Paul Harper purchased this 1941 Ford convertible in 1980 and spent more than two decades refining it into what would become Survivor, completed in the early 2000s. True to its name, Survivor is a car that endured the test of time and Paul’s meticulous standards, resulting in a finished piece that reflects both patience and artistry. For Paul, this build was deeply personal, representing his lifelong dedication to the craft of custom cars. Today, Survivor stands as a rolling piece of his legacy, carrying forward his reputation for authenticity, detail, and timeless style.
Engine: 331 CI (1955 Cadillac) with 4 Stromberg 97's on a Crager Manifold
Transmission; 3 Speed (1953 Ford)
Exterior Color: PPG GM Metallic Purple (Tim Ueltschi)
Interior Color: Bone White and Lavender
Trim: Custom
Body Style: 2 Door Convertible
Highlights:
--Featured in Hop Up (Issue #8 2007) and Car Kulture DeLuxe (Dec 2012) magazines.
--Disc Brakes
--Wide Whitewall Tires
--Louvered Hood and Firewall
--Carson Top (chopped 3.5 inches)
--Rear End 57 Chevy
--Frenched Headlights
--41 Studebaker tail lights
--54 Pontiac rear Bumper
--Appleton spotlights
--53 Ford Steering Wheel
--Stewart Warner gauges
This 1941 Ford Deluxe was built over a period of two decades and completed in the early 2000s. Dubbed “Survivor”, the car features a modified body painted metallic purple and contrasted by a chopped Carson top, while the custom interior has two-tone upholstery, a ’53 steering wheel, and air conditioning. Power comes from a 331ci Cadillac V8 topped a Cragar intake with four Stromberg 97s, and the engine is linked to a ’53 Ford three-speed manual and a ’57 Chevy rear end. The car has fender skirts, a louvered hood and firewall, dual spotlights, front disc brakes, and a dual exhaust system. It was featured in Hop Up magazine in 2007 and Car Kulture DeLuxe magazine in 2012. Inherited by the current owner from his father, the builder in 202.
The body has been smoothed, the trunk corners are rounded, and the headlights are frenched. The grille and cowl vent are filled, and both the hood and firewall are louvered. Appletons are mounted either side of the chopped windshield, and ’41 Studebaker taillights were used along with a ’54 Pontiac rear bumper. The paintwork is PPG GM Metallic Purple, per the selling dealer, and the chopped top is from Carson.
The car rides on 15″ BFGoodrich wide whitewalls with Cadillac caps mounted up front. The front end has disc brakes, and lowering blocks were used out back.
The interior features Bone and Lavender upholstery, air conditioning, and billet knobs.
The ’53 Ford steering wheel fronts a horizontal 100-mph speedometer flanked by auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 1k miles, with total chassis mileage unknown.
The 331ci Cadillac V8 is topped by a Cragar manifold with four Stromberg 97s equipped with scoops. The selling dealer believes the engine was installed around 2003, and it is cooled by an aluminum radiator.
Paul Harper purchased this 1941 Ford convertible in 1980 and spent more than two decades refining it into what would become Survivor, completed in the early 2000s. True to its name, Survivor is a car that endured the test of time and Paul’s meticulous standards, resulting in a finished piece that reflects both patience and artistry. For Paul, this build was deeply personal, representing his lifelong dedication to the craft of custom cars. Today, Survivor stands as a rolling piece of his legacy, carrying forward his reputation for authenticity, detail, and timeless style.
Engine: 331 CI (1955 Cadillac) with 4 Stromberg 97's on a Crager Manifold
Transmission; 3 Speed (1953 Ford)
Exterior Color: PPG GM Metallic Purple (Tim Ueltschi)
Interior Color: Bone White and Lavender
Trim: Custom
Body Style: 2 Door Convertible
Highlights:
--Featured in Hop Up (Issue #8 2007) and Car Kulture DeLuxe (Dec 2012) magazines.
--Disc Brakes
--Wide Whitewall Tires
--Louvered Hood and Firewall
--Carson Top (chopped 3.5 inches)
--Rear End 57 Chevy
--Frenched Headlights
--41 Studebaker tail lights
--54 Pontiac rear Bumper
--Appleton spotlights
--53 Ford Steering Wheel
--Stewart Warner gauges
This 1941 Ford Deluxe was built over a period of two decades and completed in the early 2000s. Dubbed “Survivor”, the car features a modified body painted metallic purple and contrasted by a chopped Carson top, while the custom interior has two-tone upholstery, a ’53 steering wheel, and air conditioning. Power comes from a 331ci Cadillac V8 topped a Cragar intake with four Stromberg 97s, and the engine is linked to a ’53 Ford three-speed manual and a ’57 Chevy rear end. The car has fender skirts, a louvered hood and firewall, dual spotlights, front disc brakes, and a dual exhaust system. It was featured in Hop Up magazine in 2007 and Car Kulture DeLuxe magazine in 2012. Inherited by the current owner from his father, the builder in 202.
The body has been smoothed, the trunk corners are rounded, and the headlights are frenched. The grille and cowl vent are filled, and both the hood and firewall are louvered. Appletons are mounted either side of the chopped windshield, and ’41 Studebaker taillights were used along with a ’54 Pontiac rear bumper. The paintwork is PPG GM Metallic Purple, per the selling dealer, and the chopped top is from Carson.
The car rides on 15″ BFGoodrich wide whitewalls with Cadillac caps mounted up front. The front end has disc brakes, and lowering blocks were used out back.
The interior features Bone and Lavender upholstery, air conditioning, and billet knobs.
The ’53 Ford steering wheel fronts a horizontal 100-mph speedometer flanked by auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 1k miles, with total chassis mileage unknown.
The 331ci Cadillac V8 is topped by a Cragar manifold with four Stromberg 97s equipped with scoops. The selling dealer believes the engine was installed around 2003, and it is cooled by an aluminum radiator.
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