Oze Rods Shop of Hamilton, Ohio offers enthusiasts a complete street rod kit that makes it easy to get to the nitty gritty of your next project, “We call it a ‘package.’ We actually manufacture the frame, the body, it’s all hand-laid fiberglass, we build all of the components for the cars as far as chassis, motor mounts and then all steel structures inside of the car; there’s actually a steel skeleton inside of this frame.”
Even more user-friendly is the fact that Oze’s basic package can be had starting at $21,500 and includes a body, grille, power windows, all necessary glass and a chassis, the whole kit being assembled by Oze. The Hamilton rod builders can do anything from a sedan to a pickup, and they give their customers real options, “If they want to do an independent suspension or they want pro-street we can do all that too.”
Oze Rods has even been known to trick-out pickups, but their most popular street rod conversion is their Ford 5-window, one of which was spotted at this year’s Grand Rod Run in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. A Chevy-powered, candy-painted sled that’s been described as “car art,” our featured ’37 Ford has never been sat in or driven since its very conception.
And when it comes to owning one of Oze’s fine custom creations, the street rodding experience is truly one that is geared toward the motoring fanatic, which makes it more personal, “You just have to take the body that you buy from Tim and you have to do the assembly process. This car was taken apart three different times and put back together.”
Our featured 5-window has truly been built to the liking of its owner. Powered by a 350 small-block linked to a turbo 350 transmission chasing a 3.43 geared 9-inch rearend, and the entire platform is supported by air ride suspension at all four corners – so even though this particular beast isn’t driven, it should would be fun to see how she did on a road course.
Adding to the Ford street rod’s creature comforts are power steering, brakes, air conditioning and a tilt wheel, and upper and lower control arms along with a tri-link suspension setup included in the kit. Oze also brings to the aftermarket 14 years of rod-building experience, and their quality of work is evident in our ’37 Ford’s showroom quality finish.
Everything that a custom showpiece should be, Oze’s Ford 5-window had its own spotlight–and deservedly so–at this year’s Grand Rod Run. It’s never been driven, but that certainly doesn’t mean that it hasn’t been enjoyed!