IronMen Foundation Background

A 1932 Ford Hot Rod - Metal of Honor - is Born

How We Got Started

Some of us, having dabbled in the hot rod hobby over the years, thought the idea of building a car for charity was a great idea. We presented the idea to friends. Soon, we had committed to channel our efforts toward a Scholarship Fund for the children of slain and disabled soldiers. 

In August 2008, we began asking manufacturers if they would come along side us and help build something for the kids. Our first contributor, Kenny Golihan of Brookville Roadster in Brookville, OH donated an all steel '32 Roadster body.  Steve Frisbie, and the guys at Steve's Auto Restoration partnered with Brookville Roadster and assembled the body on their state-of-the-art body jig in Portland, OR. Steve even donated a custom steel hood. 

Soon, Total Cost Involved of Ontario, California provided a complete chassis.  Inland Empire, also from Ontario, California, added a driveshaft. Willett Coachworks in Orland Park, Illinois put the body in primer and contributed the paint job. House of Color, the custom color arm of Valspar, provided the custom army green paint for the car. Custom Classics Automobiles of Island Lake, Illinois volunteered a permanent spot in their facility for the fabrication and assembly of all of the car parts.  Classic Instruments in Boyne City, Michigan provided a set of All American Series gauges.  Ididit, Inc. of Tecumseh, Michigan offered us a state-of-the-art steering column. Ford Motor Company delivered one of their famous 302 cubic inch motors and Street and Performance of Mena, Arkansas finished off the engine's top end.  PowerMaster of West Chicago, Illinois provided the alternator and starter.  Stainless Works of Chagrin, Ohio provided a complete custom stainless steel exhaust system. 

Walker Radiator in Memphis provided one of their best Cobra Radiators and it is teamed with a top-of-the-line heater and air conditioning system from Vintage Air in San Antonio, Texas.  Gennie Shifter provided the shift mechanism, connecting cables and brightwork connectors on top of the Bowler C4 Transmission. 

Up top, Rodware of Salt Lake City provided custom Wanlass windshields and custom convertible top. The wheel are MHT Luxury Alloy Foose brand Legend wheels encompassed by Pirelli's best tires. Bob Drake Inc., the famous Ford hot rod parts company opened their entire catalog to allow IronMen Foundation to select the parts needed to complete Metal of Honor.  The fuel tank is stainless from Rock Valley Antique Auto Parts of Stillman Valley, Illinois.  The interior was completed by the artistic hands of John Mayer at Ogden Top and Trim in Berwyn, Illinois. 

Julianno's of Ellington, Connecticut provided the finishing touches to the interior and exterior.  Finally, MotorHead Design of Louisville, Kentucky provided custom emblems and insignias designed in partnership with Robert Horn.

John Welzenbach of Arlington Heights, Illinois shot the photos for promotional and publicity use. Throughout the tour of the car, CleanTools Inc. made sure the car was always its best clean.

The Metal of Honor was a labor of love for all involved and was auctioned at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona.  One hundred percent of the proceeds were then donated to Folds of Honor, which selected scholarship recipients.