Back in 1960, a 15 year old boy, John Knochenmuss Jr., spotted his “Dream Car” on a remote farm in Flandreau, South Dakota. It was a 1931 Ford 5 window coupe owned by an elderly farmer, who was willing to part with the body but not the frame, engine or transmission. Those parts were crucial to the farm’s future grain elevator. The sum of $5.00 however, was enough for the purchase of the body.

After searching through various hot rod magazines, John decided to customize an available 1949 Ford frame and shorten it to fit the ModelA. With the help of a new found friend, who happened to have a machine shop and experience building cars for the famed Pikes Peak run, the marriage between the ‘31 and a ‘49 was completed. The power plant was also a marriage between a Mercury flathead block and a Ford crank and pistons. This engine had plenty of wallop for the little coupe but was plagued with over heating problems and was replaced temporarily with an in-line six. During the next few years the power plant became variations of the small block Chevrolet, starting with a 283 and eventually growing to a 350. Transmissions were whatever was available and could be made to mate with the current engine.

After graduating from high school, John Jr, had to leave the car behind in South Dakota when he returned to Mississippi to work construction with his uncle. When his family decided to move to Mississippi a few years later, John’s mother took on the job of towing the Coupe behind their ¾ ton Chevrolet pick-up. Nearly every stop on the way produced an offer to buy the car but Mrs. Emma Lou resisted the temptations and safely delivered the car to her son in Little Rock.

The car also survived moving again to Foley, Alabama and Pensacola, FL. while John Jr. served a hitch in the Navy. Some additional work was done, such as installing sheet metal in the roof. It had some fun times and also some close calls while John was younger. He recalls one instance of dislodging a brand new battery from its mount while “showing out” and dragging it down the highway attached only by its cables. After leaving the Navy, John returned to Little Rock and found work as a postman in Philadelphia, MS. where he met and eventually married Mary Ward.

Work caused John and Mary to move back and forth between Little Rock, MS and Mobile, AL. During this time they were also busy raising a family.

Note: Keep this picture in mind when you get to the last pictures in this saga.

This brings us to the present owner. John Knochenmuss III. He was born in 1972 and shares the love of cars with his dad. He also got started at age 15 and, with the help of his dad, built a ’57 Chevrolet 2 door sedan that lasted him through high school. His most recent project was building a nice T-Bucket from a pile of mostly scrap iron! This was the car he drove to the Dixie Rodders 1st Annual Open Show. I don’t have a picture of the completed 57, but this is what Johnny started with. The T- Bucket is shown below

He was so impressed by our show greeter (Ronnie Goldman) that he decided to join our club and was elected V. President of the Dixie Rodders for 2004 and is serving as President in 2005. Goes to show that he is dedicated to this pastime! Looking for a new project car after selling the T-Bucket in 2003, brings us to the next level of the ’31 saga. John Jr., being deeply involved in the restoration of a 1955 Chevrolet, suggested that John III take on the restoration of the 5 window coupe rather than trying to find another “ride”. No sooner said than done, well, at least started on. He began the project by building a totally new chassis, including a complete homemade frame and rear suspension system.
Check the picture dates to track the progress (some of them are in order!).

Installing a Super Bell 4 inch drop front axle with disc brakes, a 1986 Ford fuel injected 302 /HO engine coupled to a Ford AOD overdrive transmission.

It is hooked to the ground with Vintage wheels and Summit tires, 14x5 up front with 15x10 following in the rear. The body has not yet been completed, but has had new glass, a Lokar shifter, white face Dolphin gauges and some artwork added on the rear deck lid by Will Picard. The present A/C system is a “2 Windows down, 40 MPH” unit with a factory “push-out” windshield, but a Vintage A/C system has been purchased and is waiting “in-line” to be added. As you can see in the next picture, it will “smoke-em”.

The car is very “roadable” and you can see John III and his son “J” ( John Knochenmuss IV ) at many of the local shows. The car has been to shows from South Carolina to Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. Say hello to Johnny next time you see him and check out that ’31. If “J” is with him you may be looking at the next owner of that ’31! This is “J” sizing up the ’31 now.

Check back later – this story may be continued !!!!