Bad ass, bitchin, rad, cool, awesome… Not one of these conveys how bad assedly bitchin the Lafferty’s awesome, rad, and cool, 1930 Ford Model A really is. And before you get your panties all wadded up about how it’s not “traditional enough”, SHUT UP! All that matters, is that this IS one of the coolest Model A Fords we have seen in a long time. Period.

Why is it so cool to us? Let me tell you.

First off, this happens to be a father and son project. Dad Kevin, with 40 years of machinist experience, and son Shaun, a graduate of the University of Louisville Speed Engineering School, are together Ridge Park Speed. One of the coolest speed shops in Louisville, Kentucky, they did all the fabrication work on this car themselves. And we mean all of it.

The biggest reason we dig this thing though is because it’s what the Laffertys wanted. Not what someone else told them was cool. It has the perfect stance, and we mean perfect. It has some cool “traditional” elements too with the chop and channel job, the lightening holes on the frame, the big headlights, and the artillery wheels. After that though it goes off the rails as far as traditional rods go. The Studebaker dash is super cool, but is something custom rod guys would relate to more. Meanwhile racers are going to dig the suspension setup out back, the crazy steering system, and the dimple die grille. Purists will cringe at the fact that a small block Chevy is resting between the rails, but with that much compression and short headers no real hot rodder can snub their nose at the evil note coming from the engine, Chevy or not.

Ultimately, we love this car because it’s a father and son project that Kevin and Shaun Lafferty should be proud of. A car they built, in their own shop, the way they wanted. And it just so happens that it sits perfect, has a combination of components up front that result in one of the sexiest pre-40 front ends we’ve ever seen, makes stupid power for this little combo, and is one hell of a ride when you use the loud pedal. Sounds like a winner to us.

Read on for more photos and details, and click the link at the bottom of the page to go to a full gallery with 30 cool photos.

The body on this Model A is all Henry except for the grille shell, and has been chopped 6 inches and channeled 3 inches. The aforementioned grille shell is Brookeville ’32 Ford model and has been chopped 3 inches as well. New floor pans, transmission tunnel, and door panels were fabbed by the Laffertys, including all the bead rolling. Not pictured is a Mr. Horsepower woodpecker that has also been bead rolled into each door panel. Pony Tail Joe, of Louisville, painted the few parts that aren’t bare steel. And the ’36 Chevy Artillery wheels, also painted by Joe, are the perfect combo as far as we are concerned.

The Studebaker dash was heavily sectione, shortened, and massaged to fit the tight confines where the original Model A dash resided, and features most of Pony Tail Joe’s paint work.

Getting the stance this good required serious massaging. The one off box tube chassis was tapered and shaped up front to look like Henry might have done it, although the sleeved lightening holes certainly have a racier feel than any Model A ever had coming off the assembly line. We especially dig the giant headlights, dimple died grille, and itty bitty moon tank up front. The balance of size and shape on the front of this car, along with the seriously narrowed and dropped ’36 Ford front axle make for a compact but bitchin footprint. And one of the most unique features on this Model A is the dual steering setup. Dual steering?, you ask. Yes, dual steering. Under the dash is a Sweet Manufacturing rack and pinion that then works two cantilever setups and drag links that go forward on BOTH sides of the car to each steering arm. It’s cool, and a definite conversation starter.

Out back the frame, complete with lightening holes, is contoured to follow the shape of the body and holds up both ends of the cantilever shock setup. The coilovers make the ride nice, and the custom three-link keeps it all centered and moving in the right direction. The 9″ Ford rear axle was shortened in house at Ridge Park Speed, including the re-splining of the axles. Fabricated gussets and additional sheetmetal make it possible to mount the quick change style cover and oil pan out back.

Up front 355 cubic inches of high compression small block Chevrolet get this little A flying. With 13:1 compression, a .580″ lift Comp Cam, 1.7:1 roller rockers by PBM, an Edelbrock Victor Jr. Intake, 780 Holley Carb, and lakes style headers we are sure this little bastard screams. And to make sure everyone can see the cool 1.7 rockers, the Laffertys installed real deal vintage Mr. Gasket clear acrylic valve covers with T handle hold downs!!!! We dig it.

Backing up the 355 is a built Powerglide trans from Jim Decker Racing Transmissions in Louisville.

Taking custom fabrication to the next level, Kevin and Shaun had to make their own cowl ornament. It’s a one off, hand built miniature micrometer.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE OF THEIR WORK  www.Facebook.com/RidgeParkSpeed