1931 Ford Custom Rod Excerpts from Actual Appraisal by Steve Cram Color: Medium metallic turquoise exterior; interior in gray tweed, turquoise with pink insets. Odometer: 914.5 miles (from 0 at restoration). Equipment: Custom powertrain includes a carbureted 1968 Chevrolet engine. Everything on it is custom, overhauled completely and all detailed for show or go. Custom cooling system, custom exhaust manifold for low temperatures to protect sides of engine compartment. Custom throughout undercarriage to include muffler/exhaust system, rear end, all suspension, gas-tank, paint and exterior hardware, glass and lenses. Condition: Using the traditional rating scale of 1 to 5 for collector cars (1, mint/show/perfect; 2, very good; 3, good; 4, fair; 5, poor/rough and 6 for unredeemable junk or parts), this one-off tastefully fitted street rod is in excellent #1 condition. Exterior: Custom body items including fenders, doors, etc. are original or give the impression of originality. Complete customized restoration on a good body taken down to the nitty-gritty and all problems including rust and impacts removed prior to very high quality paint job using custom version of Ford's metallic turquoise originally meant for the Taurus series. The result is a more pleasing and tasteful appearance than Ford ever anticipated. Exterior radiator, mascot and all items are #1, as is body and paint. The glass and lenses are #1, rubber grommets/seals/welting all #1. Custom billet wheels, mags and tires all #1. Show or go anywhere, any time. Interior: Tastefully done in high-quality tweed fabric with color flecks to match insets in pink and turquoise. Custom dash will full instruments, custom steering wheel, rugs and headliner, all #1 condition. Engine compartment: It is detailed and immaculate. Shows great care of powertrain installation. Body wiring is also #1. Cooling system is #1, tight, clean and without leaks. Trunk compartment: Complete custom, tastefully done to match interior. Undercarriage: Immaculate and detailed for show or go, custom frame, muffler/exhaust system, drive train, rear end, all steering and suspension components and brakes, all #1. Mechanics: Completely overhauled prior to installation by someone who knew what they were doing. Car started quickly, made unique and awesome sounds and then performed flawlessly through all tests. Overall: Very tasteful custom that is not "far out" or silly. Its performance matched its appearance, that is, good but not outrageous. History: Current owner has had and kept this car in superb condition for two years. It has appeared with great success in many shows including Oakland's annual show. This one-off custom is superb. Appraised value: $44,000, and likely to appreciate quickly and significantly given the current market's fascination with rods.