Back in March we featured another one of these cars that were built specifically to compete in The Race of Gentlemen. This Model A was constructed for the same event and, although not a barn find, looks like a period racer that could have just come out of a barn! People used to build cars like this because it was an affordable way to go fast. Parts were easily scrounged from local scrapyards and speed shops provided the go-quick bits. Nowadays things are a little different. Model A bodies aren’t as plentiful and big horsepower usually costs big dollars. That means that many hot rods sit in garages and are usually trailered to car shows. I do like the concept of this Race of Gentlemen event though because these guys are trying to recreate the scene as it once was. It costs a lot more than it did then, but at least they are building their machines to drive! That fact alone makes me want drop a flathead V8 in this and enter it in the race next year! If you like that idea too, you can find this one here on eBay out of Irving, Texas.
Looks like these folks have found a way to have a lot of fun on the sand. But with the water and especially all those fans so close by I hope they keep the speeds down and focus on the fun part. But I especially like the flag marshall….if that’s the right PC term.
On to this vehicle, the stripped-down A. It looks like fun too, although there’s not really much to it, what with the stripped-downness and the rust holes. No wonder it needs ballast to give the driving wheels some traction on the damp sand. It looks like a fun attempt at a recreation of a basic vintage rod, and the photos and auction presentation are terrific, but I don’t see myself getting as excited as the bidders are. The high bid is close to $10K and climbing.
Looks like great fun!