What you see here, once started out life as a factory-fresh five-window Ford Model A back in the 1930s. However, its current owner has transformed it into what is easily one of the coolest hot rods we've seen so far.
It's a monster not only for the way it looks but what it packs underneath that vintage body frame. This Ford is no rendering, although it did start out as one. This is a real-life hot rod with a Japanese twist to it, and some F1 treatment thrown in for good measure. Ideas don't get any crazier than this.
There are aero bits that hint that the owner wanted to go all out with the bodywork, but without taking away its vintage appeal. The huge wing at the back is a nod to Formula One cars, and so is the rear diffuser. This Ford Model A hot rod is one unreal JDM, F1 car under the skin - and we're going to dig deep into it to tell you what makes it so special.
This Ford Model A Hot Rod Is A Fusion Of JDM And F1
Ricky Boada, the custodian of this F1 rat rod, is proud of his idea - and very fittingly, can be seen driving around in Miami, in his car that's popular and unique enough to make it to television. It's been doing its rounds on the internet and has garnered a lot of interest. This Ford Model A has been chopped and turned into one, crazy machine. The owner points out that the body is made of metal.
While in his garage, he further states that the hot rod has gone through an engine transplant - and this is no big-block V8 that you'd find in a typical hot rod; it's an engine from the Honda S2000 sports car. It's not just the engine from the S2000; the hot rod uses the transmission, rear-end sub-frame, and rear brakes. So the hot rod has a lot of JDM components that complete it.
When Ricky bought the car, he could barely drive it, simply because it needed a lot of work. To him, it looked like something he definitely wanted when he saw it being loaded off the truck, but apart from driving it around the block, he didn't feel good about taking it elsewhere.
So he began restoring it to his taste, and he had to go through it bit by bit. That included the brakes, clutch, and the rest of it, so he could redo the whole project. His main intention to get this thing back on the road was to be able to drive it every day. He just wanted to have fun driving it around.
This Ford Model A Hot Rod Is A Passionate Build
Ricky is fascinated at the noises this car makes while it's on the move, with the turbos hissing, and the metal rubbing against each other - very raw and unfiltered. Something like a track car for the road. He believes all the weird noises add character to the car.
At the rear, the F1 hot rod features stock Honda S2000 suspension that has been slammed all the way to the bottom, despite which, according to him, it sits quite high off the ground, and that's because of the fat tires, almost 31-inches tall. It also comprises wheel sensors and ABS, all of which tell you it's running stock S2000 components.
The whole part that forms the rear wing and massive air intake, typical of a Formula One car, needs to be pulled backward to access some functional components - and it's a sight to behold. The trunk incorporates the gas tank and radiator, plus the S2000's suspension beneath it.
Miami is a place of culture - or to be more precise - car culture. He appreciates owning such a car and sharing his passion with a lot of people around. To access the engine up-front, the hood simply has to be removed and put aside, further revealing a tightly packed Honda VTEC engine. It looks like it's been crammed in, but fits nonetheless.
Taking The Ford Model A F1 Hot Rod For A Spin
To get into the hot rod, the steering wheel has to be removed, just like in most race cars or Formula One cars. Inside, you're seated with your knees up, and if you're tall, you've going to be uncomfortably crouching inside. The funny thing is, there are no seat belts.
Flooring the throttle results in a typical Japanese engine sound: rich, growling, and loud, but smooth, not snorting. Luckily for Ricky, Miami is a place that lets you modify your car without being stopped by the cops and arrested, for as long as it's registered. With the windshield half-opened, the breeze gushes into your hair.
The F1 hot rod gets a lot of attention when Ricky takes it out; in fact, even Ferraris and Lamborghinis are too common a sight in Miami.
Source: TopGear Via YouTube