Lot 326: 1929 Ford Special Empy

One of the most evocative eras in the history of American motor sport was the golden age of dirt-track racing, when hairy-knuckled drivers battled it out in open-wheel racers on half-mile ovals around the country. It all began there before World War I and became widespread during the 1920s and '30s. Two different types of race cars predominated-open wheel racers in the Northeast and West and stock cars in the South. Dirt track racing is the single most common form of motor racing in the United States of America with hundreds of local and regional race tracks throughout the country. Built during these halcyon days of dirt track racing, this Ford-based open wheel special hit the tracks in 1929. The 3.5 litre engine is based on a Model A unit and feeds through a four speed gear box, and the engine provides plenty of power to propel this lightweight special up to a top speed of 130mph. This car is unusual in that it has three spring suspension rather than the more customary two. STR 896 is in good order throughout with the body, chassis and red paintwork in excellent condition having benefited from a thorough restoration in 1972. The car resided in America until 1970 when it was imported into Great Britain. Since then the car has had historic registration papers and been eligible for road use. Well known throughout the VSCC, this rapid little racer is supplied with a MoT certificate valid until October 2008.