George Jezek's 1931 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan

George Jezek's Poor Man's Deuce. Built in 1969-70, this striking 1931 Ford Sedan was Jezek's tribute to the legendary Lil' Coffin, featuring a chopped and channeled body, 350 Chevy power, and hand-fabricated details throughout. Crafted in his West, Texas garage, the car became a showstopper, earning Street Rodder Magazine's Street Rod of the Year. Jezek sold the car at the first Tulsa Street Rod Nationals. A testament to homebuilt ingenuity, this sedan remains an icon of late 1960s hot rod styling. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

The beginning of a custom build. George's 1931 Ford Model A Sedan as it sat before modifications. Purchased for $15 in 1968, this bare shell would soon be transformed into Jezek's vision of a Poor Man's Deuce. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

The Candy Cart, George Jezek's 1949 Chevrolet, his first major custom build. Featuring a striking Buick Seminole Red lacquer paint job, frenched headlights, and a full custom interior, the Chevy was featured in multiple magazines in the early 1960s. Jezek sold this car in 1968 to fund his next project, that he called the Poor Man’s Deuce. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

The inspiration, Dave Stuckey's 1932 Ford Sedan as it appeared on the cover of Car Craft November 1960. This early version, featuring a channeled body and full fenders, served as George's primary influence when designing his Ppoor Man’s Deuce in 1969-70. Stuckey's car would later evolve into the legendary Lil' Coffin.

Chopping the top. George's Sedan undergoing its transformation in 1969. The roof was chopped 3 ½ inches, giving the car a sleeker, more aggressive stance. This was one of many modifications that helped turn the sedan into Jezek's vision of a Poor Man's Deuce. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

The foundation of the build. The custom-fabricated chassis for George's Sedan. Built using 2”x4” steel tubing and Z’d for a lower stance, the chassis featured a 1965 Chevrolet Corvair front suspension, a 1955 Chevy rear end with Corvette coil springs, and trussed traction bars. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

Power and craftsmanship. George's sedan was powered by a 350 Chevy V8, paired with an Edelbrock intake and a 780 Holley carburetor. The engine was fitted with custom-fabricated, equal-length tuned headers that exited through the rear fenders, a unique touch that added to the car’s aggressive stance. Every component was carefully selected and modified to match Jezek's vision for the build. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

Custom comfort. One of the fiberglass bucket seats George molded for his sedan. Designed for both style and function, the seats were later upholstered in black vinyl to match the car’s minimalist yet refined interior. The lightweight construction was a nod to race-inspired builds while maintaining a custom hot rod aesthetic. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

George's Sedan receiving its signature candy blue lacquer finish. The body modifications, including the chopped roof, channeled stance, and molded cowl, are taking shape. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

A signature touch. The underside of George's Sedan, featuring his trademark red-painted floor pans. The contrast between the candy blue lacquer exterior and the detailed red undercarriage was a theme carried over from his previous builds. The chassis, exhaust system, and suspension components were all meticulously finished, showcasing Jezek's attention to detail. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

The finished masterpiece. George proudly posing with his freshly completed sedan in 1970. The candy blue lacquer paint, chopped and channeled stance, and custom-fabricated details came together to create a striking hot rod that paid homage to Dave Stuckey's Lil' Coffin while maintaining Jezek's unique vision. Shortly after this photo was taken, George sold the car at the first Tulsa Street Rod Nationals. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

A view from the back. George's sedan sitting outside his garage, showcasing the bobbed and radiused rear fenders, custom splash pans, and 47 Chevy panel truck taillights. The car’s aggressive stance is emphasized by the channeled body, reversed chrome rear wheels, and NASCAR tires. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

On the streets. A rare color shot of George's sedan from behind, highlighting the candy blue panel paint, bobbed rear fenders, and NASCAR rear tires. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

Heart of the beast. A detailed look at the 350 Chevy V8 that powered George's sedan. Equipped with an Edelbrock intake, a 780 Holley carburetor, and custom-fabricated equal-length tuned headers, the engine was both a showpiece and a powerhouse. The clean and polished setup reflects Jezek's meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

Custom craftsmanship. The interior of George’s Sedan featured a molded fiberglass dashboard with a full set of Stewart-Warner gauges, accented with walnut trim. A Grant steering wheel sat atop a Corvair steering column, while the Ansen swing pedals and Hurst shifter completed the hot rod setup. The black vinyl bucket seats, molded by Jezek himself, added a sleek and functional touch to the minimalist yet stylish cockpit. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

A lasting legacy. George Jezek's sedan earned recognition as Street Rodder Magazine's Street Rod of the Year, winning Best Closed Car for its innovative design and craftsmanship. Built in his garage with a keen eye for detail and a deep passion for hot rodding, the car embodied Jezek's vision of a Poor Man's Deuce. Though he parted ways with it at the first Tulsa Street Rod Nationals, its impact in the hot rod world remains. Decades later, the sedan continues to inspire builders, keeping Jezek's dedication and artistry alive. Photo courtesy of George Jezek.

1931 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan owned and built by George Jezek of West, Texas, Jezek has been a dedicated figure in the hot rod and custom car scene since the 1950s. Growing up in a small town near Waco, he developed a passion for cars at an early age, beginning with hand-painted pinstriping and simple modifications to his personal vehicles. His first significant custom project was a 1949 Chevrolet 2-Door Sedan, which underwent multiple transformations and gained national recognition in the early 1960s. Jezek was also a founding member of the Eliminators of West, an NHRA-chartered rod club that provided a communal space for car enthusiasts to build and modify their vehicles.

The Poor Man's Deuce

Jezek had long admired Dave Stuckey's channeled version of the Deuce Sedan, which would later become the famous Lil' Coffin after appearing on the cover of Car Craft November 1960. However, by the late 1960s, a real Deuce was beyond his budget, so in 1968, Jezek sold his Chevrolet and purchased a 1931 Ford Model A Sedan, what he called a "poor man's Deuce." The body cost him just $15.

Jezek performed all the modifications himself, heavily customizing the car to reflect his vision. The top was chopped 3 ½ inches, and the body channeled 6 inches, giving it a low, aggressive stance. He fabricated a custom firewall and molded cowl, integrating them seamlessly into the body. At the front, he mounted a 1932 Ford grille shell filled with chromed expanded metal, further refining the car’s sleek aesthetic. The front fenders were modified to accommodate lowered headlights, which were tucked beneath small, custom-radiused humps on the hood for a distinct, streamlined look.

The rear of the car featured bobbed rear fenders, which were radiused an extra inch to provide tire clearance and extended to seamlessly meet custom-fabricated running boards. Jezek also fabricated custom splash pans and installed taillights from a 1947 Chevrolet panel truck, blending vintage elements into the build. A black vinyl top completed the exterior. The car's body was finished in a striking candy blue lacquer paint job featuring four-color paneling, while the undercarriage, following Jezek’s signature style, was painted red.

Chassis and Suspension

Jezek custom-built the chassis from the ground up, Z’ing the frame using 2”x4” steel tubing to achieve the desired stance. The front end was upgraded with a 1965 Chevrolet Corvair independent suspension, while the rear end came from a 1955 Chevrolet, supported by Corvette coil springs. To enhance handling and traction, he installed trussed traction bars at the rear.

The car rolled on 6-inch chrome front wheels wrapped in Firestone tires, while the rear wheels were 8-inch chrome and reversed, fitted with NASCAR tires for a powerful, aggressive look.

Engine and Drivetrain

Under the hood, Jezek installed a 350 Chevrolet small-block V8, paired with an Edelbrock intake manifold and a 780 CFM Holley carburetor for optimal performance. A custom-fabricated set of equal-length tuned headers routed exhaust through the rear fenders, a unique touch that added to the car’s radical design. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission, controlled by a Hurst shifter mounted inside the cabin.

Cooling was managed by a narrowed 1958 Chevrolet radiator, ensuring the powerful V8 ran efficiently even under high-performance conditions. A custom-fabricated aluminum gas tank was mounted in the rear.

Interior

Jezek carried his custom craftsmanship into the interior, molding a fiberglass dashboard that housed a set of Stewart-Warner gauges, framed in walnut trim. The steering setup featured a Grant steering wheel, mounted on a Corvair steering column, continuing the theme of mixing parts from various GM models.

Seating was provided by custom-molded fiberglass bucket seats, upholstered in black vinyl, maintaining a minimalist yet stylish approach. The pedal assembly consisted of Ansen swing pedals, completing the interior’s blend of form and function.

Recognition and Later Years

Before Jezek could fabricate a hood to complete the car, he decided to sell it at the first Tulsa Street Rod Nationals in 1970. However, even in its unfinished state, the car was still a standout build. It was featured in Street Rodder Magazine October 1972, as well as several other publications, cementing its place in hot rod history.

Jezek continued his passion for custom cars beyond the 1931 Ford Sedan, building and restoring numerous vehicles over the years. His influence in the hot rod and custom car scene remains significant, and the poor man’s Deuce serves as a testament to his ingenuity and dedication to the craft.