It’s What’s Underneath That Counts

Modern Rodding Feature

InTheGarageMedia.com

1936 Ford Roadster Under Construction at Rad Rides by Troy … the Finish Line is Fast Approaching.

By Brian Brennan

Photography by NotStock Photography

W

e have had the good fortune to cover this fantastic creation of a one-of-a-kind 1936 Ford roadster belonging to Ross Myers at Rad Rides by Troy. As with any worthwhile project, there is always someone who has a “master” vision and makes sure the project stays the course. Adam Banks found his time consumed by the fabrication of the body, chassis, suspension, and steering. (Editor’s note: For those who have followed along, you will notice we have used artwork occasionally, and, yes, Banks provided us with the pencil sketches. Can you say talented!) In this case, everything is under the watchful eye of Banks. While much credit goes to him, it takes the proverbial “shop” to build any project requiring this much expertise and creativity.

The shop is called Rad Rides by Troy (RRT) for a reason. Ol’ shopkeeper Troy Trepanier has hands and eyes all over this project, but he has taken special care to fabricate the exhaust. The custom-designed exhaust manifolds were 3-D printed at RRT and sent to Beehive Industries to manufacture them from Inconel material. This cutting-edge material is exceptionally lightweight (lighter than titanium) and compatible with high exhaust temperatures (better than stainless steel). The exhaust is a pair of 2-1/2-inch stainless steel tubes that eventually link to a pair of custom mufflers. Trepanier and Casey Modert fabricated these mufflers and catalytic converters. Modert was also thoroughly in the metalwork packaged around the flooring, firewall, and chassis. We mentioned the chassis, and it should be noted that Colby Marshall was also deeply involved with his aspect. Now, there are always those guys who are talented with their hands but also with their computer-aided minds. Such is the case here as Lawrence Laughlin, while involved in the machine work, was also instrumental in the CNC programming. More CNC wisdom was supplied by Troy’s son, Jack. Jake Murry, Consuming Air’s owner, was also a sub-contractor in the design cooperation and CNC programming, especially regarding the one-off wheels and brakes.

interior without seats in a 1936 Ford Roadster

close up of headlight parts on a 1936 Ford Roadster

The wheels and tires are a valid combination of old meets ultra-modern technology. The wheels are a one-off collaborative design by Banks with Murry. Given the current workload in the RRT shop, Matt Jewell (a customer of RRT) was enlisted to have his shop, the Jewell Group, included in the machining of the wheel and brake projects. The rubber compound comes through Coker Tire in their Excelsior Stahl Sport, measuring 5.50R18 in front and 7.00R19 in back.

Note that everything related to this project has been “touched”—meaning it has been brought to a mirror-like smooth finish, left in a matte appearance, or brought to a highly polished luster. This couldn’t have been achieved without the efforts of Brian Ferguson (known to one and all as “Moose”), who handled the post-machining sanding and deburring of all the metals.

close up of the bottom of a 1936 Ford Roadster

rear drivers side of a silver 1936 Ford Roadster

All There Is To See

Part 1: One-of-a-Kind Roadster

https://bit.ly/4czMtsg

Part 2: Meticulous Chassis Work

https://bit.ly/3zEitMV

Part 3: Decklid, Wheelwells & Floor

https://bit.ly/4bzkmrw

Part 4: Supercharger & Suspension

https://bit.ly/4eUpHN1

Part 5: Apron Panels, Lower Hood Panels & Door Construction

https://bit.ly/3LekGl6

Part 6: Dash, Headlights & Shock Mounts

https://bit.ly/4cIPzdy

The chassis features a 113-inch wheelbase, but Banks and Modert of RRT custom built the framerails from 1/8-inch wall tubing and fully boxed. The custom gas tank also required more Modert handiwork. The front suspension is based on an RRT torsion bar setup with custom arms and adjusters, 1940 Ford spindles, and Ridetech shocks. A Classic Performance Products power box and an RRT tilt-roadster column handle the steering. The braking is based on Wilwood rotors and calipers in both the front and rear, along with RRT custom drum covers. It should be noted that the RRT custom pedals are employed, as well as the RRT I-booster (electric brake master cylinder, booster, billet reservoir, wiring harness, fittings, and ECM flashed to work with the computer management system). In the back, the Winters Champ quick-change (coupled to Mark Williams axles and a driveshaft) is used and held in position with RRT custom-built radius rods machined from billet aluminum and a transverse torsion bar setup.

The powertrain begins with something you might expect for an early Ford hot rod: a 1957 Ford Y-block—all 312 inches. However, it has undergone massive alterations inside and out, with FX Engines doing all the engine prep work. From here, there is a very cool Fenton 3×2 intake with a McCulloch VS57 roots-style supercharger featuring an RRT custom air plenum. It should be noted that the supercharger was updated, and this effort fell to Pat Fleischman, who retrofitted the VS57 with modern Paxton internals. A K&N filter element and an Autotrend EFI 97 system are hidden under the custom air cleaner, while a Holly EFI HP ECU is used with MSD electronic ignition and coil. A Billet Specialties alternator is applied, and it, too, received the custom RRT treatment. Another engine accessory is a Setrab USA oil cooler, which also supplied the transmission cooler. The trans is a Ford 4R70W built at Bowler Performance Transmissions.

close up of an engine in a 1936 Ford Roadster

The VS57 supercharger came into its own during the 1950s and 1960s in the hot rod world, having been used extensively on the evolving American V-8. They were considered compact, mechanically belt driven, and, for their time, highly efficient. This efficiency resulted from their groundbreaking bypass system, which allowed excess boost to be vented, preventing over-pressurization.

One look at the body and you realize that you will be here a while, taking in all the modifications. Of course, it would be correct to say this body has no alterations as it was scratch-built. (OK, we are playing with our words here.) The lines of a 1936 Ford roadster, while visible, the scratch-built highboy body was made from steel with an alloy hood and top hammered out by Banks. There are many deviations from the original lines as Banks wanted the new lines to blend so that the proportions of a fenderless and running board-less roadster would flow. As mentioned earlier, Modert handled the floor and firewall fabrication. The aluminum hood is another example of Banks’ craftsmanship to the project. As for the final color, you must wait for the car’s debut.

steering, dashboard, and interior without seats in a 1936 Ford Roadster

Even though the interior has a long way to go before it is “complete,” there is plenty to see, much of which you will not realize once the stitching is in place. The custom aluminum dash now houses a 1950 Buick instrumentation panel, and the rest of the car’s electrics are handled by a Painless Performance Products wiring system placed into operation while at RRT. There are accessories, like the Vintage Air A/C, an RRT steering column, and a unique wheel. As for the actual seating and what color and materials might be used, that is something else you will have to wait for. Remember, if you can’t make the Grand National Roadster Show, be sure to be on the lookout for an upcoming issue of Modern Rodding, as we will have the “rest of the story.”

For a closer look, you can check out any one (or all) of the six parts that we have run on the roadster, as they are all living happily on our website (modernrodding.com; type in the search area: “Rad Rides by Troy 1936 Ford roadster” and all the episodes will pop up, or follow the links provided in this story.)

When will we see this one-of-a-kind ’36 roadster on the road? Currently, plans call for the hot rod to appear at the 2025 Grand National Roadster Show (January 31 to February 2, 2025) at the Pomona Fairplex. In the meantime, we are keeping a watchful eye on the roadster itself, and when it is completed we will send ol’ Sure Shot Jackson (NotStock Photography) on the road to gather all the finished photography on this hot rod for the pages of Modern Rodding. Stay tuned.

Modern Rodding

VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 48 • 2024

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