The name Lee Bettencourt means a lot in the California hot rodding scene, as he’s a legend from the Central Valley who has built killer hot rods, and a reputation that backs them up. He has been regarded as one of the finest “home” builders out there, and has been doing it for decades. His FattRat 1948 Ford reminds us of Fat Jack’s 1946 Ford that was one insanely fast street car, and that defined Fat Fendered hot rods in a way nobody had done before. Lee certainly has the stance and tires like Jack’s car did, and he even has a removable roll cage and complete fire system on board. We’re pretty sure this thing will haul ass, and we’d love to put some NOS Nitrous on the big block and see what it will really do!
There is a TON in this car that is not mentioned in the ad. And they aren’t kidding when they say that duplicating this car would cost $250k today.
It’s a time machine back to 1990 in style and such, but we love it. The graphics are amazing if you really start looking at the depth, and overall the car just sits right. Oh and the Centerlines are perfection.
But can you imagine this car with just a few updates? We’ve got a list in our heads that would really change this thing up and make it as relevant today as it has ever been, without ruining anything else that has ever been done to it. In fact, anything we would do would be bolt on so that you could put it right back to this awesome state at any point along the way.
What do you think?
Here is all the info from the ad:
The Legendary “Fattrat” 1948 Ford “Pro-Street Coupe of Lee Bettencourt. Basic features include: double boxed frame with a big pinion 9” Ford rear end, super low “Hart” front end, 468CI of Bob Andrews Big Block Chev w/estimated HP of over 500, 400TBH,fully machined removable roll cage, full Halon fire suppression system, leather interior, all aluminum parts chrome plated. Lots of chrome and polished stainless steel on the underside. All machine work, fabrication paint and assembly by owner. Graphics by “Soggy”. This incredible “E-Ticket” ride has only about 16,000 miles with much less on the engine. A detailed information sheet is available. To duplicate this car would cost over $250,000.
Contact Skip Lewis at (559) 708-2671
Super cool car! The only complaint would be to change the Supertrapp mufflers, never was a fan of them.
Lose those graphics – they were crap back then and look even worse today. A simple black paint job with some of those realistic flames would be cool, and a hot FE would be even better….