Under the Hood: 1946 Ford Super Has Custom Details With a Hot Rod Attitude

It took many years, but Mokena resident Bill Wallace has finally returned to his passion for car collecting.

"I've liked cars since I was a young kid," said the 71-year-old, who was sitting in a lawn chair on Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park beside his beloved hot rod. "In the middle part of my life, I had too much to do. I was putting bread and milk on the table. I really missed this."

He bought his 1946 Ford six years ago and said that at the time, it was your typical hot rod—bright orange with electric blue flames swallowing its front end.

"The thing is, I'm a 50s guy," Wallace said. "I like more custom stuff than hot rod stuff."

The shiny cruiser is now a rich orangey-red tone and has subtle "ghost flames" painted down the sides. You can only see the details up close or when the light hits the side panels just right.

The interior of the four-speed automatic ride is modernized with a standard AM/FM radio and CD player, perfect for playing tunes when Wallace is toolin' around town with any of his 22 grandchildren or great-grandchilren.

"They love it!" he said. "It's fun to see them get so excited about something."

Make and Model: Ford Sedan Super, 2-door

Year: 1946

Odometer: 26,000 miles

Engine: A Chevrolet 454, 340 horsepower

Interior: Gray vinyl

Year Purchased: 2005

Bought from: The car was built in Indiana, but Wallace bought if from a friend in Illinois.

Owner occupation: Retired, but was a field technician for a marketing and packaging equipment company

Tags: HAPY DAZ

General fun facts: The valve stem caps on the tires are miniature 8 balls; the car has "ghost flames," on the sides, which are subtly painted flames that can only be seen up close or in certain light; the front end of the car is a Mustang model; 700 R4 transmission.

What makes it all worth it?: "Having fun driving it and taking my grandkids for rides."