The whole hot rod world is probably familiar with the Devil Deuce-whether it's the long-lost original from the '50s, or Jim Jard's more recent tribute to the famous five-window built by Joe and Jay Kennedy.
This obviously isn't that car, but it is another (one of the latest) in Jim's Houston-based corral of vintage early Fords. He had owned this '31 roadster all of two weeks when it stopped me in my tracks at the L.A. Roadster Show in June, but in that short period of time, he had managed to make some remarkable modifications. Jim managed to capture the early era of hot rodding, while still loading up his Model A with elements that, although right-on era-wise, would've been as interesting and unusual then as they are now. We didn't have room in the magazine to show you more than one photo, so here's our chance to give you a better look.
Retaining the splash aprons...
Retaining the splash aprons minus the fenders and running boards would not have seemed unusual 50-plus years ago, but would have identified the roadster as a true hot rod-driven with fenders on the street, and stripped down out at the dragstrip. The Guide headlamps would probably have been the next things removed.
The interior is period austere....
The interior is period austere. The gauges, including the underdash tach, are the only sign that we're not in the '50s.
The Flathead engine is backed...
The Flathead engine is backed up by a '39 Ford transmission and a Model A rearend.
Reed Friction shocks are perfect...
Reed Friction shocks are perfect for the Model A.
Firestone bias-ply tires spin...
Firestone bias-ply tires spin on '39 rims with original hubcaps.
The dual Stromberg 97s sit...
The dual Stromberg 97s sit on a Thickstun intake with a Thickstun air cleaner on top. The aluminum covers on the Flathead are also Thickstun, but a marine application designed to keep out water.
The vintage Wico magnetos...
The vintage Wico magnetos are packed with up-to-date electronics; nothing looks cooler that cloth wire covers.
This roadster has never been...
This roadster has never been to Bonneville (as far as we know), but Jim Jard has been to the Salt Flats-and to the dry lakes-numerous times with other cars, and is a member of the 200 MPH Club.