Step1
As you can see from the lead Photo... A traditional roadster may not mean what you think. Or does it?
The 'Ol 999 Ford/ Oldfield racer WAS the first Hot Rod. Just the term Hot Rod.... Means "One HOT Rod", or car.
It has been proposed that moments after the first car was invented, someone started tinkering with it and pulling off unnecessary items to make it GO FASTER!
THAT is what a REAL Hot Rod is!
And the ULTIMATE representation of a Hot Rod is a FORD Roadster!
The TRADITIONAL Ford Roadster FAVORITE is the 1932 FORD! It was the FIRST v-8 Ford and a ONE YEAR ONLY design!
Running a close second place (depending who you ask), would be the A-v8. That is a 1928-1931 Ford Roadster with a V-8 engine. (Model A's came from the factory with a 4 cylinder engine). Then of course is the "Banger" "T" Roadster! (a Model "T" with a 1928-1934 Ford 4 Cylinder hopped up)
Step2
For the Purpose of this article we will consider the 1923-1934 FORD Roadster Built into a HOT ROD during the LATE 1930's (the heyday of Hot Rodding) through the VERY early 1950's (the end of PURE hot rodding).
This SNAPSHOT of Hot Rodding will provide the BASIS for the TRADITIONAL FORD ROADSTER!
Hot Rodding began alongside RACING. By the LATE 1930's it became economical to buy an OLD FORD ROADSTER and chop it down to "Go Fast".
Many Model "T" Fords, Model "A" Fords and 1932-34 Roadsters saw DUAL duty! That is RACING on weekends and commuting on weekdays!
Ingenious young guys "Invented" Speed equipment to GO FAST! Navarro Heads, EDELBROCK Intake Manifolds, ARDUN Head Conversions (ARDUN stands for ARKUS DUNTOV...Yep, the grand daddy of the Corvette)
As it EVOLVED, there became a STANDARD. The "LOOK" of a Hot Rod. Especially a WEST COAST Hot Rod Roadster!
A little HISTORY:
Henry Ford DID NOT.... invent the automobile. But, he DID invent the AFFORDABLE Mass Produced Automobile!
By Late 1908 Early Model Year 1909... the MODEL "T" came to life!
This was THE car! The Model "T" actually DROPPED in price every year!
Step3
By 1923 it became a MODERN (for that time period) car. The Steel cowl and detachable rear section made it a NATURAL for Hot Rodders and Dirt Track Racers!
Sometimes the doors were welded shut and the frame was swapped for something stronger.
These primitive cars evolved into MODERN Hot Rods as we know them!
The First round of Hot Rods in the late 1930's were nothing more than "Stripped Down STOCKERS". As time went on... the Model "T" Became the "Modified (short wheelbase bucket with the rear wheels inches from the drivers shoulder) which evolved into the "T" Bucket of the 1960's and 1970's.
The Model "A" was more substantial with a fixed "TRUNK" section. Model "A" roadster bodies were modified, fenders removed and some were even placed on the wider Mode "B" or 1932 FORD frames.
These "A" v8's were EXTREMELY Popular in the 1940's!
BUT, The 1932 Ford roadster became THE CAR..... Vic Edelbrock Sr, Veda Orr and others RAN this car on the dry lakes of Southern California.
Many Different Ford Roadsters ran the DRY LAKES and Dirt Tracks of Southern California! The Lightweight Model T was a favorite at places Like Alameda, Saugus and Culver City! In fact, many other places in the U.S. Ran Early Ford Roadsters on their "Dirt Tracks". You could call this the birth of Hot Rodding AND the birth of NASCAR!
Step4
So,
Now you have the idea.
This IS the traditional FORD Roadster. 1923-1934. Some of the earlier Ford Roadsters and (FORD made the roadster until 1936) even other makes qualify.... BUT FORD was KING both Pre-War AND after WWII.
The Grand Daddy of them all is the 1932 Ford Roadster. It had a more solid body, stronger frame with a "K" member and of course the FIRST FORD V-8 engine! The FORD Flathead V-8 is the CLASSIC TRADITIONAL Hot Rod Engine! Cadillac, Oldsmobile, Chrysler or the Chevy Small Block V-8 engines are appropriate for a TRADITIONAL Ford Roadster. HOWEVER, The TRADITIONAL Ford HOT ROD Roadster was carved in STONE by 1948, Which makes the Hopped Up Flathead Engine, the ONLY TRUE way to go!
MOST will have the DISTINCTIVE 1932 Ford frame.
Fenderless is preferred.
Simple interior.
LOW front end and somewhat LOWER rear... (but still higher than the front). Especially BIG tires on the back, SMALL tires on the front!
FUNCTION follows FORM! No Hood sides? Better cooling!
A REAL Hot Rod is about GOING FAST!!!!!
A throw back to the "DAY".
Remember... in 1948 IF there had been Fuel Injection.. it would have been "THE THING"! BUT THERE WASN'T.
ALSO... most people FORGET. These cars were DRIVEN to and from races! Keep it simple and BUILD IT RIGHT!
Step5
THIS IS NOT A STEP BY STEP HOW TO........ BUILD A TRADITIONAL FORD HOT ROD ROADSTER... it is More of a GUIDE to building THE TRADITIONAL FORD HOT ROD Roadster!!!
Old '999
As you can see from the lead Photo... A traditional roadster may not mean what you think. Or does it?
For the Purpose of this article we will consider the 1923-1934 FORD Roadster Built into a HOT ROD during the LATE 1930's (the heyday of Hot Rodding) through the VERY early 1950's (the end of PURE hot rodding).
By 1923 it became a MODERN (for that time period) car. The Steel cowl and detachable rear section made it a NATURAL for Hot Rodders and Dirt Track Racers!
So, 
THIS IS NOT A STEP BY STEP HOW TO........ BUILD A TRADITIONAL FORD HOT ROD ROADSTER... it is More of a GUIDE to building THE TRADITIONAL FORD HOT ROD Roadster!!!
Authority