Some builds start with a dream car. Others start with what most people would call scrap.
This 1934 Real Henry Ford Roadster began life as a rusty ex-Durban wreck — the kind of car many would have written off as too far gone. But in the 2010s, Phillip Kingma of Benoni saw something different. Where others saw corrosion and decay, he saw the bones of a proper low-boy street racer waiting to be brought back to life.
And just to be clear — no good cars were harmed in the making of this machine.
Built Low. Built Right.
The vision was simple: retro attitude, traditional hot rod stance, and period-correct soul.
To get the proportions just right, the windscreen was chopped by 2.5 inches, tightening up the profile and giving the car that unmistakable squinting, aggressive look. The body was then channeled 4.5 inches over the frame, dropping it deep and low without losing the classic ’34 character.
The result? A proper low-boy stance that looks fast even when standing still.
Up front sits a new chopped aluminium radiator by Green’s — clean, purposeful, and perfectly matched to the car’s lean silhouette.
Flathead Heartbeat
Under the hood beats a ’49 Mercury V8 — the flathead that defined early hot rodding. There’s something timeless about a Merc flatty: the torque, the sound, the mechanical honesty.
Fuel is handled by a single 97 Stromberg carburettor, keeping things traditional and uncomplicated. It’s the kind of setup that doesn’t need polishing or chrome to make a statement — it just works.
The engine runs a 12-volt alternator system with negative ground, blending reliability with vintage hardware. Classic look, modern practicality.
Backing it up is a 3-speed transmission from a ’37 Ford pickup — tough, mechanical, and perfectly in character with the build.
Period-Correct Running Gear
The suspension and braking setup stays true to the era while delivering usable street performance.
Up front, a ’34 axle pairs with ’39 Ford “juice” hydraulic brakes — a major upgrade in stopping power back in the day and still a respected choice in traditional builds.
Out back, a ’39 rear axle is supported by aftermarket coil-overs, improving ride and control without compromising the vintage aesthetic. Braking is managed through a Classic Range Rover brake master cylinder — an understated but clever touch that brings dependable performance to the system.
It’s the kind of thoughtful engineering that makes this car more than just a showpiece. It’s built to drive.
Rolling on Tradition
Nothing defines a hot rod stance like the right wheels and rubber.
This Roadster runs ’35 16-inch wire rims wrapped in 6.50 and 7.50 bias-ply tyres, giving it that tall, narrow, slightly menacing rake that screams early street racer.
And because real hot rodders like options, there’s a spare set of ’39 Ford steelies wearing 6.50 and 8.50 bias plies, complete with hubcaps. Swap them out, and the entire personality of the car shifts — from stripped-down racer to slightly more refined pre-war cruiser.
Ivory and Oxblood
The body is finished in classic ivory paint — understated, elegant, and perfectly suited to the car’s vintage roots. It’s the kind of colour that lets the shape do the talking.
Inside, the cabin is trimmed in rich oxblood leather with matching carpet. The contrast between the light exterior and deep red interior creates a warm, timeless feel — part 1930s luxury, part 1950s hot rod rebellion.
Topping it off is a BopTop-style fold-up roof with a heavy wax canvas skin. Functional, purposeful, and period-correct, it adds usability without compromising the car’s low, lean profile.
The Sound of Intent
Underslung dual 2.5-inch exhausts run beneath the car, giving the flathead the voice it deserves. Forward blank-offs hint at competition inspiration — a nod to race-ready setups of the past.
It doesn’t shout for attention. It growls with authority.
More Than a Restoration
This isn’t a factory-correct restoration. It was never meant to be.
It’s a respectful reinterpretation — a retro low-boy street racer built from what was once nearly lost. Phillip Kingma didn’t just save a car; he reshaped its story. The rusted Durban wreck became a Benoni-built traditional hot rod with presence, authenticity, and attitude.
The 1934 Ford Roadster remains one of the most iconic shapes ever produced. In this form — chopped, channeled, flathead-powered, and rolling on bias plies — it captures the exact spirit that made hot rodding legendary in the first place.
Old steel. Honest engineering. Proper stance.
And proof that sometimes the best builds start with the worst cars.
