1923 Ford Model T series Hot Rod - Elevated Thinking

After the body was popped out of the mold, it went to David Prukop's place in Huntington Beach, where it received the appropriate bodywork before being sprayed with PPG black paint. When the body was lowered onto the chassis, the ride was then taken to Pete Engel's Westminster Auto Upholstery shop in Anaheim, California. There Pete created a custom bench seat, then covered it and the rest of the interior with blood red leather. Black wool loop carpet was laid out, and a few of the interior's shiny pieces (such as the Billet Specialties steering wheel and Flaming River stainless tilt column) were then added. After the six SVO gauges were wired up and the Model A headlamps attached, the T was about to get fired for the first time. But since Bill already had engine dyno numbers from Jim Grubbs (334.2 lb-ft of torque 4,400 rpm, 344.4 hp at 6,200 rpm), he knew the engine would already work well!

Now with a couple hundred miles on his T under his belt, Bill is satisfied with the way his first hot rod turned out. He's already looking ahead at another project, possibly a '32 roadster pickup using Brookville Roadster's body but, for now, he's happy with the outcome: a tortoise's plan with the hare's speed! Be sure and check out how the car faired when we tested it during the Kit Car Challenge (see page 61).

Bill KestenerFullerton, California'23 Ford Roadster