Vehicle Description
In a showroom full of world-class pro-tourers and uber correct
muscle cars, there's something to be said about a fun hot rod, like
this national award-winning Ford, that's built with an eye toward
tradition. Sure, the car's multiple trophies prove that it can
easily be taken to a show, impressively displayed and lovingly
admired. But, a roster of time tested upgrades mean that it can
just as easily hit the highway and create a grand, 1-car parade.
That's right, as it sits, this Ford, with its plush interior,
smooth drivetrain, reliable small block and classy, unaltered body
is built to show AND enjoy. And what's better: you can have all
that show and go for much less than the cost of building it
yourself!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Judging by the pictures included with our sale, this hot sedan's
solid Dearborn steel was super clean before its $130K rebuild even
started. But nonetheless, the car was subjected to a full, body-off
restoration that stripped that all-original profile all the way
down to metal. Complete in April of 2009, that reboot was conducted
by John Birosh of Penn Yan, New York. And today, embodying the
impeccable taste of sparkling root beer or metallic caramel, the
car rolls as a banner show piece that celebrates the sublime
simplicity of Henry Ford's greatest design work.
Thanks to high quality trim and first-rate detailing, this hot rod
really puts the "class" in classic. At the front of the car,
polished, "Ford" branded headlights lead a mesh-screened, "Ford"
branded grille that's topped by an ornate radiator cap. At the
sides of the car, solid doors found subtle pinstripes above
billet-trimmed steps and polished handles. At the top of the car,
an un-chopped roof seats tinted safety glass inside a tilting
windshield, a small wiper, a deep visor and pliable canvas. And out
back, a traditional "V8" emblem shadows LED tail lamps and a small
trailer hitch that's hidden behind the car's folding license
plate.
ENGINE
Fold this T's steel hood and you'll find a 302 cubic inch small
block that was professionally built by Joe LaPine of Danbury
Connecticut's Danbury Competition Engine. What's more: bored .030
over and fitted with a mild street grind hydraulic cam, that mill
will likely run circles around any powerplant south of giant bores
or trick induction! At the top of the sedate block, a 600cfm Holley
carburetor rides between a finned Cobra air filter and Ford Racing
intake. At the front of that intake, an MSD Pro-Billet distributor
anchors loomed Moroso Blue Max plug wires between an MSD Blaster 2
coil, a polished breather and finned Cobra valve covers. Below
those covers, ceramic-coated block huggers funnel spent gases in to
flashy exhaust pipes. And opposite those pipes, a modern water pump
cycles coolant through a beefy radiator that's backed by dual SPAL
puller fans. As you can see, the clean engine bay wears matching
2-stage skin. And all the motor's ancillary components, from its
Denso alternator and chrome dipstick to its coated fuel pump and
braided fluid lines, appear to be high quality aftermarket
pieces.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
When the car's current owner commissioned its restoration, he
wanted its low profile achieved through trick suspension mods
instead of a chopped roof. That resulted in a thoroughly modern
chassis that features an almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution.
The foundation for those great dynamics is a custom fabricated
frame that's been both boxed and Z'd. That frame rides a fully
independent suspension, which follows polished coil-overs, polished
tubular control arms and manual rack-and-pinion steering with a
Heidts Jaguar-style rear clip. That suspension stops when four
polished calipers squeeze four vented rotors. The 302's power flows
from a proven C4 3-speed to a polished pumpkin that's fitted with
friendly 3.23 gears. At the center of the floor, polished stainless
exhaust pipes breathe through polished Flowmaster Hushpowers. And
at the corners of the chassis, traditional wire wheels spin "V8"
branded hubcaps inside two 175/65R14 Michelin Harmonies and two
225/60R17 Michelin Harmonies.
INTERIOR
Inside this Ford, a custom cockpit wraps vintage simplicity in
modern acoustics. Front and center, a body-matched dash hangs
Classic Instruments All American telemetry above polished foot
pedals. Opposite that dash, plush bench and bucket seats feature
modern lap belts. At the bottom of those seats, piped California
Carpet anchors a polished hand brake and polished fire extinguisher
at the base of a booted Lokar shifter. At the edges of that carpet,
leather side panels hang polished handles and small armrests
beneath polished window frames. Above those frames, a sculpted
headliner backs a hidden mirror and flush Traffic Light Viewer. And
the driver stays connected to the road through a polished steering
column that spins a thick, "V8" branded wheel.
AWARDS
According to its owner, this Model T has claimed quite a few
prestigious awards. Here's a chronological list of the car's major
accolades.
Top 100 at the 2011 Syracuse Nationals in Syracuse, New York
Top 100 at the 2011 Goodguys East Coast Nationals in Rhinebeck, New
York
Terrific T Award at the 2011 Goodguys East Coast Nationals in
Rhinebeck, New York
Favorite Oldie Award at the 2012 Syracuse Nationals in Syracuse,
New York
Best of Show Award at the 2012 Buffalo Clutch Artists Show in
Buffalo, New York
Best Interior Award at the 2012 Buffalo Clutch Artists Show in
Buffalo, New York
Top 100 at the 2013 Syracuse Nationals in Syracuse, New York
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
Photos of the car taken prior to its restoration
Restoration photos
Some spare paint
A pair of seats
A small table
You really can't ask for a cooler classic than this 1926 Ford.
Featuring an unbeatable combination of proven technology and
authentic good looks, it's the perfect car for any enthusiast who
wants a top-notch build without spending two years and six figures
achieving it. So, what are you waiting for? Call your friends at RK
Motors Charlotte and add a little class to your garage!
SUMMARY
All-steel un-chopped Model T
Body-off restoration completed in 2009
Winner of multiple national awards
302 cubic inch Ford V8
C4 3-speed automatic transmission / 3.23 rear gears
Custom frame / Custom fully independent suspension
Custom leather interior
Rack-and-pinion steering / 4-wheel disc brakes
Sale includes photos taken prior to the car's restoration /
Restoration photos
14 and 17-inch wire Wheels
