Thanks to its movie status, flamed paint job, and traditional styling, “The California Kid” coupe continues to inspire hot rod enthusiasts.
From the legendary Bullitt movie to the ongoing Fast and Furious franchise, we’ve seen a lot of great automotive movies. And with the advancements in this industry, in terms of visual effects, stunts, and cinematography, we’re having the pleasure of watching bigger, better, and more iconic flicks.
But, while a lot of these vehicles are new, there are some movies that stretch all the way to the time before we had Blu-Ray discs. One such car is the 1934 Ford 3-window Coupe, which featured in the eminent ‘The California Kid’ TV movie, where it starred alongside Martin Sheen.
Thanks to its appearance in The California Kid, Ford’s 3-window became known so popular that it carried the movie title its moniker. Today, The California Kid coupe is among the most remembered hot rods to ever feature in a movie, along with other cars like the 1958 Plymouth Fury from Christine, as well as the 1932 Deuce from American Graffiti.
Thanks to its movie status, flamed paint job, and traditional styling, The California Kid coupe continues inspiring hot rod enthusiasts across the US. We’re taking a closer look at the California Kid Hot Rod, starting from its inception, movie appearance, and where it is now.
The California Kid Hot Rod Was Already A Success Before It Ever Hit The Big Screen
While a lot of folks recognized the hot rod after its movie appearance, it was already a noteworthy car before the TV producer, Howie Horowitz, ever cast it in the movie.
The story began with Pete Chapouris, a hot rod enthusiast and one of the owners of the later-formed Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Repair, which is now named Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Parts. Chapouris built the 1934 Ford 3-window coupe in the early ’70s. As a homage to the first era of hot rods, the coupe took on a much more traditional style instead of the much newer and trendier styles of the time.
When Chapouris got his hands on it, the coupe already had a chopped roof. Under the hood, he placed a 302 ci Ford V8 engine, pairing it with an FMX gearbox. It was Manuel Reyes who added the flamed paint job, the quick-change rear-end. To give the hot rod a more traditional appeal, he also threw in Halibrand wheels.
Like an awesome plot twist, Jim “Jake” Jacobs, who was Chapouris’s good friend, was also getting elbow grease from building his 1934 Ford hot rod, which, coincidentally, also had a traditional styling. This coupe is now widely called “Jake’s Coupe.” Owing to their cool, yet outdated styling, the two coupes quickly caught a lot of attention, until the cars made an appearance on the November cover of Rod & Custom magazine. This was one of the greatest honors ever received by hot rod enthusiasts. Ever.
When Howie Horowitz spotted the Chapouris’ build on the cover of the magazine, he knew right off the bat that it would be perfect for his scripted movie, The California Kid.
The California Kid Hot Rod’s Awesome Movie Appearance And Its Impact
Before appearing in the movie, the Chapouris’s received a few modifications, starting from the non-functioning side pipes as well a C-Channel rear bumper. Period-correct steel wheels replaced Manuel Reyes’s Halibrand wheels. The producer also made the decision to add a special “The California Kid” lettering to the door panels, which matched the traditional flames.
In the movie, the car appeared in many scenes, starting from the opening sequence, where Martin Sheen (aka Mike McCord), drove it through a bridge, which connected the highway and the small town of Clarksberg.
Thanks to the car’s role in the movie, as well as the release of the movie American Graffiti the same year, people began to appreciate traditional-style builds.
It wasn’t long after that when Chapouris and Jacobs teamed, forming the Pete & Jake’s we know today. The company’s creation not only furthered their love for hot rods but also became home to new builds and quality auto parts.
Where Is The California Kid Hot Rod Today?
Now, after more than 4 decades, the California Kid coupe isn’t just intact, but it still runs. The Hot Rod is now in Peculiar, Missouri, where it resides with the current owner of Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Parts, Jerry Slover, where it currently stays on display at the headquarters, alongside Jake’s Coupe.
Slover took ownership of the hot rod after he purchased the company in 1986. He then moved the coupe from its original Californian home to its current Missouri residence.
Over the years, the car only received some minor modifications, such as a Ford 9-inch end and some new chassis components. It has now accumulated nearly 100,000 miles on its odometer. If you’re from Peculiar, chances are that you’ve spotted it around. When it’s not on display, you can spot the Hot Rod at a few car shows around the country.
