1936 Winfield Model A Ford “Special” Racer
Engine No. W 37771 WN Ford ‘B’ series block with a 3-7/8” bore diameter
Engine:
4 cylinder in-line 200.5 ci.
Approx. 80bhp
Dual Stromberg 97 carburetors
Burns dual carb. Intake manifold
Winfield aluminum, high-compression L-head
Winfield camshaft
Magneto: Wico Joe Hunt
Electric fuel pump with a 12 volt battery
Gearbox: Ford 3 speed, manual
Suspension: front and rear stock Ford leaf springs
Axles:
Front – 1932 Ford
Rear – 1948 Ford
Brakes: early Ford hydraulic – front & rear
Wheels: Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels (16”)
Tires: Englebert Competition P tires
5.50/16 fronts
7.00/16 rears
Rear End: Halibrand 4.11 Ford ring & pinion quick-change with gear sets
Shocks: Hoodai - hydraulic
Body: Monoposto – orange w/ yellow nosing and wheels
Fuel Cell: 10 gal.
Seat: Black leather (bolstered)
Cowling: Aluminum casting
History
This “one-off” chassis was fabricated to its current single seat configuration prior to the Second World War; the work was likely completed in the Midwest (either in the Chicago or Indianapolis area). The car was purchased by Mr. Joseph Mash in the Los Angeles area when he got out of the military, after WWII. He raced the car for a short period but was stricken with polio and was forced to put the car in storage. Mr. Mash eventually settled in the Pacific Northwest, where he lived, worked and raised a family.
After retiring, he brought the car out of storage – outfitting it for a semi-paraplegic driver. It was fitted with some period correct speed equipment (including a 1933 Model ‘C’ motor, rear hydraulic brakes and manual fuel pump. He ran the car with ‘The Golden Wheels’, a local group of vintage oval track enthusiasts who did demonstration runs at local oval track events.
The car was purchased from Mr. Mash’s widow by the current owner in 1997. It was quite evident that the car was in need of a total restoration before it would be safe to vintage race.
In 1997, a two year restoration began. The frame and body panels were stripped, inspected and repaired where necessary and the car was repainted in the original orange and yellow paint scheme. It was reassembled with period correct additions to the original equipment including: early Ford hydraulic front brakes, Hoodai hydraulic shocks, Halibrand ‘quick-change’ rear end, a new exhaust system, Wico Joe Hunt magneto, new tachometer and gauges, new Englebert Competition P tires and new leather upholstery. The race car was also fitted with a n.o.s. stock bore Ford ‘B’ series block to replace the ‘C’ block that had been over bored and was cracked. Contemporary safety features were also installed including a fuel cell, fire extinguisher, rear safety hubs, lap belt, mirrors, electric fuel pump, battery cut-off switch and brake light.
Since restoration the car has routinely participated in and successfully completed fourteen General Racing events including the Monterey Historics, the Wine Country Classic and the Coronado Speed Festival. At the 2004 Monterey Historics it qualified ninth and finished in sixth place. It has been routinely professionally maintained by Dennison International Motorsports of Puyallup, WA since restoration. Its most current race was in June of 2011 at the Sonoma Historic Motorsport Festival (formerly the Wine Country Classic).
The car is very popular with vintage racing fans and racing photos have been occasionally featured in various vintage racing magazines. It is in fine form and is ready to go to the Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival or the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in 2012 with only minor pre-race preparation.
If you are interested in purchasing this rare vehicle, please contact Butch Dennison at +1 253 435 9143