Body No. A5987981

This fascinating Ford hot rod, dubbed the "Unknown '31" for its anonymous builder, was discovered in a barn in rural Colorado by Bob Connors in the 1960s; Connors kept an eye on the Ford until 1989 when he was finally able to buy it. He subsequently sold it in 2006 to Gary Vahling, who eventually traded it to his brother Frank. Frank Vahling, in turn, sold the roadster to Greg Hopkins. With considerable grit, Mr. Hopkins drove it from Colorado home to Alabama – a five-day journey on two-lane roads.

The 1930 Model A roadster body is finished in its 1953 DeSoto Spring Green, or what remains of it, with a rumble seat converted into a trunk, cycle-style fenders that turn with the front wheels, exhaust exiting through the rear of the body, nerf bar-style grille guard and rear bumper. The Model T steering wheel is decorated with a Liberty dime, soldered on by a prior owner, and sits before a cleverly installed 1940 Ford dashboard with additional Stewart-Warner gauges and an Airline AM radio. The subtly vee'd windshield is clearly hand-made and of-the-period, with more recent visors and a 1950s sports car-style rear-view mirror.

Mr. Hopkins replaced much of the interior with correct vinyl upholstery with heat-pressed seats, and fitted new tires, belts, batteries, and other 'consumables.' Fitted under the hood was a new Vern Tardel-built 24-stud, 286-cu.-in. engine with a Cyclone intake manifold carrying three Stromberg 94 carburetors, exhaling through dual exhaust with Thrush mufflers and mated to a 1942 Lincoln overdrive transmission. Supporting it all is a 1931 Ford frame, fitted with hydraulic brakes, tubular shocks, dropped front axle, Ford rear axle, and wheels with Moon-type hubcaps and Firestone whitewall tires.

Featured in Rodder's Journal and as the cover car of Pat Ganahl's Lost Hot Rods II, the "Unknown '31" is sure to tempt any nostalgic, red-blooded hot-rodder.