Daily Slideshow: Most Bizzare Ford Ever: Ford Speedster

1. Ford Speedster

While the name is quite attractive, the details of the design and build are even more interesting. The car was actually created by Henry Ford's son, Edsel and a designer, Eugene Gregorie. This designer was also a Yacht designer and worked on many projects with Edsel from 1930-1940. 

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2. Power plant

This unique ride was fitted with a flathead V8 engine. The output was 85 bhp equipped with a Stromberg 81 two-barrel carburetor. The power exits the rear through twin straight pipes. 

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3. Body Inspiration

Edsel wanted something “long and low.” Although that was a challenge on the vehicle's short wheelbase, Gregorie used his eye for designing Yachts and incorporated a clever design resulting in a wide and low fender, boat-tailed speedster that visually stretched the roadster’s appearance. The body panels were handmade from sheet aluminum.

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4. Ahead of its time

Before the technology was even thought of, Edsel was able to come up with a starter button inside the cockpit. Talk about futuristic minded! It's a nice touch to the dark-grey brown interior that otherwise seemed completely unassuming. Naturally, it was a 2-seater as any good hot rod should be. 

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5. Priceless History

For a vehicle that encompassed the essence of what would later be considered a "hot rod", this classy example was offered once at the very posh RM Sotheby's and sold for $770,000. It was later learned to be wrecked by a young and reckless GM designer. The scrap was then found and restored back to its original form. Since then, only 3 of them exist. The second version was restored by RM Auto Restoration and was owned by the Edsel and Eleanor Ford. The third, sadly, was never found.

>>Join the conversation about the Hotrod Speedster right here in Ford-trucks.com.

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