• 

Tell your friend

Ford Model T Speedster 1922

General description : For nearly as long as the automobile has existed, owners have been tinkering with them to extract more speed, better handling, and reliability. Prior to the advent of mass production, automobiles were generally a luxury item and any customizing was done on a bespoke basis. However, once Ford’s ubiquitous Model T hit the scene, suddenly the market was flooded with affordable automobiles that could be tweaked, modified and adapted to just about any imaginable job. As the Model T’s popularity grew, so did the aftermarket that supplied tools and parts to service it. Fords were converted for use as farm implements, work trucks, sawmills, delivery vans and inevitably, racing cars. Pioneering petrol heads found numerous ways to extract more power, improve handling, and usability from the omnipresent T.

Decades before Colin Chapman “added lightness” to his Austin 7 to make the first Lotus, Model T owners were shedding weight by tossing away heavy factory steel fenders and bodywork and replacing them with lightweight and simplified speedster bodies. As the T evolved, so did the concept of the speedster. Early examples were simply cut down roadsters, while later examples got custom bodies designed to cheat the air and ditch the pounds. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, the Roose Manufacturing Company offered a wide variety of accessories designed to make life with a Model T a bit easier. Their main product offerings were practical items such as insulated hood covers, weatherproof coil box covers, and convertible tops. However, they did offer a handful of rakish speedster bodies named “Speed King”.

In addition to modified bodies, performance improvements could be made to a T with thanks to a burgeoning speed equipment industry. The leaders in the market were none other than the Chevrolet Brothers (Louis and Arthur) whose highly advanced Frontenac overhead valve cylinder head had proven itself in the “Fronty-Ford” by finishing in 5th place in the 1923 Indianapolis 500 mile race at an official average of 82.58 MPH; a remarkable achievement in the face of much larger and more powerful competition.

This fascinating little Ford Model T is a wonderful period piece, wearing a Roose Mfg Co. Speed King body that is accessorized with an array of period speed parts. The all-steel body is very rare and quite interesting, with an unusual custom grille shell up front, sweeping back to a close-coupled cockpit and a sharply tapered tail. The body is in solid, sound condition with heavily patinated white paintwork contributing to the fabulous character. The red chassis and black radiator combine for a wonderfully racy look.  The cockpit is spartan, with just enough room for a driver and ride-along mechanic.

The little T has some wonderful period speed parts that would have given it the "go" to match the "show". A Frontenac cylinder head greatly improving breathing, and an add-on water pump fitted to help keep things cool at the higher engine speeds allowed by the overhead valve setup. The engine presents in good order, and while it does run, it would need some attention to bring up to a more usable state. We are quite fond of this unusual and charming Model T speedster. It offers real rarity thanks to its period speed equipment and high-quality steel body, and it presents with a certain charming honesty that encourages enthusiastic use, whether around the block or around a vintage race paddock. It is sound and complete, and we could even see it prepared for vintage rallies – so long as the crew doesn’t mind the weather! Whatever the use, this is a fascinating piece of early American motorsports history that is sure to charm its next keeper.

https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/5889

1922 Ford Model T Speedster is listed sold on ClassicDigest in St. Louis by Mark Hyman for $58500.

People who viewed this Ford Model T also viewed similar Ford listed at ClassicDigest

Ford Model T

19900 $

Ohio

Ford Model T

21000 $

Tampa

Ford Model T

12 €

Emmerich

Ford Model T

43000 $

Tampa

Ford Model T

12000 $

Orlando

Other cars listed for sale by this dealer

AC Cobra 289

195000$

Missouri

Other Other

142500$

Missouri

Packard Twelve

139500$

Missouri

Ferrari Testarossa

159500$

Missouri

Ferrari 330 GTS

2275000$

Missouri

More