Iacona’s Red Rider
iacona’s red rider Presenting an exclusive glimpse into the realm of custom craftsman Steve Iacona of Iacona Customs. With a
Story: Johny
Images: Mark V
I found this car around the July 4th weekend of 2013. It was an ad on craigslist and the car was in Teaneck, NJ, so I took a ride over the bridge to check it out. I had just sold my ’68 Biscayne that I had worked on for several years but had talked about doing a roadster for a while.
I drove it around Teaneck for about an hour in 98-degree heat, the car ran well, stopped ‘okay’ but never once got hot. The temp gauge was pinned at 180. I decided then I could really use and drive this car, so I needed it.
It had the wrong tires(radials), it had some other stuff that was wrong like a chrome alternator and valve cover dress up kit but basically had really good bones and the car was a quality built car. I knew it had enough of the right stuff for a good start and that I could make it better.
Over the years, I removed the hood (I did something one day and decided the car looks way better without the hood, so it never went back on). I cut the windshield down a bit more to 6” and added a Sid Chavers “bop top” which gave it a killer chop look and improved the drivability. The top can be taken apart and stowed in the trunk but since it was put on, I’ve never taken it off. Riding in an open car in the sun is cool but it can be brutal! You get hit with shit from the road too, so eye protection is a good idea.
The last piece of the puzzle was the wheel and tire combo. The painted steelies were cool and were painted the same color as the firewall but I really wanted a set of chrome OE Ford rims. Along with the big and little bias plies, I think it completed the look I was after.
It was great to receive “best hot rod” award at the Rumbler’s show in 2019, it was totally unexpected. I really am not into this for trophies, I really just enjoy driving the car. I am glad they thought that it was worthy of the best in show title that year, that was a pretty big deal. It takes me back in time when I’m behind the wheel.
It stops traffic, people from all walks of life seem to dig it, even dogs look at this car. People always ask, “how fast can it go?” to which I reply, it will go down the road at 80-90 with my hands off the wheel but the real problem is “due to the drum brakes I need to know when I have to stop!!!!” Gotta watch closely for the holes on that BQE too!
iacona’s red rider Presenting an exclusive glimpse into the realm of custom craftsman Steve Iacona of Iacona Customs. With a
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