When Indianapolis-based car builder Mike Spitzer needed some inspiration for a truly unique street rod, he didn't have to look far. His father, Ed, used to race Midgets and they were maintained in the garage at the family homestead. That being said, it was an easy choice for Mike to build the car as a tribute to his 90-year-old father and pay homage with a classic '27 Ford Track T that's resplendent in the elder Spitzer's familiar yellow and blue race car paint scheme and highlighted with "Ed's Garage" signage.
The car was built from the ground up at Spitzer Coachworks, incorporating a blend of classic and contemporary technologies. Mike, along with co-workers Joe Lodge and Brent Eversole, set about building the custom chassis from 2x3-inch, .187-inch wall rectangular tubing. The front suspension consists of a Super Bell 5-inch dropped tube axle with Pete & Jake's spindles, quarter elliptic springs by POSIES, and a pair of friction shocks fabricated by Mike himself. Steering is done using a Sprint Car Schroeder box topped with a Budnik steering wheel. Brakes are big, 11-inch Wilwood disc with four-piston clamping power. A pair of Wheel Vintiques Cruzer wheels wrapped in BFG rubber completes the frontend.
According to Mike, the most difficult part of the build was achieving the right stance and look, not always an easy task when combining classic and contemporary technologies. The Track T's rearend treatment-with a faux fuel tank, a Spitzer-fabricated 9-inch Ford rearend capped with a fake quick-change cover, Mark Williams axles, ladder bars, friction shocks, and a POSIES buggy spring-help attain the old-school goal. Fact is the fuel is carried in twin aluminum saddle tanks, with a 15-gallon capacity, positioned inboard of the framerails, while the tail tank is actually functioning as a trunk.
A 330-horse 350ci crate GM...
A 330-horse 350ci crate GM Performance Parts engine is used. We get both the go and the show under the hood with an Edelbrock intake and Barry Grant carburetor and Zoops dress-up parts.
Out back, Wilwood disc brakes provide the stopping power while the same Cruzer/BFG wheel/tire combo puts the power to the pavement. And speaking of power, a 350ci Chevy crate engine resides under the frame, and while Mike said a Flathead would be in its place if he had the chance to do it over, there's nothing like hopping in the modified and having 330 reliable horses at your disposal. An Edelbrock intake manifold sits below a Barry Grant 650-cfm carb, while everything inside the motor remains as GM Performance Parts intended. Dress-up items are provided by Zoops in the form of valve covers and air cleaner, while the spent gasses of the exhaust belch through coated Sanderson headers and out the stainless exhaust. The Mouse motor is backed by an equally reliable 700-R4 trans with a Lokar shifter doing the gear selection.
The 1927 Ford roadster body, complete with fully functioning doors, was built by Mike, along with the carbon fiber frame covers and aforementioned rear tank. The carbon fiber hood is from Zipper, while Mike and the gang fabricated the grille. The application of the DuPont Hot Hues blue and yellow paint was also done in house, while Freelance Graphic Decals did the graphics. Additional styling cues include C.W. Moss King Bee headlights, with state-of-the-art Lambert LEDs out back. Mike also fashioned a period nerf bar that has a large "S" in the center, ala Blackie Gejeian's Shish Kabob T roadster.
Inside, the roadster received the same amount of detail. Mike fashioned the dash out of carbon fiber and filled it with Haneline gauges to retain a classic look. Larry Snead upholstered the seats and door panels in red leather, while the seatbelts came from Juliano's. A wiring kit, supplied by Painless Wiring, provided all things electrical with a Powermaster alternator supplying the juice.
Now that it's all done, Mike and his wife, Karen, definitely have a unique roadster to take on rod runs-that is, if they can get it away from Ed and his cronies. Mike said he plans on leaving the T with his dad for a couple weeks so he can take some of his old buddies cruising. There's nothing quite like a hot-looking Track T to energize one's spirits and give fond memories of years of competition. Old number 33 does it in spades!
Inside the car, red leather...
Inside the car, red leather abounds on most all surfaces, save the floor and the dash where red wool and a pair of Haneline gauges reside.
A faux gas tank sits just...
A faux gas tank sits just above the rearend, where, when opened, reveals a storage compartment that also houses an Optima battery.
A housing cover with a quick-change...
A housing cover with a quick-change look disguises the Ford 9-inch rearend while adding a little sparkle as well. The stainless exhaust hangs below, while the chrome buggy spring and thin line Lambert LED taillights provide a safe warning to following traffic.
The crew at Spitzer Coachworks...
The crew at Spitzer Coachworks fabricated the grille, nose, and nerf bars. The inspiration taken from Sprint Car and midget racing is unmistakable from the nose and full hood to the Schroeder cowl steering and the rear nerf bars.