Roth & Ronnow ’27 T Roadster

Hot Rods are more than just auto-mobiles. They define a culture; a way of life. And at their best, they are an art form—muscular and powerful, yet at the same time stylish. Some rods were street cruisers, a way to have fun, grab attention and, of course, girls. Others were racing weapons, and those that have survived for decades serve as a window into the past. Such is the case with the Roth & Ronnow ’27 T-Roadster, a car that flashed across the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1952.

This ’27 T was constructed by West-Coasters Glen Roth and Johnny Ronnow, who raced with the Russetta Timing Association. The duo shared a dream of racing at Bonneville and purchased their roadster in 1948. After disassembling the car, the Model T frame was cast aside and a more robust Model A frame was sourced and lengthened 3.5 inches to give a wheelbase of 107 inches. The friends then double Z’ed the frame rails to put their hot rod closer to the salt to reduce drag. Custom fabricated front and center crossmembers were utilized, and the rear crossmember was an original Model A item. A 1939 Ford axle with a transverse leaf spring, split wishbones and ’39 Ford spindles and shocks provided front suspension. A ’39 Ford live axle with a transverse leaf spring and Monroe tube shocks did the work out back. Stopping power came from 1939 Ford hydraulic brakes with 12-inch drums. The steering box and master cylinder were also ’39 Ford items.