This car is a hoot! It is light, nimble and quick. A
lot of fun for just a few bucks.
It was built in 1964. The boxed frame was adorned with a
fiberglass T bucket. You will notice some nice chrome pieces
in the steering and windshield. Blackface Stewart-Warner
gauges are from the “day” and working perfectly.
The engine is a 1964 Chevrolet 153 cubic inch four cylinder.
According to the stamping, it came from a manual transmission
car. My bet is the car was wrecked and the engine was pulled
from a salvage yard. Certainly it has just a few miles on it.
The car has under 5000 since built.
The transmission was originally a Powerglide, but it now has a
Turbo 350 automatic. The rear-end is a Mopar 8.75” with 3.55
Sure-grip gearing. A bit of overkill for such a small car,
but I suspect the intent was to race. There is a drive-shaft
loop in place.
The front brakes are disc. Even with the 145r-15 tires, it
stops quickly and easily. The 235r/70/15’s on the rear make
it go and provide great gearing combination. I have had the
car at 80mph and it feels comfortable and safe. There was
plenty more if you are so brave.
I am 6’4” tall and 260 pounds. While a bit tight, I fit.
I was very comfortable with my ability to actuate the pedals
and felt completely in control and safe. Certainly I was
surprised.
The ride is nice. The coil-over shocks make for a nice ride.
The front is also coil-over shocks. There is no bump
steer. The shock adjustment is correct. The steering is
quick, yet the feel is good. Obviously the car is light, so
it is very easy.
The build was very nice. The battery is beneath the seat,
there are turn signals, functional gauges, dash lights and high/low
beam switch. The column is a late 60’s Ford version with
locking ignition for theft deterrence.
The body is quite nice. The hood and side panels remove
easily due to Dzus fasteners. The tub is a nicely built
fiberglass model that is smooth and crack free. The paint is
nice and slick, with a great shine.
The performance is exceptional. The engine starts easily due
to a manual choke. It has deceptive power and surprising
acceleration. The transmission, rear gearing and tire size
are perfectly mated for quick and fast driving.
The previous owner reported that he was getting 33 mpg on road
trips. While the original Model T style tank is not
capacious, it certainly will hold a full days driving needs.
You must keep an eye on the level, as a sending unit was not
installed, so the gas gauge is not working.
There are project Model T roadsters advertised for more money.
This car is done and ready to show off. You don’t need
anything but gas in the tank and a smile on your face.