Renegade Issue 34

By: Joshua Elzey

Joey Balich of Kingpins Car Club in MA having grown up in the bike scene

decided it was time to dive into a hot rod project and thus the search be-

gan. A 1948 Dodge D24 caught his eye a few months later while perusing

the local car ads and liked the lines it currently had. Knowing he wanted

something to cut up and didn’t need to be perfect arranged with the owner

to take a look. After seeing it in person the Dodge quickly made its way to

Joey’s driveway not realizing not long from then it would sit a lot closer to it.

The Dodge had the top cut off fairly soon to give it a six inch chop, decked

the lid, and shaved the door handles. After lowering the suspension six

inches also and shortening some trim the body was painted a spray can

flat black to get thru the upcoming show season. Wasn’t long he realized

the flathead motor needed an upgrade to help ride smoother at highway

speeds so picked up a 1992 Caddy 305 and 1972 powerglide instead of re-

building what was there. To accomplish this Joey had to undertake putting

in a 1979 Camaro front clip which provided a unique challenge however the

final results were well worth it.

The motor was the changed from fuel injected to carbureted and some sim-

ple Flowtech standard headers with lake pipes keeping it fairly simple plus

a long welded chain shifter that stretched well above the dash. While under

the knife the car was chopped a second time making the total eight inches,

windshield visor added to help with the lines, and the common headlight

covers as Joey decided that the original chop wasn’t drastic enough but

was wanting to be careful not to overdo it.

After another season and quite a few miles under the new motor Joey de-

cided to chop the top one more time for an additional two inches helping

the lines of the trunk which was the most challenging part being thankful for

all the club members’ help working thru the fabrication. Although he plans

on continuing the bodywork for a nice coat of paint the Dodge was rattled

a red and black this time to help protect it from the New England elements.

Nick Flanagan of the Kingpins applied the “Flat Outta Hell” as that seemed

appropriate after removing the flatty and now moving like a bat out of hell!

While the build will continue Joey can now drag his knuckles on the asphalt

while peering thru the narrow windshield to an unknown destination with

his club brothers…