1922 Ford Model T C-Cab Delivery Truck Hot Rod

• This particular 1922 Ford Model T hot-rod is based upon a light-commercial C-Cab body and frame
• Extensively customised, re-built and modified by renowned Hot Rod emporium, Valley Gas Speed Shop of Andover
• Finished in House of Kolor ‘Burnt Orange’ with a custom mix of Goldflake and Deep Orange fogging, with contrasting sign writing
• The fabulous interior has also been completely refurbished and re-trimmed by Retro Trim UK
• Blueprinted 355ci (5.8-litre) V8 with an aluminium head and producing around 380bhp
• Fully featured and the Cover Car in November 2021’s edition of Custom Car Magazine

Widely regarded as the car that mobilised a nation, the Ford Model T - or ‘Tin Lizzie’ as it is often affectionately known - was first unveiled by Ford shortly after the turn of the century in October 1908, and utilised not only cutting-edge technology for its time, but was also one of the first instance of mass-production in the automobile industry, with fabrication being carried out on assembly lines, which both improved production volume and kept costs low for the consumer. Powered by a 20hp inline-four petrol engine designed for ease of maintenance, the Model T was initially introduced with Acetylene gas flame lamps for lighting, though these were replaced by magneto-powered electric lighting in 1915. Originally designed for personal transportation, the Model T was quickly adapted for light commercial use by using the same frame but with different body styles, whilst the heavy-duty Model TT truck chassis featured a unique worm-gear reef differential allowing lower gearing, making it better suited for heavy load-hauling. Thanks to their simplistic nature and incredible production numbers, the Model T (along with other early Ford vehicles) has firmly cemented itself in Hot Rod history, and remains a firm favourite amongst the community to this day.

This particular 1922 Ford Model T hot-rod is based upon a light-commercial C-Cab body and frame, and has been extensively customised, re-built and modified by renowned Hot Rod emporium Valley Gas Speed Shop of Andover. Interestingly, it would appear that this C-Cab was, in fact, customised twice. Having been through the first round of modifications, the car was subsequently sold, with the next owner having taken the vehicle back to Valley Speed Shop and given them free reign over the modifications and work, with a view to creating a truly astounding one-off C-Cab custom.The end result - as seen here - is nothing short of absolutely breathtaking, and the level of detail and craftsmanship that has gone into this build is clear to see. Evidently, we aren’t the only ones who think this, as the car was a cover feature in November 2021’s edition of Custom Car Magazine.

Mechanically, very little of the original 1920’s equipment remains. A custom box-section chassis was constructed, onto which a 10-bolt GM rear axle was fitted, hairpin mountings with 'Model A' springs, a Speedway Motors stainless-steel drop-tube front axle with chrome hairpins, QAI chrome shock absorbers and transversely-mounted chrome springs, and steering is provided by a Chevrolet Vega setup, connected to a Speedway motor and steering column. The engine was naturally upgraded to a blueprinted 355ci (5.8-litre) V8, featuring an aluminium head and producing around 380bhp, sending power rearwards via a TH350 Transmission and B&M 1800rpm torque converter. A full disc brake conversion has also been carried out, to ensure the vehicle is still able to stop safely with all the additional power. Specifically, the front brakes are a Speedway Motors setup, with vented GM discs, GM Calipers, with a GM 1” bore master cylinder mounted to a Kugel Components pedal assembly.

In terms of aesthetics, the bodywork has been finished in House of Kolor ‘Burnt Orange’ with a custom mix of Goldflake and Deep Orange fogging, with contrasting sign writing. The interior has also been completely refurbished and re-trimmed with cream and gold panelled trim, which was carried out by Retro Trim UK, along with the cream leather cushioned roof. There is also a custom-made Sercks radiator fitted to a Model T shell, T-bucket exhaust setup, LED-converted front and rear lights in reproduction Model T housings, and various Moon Eyes and Moon Equipment parts to give the vehicle a period-correct hot-rod look.

Built with no-expense-spared by one of the best-known Hot Rod outfits in the UK, this one-off, magazine-featured 1922 Ford Model T C-Cab would take pride-of-place in any American-themed or hot-rod collection, and will certainly turn heads wherever it goes.