Greg McDowell has continued his dad’s project.

He finally completed the restoration project and added the boat tail, along with a now fully hopped up '29 Model A engine. His dad had originally built this out of spare parts he had laying around. He had blast, raced it in Antique Nationals and some hill climbs. 

Here’s the full story:
SHORT SNORT BY WILLIAM W. MCDOWELL

The title in this case is not to describe an abbreviated “beer”, rather it is an appropriate descriptive name for this “abbreviated” 1929 Ford Model “A” Speedster. Dad had the inspiration to have some fun in his senior years, like some of his buddies. After a life time of some drag and road racing in the past, he thought this would be a hoot!

Dad was a mover and shaker in the Aerospace industry for many years. His engineering prowess was put to good use professionally, as well as multiple racing designs and builds over the years. After attending the “Antique Nationals” in 1995 and again in 1997, watching his buddy run his Speedster, Dad figured he had almost enough “junk” to build a drag speedster or two!

With that, the build started in earnest, following “Old School, Period Correct” parts and construction methods.

Some examples of the great fun and even some success!

Antique Nationals results:

1998 - Top speed 60 mph in the quarter
1999 – Top speed 70 mph in the quarter
2000 – Eliminated, broke out by .112 seconds, but still ran 70mph.
2001 – Throttle shaft malfunction – DNF
2002 – Good starts, but crapping out on top end (bad distributor), but still had some fun:

Spent most of practice and qualifying runs chasing Paul Cantorano’s “T” roadster with a dual overhead cam engine (HAL). His was faster, but cost him about $11,000.00 to build. Remember, the Short Snort was running a stock model B or C engine and all said and done cost Dad about $1,500.00!

Riverside Show & Go 1/8 Mile:

2001 – Turned 58 MPH. Broke out against a Chev. powered hot rod by .123 seconds in a dead heat. Not bad for a “pile of junk”!

While she is a bit ugly, Short Snort handles well, stops good and is a blast to drive.

Short Snort Specifications: Parts Sheet Cost Notes

Original “A’ frame $50.00

Was pretty straight, although “bobbed” off in the rear. Hence the name Short Snort. Replaced bent/rusted cross members with 1 ½” and 2” square tubing to mate up with v-8 axles and springs. Center cross member would not work, so it was tossed. A truss system was fabricated to stiffen the old “A” frame and also incorporated the engine and transmission mounts as well.

Model “C’ Engine $400.00

Stock and bottom end checked out OK. Installed used later model distributor/coil from the “junk” pile. Built a log style manifold and installed a later model 97 carb. Home built exhaust headers/pipe were fabricated, (Loud as heck, but fun!)

Cooling $0

’29 Ford radiator that no longer provided enough cooling for our Tudor was used and established the cowl shape.

Fuel System $100.00

Swap meet $10.00 find of a nice 10 Gal. aluminum tank. Installed new electric 6-volt fuel pump, steel lines and “drag legal” shut off valves.

’39 Ford Transmission $0

Junk pile - Did have to trade some parts for an Eng./trans. adaptor

Torque Tube & Drive Shaft $0

Junk pile - Was already shortened, so made it work.

Suspension $0

Junk pile – ’40 something Ford axles & spring mounts under the “A” frame, resulted in a wheel base some 10 inches shorter than stock, staying with the Short Snort theme.

Steering $0

Gift from Cousin, Corvair steering gear

Brakes $100.00

Junk pile – Backing plates etc., relined some old Ford brake shoes, new hydraulic wheel cylinders and new master cylinder for safety sake.

Wheels $100.00

Junk pile – ’35 Ford wire wheels, paid for powder coating and new tires, don’t recall tire cost?

Body $0

Fabricated a “drag legal” roll bar that defined the back end of the cockpit and the braces the side structure. The outside body lines made up of aluminum scraps for most, some glued to plywood for rigidity. Sheet steel for cowl sides (made from long forgotten realty signs). A few cans of red and yellow Rustoleum sprayed on for some rust cover. For the windshield, found a frame and glass from the junk pile.

Misc. $350.00

Hardware, drag legal safety belts, shut off switches etc., and used drivers helmet/fire suit.