1926 Ford Roadster

As cars evolved, so did the propensity to want to modify them to make them go faster, handle better, and be less comfortable! This was the early days of hot rodding and the beginnings of the souped-up car taken from stock manufactured cars of the day. Adding a souped-up engine which means the in case of horsepower for an engine borrowing from the term in horse racing which meant to inject a horse with a narcotic to make them run faster. “That horse will run like hell, as it's been souped up”

A “souped” up 1926 Ford Roadster made from the front half of a touring sedan. Some dropper front axle and big Buick drum brakes, an aluminum hood strapped with leather hold downs, a leather bench for the interior, and wire wheels. Named the MAC special and sporting 7B on its small metal doors. Running this car at high speed and you are literally letting it all hang out!

Exterior
Looking much like a version from Ford of the old record holder Fiat so named “Mephistofeles” we are now low and no way slow. The tub and front cowl remain and are painted satin black. A louvered cowled hood in aluminum for some weight loss is literally leather strapped around the engine compartment. A satin back radiator surround leads the way, and in top of the radiator surround is a Mercurial shape looking like it was fashioned by the wind. There are some red pinstripe flourishes painted in the surround just for extra giggles. Even the radiator core is painted red. Headlights are round and chromed at their edges and the dropped front suspension is capped off with wire wheels also in red, wrapped by racing rubber treaded tires. On the back is a black steel tube roll bar which protects the fuel tank but certainly not your head in the case of a roll over!

Interior
In the tub is a curved tuck and rolled leather bench back with dual bucket seats sitting firmly on the floor. Door panels remain their bare black metal and are loaded with stickers of yore. The floor of the tub is covered with a black rubber material, and we see the long Lokar shifter reaching for the pilot's hand on the driver's right. In front the dash contains all the necessary gauges bordered by more red painted on flourish pinstriping. The original wheel is fronting this dash and it has an aftermarket tachometer mounted to the column. The front glass is framed on either edge with metal and has a rear view mirror mounted on the dash on a chromed stalk. 3-point racing belts are on the bench for added safety?

Drivetrain
A 350ci V8 from Chevrolet is shoehorned under this hood and is easy to wrench on due to the fact the entire hood lifts off. On top is a 4-barrel carburetor, and a 700R4 4-speed automatic is on back. There is a Winters quick change rear attached for the rear drive axle.

Undercarriage
Extremely clean and not rusty for this solid chassis. It is made up of an original Ford frame modified with suicide front and Z at the rear, and an X frame member in the center. Buick drum brakes are in front and back and are oversized. Transverse leaf springs are the simple suspension.

Drive-Ability
This racer rod fired right up and off to the test track. It's a bit of a hair-raising ride but ultimately a smile comes out when you feel low to the ground, look over the shiny hood with the wind in your hair, and letting the car go through its gears. All worked and handling and braking was good.

An interesting racer rod with a newer engine and older body styling. A near perfect frame and these large brakes suggest it stops in a dime, but they are definitely needed when you come around the bend going 75!

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.