1933 Ford Model 40 Standard Roadster

The quintessential hot rod automobile would have to be Ford's Roadster. Boasting of aggressive and evocative styling, the roadster remains the benchmark of the hot rod some eighty years later.

Simple, and yet, sophisticated, the Roadster was the ideal automobile for its time. Coming in a number of different styles, Ford's Model B suited nearly every American. Complimented by its V8 engine, Ford's buyers had the foundations of a whole different automotive genre.

Utilizing the modern construction methods of the day, Ford's Model B would be straight-forward, but with some intriguing touches. Compared to the 1932 example, the '33 Ford would have a stretched wheelbase and revised front grille. The pointed grille added to the look of the car and seemed to blend nicely with the flowing fenders and the rest of the car.

The look, and the simplicity of the design, made the Ford the perfect canvas for aspiring car tuners. Chassis 263309 would be a particularly intriguing example.

One would be hard-pressed to find a better example of the acumen of the Ford's abilities than chassis 263309. Originally purchased in '33 by Harry Warner, the Ford Roadster would be used on his honeymoon. However, it wouldn't be long before this symbol of a love and devotion would be tuned into a speed demon.

Warner had begun work with Lockheed Aircraft at the time of his buying the Roadster. However, Harry wasn't without aspirations of his own. Having met Wayne Horning, Warner would go all-in to help form Wayne Manufacturing.

Wayne Manufacturing would soon earn a name for itself producing 12-port cylinder heads. The men needed a means to test the cylinder heads. What better specimen than that which Warner had used on his honeymoon.

Quickly the two men went to work adapting and evolving the car making it a test bed. As with the day, the Roadster would soon become a regular at drag strips and in speed trials. These events were not about moments of pride as much as they were moments of real world development for the 12-port cylinder heads.

The Roadster would continue to be an important figure within Warner's sphere. All the way up into the 1970s, the Ford would be called upon to perform its test duties. When finally retired in the 1970s, 263309 would be passed to Harry's son Dan. Some fifteen years later, the car would finally leave the Warner family becoming the property of Bill Swanson.

Swanson's purchase of the Roadster in 1994 signaled the beginning of a decade-long restoration project that would include the input and help of many different and talented people. Art Hernandez, Art Chrisman and Pete Eastwood would all play a part in the car's restoration efforts.

True to the purpose of the restoration, Swanson would decide to return the car to original as much as possible. This would include replacing the engine with a correct Flathead V8 utilizing three Stromberg carburetors and Ardun overhead-valve heads to develop around 225hp.

The current owner would procure the Ford in 2003 and would give a further nod to history by acquiring a 12-port Wayne-head inline six-cylinder engine that remains with the car and its Flathead engine.

Featured in Hop Up in 1953 and then in Street Rodder in 2003, this quintessential Ford Roadster would be made available for sale through Gooding & Company's Arizona auction. Estimates prior to auction had the Ford drawing between $125,000 and $175,000. However, bidding for the car would be enthusiastic and the final sale price would be a very healthy and surprising $242,000.

By Jeremy McMullen