered-width 16″ wheels wear Ford-branded hubcaps and are mounted with staggered Firestone Deluxe Champion tires. Equipment includes a front Magnum 4″ drop axle, chrome-finished Pete & Jake’s shock absorbers and shackles, 1946 Mercury-style radius rods, and hydraulic drum brakes utilizing a dual-reservoir master cylinder.

The interior features a bench seat trimmed in black vinyl that extends to the door panels along with chrome trim that surrounds the windows. Appointments include a floor-mounted shifter, black carpeting, a glovebox, and a pleated headliner. An aluminum fuel tank is mounted in the trunk along with the battery.

The banjo-style steering wheel fronts a 1936 Ford-style dashboard that houses a 100-mph speedometer and gauges for oil pressure, fuel level, coolant temperature, and voltage. An additional readout for coolant temperature is mounted in the glovebox. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 2,200 miles, approximately 1,100 of which have been added under current ownership. True mileage is unknown.

The 276ci Mercury flathead V8 was reportedly overhauled during the build with work including porting and polishing as well as installing the following components:

• Isky 400 Jr. camshaft
• Dual valve springs along with oversized valves
• Ross forged aluminum pistons
• Navarro cylinder heads
• Thickstun PM-7 intake manifold
• Aluminum timing gear assembly
• High-volume oil pump
• Stainless exhaust headers
• Vertex magneto-style distributor
• Dual Holley 94 carburetors
• Carter fuel pump
• Sharp fuel distribution block

The seller states that fluids were serviced in preparation for the sale. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a rebuilt three-speed manual transmission. The flywheel was reportedly lightened and a replacement 10″ clutch assembly was installed. The 1932 Ford-style frame has reportedly been narrowed and notched for rear-axle clearance, and a Chassis Engineering cross member has been fitted.

The car is titled in California by its New Hampshire assigned identification number NH0011637.

This 1927 Ford roadster hot rod was completed by the seller within the last year and features steel bodywork over a boxed and stretched frame. Power is from a 24-stud flathead V8 equipped with Edelbrock cylinder heads and paired with a three-speed manual transmission. The car is finished in black over tan upholstery and features a Super Bell dropped I-beam front axle, oak wood floorboards, four-wheel drum brakes, an electric fuel pump, a custom exhaust system, Mooneyes gauges, LED taillights, and red-finished 16” steel wheels. This hot rod is being offered with a spare set of wheels and a clean Colorado title in the seller’s name, listing the vehicle as a 1927 Ford Tudor.

The steel roadster bodywork has been repainted in black with custom pinstripe graphics on the windshield cowl and 1935-style headlight and 1937-style taillight buckets. Custom lower panels have been installed and partially conceal the exhaust system, which exits ahead of the rear wheels. Halogen headlight bulbs and OTB turn signals have also been added, along with LED taillights.

Red-finished 16” steel wheels feature chrome Ford-branded hubcaps and are mounted with Diamond Back tires. Braking is through four-wheel drums sourced from a 1940 Ford. A set of spare 17″ wire wheels and older tires will accompany the vehicle. Suspension and steering modifications reportedly include the following components:

• Schroeder steering box
• Custom stainless-steel friction shocks
• Super Bell drilled and dropped I-beam front axle
• Front and rear wishbones sourced from a 1946 Ford
• Custom quarter-elliptical rear leaf springs

The cabin houses a bench seat with a removable lower cushion trimmed in tan upholstery with matching door panels. Oak wood panels line the floors, and a fire extinguisher is mounted ahead of the shifter. The ignition and headlight switch in the middle of the dash is not functional, while modern ignition, headlight, and turn signal switches have been added below the dash.

The three-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a column-mounted Mooneyes 6k-rpm tachometer and 120-mph speedometer, the latter of which was reportedly sourced from another vehicle. A Mooneyes three-gauge pod is mounted under the dash and monitors voltage, oil pressure, and water temperature. The five-digit odometer shows approximately 3k miles, though total chassis mileage is unknown.

The 24-stud flathead V8 is equipped with Edelbrock cylinder heads and chrome tubular headers. The seller notes that an Isky 77 camshaft and a Walker radiator have also been added, and an electric fuel pump was installed to supplement the mechanical unit.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission and a rear end reportedly sourced from a 1946 pickup. The seller notes that the frame has been stretched 4”, boxed, and powder coated. Additional photos of the underbody are provided in the gallery below.

This 1940 Ford coupe was acquired by the seller in 1997 as a non-running project and was subsequently modified with the installation of a 454ci V8 mated to a Doug Nash five-speed manual transmission and a 9″ Ford rear differential, in addition to a repaint in black. Additional equipment includes a Holley carburetor, a polished-aluminum grille and trim, a driver-side mirror, a tan bench seat, lap belts, a Hurst shifter, and staggered-diameter Wheel Vintiques wheels. This modified Ford coupe is now offered with a receipt from the engine rebuild and a clean Tennessee title in the seller’s name.

The car was reportedly stripped to bare metal and repainted black in 2019, at which time the door handles, trunk handle and latch, side windows, front vent windows, and the two-piece windshield were replaced. The steel body features fiberglass running boards and flared rear fenders that have been widened two inches to accommodate the rear tires. Additional exterior equipment includes a polished-aluminum grille and trim, a tubular chrome rear bumper, chevron-shaped taillights, flared fenders, tinted windows, and a driver-side mirror. The car is not equipped with windshield-wiper arms, and the side exhaust outlets in the front fenders have been capped with chrome plates. The seller notes evidence of repair to the right-rear corner of the car.

Black-painted 15″ and 17″ Wheel Vintiques wheels are mounted with 185/65 Maxxis MA-202 tires up front and 285/60 Toyo Proxes rubber at the rear. Braking is handled by ventilated front discs and rear drums. The car is equipped with a leaf-sprung straight front axle as well as coilover shocks at the rear.

The cabin features a split bench seat trimmed in tan cloth upholstery with brown piping along with a black-painted Deluxe-style dashboard and rubber floor coverings. Equipment includes bright trim, lap belts, a clock in the glovebox door, and a floor-mounted Hurst shifter. Dynamat sound-deadening material has been installed behind the dashboard and across the floor, and the door panels have been removed.

The battery is located in the trunk along with a fuel cell and a rubber floor covering.

The banjo-style steering wheel frames Classic Instruments gauges including a 140-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary readouts. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows nearly 50 miles, and the seller has driven the car approximately 200 miles. True chassis mileage is unknown.

The big-block 454ci V8 was rebuilt in 2020 by Martin Engine & Machine of Vandalia, Missouri utilizing the following components:

• Sportsman Racing Products +26cc domed 4.030″ bore pistons
• Scat Crankshafts connecting rods
• Speed Pro piston rings
• Cometic MLS head gaskets
• King Racing main bearings
• BHJ Products lifter bore sleeves
• Erson Cams hydraulic roller camshaft
• Dura-Bond coated cam bearings
• PowerBond harmonic balancer
• PBM Performance Products billet timing set
• Holley 4150 HP four-barrel carburetor

Dynamometer results from May 2020 are presented in the photo gallery below. The firewall is painted white.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Doug Nash/Richmond five-speed manual transmission and a 9″ Ford rear differential. The dual exhaust system terminates ahead of the rear axle. Additional images of the underside are presented in the gallery.

This 1937 Ford pickup underwent a 10-year refurbishment in Texas from approximately 1999 to 2008 and is finished in red and black over a refreshed black and white leather interior. The truck is powered by a 350ci V8 linked to a five-speed manual transmission and a 9″ rear differential, and equipment includes a Cornhusker Rod & Custom powdercoated frame, Wilwood disc brakes, a Griffin aluminum radiator, an oak-lined bed, a Flowmaster exhaust system, Classic Instruments gauges, Old Air Products climate control, a Secretaudio stereo, and Polk Audio speakers. The truck was acquired by the current owner in 2021 and is now offered on dealer consignment in California with spare parts, a car cover, two die-cast models, refurbishment records and photos, and a Massachusetts title.

The truck was refinished in red with black fenders and running boards following replacement of some panels and rust repair during the 10-year refurbishment. Pinstripes accent the cab and doors, while gold-colored paint fills “Ford V8” writing on the tailgate. Additional equipment includes steel bumpers, a bright grille and trim, an outward-opening windshield, dual sideview mirrors, and a single windshield wiper.

Staggered-diameter 14″ and 15″ wire wheels feature red-painted accents and chrome trim rings and are mounted with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires measuring 215/70 up front and 225/70 at the rear. Braking is handled by Wilwood discs at all four corners.

The oak planks composing the bed floor are separated by stainless-steel trim strips.

The interior was refreshed under previous ownership and features a bench seat trimmed in white and black leather along with complementary door panels and carpeting. Amenities include a body-color dashboard, an Old Air heater and air-conditioning system, red lap belts, a Secretaudio iPod-compatible head unit concealed in the glovebox, and Polk Audio speakers. The selling dealer notes that the air conditioning does not blow cold.

A banjo-style steering wheel on an Ididit column sits ahead of a Classic Instruments 140-mph speedometer and a combination gauge. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows 1k miles. True mileage is unknown.

A 350ci V8 GM crate engine was installed during the multi-year refurbishment and is augmented by a Griffin aluminum radiator, electric cooling fans, a Lone Star Classics wiring harness, and a Zoops engine dress-up kit.

The truck sits on a powdercoated Cornhusker Rod & Custom frame and delivers power to the rear wheels through a Tremec five-speed manual transmission, a hydraulic clutch, and a Ford 9″ differential. A dual-exit Flowmaster exhaust system is utilized.

Two die-cast models, spare parts, and a car cover are included in the sale.

More than 150 photos taken during the refurbishment are presented in the gallery below, which also contains receipts from the project. Much of the work was performed by Ramsey’s Rods and Restoration of Fort Worth, Texas.

The frame is stamped with VIN 18-3649213, whereas the title lists the VIN as 649213. The title notes an odometer discrepancy, and a redacted image of the document is provided in the gallery.

This Success Story comes to us from futurian, who won his custom ’56 Bel Air convertible from Up2Date in a September 2022 BaT auction.

futurian writes:

One day in early September I was going about my business and looking through the Daily Mail from Bring a Trailer, as one does. I wasn’t in the market for another car, or so I thought, but there it was; this customized Bel Air convertible hit me square in the face. It was a car that would fit my collection perfectly, and I knew of its history. It was originally owned by Ron Hing of Portland, Oregon, and I had seen it on various magazine covers many times over the years. I had always wondered where it ended up—and now, there was a chance to make it mine. I carefully scrutinized the pictures and read all the comments. One commenter in particular noted the name of the painter who had done the paintwork, and described how nice it was. He sure was right. I knew I had to have it. So I made my bids, and to my surprise I came out on top in the end. The reserve was met! My shipper wasted no time getting the car onto a transport. I was anxious to see it.

When we unloaded it, I gave a sigh of delight. The paint and bodywork are amazing—even better than I had hoped. The shipper had delivered the car to my friend’s place, and I drove the 10 miles home post-haste. I was thrilled, though it was immediately evident that the tires were outdated and would need to be changed.

As soon as I got home, it was time for a celebration. I got my two similar customs out for a photo shoot. My blue ’55 coupe was customized in the ’60s with bodywork by Ray Wilson, who had also worked on my new-to-me ’56 convertible. Now they were parked all together: three Tri-5 Chevy customs, all modified in the 1960s, all with canted quad headlights. How did I get so lucky?

I’ve since installed a new set of four tires onto the ’56, completed a few minor repairs, and taken it out for several cruises. I’m absolutely thrilled with the car!

We love hearing all of your Success Stories and project updates. If you’d like to share your experience with a vehicle you purchased on BaT, please send a few lines and pictures to community.content@bringatrailer.com. We’ll issue a $50 credit to the BaT Gear Store when your entry posts to the site.

Photo Gallery

This 1923 Ford T-Bucket hot rod is powered by a 357ci Chevrolet V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission and is finished in red over tan. The car was acquired by the seller in November 2019, and features include an Edelbrock intake manifold and four-barrel carburetor, a dropped front axle, 15″ American Racing wheels, front disc brakes, a rear cargo area and tailgate, four-into-one headers with chrome finishers, a wood dashboard, a GT Grant steering wheel, and Equus instrumentation. This T-bucket is now offered with a clean California title in the seller’s name.

The steel body is finished in red and features a wood-lined cargo area with a tailgate, side mirrors, turn signals, a skull radiator cap, red-painted headlight buckets, and four-into-one headers with chrome finishers running the length of each side.

Chrome 15″ American Racing five-spoke wheels wear Falken Sincera tires measuring 205/65 up front and 235/75 out back. Equipment includes a dropped front axle, front disc brakes with rear drums, and rear coilover shocks.

The bench seating is upholstered in tan and features matching door panels and carpets. Additional equipment includes a wood dashboard, a floor-mounted gear selector, a circular brake pedal, and a battery mounted beneath the seat.

The three-spoke GT Grant steering wheel fronts a column-mounted tachometer along with dash-mounted Equus instrumentation including a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for fuel level, voltage, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows under 8k miles, approximately 400 of which have been added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.

The 357ci Chevrolet V8 is equipped with an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor and Street Dominator intake manifold along with a chrome intake scoop and flame-stamped valve covers. An aluminum radiator is installed and assisted by an electric fan. The oil was changed in August 2022.

This 1937 Ford coupe hot rod was built under previous ownership and features a chopped and extended steel body with fiberglass fenders over a modified chassis. Finished in distressed matte blue paintwork over black leather upholstery, the car is powered by a 409ci Chevrolet V8 equipped with six AutoLine carburetors and mated to a Turbo Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission and a Positraction differential. Additional features include a height-adjustable AccuAir air ride system, Mustang II-spec independent front suspension, 15” steel wheels, a Lokar shifter, and an Offenhauser intake manifold. This modified Ford coupe has been featured in Ol’ Skool Rodz, Cruise Culture, and Canadian Hot Rods magazines, and it is now being offered with documentation from the build and Alberta registration in the seller’s name.

The steel body has been fitted with fiberglass front and rear fenders and has reportedly been extended by 3.5,” while the roof has been chopped by 3″. The car was repainted in a faux-distressed matte blue during the build, and additional equipment includes rubber-lined running boards, an Altman Easy Latch kit, and chrome side-view mirrors and bumpers.

Black-finished 15” steel wheels feature covers reportedly sourced from a 1956 Oldsmobile and are mounted with Firestone-branded whitewall tires. The car rides on an AccuAir height-adjustable air ride system, along with Mustang II-spec independent front and triangulated four-bar rear suspension.

The cabin houses fixed-back BB Classics bucket seats trimmed in black leather with color-coordinated door panels and carpets. Lap belts are fitted for both occupants, and a Lokar shifter has been installed.

A 1953 Buick steering wheel is mounted to an aftermarket column and sits ahead of a 1938 Ford dashboard that houses a 240-km/h GPS-based speedometer and a combination gauge. The digital odometer shows approximately 2k kilometers (~1k miles). An hour meter in the glovebox door indicates approximately 55 hours of run time.

The 409ci Chevrolet V8 is equipped with an aluminum radiator and an Offenhauser intake manifold topped by six AutoLine carburetors with chrome intake trumpets. The engine was reportedly rebuilt with high compression pistons and a lumpy camshaft and repainted during the build. A 5” recessed firewall from Direct Sheetmetal has been installed.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Turbo Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission and a Ford 8” rear end housing a Positraction differential with 3.00:1 gearing. The floor pans were reportedly replaced during the build, and the frame was modified to accommodate the suspension components.

There is currently a lien on the car, and the seller’s leasing company will need to be paid off before the title can be transferred to the new owner.