Ben Moore’s 1931 Model A Roadster
I’ve been hearing about this little roadster for a while. Our paths cross at big shows like Mooneyes X-Mas Party and Drags, then Mitzi sent me this image of our friend Pinky Swear, which is so cool we had to get the story on the roadster.
Finally, I met up with Ben Moore at the In & Out Burger/Hot Rod Magazine 70th Anniversary party at the Autoclub Raceway at the Pomona Fairplex. We shoot a quick interview about his ride, but it appears my camera got it’s sensor burned out and the video was completely washed out. So, here’s the story:
Ben’s dad first built this little roadster when Ben was born, apparently 53 years ago. He road around all over town in the car till about 22 years ago the 302 wore out and the trans wouldn’t shift anymore. Ben’s mom bought dad a new 347 to replace the worn 302 and he was spent some time in the garage working to get it road worthy. Then out of nowhere he has a fatal heart attack in 2009. Ben finished it up like you see here ready for the 2010 Mooneyes X-mas show.
Ben tells me that he actually took his driving test in this car. The first examiner came up to the car and told him he wasn’t getting in there. Then a short examiner lady came up and had him drive it to a mechanic’s shop. At the driveway she instructed him to honk the horn. Her husband who owns the shop came out and they asked him to get on it in the parking lot there. So a quick burn out and he passed the test.
