1935 Dodge Coupe Hot Rod – The “Hanesville Hoodlum” that Spans Two Generations
Scot Hardman Remebers His Dad – through his kickin’ 1935 Dodge Coupe
The Haynesville Hoodlum, a 1935 Dodge Coupe, was aptly named after and by my father Greg Hardman, may he rest in peace. He was my best friend and mentor – giving me a gift of love and appreciation for cars. After a serious fatal accident in 2009 that unfortunately claimed my father’s life, I came to inherit the Coupe.
The passion that he had for vintage cars and drag racing that was so much a part of his life started me on a journey – fueled by this car. Wanting to know about what charged this passion, got me deeply interested in the Dodge and made me want know more about hot rods like this. Knowing more and making this car and all my cars projects to his memory.
His passion was bled into him early in his life, partly because my grandfather was a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II and the Korean War. Those pilots like to go fast, real fast. Speed was in my father’s blood and the “Hanesville Hoodlum” was the serum that fed him.
The “Hoodlum” made its first magazine debut in the second issue of Car Kulture Deluxe, appearing in the centerfold page in the “Readers Rides” section. Since then, it
has a seen new mill, paint, wheels, tires, MSD ignition, four link and a custom aluminum fuel cell. Paint is by Rad Randy, pin striping and lettering is by Shotz (Who else?), Jamie and Chazzin. Each of which are members of the Accelerators Car Club that my dad was a big part of, as well as it part of him.
The Hoodlum is powered by a healthy, little stroked Chevy small block, connected to a B & M transmission and 3.73:1 gears. The wheels are Bonneville Salt Flat Specials by American Racing topped off with a set of Hoosier meats out back and skinny’s in the front.
The car looks done, but it is still a work in progress – with my next project a redo the interior. I hope you like what you see, because it is even more impressive in person, truly exuding the “feel” of those 60s street rods that populated all the magazines of that period.
Every time I work on or drive the “Hoodlum” I feel close to my dad – like he’s riding shotgun. I can’t think of a better way to remember him – and I know that whenever I fire her up, he’s up there smiling down at me.
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Let’s go find a little excitement at Thunder Rd
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Fire her up and let’s go.
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The “Hoodlum” is no trailer queen. Here is a shot in Reynolds, GA Silver Dollar Raceway at the nostalgic “Run What You Brung” event
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Gas was a whopping $0.56 when this pump was frozen in time (and before the first gas crisis).
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Pictures were taken at Ellis Grocery just outside Haynesville, GA. It was a General Store that stayed open until the early 70s.
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This picture could have been taken in the summer of ’62 rather than the Summer of 2011. the stickers, tires, graphics, were very common back then.
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Lookin’ period – and tuff.
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My daddy and the “Hoodlum” after first building this car and driving it to Daytona, Fla at the “Turkey Run”. He received the Best Project award.
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Scot’s Dad was tragically killed in a fatal accident. His marker commemorates his life – in part through the “Hoodlum”.
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Sometimes I dream we’re ridin’ together. “Dad, here’s that straight stretch where we can see what she’ll do.”
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“Slow down, you know the trooper’s always waitin’ just the other side of that store.”
