Kraker's Kroaker

On a sunny afternoon last summer we were on our way to Redlands, California, to photograph a sharp, Swiss-cheese yellow coupe. We arrived to find not one, but two sharp ’33 Fords—the yellow coupe and a mean frog-green roadster machine. A real prince in disguise, its monster motor obviously means business, and it rolls super-sized rear tires. The skilled handicraft sets the two cars apart from the crowd and brought the two friends together.

Dave Kraker (sounds like Crocker) is a general contractor, but a quiet man of few words. When asked about his unruly ride, he simply smiled and murmured something about it being a handful. Even less is written on his technical information sheet, so we’re left to guess how bad this big boy might be under pedal-to-the-metal acceleration. Just one look is enough to aggravate local law enforcement rookies. With this in mind, Dave has been known to drive with one eye on the road, one eye one the rearview mirror, and one eye on the lookie-loos in the adjacent lane.

A half-dozen cars have parked in Dave’s driveway over the years, but none as imposing as the ’33 roadster pickup you see here. There’s 468 cubic inches of a Keith Black slugged and set-back rat motor residing between the boxed, TCI Engineered framerails. It’s estimated to produce around 700hp on the engine—not too shabby. Aluminum heads have a port and polish job to help the healthy beast breathe. Hooker headers exhale through stainless steel exhaust tubes. A Crane Cam camshaft directs fuel flow to Keith Black pistons. A Weiand 6-71 blower with a pair of 750 Carter carbs resides on a Weiand manifold. A Vertex Mag distributes the spark. The interior may be the first we've ever seen with elk skin seat covers and door panels; it was well done by Wanda’s Upholstery. Auto Meter gauges mount in the dash panel. Tires this size are usually found on a toy—Pro Mickeys get plenty of bite for the 2,250-pound roadster pickup.

The IFS components are also from TCI, but it’s the rear half that gets everyone’s immediate attention. A set of wide Mickeys are mounted on 15x15-inch Weld Pro Stars. In between, you’ll find a narrowed Lincoln Versailles rearend. Dave’s interior is reported to have elk hide seat covers and door panels fabricated by Wanda’s Upholstery. Hoak Bros. Plating is responsible for restoring what little exterior chrome there is. The other credit Dave wanted to give is to Nelson’s Automotive and Machine, who, we assume, did some of the engine prep.

Typically, we’re pretty enthusiastic about the hot rods we see; our smiles light the way. Then there are guys like Dave, who’s relatively calm about controlling 700 ponies underfoot. Watch out for him when the light turns green and there are no local law dogs on the prowl. Dave’s kroaker gets a long leap on that first jump.