Homegrown: 1947 Ford Convertible Coupe

A 1947 Ford Convertible Coupe built in the spirit of “homegrown” hot-rodding is described through the test-drive of an 84-year-old Hagerty member, Jim Jenkins. After crossing paths through their shared history at Chrysler Engineering, the author asked for a drive of Jenkins’ ’47 Ford hot rod, but Jenkins made clear he would not allow anyone else to wreck his investment. Jenkins bought the starter car in 1987 and pursued a fat-fendered convertible, eventually converting a coupe that came with four new-old-stock fenders. The reconstruction took four and a half years and was partly funded by selling parts he didn’t need, including bumpers, exterior trim, and the entire powertrain, raising $1,500. The piece highlights how his engineering background and long build process shaped a distinctive custom build.