Bengt Aronsson's Ford 1946 coupe

Photo from Wheels May 1980

Photo from Wheels May 1980

Photo from Wheels May 1980

Photo from Wheels May 1980

Bengt Aronsson is a well known journalist/photographer in Sweden. He has worked for most of the Swedish motor magazines, mainly motorcycles but also cars.

Bengt found this 1946 Ford via a small ad in the newspaper. "Ford coupe 1946, Buick engine, no rust, 2,100:-".
He called and went nervously for a look to a small, dark and humid garage in Stureby south of Stockholm.
The seller was a guy in his thirties, just started a family so the car gotta go.
For Bengt, it was love at first sight!

The flathead engine was replaced with a Buick nailhead with Dynaflow transmission and the car was overall slightly "hotrodded".
When he started up the engine (no mufflers), the sound was enough for Bengt to decide to buy the car!
It is not clear who did the engine swap, but Ford 1946-1948 were very popular among Swedish "Raggare" during the 1950s.

The purchase was in the end of 1967s and the car was not approved. Bengt could still drive around on interim in summer 1968.
In fall the same year Bengt did an attempt at the local car inspection. Sadly the result was a long list of remarks and
requirements on certificates of engine power etc. etc. Bengt gave up the task and stored the car over the winter.

At spring time following year the inspiration came back. Bengt managed after many trials to get a certificate from Ford for the car to handle 180 hp (even though it was a Buick engine!).
At last the car got approved and legally registrered just before the new regulations took effect.

Over the years, Bengt has only done minor modifications on the car. The transmission was changed to a Ford 4-speed toploader connected via an Offy adapter to the engine.
The rear end is from Chrysler Imperial 1955 and has 3.50 ratio.
He got the car painted black with own designed flames, pinstriped by Ivve Hallberg.

The car was sold 1985 to Jan Ullman and since 2001 a new owner in Umeå.