Turning a Ford Model T into a sports car was one of the favorite pastimes of hot rod builders during the 1950s, when tall, boxy, underpowered Model Ts were plentiful and low, sleek, high-performance roadsters were the thing.
Aerodynamics were not necessarily emphasized unless you were planning speed runs on the Salt Flats or dry lake beds, or merely wanted to look totally cool as you rumbled past on a Saturday night.
The Pick of the Day is a 1927 Ford Model T custom roadster that looks like it just rolled out of a ’50s-era California cruise-in. While the vintage Ford body is evident, the streamlined nose piece over the radiator lends a race-car appearance, along with the flame motif and bold No. 7 on its doors.
The open-wheel roadster is described by the Denver, Colorado, dealer advertising the rod on ClassicCars.com as having had a total frame-off restoration just 1,100 miles ago. The body is all steel and the red interior is trimmed in leather.
While the ad provides no information about when, where or by whom the roadster was built, the car appears to be a vintage creation. It’s powered by a 283cid Corvette V8 with custom headers and exhaust, automatic transmission and a 9-inch Ford rear.
The car has a quick-release steering wheel and hidden controls for the horn, turn signals and hazard lights, the dealer notes. The gauges are by Stewart-Warner.
The roadster appears to be in very nice condition in the gallery of photos with the ad, although the dealer points out that there are some chips and flaws in the paint.
I love the looks of this custom, although it would be nice to have more info about it. Prospective buyers should ask the dealer about its build history because it would be more evocative and valuable if were an actual period build rather than of more-recent vintage. Either way, it looks like it would be loads of fun to own, show off and maybe do some track time.
The asking price is $30,900, which sounds fair enough for this unique roadster.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
