Buzz McLeod's 1954 Ford

An early photo of Buzz's Ford, taken before he had turned it into the "Little Star." Developed in July of 1956, the hood had been shaved for chrome, and it had received louvers when this photo was taken. Photo courtesy of Buzz McLeod.

The July of 1956 photo shows that the deck lid had been shaved for chrome as well. Photo courtesy of Buzz McLeod.

Photo courtesy of Buzz McLeod.

A photo of Buzz next to the "Little Star". This photo was taken at a friend's house in Auburn, Washington. A for sale sign can be spotted in the windshield, and Buzz believed the photo was taken in 1962. Photo courtesy of Buzz McLeod.

Another photo of Buzz Ford from 1962. Photo courtesy of Buzz McLeod.

Buzz' Ford as it appeared when it was featured in Rod & Custom December 1960. Photo by Allan Carter, courtesy of Rod & Custom Magazine.

Photo by Allan Carter, courtesy of Rod & Custom Magazine.

Photo by Allan Carter, courtesy of Rod & Custom Magazine.

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1954 Ford convertible owned by Draggin Sirs of Seattle member Buzz McLeod of Seattle, Washington. Buzz decided he wanted a show machine with a big engine, so he installed an Oldsmobile Roket V-8 engine in the car. Installing the engine was a problem, as motor mounts had to be made, the oil pan had to be modified, and new exhaust headers had to be fabricated. A LaSalle transmission was used with Corvette linkage. Exterior modifications included frenched head and taillights, and a filled hood and deck. Oldsmobile lenses fit the frenched taillights. A 1955 Pontiac rear bumper was installed in the rear, while the stock parking lights up front were mated to a 1954 Chevrolet grille. Louvers were punched into the hood, while fender scopps and door handles were shaved. A radio antenna and dual spotlights were added. The bodywork was done by Ed Knebel. Martin White painted the car 1957 Pontiac Lime Fire Green with gold and bronze scallops. Jan Wick pinstriped it. A white Naugahyde interior with plenty of pleats was made by Brian Ellis. The rear top bows were chopped, and a tonneau and steering wheel cover was made to match the interrior. The build, named "Little Star", was completed in 1958, and Buzz entered it in eleven car shows in Washington, Oregon and Vancouver, Canada. He won peoples choice at the first show he attended, and went on to win ten first place trophies in his class, which was semi-custom convertible. In 1958 the car was shown at the Tacoma Rod & Custom Roundup show.

Buzz sold the car to Sonny West of Bellevue, Washington in 1962. In 2013 he did not know what had happened to the car since then.

Magazine Features

Hot Rod Magazine January 1960
Rod & Custom December 1960