John Kinglsey speaks of his 1937 Plymouth 2-door slant back restored Street Rod with great pride and much fondness.  For sure, it is his baby, the newest addition for this Florence, Massachusetts couple.  John and wife Bonnie both enjoy the attention this quality Street Rod receives on even the most casual drive.  Bonnie’s Mom, at age 84, is the first to give thumps-up to passersby along with their 5-year-old Granddaughter.

This Subaru Blue Street Rod has it all.  The motor is 350/350 high performance with a mild cam that helps it to perform better, a TH400 3 speed automatic transmission, Chevy 10-bolt rear and Camaro front clip.  John modified it with an electronic ignition, Holley 650 carburetor and is changing to a stainless steel bumper because it is smaller.  This magnificent rod has power disc brakes, chrome wheel rims, a stainless steel Boyds dual exhaust system and a tilt steering wheel column with key ignition There in no bondo on the car and John is slowly changing all the nuts and bolts to stainless steel, little things that make this Rod extra special.  Even the “Aooga Horn” is distinct. The fun doesn’t end there. The seats are Mustang seats that go up and down as well as back and forth.  There is an AM/FM stereo cassette system, directionals and Vintage AC/Heat.  The interior is gray cloth and with front bucket seats.

John has some additional customizing in process.  He has a chrome steering column on order and a Lokar button shifter.  It currently has a ratchet shifter. 

This Street Rod is a part of history to John.  He had been looking for a 2-door for a long time.  He likes 2-doors because of the extra room on the inside.  John and Bonnie do bring the Street Rod to shows but particularly enjoy local cruise nights at the Easthampton Red Rock Cruises, Western Mass Cruises at the Moose Club in Chicopee and the Summit Rt-5 Cruises in Holyoke.  He plans on branching out this year.

John has long been a fan of motor sports.  In the 1960’s, he did drag racing in Stanford, Maine.  He also did some street racing with his 1967 GTX.  Now John just enjoys driving and customizing his Street Rod.  He is a meat cutter by trade and enjoys hunting and fishing as sport or remodeling his home during the non-street rod season.

Photographer/Journalist:  Sheila Somers