Vehicle Description
The radically customized 1927 Ford Roadster pickup is known as "T
Plus 2," as well as a few other names. Don Lokey and his wife
Millie decided to build a hot rod that could do double-duty as a
show car. Starting with a 1927 Ford Model T Roadster pickup truck
body, Lokey fabricated a custom frame to mount the body. The
modified 1957 Chevrolet Corvette 283 CI V8 engine was rebuilt and
partnered with a Lincoln transmission and the early Ford "banjo"
rear end. Lokey had the entire chassis chrome-plated, and then
painted the truck and installed custom Naugahyde upholstery. He
then entered it in the Oakland Roadster Show that same year and
came home with the All-American sweepstakes for T Roadsters award.
With a taste of winning fresh on his palette, Don decided to use
the truck to launch a campaign to come back and win the top honors
at Oakland: America's Most Beautiful Roadster Award. After a few
conversations with George Barris, Don delivered his roadster pickup
to Barris Kustoms in Lynwood, CA. Since the car was already in
complete show-quality condition, Barris could concentrate on
restyling the body, reimagining the interior and updating the wheel
and tire choice, as well as designing a whole new overall look. He
designed and crafted a radically different grille surround and
headlight treatment wrapped around a brass 1915 Model T radiator
shell, complementing air scoop and restyled body with molded rear
fenders. Handmade taillights inspired by the truck's nose treatment
and an interior freshened with White Pearl of Essence wrapped up
the project. It made the April 1965 cover of Rod and Custom
magazine. Lokey retired the T from the show circuit and stored it
for 30-plus years before Blackie Geheian bought the car and vowed
to keep it in its 1966 show-winning livery. The car would go on to
see the Lincoln 3-speed and banjo rear swapped for an automatic
transmission and chrome Ford 9-inch rear end, but it has otherwise
been kept true to its Barris version. **SOLD ON BONDED TITLE**
**TITLE IN TRANSIT**
