This 1928 Ford Model A Is A Gasoline Ghoul

Rods newest toy and monster in the making is a 1928 Ford Model A Rat Rod. The first thing that squeezed my lemon was the 276ci Desoto Firedome HEMI.

By: Etienne Fouche

Rod Burnett has a few garages and workshops hiding on his East Rand property and for good reason. The man absolutely loves Muscle Cars, Hotrods, Bikes, Tractors, Lister Engines the list goes on. Basically, anything that burns fossil fuel has found its way into his heart and his wallet. All of these machines have their own designated spot-on meticulously neat floors clean enough to eat off.

Hes got his own mini museum-going, with walls adorned with old filling station pumps, Detroit memorabilia and the like. I must admit that I could easily call any of these sweet workspaces home. This is some proper man cave action.

Rods newest toy and monster in the making is a 1928 Model A Ford Rat Rod. The first thing that squeezed my lemon was the 276ci Desoto Firedome HemiYes! Its a Hemi, people. 

Those big valve covers are dead giveaways, even more so when theyre painted neon orange. These early Hemis are rather rare in SA and very collectable a nice change from the typical 350ci Chevy small blocks found in most Rods and in my opinion much better. The Desoto Firedome robs us of whats left of the atmosphere through a custom flex plate topped air filter and Holley carb.

Then it gives the ozone layer the finger by pushing the spent gas mixture through cast exhaust manifolds and out the back through a gigantic Beechcraft King Air Airplane exhaust nozzle. It sounds brutal, trust me. The Desoto Hemi is hooked up to a TorqueFlite Chrysler transmission (Ma Mopar taking care of business as only she can).

Rat Rods are rusty canvasses for the builder to do whatever he wants and an ideal tool for self-expression. Rods Rod (nice ring to it), in this instance, is filled to the red oxide-coloured brim with free thought ideas and initiative.

The shifter, for instance, has been extended way past the roof line with a Coop-Esque smiling rat for a shifter knob. Interior or lack thereof envelops you in dark, cold rusty steel. Also, a piece of see-through tubing on the dash serves as a fuel gauge.

The seating position is low and dirty with Bomber seats custom-made by JP Groenewalt from Western Street Rods. The steering wheel is from a big ol 1951 Buick and completely in the line of sight, but who cares. Keith Potgieter was chosen to handle the project and gave form to Rods creative ideas and vision. The whole chassis is custom built, with an I-Beam design suspension soaking up the bumps out front and a custom four-link keeping the 50s GM diff planted out back. On top of this solid new frame went the 1928 Model A body retaining most of its original metal apart from the fabricated sheet metal floor pan. 

The roofs been chopped excessively and just looks insanely awesome. Steering links and uprights are all custom-applied Chevy small block V8 connecting rods. Also, all markings and measurements were left on the old Ford body highlighting some of the fabrication done and adding to the handmade feeling. Now from the photos, you will probably notice that the doors are pretty much welded shut So how do you get in?

Well, you climb through the roof of course. Much more exciting. This one-of-a-kind, menacing, open-wheeler is slammed down to the ground adding to the creepiness, rolling low and slow like a rusty old hearse from the afterlife. 

The Spooky spoke wheels are from an old 30s Ford, dollied up in the same neon orange and rolling on real Coker tyres the way things should be. The rake and stance are spot-on in my book. Furthermore, I hope to see more Ratlike creations of this calibre in South Africa. Its a refreshing, no rules apply take on Custom car building and Im all for it!

TECH SHEET

OWNER: Rod Burnett

Location: Johannesburg

MAKE: 1928 Ford Model A custom-built Rat Rod

MODEL: Model A

ENGINE: 276 Cubic Inch Desoto Firedome HEMI

TRANSMISSION: Chrysler Torqueflite

BRAKES: Custom ventilated front, drums rear

WHEELS & TYRES: Early 30s Ford spoked steel wheels with Coker Tyres

EXHAUST: Cast exhaust manifolds dumping into tubular exhausts with huge Beechcraft King Air Aircraft exhaust tip

INTAKE: Stock cast iron

CARBURETTOR: Holley two-barrel