Last updated on November 26, 2025
Today’s car is a 1929 Ford Model A 2 Door Custom. I shot it at the 2025 Outriders Picnic, the annual, invite-only gathering hosted by the legendary Outriders Car Club, the oldest continuously operating car club in the country, dating back to 1932.
The Ford Model A arrived in 1928 as the long-awaited replacement for the legendary Model T. This 2-door sedan represents one of the most practical and sought after body styles for early hot rodders, the roofline is ideal for chopping, there’s enough cabin space for comfort, and the proportions are timeless. The design of the Model A was overseen by Edsel Ford, with contributions from the in-house styling team including Bob Gregorie. Edsel’s vision modernized Ford’s vehicles, giving the Tudor sedan a balanced roofline, refined fenders, and an interior that appealed to middle class buyers, while also providing an ideal platform for early hot rodders.
The Ford Model A was produced from 1928 through 1931, with a total of approximately 5,460,000 cars built across all body styles. The 1929 model year was the peak of production, with around 1,735,000 units manufactured, making it the most popular year of the entire Model A run. The 2-door Tudor sedan, one of the most practical and desirable body styles for families accounted for roughly 400,000–450,000 of those cars. The MSRP of the Tudor sold for about $525–$550. The car could reach a top speed of 50–55 mph and achieve 0–60 mph in roughly 25–27 seconds.
This particular example takes the concept to the next level. Under the fenderless, 4-inch chopped roof sits a modern LS V8 with dual 4-barrel Holley EFI, backed by a 4L65E automatic transmission and 3.70 rear gears, giving it long-legged highway manners with plenty of punch. The front suspension maintains the hot rod tradition with a solid axle and transverse spring paired with shocks, while the rear rides on coilovers. Stopping power comes from Wilwood discs all around. Dayton classic spoke wheels, while the interior keeps things simple and period-appropriate with pleated bucket seats and matching leather storage truck behind the front seats. The stance and proportions perfectly capture the 1950s dry-lakes racer vibe while driving like a modern performance car.
Compared to a stock 1929 Tudor, this car is a lesson in evolution: original drum brakes replaced with modern stopping power, a lightweight four-cylinder swapped for an LS V8, and a chopped top transforming proportions while maintaining the unmistakable silhouette. It’s a car that honors its roots yet drives like a modern hot rod should, bridging nearly a century of American automotive ingenuity.
This car caught my eye, I went back twice to photograph it and see if I could catch the owner to no avail. It is the perfect car to take to the Grand National Roadster Show, Goodguys, local car shows, a Cars & Coffee gathering, or just rolling into the Outriders Picnic with like minded friends.
Thanks for coming along for the ride.
Frank
