By Dave Chapman

FLAT ROCK — Pat Haener has been involved with muscle and classic cars since the mid-1970s. The 1957 Ford Custom 300 he now owns has been in his possession for more than a decade and probably will be for much longer.

“I was looking at Chevelles, Camaros and Fairlanes,” Haener said. “Then I found this car, and I am very happy I did.”

Since acquiring the car, Haener has completely redone it, with all the work except the body and paint being done by him, besides updating the Custom 300’s drivetrain with a 302 Ford racing crate motor and a C-4 transmission.

Haener redid the car’s upholstery and added a set of gauges to monitor his engine. A tilt wheel and new sound system makes cruising in the car more enjoyable.

Not only has Haener improved the car’s “get up and go” and creature comforts, he improved its handling. The suspension was completely updated, including the addition of a power rack and steering. To shorten the Ford’s stopping distance, power disc brakes were added.

Haener had to upgrade the chrome reverse wheels and baby moon hubcaps to 15-inchers as the original 14-inch wheels would not fit after the addition of the disc brakes.

To make room for the flamethrower exhaust that sticks out of the back of Haener’s 1957 Ford Custom, he used a bumper from a 1957 Ford Ranchero, which is much smaller.