Tom Spade
Redding, California
1927 T Roadster
Tom Spade built his first '27 T in the late '50s/early '60s, drag raced it with the Shasta Roadsters Club in Redding, California, then turned it into a show car, placing Second in class at the Oakland Roadster Show in 1962 or 1963. Featured in this very magazine in the early '60s, it ran a 292 small-block Chevy and '39 Cad trans, set in a boxed original chassis along with a Halibrand quick-change. Painted '57 Pontiac Bonneville Cherrywood, and with owner-built headers, the full-fendered roadster was a very cool car in its day. Tom tried to buy it back but it wasn't available, so a few years ago, he did the next best thing-built another.
Not strictly a recreation, the latest version is more user-friendly and driveable, again with a small-block, but this time a ZZ4 GM crate engine, backed by a 700-R4 trans and Currie 9-inch axle. However, the full-height windshield, full fenders, American Torq-Thrust D wheels, and chromed T grille shell all hark back to Tom's previous roadster. California Custom Roadster built the chassis, which likely goes a long way toward that improved driveability over 40 years after that first T!
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