1927 Ford Model T

“I purchased the car back in 2020 from a NHRA member who imported it into this country back in around 2017, as a partially completed vintage hot rod project,” explains vendor, Richard Beales. “The previous owner to him had never got round to doing anything with the car, with it sitting in storage for a period of time”.

The body of the car is an original all-steel 1927 Ford Model T ‘Top Hat’ Coupe, which has been professionally roof chopped in the United States. “The body is very straight, with no filler or fibre glass, and has been finished in Cadbury’s purple.

“The chassis is Ford Model A, which has been professionally boxed with lightening holes drilled into it on both sides. The front axle is fitted with Ford Mustang front disc brakes, while the rear axle is a Ford 9” unit with Juice drum brakes.

“It’s fitted with a small-block Chevy V8 engine, attached to a 3-speed T350 automatic transmission. The car is running and driving but needs further fettling as it’s only had minimal use (just 40 miles) since completion”.

The full list of new parts fitted is extensive and includes:

• Front brake discs and pads

• Brake lines throughout and brake master cylinder

• Alloy radiator

• Electronic fuel pump

• Chrome front and rear shock absorbers

• Chrome water pump

• Chrome alternator

• Chrome pulleys

• Starter motor

• 750 Holley cfm carburetor with manual choke

• Inlet manifold

• Speedway headers with chrome pipes and mufflers

• HEI electronic ignition

• Alloy valve covers

• Chrome turned aluminium bulkhead and dashboard (with gauges)

• Wiring loom with battery isolator under the dashboard

• Battery and battery cables

• Alloy fuel tank

• Air cleaner

• Chrome chain steering wheel

• Chrome wheels, with Auburn tyres all round (at a cost of £3000 alone!)

• Bespoke wooden roof

• Bespoke seats finished in purple with two lap belts

• Handbrake setup and cables

• Front and rear chrome lights (headlights with indicators built in)

• Wood flooring

“It’s not a car to be in if you don’t like people stopping you and asking for pictures,” says Richard. “If you do, though…”

Completed in 2021, the Model T has always been stored in a heated garage. “I’ve been to a few shows but covered only limited mileage. I just can’t seem to find the time to use it and it seems like a shame for it not to be used.”

He says that there are still a few little jobs – no front windows in the doors, mudguards, bonnet, etc – that he never got round to doing, that need to be done, but other than that it’s pretty much complete.

There’s no doubt that this wild hot rod is, as those in the US of A are want to say, ‘one helluva thang’.

Now then, visually, this is a bit of a spectacular looking Hot Rod.

Its chop-top has memories of ZZ Top videos flooding into your mind when you look at it. Either that, or Wacky Races.

Finished in Cadbury’s purple, it has presence with a capital ‘P’. The engine bay is currently exposed, but the next owner could decide to have a bonnet (hood) fitted, if they wish. The side exit pipes are hugely evocative and allow the V8 to detonate its aural wares with aplomb. Up front, the headlights have integrated indicators.

“I had the chassis shotblasted, boxed and lightened, then primed and finished in dark red. New engine and gearbox welds were professionally welded in, with a new front grille added.

“The wooden roof is bespoke to the vehicle. My plan was to have a tonneau cover made to clip on, but I never actually got round to it”.

The Chrome wheels and Auburn tyres are stunning, which they should be given the £3k purchase price.

What a great looking ‘rod.

It’s no less enticing inside.

The bespoke wooden floor is a thing of beauty, as is the combination of the turned aluminium dashboard and gauges. A new wiring loom has been fitted with a battery cut-off switch under the dashboard.

The bench seat is a custom unit, also finished in purple, endowed with lap belts, and fixed to the floor. “I had it constructed and fitted to allow for my height, 6’4”, and build, not too slim, but it could easily be adapted for a shorter driver”.

From a safety perspective you will find a roll-over bar behind the bench seat, and a claxon horn so you can let all and sundry know you’re coming (as if the V8 won’t already do that!)

An elegant Lokar gear shifter is fitted, as is a hardcore looking chrome chain steering wheel.

Superb.

With the original engine seized, Richard replaced it with a 5.7-litre Chevy V8 and an accompanying 3-speed automatic gearbox from another car that he owned. “Both were in good serviceable condition, and I then fitted the engine with the all-new ancillaries listed above”.

Almost all fittings on the car are new. Other elements of note are that the front axle is a dropped tubed unit, and a manual steering box is fitted. “Again, the car starts, runs and drives, but will require final setting up to get it spot on”.

Given the level of work already carried out, that shouldn’t prove overly onerous. In fact, it will hopefully be the next owner’s pleasure.

The Model T comes with a nice history file that includes its V5c document, oodles of invoices (take your time to look through them and see the work that’s gone into this beast) and photographs of the build process.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been built to a high standard.

What a wild child of a build this hot rod is.

For visual impact we give it a 10 out of 10. It’s certainly a vehicle that will have those in traffic, bystanders and in fact, all, and sundry, dropping their respective jaws in equal measure.

Richard believes he has spent more than £15k in parts alone, and that’s before we get to the initial purchase price, and all the blood, sweat, tears and time he’s put into the project. A build like this is never going to give a full return on the fiscal outlay, which means that it’s the next owner that snaps up a bit of a bargain, all the while getting to enjoy the vehicle to boot.

If you’ve always fancied a hot rod, or even if this Model T has simply caught your eye, then this all-steel bodied beauty could be for you.

Hell’s bells, you could simply put it in your garage and nip in every now and again just to look at it.

Get it out on the road though, and that’s where the V8-flavoured hot rod fun will really begin.

We estimate this hot rod will reach anywhere between £12,000 - £15,000

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located at the vendor’s home in Polgate, United Kingdom; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.