Vehicle Description
1923 Ford Model T Roadster
"A decade before NASCAR was officially incorporated in February
1948, dirt tracks sprang up throughout the South, some in cow
pastures and open fields. By the late 1940's, they had become the
centers of attractions at local fairgrounds when hastily
constructed ovals were often made with the quick sweep of a
bulldozer. The first NASCAR strictly stock race was run on June 19,
1949 in Charlotte Speedway, a three-quarter mile dirt track." Thx
to SpeedSport magazine.
For consignment, a 1923 Ford Model T roadster with a title listed
100,400 miles although this cannot be verified as this skate isn't
sporting an odometer and built as a 1940's style dirt track car.
It's low and wide and wears knobby tires on the back and will make
quite the entrance at the next Cars and Coffee.
Exterior
The exposed front axle provides a Cheshire grin in front of the
radiator which reads Hot Rod 2 Hell, topped by a chrome skull cap,
a nice start to your arrival at Cars and Coffee. From the side, the
tires are almost the highest point of the car, but the engine rises
above them, as does the bucket cab in line and if your arms are
long enough, you can pick up things off the street. Out back, a gas
tank is held in place with leather straps and a single Dietz
taillight on top of a black frame is the beacon of warning for
those behind. A skull wearing the Prussian cross is on the side
along with a number 5 in vintage font. 16-inch wheels wear Ford
poverty hubcaps and the tires vary front and back with size and
tread type. More skulls on the windscreen frame which sits
vertically over the body that is painted with thick black paint.
It's all in clean condition with the appropriate patina look.
Interior
Hop over the shell to find a pair of sheep skin covers forming two
sitting areas in a sparse interior that is highlighted by a custom
bat shaped steering wheel in front of a pod of three Stewart Warner
gauges. The long shifter rises from the visible transmission in the
floor and welded plates make up the uncovered floor where a Speed
King gas pedal is flanked by the round pedals of the brake and
clutch. It's all very raw and old school and speed is determined by
your own inner meter.
Drivetrain
Up in front of this black sleigh is a 239ci flathead V8 with a trio
of stacked 2-barrel Ford/Stromberg 97 carburetors. A 3-speed manual
transmission is on board and sends power to the 3.78 gears in back.
1937 Ford Juice drum brakes are here with newer pads, lines, and
wheel cylinders. Headers provide an escape route for spent gas with
three pipes on one side as the center shares two ports.
Undercarriage
Bare bones underneath, a virtual skeleton of automotive design.
There's no surface rust nor dirt underneath, but we do see drops of
oil at the transmission, oil plug, and a touch on the rear
differential. Suspension consists of transverse leaf springs front
and rear.
Drive-Ability
We're roughing it in this raw interior in this gokart on steroids.
The low cab suspended between the axles and just inches off the
ground is a pretty fun position and the V8 moves this relatively
light car with plenty of power and the brakes do the opposite well.
Of course, the exhaust notes are blaring. The low center of gravity
creates great handling, and do we even need to comment on
visibility? The gauges and lights work too so everything functional
that's available is operational. While Classic Auto Mall represents
that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
Rat rod meets race car meets street machine. This car has more
presence than zombies in The Walking Dead and will be an immediate
magnet at any car gatherings or when you go to fill it with gas. A
cool ride with all the looks of a vintage 40's racer and you can't
go wrong with a flathead Ford V8 for power. If you need this one
and feel it in your bones, give us a call today!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
