Lil’ John Buttera is no stranger to drag racing, Indycars, street machines, and street rods. He is no stranger to Modern Rodding, appearing in our Parting Shot column in late 2022. (Honored here for the second time.) What gave rise to this month’s reappearance occurred during our recent trip to the 2024 Triple Crown of Rodding event. While looking at so many amazing hot rods, we came across what appeared to be an “old friend.” Still looking as it last appeared, it was the famous 1932 Ford three-window highboy coupe that Lil’ John had built as it appeared on the cover of Hot Rod back in December 1979. The coupe now belongs to James DeSanto of Armonk, New York, who has kept it in its vintage form.
There is a story about how Lil’ John initially painted the car black but Hot Rod wanted it red. Before painting it red and then making its appointed rounds with its cover destiny, Lil’ John drove the car to the first and only National Hot Rod Association’s (yes, we typed NHRA) Street Machine Nationals held in Denver, where I had the opportunity to photograph it and enjoy a ride-along with Lil’ John. Lil’ John often drove the 1932 Ford three-window highboy coupe, featuring a 5-1/2-inch chop, with his good friend “Fat Jack” Robinson. In its red livery colors, the hot rod was driven well over 10,000 miles, and in 1980, made the roundtrip to the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Memphis, Tennessee.
Buttera’s expertise extended far beyond the dimensions of racing chassis; he was a master machinist whose works exemplified his creative genius. Often referred to as the “father of billet components,” he turned raw aluminum into functional masterpieces, breathing life into numerous innovative components that transformed the landscape of racing and street rodding. His distinct approach to fabrication set new standards, inspiring countless builders and fabricators in the field.
It turns out a well-built and good-looking hot rod is just that, no matter whether it was built decades ago or today. Lil’ John Buttera was ahead of his time. MR
