Built in 1964 by Bill and Don Leslie of Buffalo, New York, this 1931 Ford Model A Coupe was constructed specifically to compete on the show car circuit. They purchased the coupe from local drag racer Greg Gillis, who had campaigned the car at the Niagara Dragway until 1963. By the time of purchase, the car was already chopped four inches with the present drivetrain installed.

Extensive modifications were required to transform the coupe into a period show vehicle. The frame was boxed and smoothed and the body channeled, the brake lines and wiring harness were hidden in the frame and the door handles and trunk handles were shaved and hidden releases installed. The most distinguishing feature of the car is its custom-built steel “nose” with floating chrome grille tubes. A chrome nerf-bar is sculpted into the rear and a handmade taillight lens, illuminated by a dozen interior bulbs, runs the full width of the car.

The fabulous interior is comprised of white button-tufted naugahyde with handsome custom bucket seats with a radio speaker mounted between them. The steering wheel and its chromed column are from a 1960s-era T-Bird, the 1933 Ford dash has custom-made chrome panels with period Stewart-Warner gauges as well as Town and Country push button radio with frenched-in electric antennas.

Painted in 1957 Buick Starlite Blue Metallic, this striking hot rod also has a custom- fabricated tinted-glass roof insert, allowing occupants to easily view the night sky – hence the car’s show name “Starlite Coupe.”

The “Starlite Coupe” won Best of Show at the Buffalo Autorama in 1964, and then won second place at the 1964 Rochester Auto Review. In the 1980s, Bill Leslie moved to San Diego, taking the Ford Coupe with him, but kept it covered and stored away for another 20 years.

Two brothers, Mike and David Kottke, lived in Leslie’s La Jolla neighborhood. Growing up, they would walk past the Leslie home and see the old show Ford Coupe in the garage. After many years, the teenagers convinced Bill to part with his prized possession and yet again the car was moved into storage.

The “Starlite Coupe” comes with original Autorama photographs, flyers, judging forms, vintage build photos, parts receipts, as well as a handwritten spiral-bound journal with all of the specifications for this wonderful hot rod. Everything was saved, including a period drawing of the interior and the Coupe’s Buffalo Autorama trophy complete center clock.

Untouched throughout 45 years of storage, it is presented “as is, as found.” For the enthusiast seeking history, power and a virtually untouched “real” vintage hot rod, the “Starlite Coupe” provides an incredible opportunity to return to the show circuit in its current preserved condition a spectacular show car indeed.