1931 Ford Roadster

1931 Ford Roadster

Handkerchiefs are believed to date back to China circa 1000 B.C. where they were used as head coverings to ward off the sun's harsh rays. In Roman times, the drop of a handkerchief signaled the start of a chariot race. In the Middle Ages, a knight would don his lady's handkerchief for good fortune in battle. Handkerchiefs varied in design from plain to exquisite. In the 18th century, handkerchiefs became signifiers of wealth, and King Louis XVI is said to have prohibited by law that anyone carry a handkerchief larger than his own. Hankies were often treasured possessions, and were also brought to street races, where just like the Romans that came before them, used the hanky to signify the start of a drag race on the old lake bed of the LA area.

For consignment, a modified 31 Ford Roadster come hot rod. An open cowl hood, shiny radiator cover, curvaceous fenders that are attached by the running board in the center, and a short truck bed rear showing with no top we are ready for the hanky drop.

ExteriorSatin black paint for this Brookville body, with an all steel extended cab, short bed that sports a wood floor. Upfront we see shaved bumpers, and a single headlight hanging on either side of the chromed radiator surround. The engine bay is open cowl so all the world can see the beautifully detailed and blinged out mill underneath the hood. Moving rearward we see a chromed windshield frame that has a rear-view mirror hanging off of either side. Curvaceous fenders wrap the 16-inch yellow painted wire wheels which are wrapped in front by 215/65R15's and ion back by larger 255/70R16's creating a nice stance and offset. In the center of the fenders is an aluminum and rubber covered running board keeping us in touch with the era. Bringing up the rear, we see a short bed which is lined with stained oak boards and shiny mounting ribs between each board. A satin black tailgate with a single round taillight in a satin black bullet styled casing on either side, and a black plate Cali license hangs below. I'm dreamin' now!

InteriorOpening the square doors, we see a full metal jacket in satin black for the door panels. The doors are utilizing an orange woven strap as the stop for the swing. The interior features a gray bench in broadcloth and a small black square pattern within the field of gray. This bench is nicely padded with some stitching to emphasize the padding. In front a black satin metal dash has a shiny chromed oval in the center where the white faced VDO gauges are housed. On each edge of the dash front is a diamond plate centered round vent. Hanging below the dash is another shiny diamond plate panel with toggles. A late model Buick vinyl steering wheel is on top of a Buick column with the ignition on its side, fronts the dash. All weather gray carpeting floods the floors and in the center a black knobbed Lokar shifter and tall stalk handbrake are seen.

DrivetrainSitting within that open cowl hood is a super shiny fully polished chromed valve covered 350ci V8. An Edelbrock 4-barrel carb atop and a shiny velocity stack with an air cleaner housing above. On back a TH350 3-speed automatic, and a Ford 9-inch 3.08 gear rear axle. Yellow wires snake to each cylinder and an electric fan helps keep things cool.

UndercarriageA custom job with a TCI square tube frame, black painted suspension and drive shaft, and polished coil over shocks, give it a good look from down under. Transverse leaf springs and a 4 link with coilovers is now installed for suspension. Power drum brakes for the woah factor, and headers come from the mill and exit stage right and left just prior to the rear fencers beneath the running boards.

Drive-AbilityThe majority of these hot rods one needs a shoehorn and combination lock with 2 pages of instructions to get into them. This one is easy in and easy out, starts right up and sounds awesome! It handled well, stopped on a dime, and had nice acceleration as well as a comfortable cruise. A retro look with modern performance. The tachometer was still during my test drive.

With the curved fenders and running boards framing wire wheels and drum brakes all painted yellow in contrast to the satin black fenders, and the rear short bed, this car has the look of hot rodding days of yore. It has the performance of a modern 350ci crate engine, which is shiny and has plenty of bling in contrast to the satin black. A beautiful build ready to go and show.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.