’33 Chevy Deuce Coupe Build, an ‘American’ Dream Fulfilled
Cruising with nostalgic cool, this Chevy wins awards across the board.
Before becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest directors with hits like Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark, George Lucas made a name for himself with 1973’s American Graffiti (pictured below). The movie revolved around the car-cruising culture of the 1950s. Among several slick autos featured in the movie was an eye-catching yellow 1932 Ford Deuce Coupe hot rod. Inspired by all of that Lucas-helmed awesomeness, a Canadian collector has built a replica of the car, turning his passion for the film into an award-winning 1933 Chevy Deuce Coupe.
“That’s what made me want to get one of these built” Darrell Babyn tells Driving of the film that inspired the hot rod build. Restored, refurbished, and ready to go, the classic car won first prize in the Edmonton Motor Show’s Unrivaled Rides competition. The 1933 Chevy Deuce Coupe took top honors for custom ride, earning its sixth win at a car show.
Babyn has been collecting vehicles since 1992, however, he had always wanted a vehicle akin to the 1932 Ford Deuce Coupe. Enter Paul Roy’s Custom Rods, based out of Winnipeg. Roy’s had an original Chevy body just sitting around for decades. Babyn knew what he had to do. Roy was going to put the rig together for himself, but “I convinced him to build it for me,” says Babyn.
The 1933 Chevy coupe build entailed much more work since it is more difficult to find than the film’s renowned 1932 Ford. The original Chevy frames were made of oak wood and needed to be redone in a metal channel. This is a prime reason as to why there aren’t many of them on the road.
The build took roughly six months and included chopping, lowering the roof, and raising the floor to achieve the desired hot rod look. Brought to completion, the build is a bold beauty, stunning with Blazing Copper paint and powered by a 350 Chevy small block engine, Turbo 350 transmission, Rochester Tri-Power carburetors, and a 4.5-inch stainless exhaust. And the rod rolls on Coker wide white-wall wheels.
Following the success he’s experienced with the 1933 Chevy Deuce Coupe, Babyn isn’t certain where he’ll go next. He does admit, “I think I just about have all the cars I want.”
Photos: Driving Magazine; American Graffiti