1941 CHEVROLET 2DR SEDAN "RICK’S BLACKBIRD"
Mid 70’s Era Pontiac Trans AM Front Subframe W/Quick Ratio Steering
502CID Engine W/Fuel injection - 700R4 Automatic Transmission - Camaro 10 Bolt Rear End - Power Steering & Brakes - Disc Front & Drum Rear Brakes
60’S Era Cadillac Tilt Telescopic Steering Column - Leather Interior, Including The Trunk - Recessed Automatic Radio Antennae
Genuine 1941 Oregon Recessed Rear License Plate - Louvered Hood - LED Tail lights
41 Gallon Aluminum Gas Tank W/Internal fuel pump - Power front windows - Foot Operated Parking Brake - 2 Speed Intermittent Wipers W/Washers
Grey Tinted Windows - Chrome Interior Window Moldings & Glove Box Door - Custom Built Aluminum Radiator W/Lots Of Polished Aluminum under The Hood
Genuine 1941 Front Seat W/70’S Era Power Frame - Re-Radiused Front & Rear Fenders - Boyd Coddington Wheels
Rick’s History with the Blackbird
I have been a fan of 1941 Chevrolet’s most of my adult life. I’ve only owned four of them, but one of them twice. The brother of a friend had a 1941 Chev 2 door sedan. All there was, was a body and frame, w/front suspension. Unfortunately he died in an accident and I was able to purchase my dream car. My aspirations were much higher than my finances and get up and go. At a later date, Craig Adelhart obtained the car from me. He built the car and it turned out great. He drove it for several years and was involved in a major accident with it, but it wasn’t his fault. He fought with the insurance company and won. They had to rebuild the car. I had the opportunity to go with Craig to the Nostalgia Drag Races in Fremont, California. I never forgot how that car rode and handled. I was in love with that car. A few years later when Craig wanted to sell it. We weren’t in a position to buy it without financing it and we had to pass on buying it. That hurt, but it was the right thing to do. A fellow in Beaverton bought it, so I got to see it once in a while. When we got to position where we could afford it, I couldn’t locate it. Since Dale Mathews had sold it, I inquired with him about it. Dale said the same people still owned, but had moved to Seattle. Gone forever, bummer. I snooped on the internet occasionally, but always came up with nothing. One morning while snooping on eBay, there’s what sure looked like Craig’s old 41. I studied the pictures as best I could, then called Craig and asked him to get Karen and get on eBay. She was gone, so I was able to instruct him, via telephone , on how to get on eBay and find it. He did, looked at the pictures and said that if it wasn’t his old car, it was great clone. I immediately called and set up an appointment to see it later that afternoon. It was a few miles out of Beavercreek. Craig came from Gresham and I came from the Beaverton area. We were early and the seller was late. We talked for about an hour and Craig was sure that it was his old car, but seller didn’t think so. After about 45 minutes of bantering back and forth, Craig said, I have special question for you that will verify whether it was my old car or not. Do you have to use a Mopar key to open the trunk?. The Gentleman, said yes, how do you know that. Craig told him the story, and that’s another story in itself. He took us out back, where the car was in his barn. He opened the door and I was in awe. We looked the car over, then asked him what the price was. He told us and I said that I’d be a fool if I didn’t make a counter offer. I did and he said it had minimum, which was fair, so I stuck my hand out for a confirming hand shake. When I reached for my checkbook, he said no deposit is necessary, just come back tomorrow with a cashier’s check. Craig picked me up at my house and took me out to get it. This is, without a doubt, one of the best cars that I have ever owned. A lot of upgrades had been made after Craig sold it, but the basic car was the same, just cosmetic and drivetrain changes. I have since added a few Rick changes/upgrades. This car was built more than 30 years ago and it rides and handles like it did, when it was built. That’s a testament to the builder. Thanks Craig!
Rick Polier bought this 1947 Chevrolet 5 Window Pick Up at the PDX Swap Meet several years ago. Both he & Craig Adelhart I were both looking at buying it. He’s glad that he didn’t buy it and sometimes, Rick wish that he had. One of the main reason that Rick bought it was that the Chevrolet SSR is designed off of it, and since they own an SSR it gave them one of each era.
Impala Frame From The Firewall Back
Camaro Frame From The Firewall Forward
350 CID Engine
Turbo 350 Transmission
Tilt Steering Column
1998 GMC Bucket Seats
Custom Built Aluminum Dash Gauge Panel Insert
Power Windows
Electric Door Latches
2 Speed Intermittent Wipers W/Washers
Vintage Air/Heat/Defroster System
Power Steering & Brakes
LED Tail lights
Rolled Rear Pan W/Sunken License Plate
Currently Under Reconstruction
Linda Bear's Bluebird 1931 Ford Model A Pickup
Rick admits that Model A pickups were built for horizontally & vertical challenged people and, since he is neither, he can’t drive it. In fact he can barely get in passengers seat. Pretty sure his wife Linda knew it would fit her perfectly and when they were looking at it, Rick told her she could buy it if she wanted... she said "Too late, I already did!"
302 CID small block Ford Engine
C4 Ford automatic transmission
8” Ford rear end mounted with coil overs
Dropped front axle
Front disc brakes/drum rear
Custom built 15 gal fuel tank
Wescott front & rear fenders
Centerline wheels Nice two tone velour interior
When Rick bought this 1941 Chevrolet 2DR Sedan Rat Rod, it was to make a clone of the 1941 Chevrolet that his friend Craig Adelhart built as he could afford it when Craig sold it. Unfortunately upon receiving this 41, he discovered that it couldn’t be made into a clone without major work & expense, so a descent Rat Rod it is. By the way, 20+ years later, Rick is happy to announce that as of 2020 he does finally own Craig's old 1941 Chevrolet!
Mid 70’s Camaro front end
Chassis Engineering rear suspension
305 CID Chevrolet Engine
200-4R Automatic Transmission
10 bolt Camaro rear end w/3.73 positraction
Completely rewired
19 Gallon Tanks Inc gas tank
LED tail lights
2 speed intermittent wipers w/washer
2”chopped top
Tilt steering column
Vintage Air heater/defroster - W/O A/C
AM/FM/CD radio
Bucket front seats
Terrible flame job
Currently under a little reconstruction
Linda Is the third owner of this 1965 Pontiac GTO 2dr Hardtop & they have all the original paperwork including the window sticker. She bought it from the brother of an old friend. It was sold new in Gadsden, Alabama & they only sold three of them. We also have the original Alabama license plate!
389 CID Engine
Two speed Automatic Transmission
Factory Air Conditioning
Power Steering
Bucket Seats
Rally Wheels, But We Have The Original Wire Wheel Type Hubcaps
Burgundy Exterior With Black Interior
It currently has the optional Tri-Power Carburetor System on the engine, but they have the complete original 4 Barrel System.
