Jim Inglese explains how Dearborn Deuces are built
by the American Specialty Car team in Detroit.
Jim Inglese explains how Dearborn Deuces are built
by the American Specialty Car team in Detroit.
"We brought the Dearborn Deuce to the best
Automotive tooling and stamping
companies in Detroit. The goal: To build brand new deuce three window coupes
by modern production standards. They had to be better than the originals. Together,
with the UAW, we met our goal.
"We had it laser scanned and digitized. Flawless die
models were cut by machines
guided by AutoCAD data from the computers. Dies were meticulously hand-finished
to produce exquisite stampings. Absolutely no expense was spared to produce a
millennium-quality steel body with a fit and finish that would exceed the original.
"We upgraded the latches and hinges, made the doors for
power windows,
replaced all wood with steel for greater structural rigidity, and gave it a 2" chop
right out of the box.
"To produce the best panel stampings possible, we had the body
"digitized"
(scanned) by CNC equipment that automatically corrects every imperfection.
The digitization process makes all body lines uniform and correct, and every radius
is made perfect. This means you end up with a body that is a perfect copy.
"Digitization works this way: Prior to actual tooling development, one side
of the body is digitally scanned. The machine is then told to flip the data
to create a mirror image. This ensures that both sides of the body are virtually
identical. This step alone added about $250,000 to our tooling and development
cost, but it was clear to us that nothing else would produce as beautiful a product.
"The stamping dies are made directly from this digital scan. No
concessions
were made anywhere."
Hot Rods & Horsepower hosted an Open House for Dearborn Deuce convertible
owners at their production facilities at American Specialty Car, co-developer of the
Dearborn Deuce Convertible and (ACS was formerly American Sunroof Corp).
Headquartered in Southgate, Mich., ASC's award-winning group also played a
critical role in developing the Chevrolet Super Sport Roadster (SSR); convertible
systems for the BMW Z4, Toyota Solara and Mitsubishi Eclipse. They are also
involved in sub-assembling body packages for the Dodge SRT-4, RT-10 Dodge
Ram Truck, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Pontiac Grand Am and Dodge Viper.
ASC shows off their original clay model & new Chevy SSR.truck.
ASC President of Creative Services Mark Trostle, a rodder
himself, has driven a Deuce roadster for years.
"The 1932 Ford roadster is regarded as the definitive Hot Rod,
owing in no small part to its powerful-looking body and fender lines.
It was truly a classic not just in automotive design, but in all industrial
design," says Trostle.
"Our goal was to forge a more 'user-friendly' version of that design,
yet while retaining that timeless, classic look.
"All in all, the only 'carryover' designs on the car are the deck lid and
lower cowl panel, but you'd certainly never guess that by looking at
the car, which retains all the authenticity of the original.
"Our people at ASC, many of them hot-rodders as well, poured
their
hearts and souls into this car...."
That was clear from talking with the folks on their production team.
We were fortunate to be there while DDC005 was being built for our
first convertible customer. The quality was worth the wait.
Questions? Drop us a line at woodsy@gearheadcity.com
or
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