Uncovering The Sins Of A 1940's Model T Dirt Racer

The time has finally come to dive into the Model T Roadster Racer project. This spring Matt and Steve mocked up the flathead 6 engine with the hood and track nose to get an idea how the car would have look back in the 40's. Today Matt and Steve are going to work on taking the roadster completely apart. The plan is to completely go through the frame and mechanicals to make it safer and more ergonomic to drive. Matt plans to take the roadster to both racing events and car shows, so the car needs to be comfortable!!
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[@leeroyholloway4277]

The connecting rods for the steering crossover are the purest form of shade-tree art. Gotta keep those.

[@Bbbuddy]

But check the Babbitt!

[@jongolliher3806]

Amen to that!......and also column drops.

[@ronpigg8352]

Matt, my wife's grandfather had a few race cars in Nebraska, probably after the war. He said they wanted the frame to flex so the car would handle better, since the "suspension" was so limited having a flexible frame let the car grip the corners better. A favorite story of his was a guy that cheated by illegally hopping up half of a flathead V8, he always let them tear down one side but got mad when they wanted to look at the other.

[@nboldrini]

It was great to see that the angle iron was once an old bed frame. I feel good knowing that I am not the only cheapster building my T roadster using them. : )

[@reneprovencher8395]

I’ve used bed frames too. It’s good steal and not flimsy. I still will load old bed frames into my truck!!!🤭😁🤣

[@edwardmartin3069]

Oklahoma dirt track racing was a wild scene back in those days... I crewed for my neighbor for a couple of years (1968-1969) running in the "hobby" classes at the Ada half-mile track. The old "Hobby Stock" class was your basic jalopy - we ran a 1934 Dodge Coupe with a 1955 Chrysler 354 Hemi. The class required any "stock body" with any "stock engine" but was restricted to a two-barrel carb. The rules changed for 1969. The old cars were out and purpose-built racers were used. Hand-built frames, fiberglass bodies with any straight-six, limited to 250 cubic inches and any two-barrel carb. A lot of the cars were recycled versions of older racers (like yours) with newer engines. We used a hand-built frame/fiberglass bodied coupe with a Chevy 230 bored out to just under the 250 C.I. limit with 4" pistons (the pop-up hi-compression versions from the 327 with 13.5-to-1 compression ratio), full-race cam and headers. The overlap was so extreme the engine would not idle at less than 1800 RPM. Initially we used the big 2-barrel off of a Chevy 292 six. The driver's father owned a large salvage yard and happened to find some 2-barrel carbs off an M48 Patton tank with venturis you could stick your fist through.. The car was wickedly fast. Bob won all of the short races (10 to 15 laps) but lost all of the longer races over 20 laps because he could not drive well in traffic. He would get bogged down and the better drivers would eventually pass him... It was great fun for a motor-head college kid... The older racers like yours were very competitive in this class because they were so lightweight and nimble. A good driver could hold his own against the newer cars... Bob gave the old Dodge to his buddy who put a 413 Chrysler engine with the dual-4 barrel outboard cross-ram manifold. The carbs hung out almost to the front wheel line. Scary-looking engine. Ran like a scalded banshee....

[@jeffshimek5477]

That perforated metal under the steering wheel is an old grinder screen out of a feed grinder. Readily available in rural areas, they used what they could get ahold of very well! Great project guys!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Good eye!

[@johnjenkins8782]

Yes it is.

[@waynespyker5731]

The screen is character of the racers build, should be retained if doesn't suck track dirt and grind into the driver's face. If so use a sheet metal belly pan typical of a period track roadster.

[@CapnBubbaa]

Another Great project in the making...

[@georgeparker7409]

Just another note from an "OLE CIRCLE BURNER". These 6 cyl FORDS had much better torque coming off a corner especially on a short track. These are the ones that would actually lift the left front wheel. I remember seeing one at the Old Palmetto Speedway in Florida that could actually run with the V8's some where around 1962 or so. Maybe some one else remembers?????

[@michaelguinn5736]

Morning Matt & Steve, never fails to amaze me that you have enough parts squirreled away to build these cars!! That flat head six popper will have it's own unique sound!! Be safe!! God Bless!!!

[@jongolliher3806]

Several roadsters had good luck with them on the 14 mile tracks because they were really torquey. My dad ran one in a "stocker" at Sun Valley speedway at Anderson Indiana for several years. He and a buick straight 8 were most frequently the cars to beat.

[@andrewweston2253]

See you on the dirt with the EMMR crew!!

[@matthewfocke5360]

The Roadster is a wonderful piece of history! I love how you save historic cars. Your engineering plans sound like you'll be replacing mechanical transgressions with a sound and purposeful build. Thanks for sharing.

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

This car checks all the boxes, cool, fast and scary.

[@waynespiteri122]

Bring it back to life Matt, this will be very cool to see.

[@johnjenkins8782]

When the old race day posters said "come see the death defying racers". They weren't exagerating.

[@stevenkarnisky411]

Never seen one of these racers taken apart. Quite interesting! That car will look good on the street! Glad you are thinking along those lines.

[@kennethelliott9092]

There is a book titled "Roaring Roadsters" by Don Radbruch, 1994, which depicts the history of the roadster racecar racing which virtually spanned the entire country in the late 40's early 50's and was the predecessor to the popular rage of jalopy racing.

[@robintees8516]

That rear end is probably 50 Merc axles and brakes. There was an article in either Rod and Custom or Hot Rod that went through the process of converting a banjo to drop in axles. Works well. Did it on my brothers T modified 20 odd years ago.

[@glennreach6930]

That cockpit tub reminds me of an old boiler part. Can't quite put my finger on it.....just too many years ago.

[@glennbelldc1651]

fun i love old racers.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

The go pedal is well right because you have gearbox between your legs. Hand operated clutch would be the go. Dont box it, they are supposed to twist as the suspension doesnt work

[@randomyank7777]

I was wondering what became of that old racer ! That one just got more interesting , the deeper you dug ! Some of the stuff they did back then was ingenious , some was scary , & all of it was interesting . The Franklin steering column was the shocker for me . Those were nice cars in their day . The connecting rod perches made me laugh , but hey , it worked . The racer should look pretty good in all blue like the cowl . A wonderful example of American racing history there . Thanks as always for sharing , Matt ! I never get tired of the stuff you gents find & fix back up !

[@dewanitheriault3372]

Use what you got!!!

[@terryeustice5399]

This old dirt track racer will be a interesting build. With the improvements your planning. Thanks for sharing!

[@paulfox3532]

There's got to be a fine line to walk in order to maintain historically perfectly shitty, while still making it safe-ish and easy to drive. I'm looking forward to seeing how this one turns out

[@trevorrennebohm6488]

I'm excited for this one I love anything and everything early ford but I'm also huge vintage race car fan! Can't wait to see the progression.

[@pinwizz69]

Right away it's obvious how much easier it is for Matt and Steve to work around the shop with all the free space they now have. This looks like it's going to be a very interesting modification and restoration series on this old oval track racer. A real "blast from the past" bought back to life. Happy Thanksgiving to Matt, Mike, Steve and your families. May the food be delicious and belt buckles loosened safely.

[@brunocoutant4204]

This project is similar to the Bennet's kustom project in austrelia. Nice. Bruno from France

[@outfitsgarage88]

Very cool 😎 car.

[@jongolliher3806]

Hey Matt! Glad that you are going with a tranny. Then you can run TROG and HAMB drags as well as still be good for vintage oval racing meets. They really don't race very hard, mostly just for exhibition and enjoyment of driving the cars. With tranny much easier to fire it up when you want instead of wait for a push start also. My father took me regularly to Mutual roadster racing after the war at the Funks speedway at Winchester Indiana. I learned to love racing and hotrods beginning at 4 years old and never stopped. Then when my dad started racing hardtops I began being a Ford and flathead lover! Enjoy that Roadster and thanks for the videos Matt!

[@hdvette64]

Drags at the Allentown fairgrounds!👍

[@hotrodmyk]

The flattie 6 is so cool. Interested to see what you find out about it.

[@1954shadow]

Hot Rod forensics.

[@johnbehneman1546]

GREAT VIDEO MATT!!! I LOVE THIS PROJECT. PLEASE KEEP US UPDATED ON YOUR PROGRESS!!! THIS TRACK T IS VERY INSPIRATIONAL!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!

[@karenkress8775]

Thanks for saving another one 😎

[@patireland3345]

Looking forward to this project. Have thought for some time that a track car would be fun. What you do to make this one safe will be informative. Do not forget hillclimbs, autocross, circle track (dirt and asphalt), vintage road race, open road racing, beach sand racing with the gentlemen/ladies, and that silly pastime called drag racing. You might even try a rally, but do not forget the Wednesday night cruises

[@craigcaggiano431]

Another ITG classic vintage race car .. really going to enjoy this resto-rebuild Matt.

[@sogdal1]

Very cool car, I always like how you take time an describe the original build according to your vast knowledge. thanks.

[@donhoughton271]

Very cool car

[@GoodTimeBikes]

This is going to be an awesome build.. fantastic choice! 👍🏼

[@mattewiegand9896]

No clutch on some of these racecars! The balls on those guys, pure testosterone!

[@tombrewsaugh1399]

Most sprint cars and many modified running today have no clutch. They're push started in gear.

[@mattewiegand9896]

@@tombrewsaugh1399 The more ya know. Thanks for sharing.

[@waynespyker5731]

@@tombrewsaugh1399 or trans, clutch, battery or starter. A 410 crank will mount the universal directly to save static and rotary weight. Push Truck

[@garyburgmylifeandtimes6354]

I definitely like your plans for the future of the car. Max exposure and giving it the ability to retrace its racing roots is fantastic!

[@allensmith9012]

This is just me but I would find, if you don't already have, another T frame extend the wheel base about 4 to 6 inches to have room for the carbs, and patch the cowl and rework and extend the full hood . I can see this beautiful blue nostalgic track T with a race history being driven to the street.

[@ralphhammond8398]

Hey guys, enjoyed watching the video on the old race car, can't wait to see the progress on the build...Ralph

[@johneldred4060]

Thanks Matt another cool project . This one looks like it will be fun.

[@tombot007]

Another fun and interesting project! Look forward to seeing this build…I hope you make it street able with the racer look.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Man I gotta ask dad if grandpa was into this,he was into cars and even got a surplus piper cub after the war. I know he had a 55 or 56 tbird with the dual 4 setup, so he was into this stuff a little. Like I wonder if he hung out with a few buddies and helped em build something like this. What a time ,you just get back from the war and need that excitement, so let's drag an old wreck out of the backyard and fix it up a little and go racing at the local horse track. At least that's what pops said ,pretty much any small town had a horse track within the area and the boys would run cars there.

[@macbetula6926]

Brakes just slow you down, who needs them 🍺

[@mikec6892]

Very cool history made fun and interesting thanks Matt.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Pretty cool car Matt, I am glad you guys went and saved it

[@chuckb9867]

I'm going to love this build I like the street strip idea I hope you guys do an in-depth engine build video on this I have a six that I need to rebuild and it's great watching you guys do it I realize it's going to the Machine Shop still would like to see a nice video no moon helping today I miss him

[@lloydbaker7099]

Great content great idea for the build

[@rayvernon3534]

They would run a left front brake only .So when braking in the turns it would pull you down to the inside of the track.

[@andrewlevine8816]

Cool flathead 6 should be more of them in hot rods.

[@Ecosse57]

a nice candidate for that banger you've been holding onto.

[@markstopkey4085]

I didn't know Ford made a flathead inline 6! And I've been around cars since 1958

[@g.o.b.2558]

In 1906, the first Ford straight-six was introduced in the Model K. The next was introduced in the 1941 Ford

[@steveclark4291]

Cool really looking forward to seeing this Hot Rod Race Car come back to life ! Thank you Matt and Sreve for sharing this with me ! Wishing all of you and your families a great Thanksgiving !

[@jamesarnold998]

Cool race car! Ya, definitely keep it original as possible. Be great to see the progress!!! 👍🏁

[@johngrepo9976]

Matt,if i had a place like yours,my wife would probably never see me!

[@cowboychevyschneider]

Good morning keep the great work hope you have a great week

[@johnkranz4004]

That’s going to be a great build Matt Can’t wait for round too

[@ralphoard3187]

Have a happy Thanksgiving 😊 😃

[@MrPedix2c]

Matt This is a really cool project, what a great old car. looking forward to see it in races, maybe even to my area for the "The Race Of Gentlemen " in Wildwood.

[@jeremyjamison3106]

makes sense it would be called the bluebird special as the state bird of Missouri is the bluebird

[@frankjones4094]

Another kool build. 100% agree with you retaining the identity of the cars you guys do. By the way,what happened to the shop truck?

[@stevenbrowningsr1144]

It should look great on a trailer behind the shop truck.

[@tombrewsaugh1399]

I was wondering what happened to this car. Glad to see you starting working on it. I really enjoy old race cars being saved and used. Just wish I lived in your area I'd love to help out with this one. I know it's a long way off but I hope when making it street legal you can find a way to make the lights less obtrusive or noticeable.

[@thomasbaker9332]

Streetcar - COOL - !!!

[@robertjean659]

Should be a fun build. 🇦🇺🇦🇺👍👍

[@chaseman113]

Perfect video title

[@shotsrodder]

Cool build 😎

[@NeilABliss]

Streetable...yeah..... with the straight six please.

[@timlowery7156]

Nice to see an I6 join the stable. Your part of the world often used big steel wheels from farm implements for roll over "protection" on their track cars. Might want to change out that one you took off for the ultimate regional look!

[@glengrant3884]

SWEET!!💙💚💥AUSTRALIA!!

[@charlesgraham9954]

i love all things 30s

[@brettmiller9609]

This one is screaming for a wrap.

[@Cougracer67]

I believe that front suspension setup was called a "suicide" suspension because if that cobbled up spring mount broke, bad things happened as directional control was lost.

[@waynespyker5731]

Suicide? Used to lower early Ford's, also named for the results by moving the tierod in front of the axle violating the Ackerman (locking the steering when making a hard turn at speed).

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

👍👍👍👍

[@lbindert]

Man, you HAVE TO restore this but keep its spirit. Restore it as it was built (but safer). Don't go over the top.

[@wolfgangricky]

Wow, wow just Wow. Wonder how they didn't twist that frame when running. That suckers in good hands now. Looking forward to seeing this build. Ty for taking us along

[@waynespyker5731]

Early Ford frames were constructed of vanadium steel engineered to provide flex and twist without cracking of breaking.

[@billphilip3804]

It was common to use Mercury axles and brakes and weld up the spiders

[@waynespyker5731]

Shades of the 1962 built #88 Bud Grimm Baltimore based '30 Ford coupe which ran between there and Reading. Originally on a stock frame, exposed Thunderbird vlave covers and an angled one piece toad sticker sreering shaft from the left front corner to the steering wheel! From a winter rebuild construction photo album a new z'd 30 inch wide frame was welded from rust free T frame sections, the body was narrowed accordingly, top chopped 4 inches, length vertically sectioned 3 inches through the quarter window and channeled to cover the frame. Discovering the rear weight jacker reminded me of driver Neil Haight's statement over the winter the 390 became a 427 and the rear spring was cut to form 2 quarter elliptical springs so each side could be jacked independently doubling the wins in 1964 than the prior year.

[@gordonstroup882]

Oh, is this for dragstrip racing or for dirt track, going around and around? I can't believe there's absolutely no crossmembers on that frame at all. My gosh, how did the frame not twist? Amazing what people would do to get an edge on making their hot rod lighter than a competitors hot rod. I'm so used to the torque and horsepower of more modern engines, starting in the mid 60's. My first hot rod was a 1972 Chevy Vega station wagon with a 1965 Corvette 327 V8 and a 4 speed transmission. It also had a narrowed 12 bolt rear axle with 5:13 gears. Lots of torque and horsepower in a tiny, light car. Fun as all get out though. Looks like y'all will have your hands full for a while with this one, but we all know that you will make it better, safer and bad assed too. Great show Matt. Thanks for sharing, and be careful. Geez, I thought that the front strap on the body, when you had it up in the air, was going to slip when you were under it. OUCH would have been the word of the day! So glad that it all came apart safely. Take care.

[@Bbbuddy]

What can you do with an old dirt track racer? Never intended for the street. Maybe vintage racing or display?

[@joealbert7773]

Dirt cars typically have one brake on the left front to help get the car turned into the corner on a slick track. Most don't run a brake on the right front unless you are running on asphalt.

[@Bbbuddy]

Super lightened flooring

[@jonlennon3348]

You should check out the electric chain falls at Harbor Freight. They are actually cheap.

[@tdeje]

I want that shirt you are wearing at the end !

[@IronTrapGarage]

Old Eastwood shirt I’ve had for 10+ years!

[@ruicorreia9179]

You guys need to set up a racer for the race of gentlemen

[@g.o.b.2558]

Also hot rod hill climb in Central City Colorado.

[@charlesmdoc]

be careful, you wouldn't want to scratch the paint!!

[@bensonsspeedshop1191]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@handyhippie6548]

this is definitely what you would call a creative use of components. it was really light that's for sure. not much more than an adult sized go cart really.

[@ralphoard3187]

What happen to your shop truck 🚚 did you sell it 🤔

[@williamcoiner6019]

Super sketchy. Love it. Racers were definitely dare devils back in the day.

[@reneprovencher8395]

Oh god who was the welder? Some of that is really scary and sketchy. 😮🥵I love hearing about all this stuff too!

[@dennisschickling2249]

Nice Video. Have a GREAT Thanksgiving. #STAYSAFE #PHILLYPHILLY 🇺🇸

[@SnowDawg]

HOT ROD MOUSE!!! Was that a mouse escaping from the nobody shell at 6:16? and running to the bottom left corner of the screen I bet that little furry guy would have some cool stories to tell! Sno Dawg

[@gregpiecuch3802]

I don't know if it's possible to make that cobbled up T safe. Might be better off as yard art.

[@g.o.b.2558]

🤣 Heck no...

[@markgriffin4888]

All repairs to be welded using a "stick" welding machine!!!!!! No tig no mig , we'll see how good you are 😂😂😂

[@nboldrini]

Do you know the original number painted on the car?

[@stevemonkey6666]

A very interesting project with some sketchy engineering. Hopefully you can fix the problems and give this vehicle a new life. I would like to see you guys actually racing it in a race 👍

[@TrashcanGarage]

Sketchy Engineering. That would be a cool name to letter on the side of a shop truck

[@tomellis7637]

At around 16:40 you were prying on it...... was that a flat file you were using as a prybar?