Fred Steele’s ‘28 Model A Sedan
When Fred Steele was just 14 years old, he decided that he needed something to cruise around his family’s farm in Boxborough, MA. A ’28 sedan was the vehicle of choice. As Fred got older, the cars got better. He parked the sedan near the woods at the farm and started on a new ’32 roadster project. It was not long after the roadster was done, Fred was flipping through the pages of Hot Rod Magazine and came across Jack Chrisman’s chopped drag sedan. Fred was inspired, and quickly got to work on his old farm cruising sedan in the spring of 1958.
To begin, Fred chopped the car 6 inches. Then ventured to his local Ford dealer where he located 4 NOS fenders, a hood, grille shell, splash aprons, and commercial running boards. A nearly new ’57 Chevy motor was installed along with a ’46 Columbia 2-speed rear, and a ’39 Lincoln Zephyr transmission. Fred chromed the running boards and left the car in primer until the late fall of 1961. The sedans most notable appearance was at the 1960 Hartford Autorama still wearing grey primer.
In September of 1961, with a group that included Hugh Tucker and the late Tommy Dawes, Fred took the sedan west. They stopped at the 1st NHRA Nationals at Indy on the way out, and ended up in places like San Fran, Disneyland, and the Bonneville Salt Flats. But most importantly, Tijuana. A quick trip was made to TJ for a white tuck n roll job on the interior. This cost Fred $107, and is still in the car to this day. After Fred was back home in MA, and with winter approaching, he decided it was time the sedan received a proper paint job. He painted the car the same purple as his famed ’32 roadster. “Two perfect companions” as Fred so eloquently put it.
Fred left the sedan in his basement for some time while other projects and life events like marriage and children took precedent. Around 1990 Fred gave the sedan new life and had her roadworthy and cruising once again. It was around this time Larry Hook added some traditionally styled pin striping, something Fred never got around to in the earlier years. After a few years of cruising, the sedan quietly crept back into the depths of the Steele family basement.
Shortly after Fred passed in 2014, his few remaining cars were slowly sold off by his family. The sedan ended up in, of all places, California. After changing hands a couple times, Fred’s sedan is back in New England, and lives in the Lenox family’s garage just 7 miles from where it was originally built.
On loan from Dan & Brian Lenox, Ayer, MA
Specifications:
Engine: 1957 Chevrolet 283 C.I. V8
Transmission: 1939 Lincoln Zephyr Automatic, 1946 Columbia Overdrive
Horsepower: 185
Frame: Stock Ford Model A with 1932 Ford crossmember
Modifications: Chopped 5”, 1946 Ford Brakes, Ford F-100 Steering Box, BLC headlights and dropped headlight bar, Chrome Commercial running boards
Paint: Mixed 1955 Ford Purple and 1954 Desoto Purple
