This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever - Jalopnik Comments

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

skierpage — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 06:29:43 EST

Another MAT project on page 3:
1977 Lotus Esprit Turbo "Submarine" ex James Bond
!!!!!

Fantasy garage, meet reality garage.

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Gaseous Clay — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:40:33 EST

Stunning. Seeing the shop photos only reinforces my absolute disdain for Boyd Coddington [naked emperor, red-ass extraordinaire exposed to the world by his own TV show].

Gaseous Clay

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

dohcspit — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 04:08:11 EST

@Shapeshifter:
Picture 175 here [www.mat.fi] (you have to type "go to picture" their damn flash gallery doesn't allow direct linking) seals the deal for ultimate sleaperdom

"The secret misfire switch. Sounds like original model A engine."

dohcspit

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Shapeshifter — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:42:11 EST

@Tanshanomi:

I agree. This is the ultimate sleeper. There can be no other!

The best part is how it's an anonymous Finnish rally driver who did this.

Shapeshifter

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

aaron x — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:27:12 EST

This MAT shop deserves a TV show. Does anyone from the Discovery Channel or Speed read this blog? Hello?

aaron x

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

thunder — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:16:32 EST

This car is awesome, but "more modern suspension" is kinda relative; what was the last automobile (aside from 4x4's and trucks) to have a solid front axle?

@LTDScott: Just Wow. As awesome as that Model A is, mat.fi (the speed shop) is awesomer still. Did anybody else drool over the resurrected '72 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona they have for sale? Wow. And only 265,000 euros.

Here's a thought; as an addition to the Jalopnik Fantasy Garage, MAT should be inducted as a Jalopnik Fantasy Mechanic/Speed Shop/Something; one of the few shops able to bring our twisted automotive fantasies into reality. Oh for the unlimited time, skill and money to create art the way they create art.

thunder

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Number_Six — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:55:06 EST

Monstrously dangerous. Awesome.

Number_Six

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Mark Miller — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:44:13 EST

Looks like an average "A",
sounds like...
WTF?,
a rally car?!
does . not . compute
Rebooting...

Mark Miller

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

dohcspit — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:56:04 EST

Wow. Do want!

@propstrike: Theres a bit on the dyno at the of the video on the page you linked:
[www.mat.fi]

So how many points does this earn on the jalop scale ?
4-Cylinder : 0 points
Longitudinally mounted: 25 points.
Normally aspirated: 0 points
2-doors: 25 points. Screw practicality.
Rear-wheel drive: 25 points.
5: Engine Location Front: 0 points
Manual: 20 points. And good for you.
7: Country of Origin Mixed origin: 100 points
161- 270 hp: 5 points. Not too shabby.
Pre-WWII: 100 points. And we tip our collective cap at you.

A cool 300.

dohcspit

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

propstrike — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:25:04 EST

Was on the HAMB about a year ago.

propstrike

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

propstrike — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:13:56 EST

Kari Makela is the mad Finn. Bad mamma jamma. Had seen a chassis dyno video of this a while back, but can't find it. More info on this A and other stiffeners here

[www.mat.fi]

propstrike

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

TR3-A — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:58:24 EST

I think there is something in the Finn's water.

I remember reading a while back that the one country in the world that has more successful Formula 1 drivers per capita than any other is Finland. I'm tellin' ya, it's the water.

TR3-A

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Euromobile — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:14:38 EST

Magnificent.

Euromobile

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

TrikeKid — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:12:31 EST

4 Point Harnesses...and throw pillows, nuff said.

TrikeKid

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Jon — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:08:05 EST

Total crap, I sent this in to tips@jalopnik.com the day after Christmas.

I also sent this one in back at the beginning of December:

Snowmobiles made from cars
[www.darkroastedblend.com]

Jon

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Paul Y. can't think of a better, shorter handle — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:44:15 EST

@TheAstronot: Tell me about it. I'd have a whole warehouse dedicated to horrible/awesome vehicles, filled with Citroens, old Toyotas, and all manner of things that aren't really meant to be fast.

Paul Y. can't think of a better, shorter handle

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

TheAstronot — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:20:30 EST

Oh if I only had a million dollars I would have me some ridiculous vehicles much like this one.

TheAstronot

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Tomsk the red-nosed reindeer — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:20:02 EST

I can haz cognitive dissonance?

This has officially ruined me for any subsequent A-bone street rods I will see in my lifetime. I hereby nominate that thing's creators for the Nobel Prize in Rad.

Tomsk the red-nosed reindeer

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

B-town — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:17:31 EST

That would record a very high score on the how Jalopnik is your vehicle test. Who owns it though? I'm guessing Tommi Makinen. Thoughts?

B-town

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

volksdragon — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:40:18 EST

whoops.. already posted

volksdragon

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Muttonchops — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:31:13 EST

That's a pretty sweet steampunk WRX...

Muttonchops

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

chrystlubitshi — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:30:29 EST

but i must let it be known...

i'd drive that bitch everywhere..... i think i'd even retro-fit a hand crank to the front end.... just for my own personal pleasure... after intentionally stalling it at every red light i came up to a 'r(a/i)cer' w/...................

oh the funfilled possibilities

chrystlubitshi

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

volksdragon — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:28:47 EST

no youtube link yet?

[youtube.com]

volksdragon

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

chrystlubitshi — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:25:31 EST

i hate..... though am somewhat happy to make the new title... for lame play on words that it is 'FAST back TO the FURIOUS future'

may i forever live in lame comedy hell...

aaaauughh.. the laughter burns... it burns!

chrystlubitshi

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Tanshanomi — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:52:46 EST

If the Rotus gets honorary JFG status, so should this.

Tanshanomi

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

TurboBrick — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:47:53 EST

@PeteJayhawk: Long winters, no neighbors to give you dirty looks, plenty of old farmhouses with empty barns to stuff your project in and the price of booze has been going downhill in the recent years.

The car hobby scene over there is really trippy. People slog through the winter in their gray Corollas and around April - May the project cars start emerging from their hibernation. Go visit Helsinki on a Friday night in the summertime.

TurboBrick

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Ipschnug — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:41:42 EST

@discontinuuity: Somebody else from Mines? God help us all! I was thinking the same thing when p161911 brought up the ramblin' wreck.

This Cosworth done up old time-like is ten tons of awesome, and yes, it does belong in a t-bucket.

Ipschnug

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

anaxomander — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:14:27 EST

Sweet fancy moses.
As much as I want that car, I must admit I'd feel safer driving a Se7en. Or my motorcycle. Or a Suzuki Samurai. Improved suspension sounds great, but what about the brakes? What about the center of gravity? Obviously none of that matters to the mad Suomi genius behind this baby. And clearly, I'm no badass.

anaxomander

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Paul Y. can't think of a better, shorter handle — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:08:56 EST

@NICKNICK: That is probably the best idea Jalopnik has ever given any of us.

That said, this is a fantastic car.

@FreeMan: Seasonal Affective Disorder makes you do really stupid/crazy things.

...and drink. Mostly drink.

Paul Y. can't think of a better, shorter handle

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

racerx — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:57:47 EST

@LTDScott:

Those pictures are incredible. I can't believe how thorough these guys were with the work that they did. That link should really be in the original post.

racerx

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

FЯeeMan is slowly cЯawling out of the new commenting system — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:56:36 EST

@PeteJayhawk: Very far north = long periods with limited sunlight. Drink or go nuts. Either lead to said automotive, ummm, creativity.

FЯeeMan is slowly cЯawling out of the new commenting system

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

htrodblder — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:55:44 EST

Carroll Shelby, The early years

htrodblder

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

bugattatra — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:49:16 EST

Best part is the misfire switch that even makes it sound like an old A.

bugattatra

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

racerx — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:47:07 EST

Holy crap does that sound good, albeit the complete opposite of what one would expect.

racerx

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

discontinuuity — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:42:18 EST

@p161911: That's nothing. My school (Colorado School of Mines) has an ass (donkey, that is) named Blaster for a mascot. Plus, we totally ripped off your fight song: [oia.mines.edu]

As for the the car, Model A's have always been cool in my book, although I would rather have a chopped, fenderless hotrod with an early Hemi. I saw this one a couple months back on the Jalopy Journal, and it's just as cool now as it was then.

discontinuuity

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Pete Gaines — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:39:36 EST

What is it with Finnish automotive mad scientists?

Pete Gaines

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

P161911 — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:30:25 EST

I still want to do a Model A Georgia Tech Rambling Wreck replica with either a Cosworth DFV or a Ford 427 OHC. This is something along the same lines.
The hot rod to build when I get more money than sense.

Yes, I went to a school that has a car as a mascot.

P161911

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

NovaloadMissesPolar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:30:02 EST

Throw pillows + harness = awesome.

NovaloadMissesPolar

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Vintage Racer is out taking pictures — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:29:37 EST

We're kicking around the idea of an old style track roadster - something like aMiller Indy car, with another of our race engines in it. 250HP at about 1700 lbs.

[jalopnik.com]

Could be fun....

Vintage Racer is out taking pictures

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

amblito — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:21:13 EST

Modern engine in an old car is a cool idea (as long as you have the brakes and suspension to match), I'd love a Citroen DS with updated components - that really would be project car hell! Don't know what engine I'd pick.

amblito

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

HoubaHouba! — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:14:46 EST

@LTDScott: Holy crap, the work into that is unbelievable. WOODGRAINED BILLET WHEELS. Over.

HoubaHouba!

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

HoubaHouba! — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:07:49 EST

I can only think of the Onion bit about the moon landing:

Jesus H. Christ in a chicken basket. Over.

HoubaHouba!

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Duffman — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:04:20 EST

Once again it's all OK he is wearing gloves. though they look like the kind worn by Veterinarians he's still got 'em.

Duffman

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

LTDScott, Porcubimmer pilot — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:03:47 EST

For what it's worth, I emailed this to you last month....

[www.mat.fi]

LTDScott, Porcubimmer pilot

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Tanshanomi — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:02:58 EST

Very cool, but I'm not sure why. Any other car that funneled 250 HP through 500x19 tires would be mocked.

Tanshanomi

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

EJohnson — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:56:49 EST

@thetooth: Seconded. I want one!

EJohnson

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Mojito5000 — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:55:41 EST

WOW! I gotta stop looking at Jalopnik during work. This is like having a stripper on my computer....

Check out the video of it in action!

[www.youtube.com]

Mojito5000

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

TheTooth — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:54:18 EST

That is fantastic! Add it to the JFG...

TheTooth

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

Mike the Dog — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:53:49 EST

Yup, that's pretty sweet, alright.

Mike the Dog

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

CEman — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:46:48 EST

Well, aint that purty like.

I have to say, when I saw the license plate (BDA-29) all i could think of was:
"Lemming, Lemming ... Lemming of the BDA .. Lemming, Lemming ... Lemming of the BD ...Lemming of the BD ... BD, BDA"
[www.ibras.dk]

I think i have permanent Pythonitus. I keep finding connections to skits in my everyday life.

Could be worse. Could be Oprah.

CEman

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

POLAЯMISSESEVEЯYBODY — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:43:02 EST

This would be a great car for Fast and the Furious 5, when Vin and the gang travel back in time to the 1920s to live life a French Quarter mile at a time!

POLAЯMISSESEVEЯYBODY

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

NICKNICK — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:42:53 EST

i am SO putting throw pillows in my backseat

NICKNICK

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

poxpopulus — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:40:42 EST

Video is awesome.

poxpopulus

This Might Be The Most Badass Model A Ford Ever

JSmith53 — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:36:12 EST

Love the 4-pt. harnesses on the half-back tweeds.

JSmith53