Vehicle Description
One of the oldest and most popular ways to go fast was to strip
down a Model T Ford roadster to the bare essentials, fill it with a
big V8, and hang on. This 1927 Ford Model T roadster is a 4-wheeled
display of minimalism dedicated to just one thing: maximum
speed.
We aren't going to go into a lot of details about the bodywork,
partly because there isn't much and partly because it's a hot rod,
so form definitely follows function. There are still plenty of
familiar styling cues, from the cut-down '32 radiator shell to the
"turtle" deck that was unique to the late Model T roadsters.
Shaved, smoothed, and extensively modified, it's just enough
bodywork to make the wind slip around the car at triple-digit
speeds. The windscreen is probably mandatory on a car that goes
this fast, and the upright stanchions and lack of a header bar make
for an old-school look that dates back to the earliest days of
record-setting. The black paint is exceptionally glossy, but it
makes this roadster easy to spot out on the prowl and that's what
matters. Open wheels are there simply to put the smallest possible
cross-section into the wind, and the whole car seems hunkered down
over its frame as if it's crouching to attack. Some traditional
pinstripe work, beautiful finish quality, and a minimum of frills
make this one stand out.
The interior is beautifully finished with gray upholstery and a
split bench that's actually pretty good at holding you in place
thanks to the wrap-around seat back. Gray carpets and matching door
panels make this minimalist rod feel like it's anything but simple,
and you get that salt flats feel when you grab the oversized
3-spoke steering wheel. White-faced Dolphin gauges monitor all the
vitals and yes, you're seeing that correctly: this car has only 228
miles on it since it was finished. More custom pinstripes, a Lokar
shifter, and not much else round out the interior appointments. The
trunk is neatly finished and offers some decent storage for hitting
the cruise nights, and the fuel cell is neatly tucked in there
where it's still easy to reach.
A stout Chevy 383 cubic inch stroker motor provides the power, and
with so little weight and pretty decent aerodynamics, it's
extremely effective. The usual performance upgrades are all here,
from the 4-barrel carburetor, a decent cam that's happy on the
street, and long-tube headers and side pipes, and it all works to
push this ancient Model T to some truly astounding velocities. It
proudly wears polished aluminum valve covers and a custom-painted
Cadillac air cleaner, while a big aluminum radiator with electric
fan has no problems keeping it cool on hot days. The transmission
is a snappy TH350 3-speed automatic feeding a GM 10-bolt with 3.42
gears on a Posi. Out back there's a heavily reinforced 9-inch rear
end with super tall gearing designed to push the T to ever higher
speeds. As tradition would dictate, it's sitting on hairpins and an
I-beam axle up front, tying it to its past, along with another set
of hairpins and some coil-overs out back. Old-school looking Rocket
Racing wheels are a great choice and wear staggered 175/70/15 front
and 325/50/15 rear Hoosier radials.
No, this car isn't for everybody, but if you're the guy who knows
what it is and what it's designed to do, well, perhaps you've just
found your next ride for Speed Week. Call now!