Renee's Ride

"A gift she'll never forget"

Story by John Aschenberg
Photos by – Julia Aschenberg

Most people in this world today do not like the word "change" because it disrupts their lifestyle. Change can be bad and other times it can be a good thing as is the case for Renee Cravens and her husband Al. They had to accept change, since they were being transferred from Houston, Tx. to Madisonville, La. due to their jobs. After finding the home they liked and settling in they started exploring the area and finding people with the same interest, especially "Hot Rods". Cars are what Renee and Al really love, as is evident with their daily drivers all the way to their show cars. Shortly after moving in, the couple heard about Covington's Columbia Street Block Party car show. Renee spotted this '36 Chevy coupe for sale and had to go check it out. After walking around the show for a while they went back several times to give the coupe another "once over". The car has a Harley Davidson theme all throughout, "which didn't upset Renee as she's a big Harley fan" with the tail lights in the shape of the Harley logo, all the way to the HD embroidered  into the headrest in the interior. Before the day was over, Al purchased the car and while handing the keys to Renee telling her its hers he said, " Welcome to Louisiana Baby".

The person responsible for building the complete car is a gentleman by the name of Allen Pearson from Kentucky. Modifications made to the original chassis is a completely boxed frame,a Mustang II front suspension from TCI, with 2"dropped spindles and rack and pinion steering. Out back it received a narrowed Nova 10 bolt posi trac rear-end filled with 3.73 gears. Weld Pro Star wheels add that extra little sparkle with 15"x7" up front and 15"x10" out back all wrapped in Hoosier tires. Under the hood you'll find a '96 Corvette LT-1 small block between the frame rails fitted with Hedman Shorty headers and 2-1/2" exhaust sporting Turbo mufflers. Putting power to the rear wheels is supplied by a G.M. 4L60E tranny beefed up with a TCI street fighter 2200 rpm stall, a B&M shift kit with a Lokar shifter selecting the proper gear.

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