Al Clark’s ‘So-Lo-2’

As the man behind Deuces Northwest, Al  Clark has built many ’32 Ford Roadsters for his clients. While his ’32 Tudor Sedan has served him well, it was time to build his own highboy roadster and enjoy some open air cruising. Al has seen many ’32 s with many paint applications. The least common, yet most intriguing, was the So-Cal colours of white with a red scallop or red with a white scallop.  Al liked the little logo on the cowl so he chose the logo So-Lo -2 in honour of his older brother Colin, who passed away in 1976.  Colin was a huge influence in his life having owned and built many cars in the 50’s and 60’s.  The one Al remembers most is the one his brother let him drive into the local car show at the tender age of 15.  It was a ’49 Ford that had been sectioned in Manitoba.  Colin bought it in ’59 in primer....and pretty rough.  He finished it in time for the show in ’61.  It was a bright orange and dropped right on the ground.  It was called So-Lo. This car is in memory of Colin.

Al started with his own custom ’32 frame by Deuces Northwest with a wheelbase of 106”.  He mounted a Winters quick change rear end on a four link coil over system with Bilstein shocks.  At the front a Magnum 5” dropped and drilled axle was used with a mono-leaf spring and stainless steel hairpin radius rods. The brakes are Wilwood on all four corners with Wilwood dual master cylinders and Kugel remote reservoirs.  A LeCarra  banjo wheel  mounted to a Flaming River column hooked to a Uni-steer rack & pinion handles the steering chores.  Rolling stock consists of 5”x15” and 9.6”x17” wire wheels from Vintique using 185x15and 285x17 Diamond Back tires.  The tires are smooth on both sides with no lettering visible....a cause of frustration for some!  The 2011 Chevrolet Fast Burn engine is 350 cu. in. putting out 385 HP from the factory.  Dress- up goodies include a chrome water pump, alternator, Moon valve covers and an Edelbrock 600 CFM carb.  An HEI ignition, Taylor wires and Sanderson headers exit through 2 ½” ceramic coated exhaust by Deuces Northwest and Stainless Specialties mufflers.

The steel  ’32 Ford  body is from Brookville Roadsters.  Al extended the rear panel and moulded it in.  The ’32 grille was chopped 1” and Kenny Gilmore made a new hood to match the gentle taper while still matching the relief moulding to the lines of the body.  Other than the hood, all body work was done by Deuces Northwest and Ken Casilio who applied the paint.  The paint is the new Dupont water base in a soft cream and blue.  Abbey Aspen applied the orange striping.

Moving to the interior, the ’32 dash features Classic gauges and cream leather upholstery with square weave Mercedes carpet .  There is no A/C but there is a heater....it’s a roadster after all!  A nice touch is the package shelf under the dash with and a backup camera which allows excellent visibility to the rear.

In building as many cars as he has, Al knows the parts that are quality made and trouble free.  His Tudor has many miles on it and the roadster has been to California twice already since completion this year.  Frequently, Al is approached by someone who remembers So-Lo 1 and good times with his brother Colin.  

No, the roadster is a new car, but Colin did race the ’49 Ford So-Lo at Cobble Hill.  As the years pass by, our memories do get a little fuzzy.  Every time Al takes So-Lo 2 out for a cruise you can be sure he remembers brother Colin like it was yesterday.