the NORTHERNER

In July of 2021, Norris Peterson, an Abilene Machine mainstay who painted tractors (and many other things) here for more than 30 years before he semi-retired, stopped by to show us his project car – a 1933 Plymouth Coupe.

Like many project cars, this one stared out looking quite different. In fact, it looked like a sedan. Because that’s what it rolled off the assembly line as, and rolled around as – until 2006, that is, when Norris got a hold of it.

It took many, many hours of slow and steady work to hand craft the automobile you see here today. It has been chopped three and three-quarter inches, has had eight inches taken out of the doors, and a whole bunch of other major surgery done to convert it from a sedan to a coupe. And it looks fantastic!

Hot rodders know that black paint hides nothing, but Norris sprayed this DuPont with confidence, because it’s flawless! Look at those lines! The flames are a secret sauce of two shades of blue Norris liked, covered in several coats of clear to keep it looking wet and glossy in the Kansas sun.

The only thing that can draw your eye off that body might be the Hemi nestled between the fenders. That’s a Chrysler 331 topped with dual Edelbrock carbs. The OG Hemi is backed by a Muncie 4-speed gearbox, and motivates the Firestone pie-crust cheater slicks via a Ford nine-inch differential.

Careful ears will hear the choppy cam Norris stuffed into the fire-breathing Hemi – especially when he opens the exhaust cutouts! As seen here, the combination has not seen the road yet. Norris had it loaded on his trailer to have Kansas Highway Patrol inspect the car and VIN so he can register and insure it – and enjoy it!