Growing up in Southern California, Rod House of Clovis, Calif., spent his summers as a youth on his grandfather’s Porterville farm, where his first “paycheck” was a quarter for a day’s work as a seven year old. However, it was there working beside grandpa where House gained an appreciation for agriculture and all things mechanical, which eventually led to the “disease” of being a gearhead. Living in the Southland, the birthplace of hot rodding, only spread the car guy disease. His latest creation, a cherry and very hot 1952 Chevy hardtop, is Western Farm Press’ first “Rods in Ag” feature ride. On our website we will be featuring cars and pickups built by men and women who work in agriculture.

(See here for the complete Red ’52 Chevy-Ford beast photo gallery.)

House, who received a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from California State University in 1965, has been associated with farming ever since. Early on, he worked in a soils and water lab and was a wine grape inspector. For more than 15 years, he worked with Chevron Chemical in research and development and managed the company’s valley research facility. He gained his pilot’s license in 1977 and since 1985 has operated AeroGraphics — an infrared aerial photography company. Many of his clients are in agriculture.

House and his wife live on a small almond orchard in Clovis, where there’s plenty of room to pursue his passion for cars. Several years ago he found his ’52 Hardtop Deluxe as a stock driver. It was just like his first high school ride. However, after several years he decided to turn it into an unconventional Ford/Chevy rumbling beast that ran an 11:624 at 116 mph in the quarter mile test and tune at Famoso last spring. “It was a major rush. It does get the old 70-year-old heart pumping,” says House.

The 545-cubic-inch Ford big block is mated with an AOD transmission and 3:55s nestled in a Currie Ford 9-inch. It was an at-home, frame off restoration tricked out like no other from the stitch welded, powder coated frame to custom engine mounts and stainless steel brake lines. He had it painted and the interior sewed locally. No OTC headers for this rare Ford/Chevy nesting, so he also had help with custom headers.

Here’s a layout and build sheets for Rod’s ’52. Take photos of your ride and let us hear from you ([email protected]).

(See here for the complete Red ’52 Chevy-Ford beast photo gallery.)