From Boise, Idaho comes this speed-o-licious 1924 Ford Model T-bodied custom. Like many hot rods, this one retains only part of its original equipment. The “Track T” represents the essence of hot-rodding. You won’t find another Ford exactly like this one, and the new owner can choose to keep it this way or change it however they want. With parts from the ’20s, ’40s, ’70s and more, this two-seater features a track nose, a modified ’48 Mercury flathead V8, and a later model C4 automatic transmission. Listed here on Barn Finds and also on Facebook, this rowdy custom can be yours for $12,000, reduced from $18,000. Any lower and it will sell for less than the sum total of its parts.
The 256 cid (4.2L) Mercury flathead V8 wears Offenhauser heads, and an Iskenderian cam flips the in-block head valves. Exhaust dumps straight into the atmosphere or (when capped) through dual exhaust. A Ford C4 three-speed automatic transmission chooses the gears on this open racer.
The “Idaho Chariots, Est. 1964” says it all; this sweet “T” would have raised the game of any ’50s or ’60s car club. The license plate reminds me of the Pharaohs or “Fay-rows,” a dubious car club in the 1973 cult classic car flick American Graffiti. The real Faros of Southern California were actually known to be fine upstanding citizens! The ’40 Ford front suspension represents a significant upgrade that would have been popular in the ’60s.
In addition to the steel wheels and Bonneville-style aluminum moonies, this Ford comes with a set of wire wheels and wide white wall tires, for a different and equally vintage hot rod look.
The Indianapolis 500-inspired aerodynamic nose distinguishes the “Track T” style custom. A “V8” badge announces the engine for anyone who missed the distinctive flathead exhaust note or failed to see the exposed engine from the sides. Though I don’t see turn signals, this roadster is street legal according to the seller. Are hand signals legal in all 50 states? Have you spent any time in a hot rod Ford?
Just needs the correct grill, also available from Speedway. Very cool build. Wish I had room in the garage!
My last ride in one of these T-Buckets without a windshield netted more bugs than fun. Like the TRs for sale here, you really feel free to have some fun with these rigs. Nice build. Agree on the grill. Maybe even a dropped axle, and a windshield.
“The 256 cid (4.2L) Mercury flathead V8 wears Offenhauser heads, and an Iskenderian cam flips the in-head valves.”
Uh, let’s parse this… so it’s a flathead with the valves in the head? Oooookay.
Thanks Evan. I was trying to point out the in-block valves and instead just used the wrong word and made it sound like a normal (modern) valve-in head motor. (Doh!) I have corrected that. If anyone doesn’t understand the design differences, check the pictures and description in this nifty article. https://www.enginelabs.com/engine-tech/engine/historic-engines-the-fabulous-ford-flathead/
I remember seeing cars like this in the auto mags I would read while my parents were shopping 60 years ago. The wheel covers make it a dry lakes warrior. Eye protection is a must. Yes, Pennsylvania required mastery of hand signals when I passed my car and motorcycle license tests. Most drivers today seem to know only one hand signal.
While growing up in the 1980’s, I had a neighbor who had one almost identical to this, without the numbers on the side. It did, however, have the small block Chevy engine in it.
I got to drive it once, as a 15 year old without my license.
This neighbor was a member of a certain notorious motorcycle club that has a chapter locally. He didn’t care much about the law or police.
I was walking home one Saturday afternoon from visiting my girlfriend. I saw the fiberglass bodied car parked outside a bar. As I walked past, Motorcycle Mike, as the neighborhood called him, poked his head out and he yelled for me.
He had seen me push my Mom’s car down the alley & drive away many times, so he knew that I knew how to drive. He asked me if I would drive him home. I said I would. Well, driving him home involved about a 4 hour drive. We drove all over the city that afternoon & evening, eventually ending up cruising the strip in that car with me at the wheel!
For a nerdy, lanky 15 year old gear head (back then I was very skinny, not at all like now lol), I was in heaven. The only thing that could have made the day even remotely better would have been to have Motorcycle Mike’s beautiful daughter Alanna at my side.
Mike & his family moved out quickly one night. There was a turf war between the Outlaws & the Hells Angel’s. There was a bomb & some bikers died. Mike fled within a couple days of that. I miss the man in spite of that. He was a great father figure when my Dad was off doing even worse things (for the other biker team).
For the record, I have no bike club affiliations. I prefer to get along with everyone!
Its technically an “L” head with all valves in block. I love it you did a great job! My first car a 49 Ford Custom. What a great car!
Man that thing has got to be LOUD uncapped in the cab. Great story Stevieg!
Thank you Leinie! I have had a really full life & have a lot of stories! I hope one day my kids & grandkids appreciate them, I also hope they learn from them lol.
Have a great day you all!
This T certainly has, what is called the track T look. Its a throw back to track T’s of the late 40’s and early fifties,that ran on the short ovals ,that were mostly used by midgets. As a little kid, I watched them with my Dad and my uncles, I thought they were the coolest race cars, I ever saw. There popularity was short lived for a lot of reasons. Then in the mid fifties, this kind of build started showing up on the streets, mostly influence by the Norm Grabowski car.
Anyway as you said at 12K , thats just about the cost of parts to build this car, if the Flat Motor is any good
When you sat the Pharohs from long Beach “were actually known to be fine upstanding citizens!” shows you didn’t grow up around them… those guys were Bad-A**es! Well respected for sure and for good reason. That “T” is ooozing with cool! The only thing I’d change is the banana hue… to Maroon or black. Very cool car!
My Dad owned and ran this car in vintage races and he bought it from the original builder /owner in Lake Stevens,WA. He noticed when I showed him the ad that the front bumper is upside-down and when that’s corrected the grill will fit much better.There are some handmade items missing (stone-shield & harness’?
Yup i thought that was the T your dad owned one of a kind