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TOYS-R-US

“The Truck His Wife Always Wanted”

Dianne Towe's '29 Ford Roadster Pickup
Story by John Aschenberg
Photos by – Julia Aschenberg
Dianne Towe's '29 Ford Roadster

Dianne and Joe Towe (pronounced Towel) of Hendersonville, TN with their three sons Bryan, Brad, and Blake are a car oriented family owning several beautiful restored vehicles. However, this flawless '29 Ford Roadster pickup, before your very own eyes, is the truck Dianne has always wanted. Having found it back quite a while ago in Louisville KY, they stored the vehicle for several years while collecting parts before finishing the Ford.

Chevy Small Block 350

Go power for this little TOY hauler is provided by a 350 horse Chevy Small block displacing 350 CI. The engine was kept pretty much stock except for the stainless headers, 2" diameter exhaust and Turbo mufflers. Backed up by a '79 Chevy Turbo 350 transmission, it was left stock while a Gennie Shifter was chosen to select the gears.

  • Dianne Towe's '29 Ford Roadster pickup
  • '63 Jaguar Rear End

Chassis consist of a TCI unit with a 1963 Jaguar rear axle while front suspension is a '63 Jag also, along with brakes and steering box. The steering column is a '63 GM unit topped off with a Boyd's wheel. You'll find the battery relocated under the floor with the gas tank under the splash pans. To really enhance the truck, Boyd wheels were chosen all the way around with 15x5" up front and 15x8" out back.

The body itself is all steel, with no fiberglass in the '29 whatsoever. All body work was tackled by Joe himself, however, with owning his own "Auto Restoration Business", it made things a whole lot easier. After many meticulous hours of prepping the body it was then treated to several layers of GM flame red metallic, in Sherwin Williams Ultra 7000 base coat, clear coat with paint credits going to Joe. Rick Harris of Nashville, TN handled the pinstriping, done in creme and tan in order to bring it all together. The Towe's then turned to Denny Thelen of Hendersonville TN for the upholstery, done in a tan tweed and vinyl material.

Dianne and Joe told us their truck has really been made a part of their family by all five of them. They are all very involved in street rodding as the detail shown in this truck is very evident. Since the completion of Dianne's '29 Ford Roadster she has captured People's Choice at the Frog Follies and Top 25 in Pigeon Forge TN, just to name a few of the awards this nice pickup has acquired. Our hats off to the Towe's on a job well done.

  • Dash on the '29
    Pictured here is what the dash looks like on the '29.
    'Stake bed of the Ford Roadster
  • Interior of '29 Ford All the stitching was handled by
    Denny Thelen of Hendersonville, TN.
  • Dianne Towe's '29 Ford Roadster - Front 3/4
    Dianne Towe's beautiful '29 Roadster!
    Dianne Towe's '29 Ford Roadster - Back 3/4