If you have never seen the Del Rio Brothers Roadster then you have been sadly deprived of a great experience. This car is awesome in every way. Not only is this 1927 T stunning in it’s execution, especially considering it was built in 1971, but also fast as hell both then and now. Right after winning the AMBR, the car set the NHRA Modified Eliminator record at Pomona by running 9.31 at 144 mph. Then it ran 9.20 at Fremont to set the AHRA A/SR record. It runs 8’s now, and has clearly never slowed down. I could go on and on about this car, but their is a full history, tons of photos, and links to even more below. Check it all out.
Here is all the info from the sellers:
The car has the best of everything. No expense was spared on the original construction in 1970 nor in the refurbishment in ’90-’91. $130,000 was spent during the original build…that’s 1970 dollars AND with most labor being performed by the Del Rio brothers in their shop.
Current Engine
- 454 bored .060 over (468 cubic inches)
- Venolia rods and 15/1 pistons
- Steel crank
- Open chamber ported heads
- Vasco Jet valve springs
- Roller rockers
- Vertex magneto
- Hilborn injection
- Howard’s Cam
Other
- ’57 Olds Rear end with Lamb axles
- PowerGlide w/6,500 RPM stall converter
- Trans brake
- B & M flywheel
- Lakewood bell housing
- Trans blanket
- RPM shifter
- Jennings shift linkage and neutral start switch
- Electric water pump
- 3 gallon fuel tank
- 3 gallon water capacity
- Front wheels are American mags, 5 spoke, spindle mount
- Hooker headers (show chrome and painted sets)
- 5 pound Halon fire bottle (one nozzle on motor, one on driver)
- Simpson harnesses and chute
The car is show ready (there is one scratch on the left front fender).
The Del Rio Brothers ’27 T
A/Street Roadster
Sears Point 1996
This is the real deal. The Del Rio ’27 T A/Street Roadster. The original. Not a “tribute” or “recreation”. One of the most famous drag race cars AND show cars of all time. The car that won the Grand National Roadster Show’s “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” trophy in 1971, AND held the A/SR record at the same time. The car that appeared in 39 magazines and was selected for display at the NHRA Motorsports museum in Pomona. The one that ran a personal best of 8.77 seconds at 150 MPH…and that is STILL racing and is STILL show-car beautiful!
Jim Jennings of Hayward was tasked to build the evolutionary steel tube chassis and suspension components. Al Hubbard of Hubbard’s Machine Shop in Hayward was given the Big Block Chevy engine building chores. Wayne and Tony agreed that the body of the car had to be fiberglass to reduce weight and that it had to be a 1927 Ford T style since that was rarely seen at the dragstrip. Since no fiberglass companies produced a ’27 T, the brothers commissioned Cal Fiberglass of Los Angeles to create the one of a kind masterpiece. Jack Hageman of San Leandro fabricated the custom aluminum hood, floor boards, and fuel and water tanks. Sponsors included Vic Hubbard Speed and Marine, Howards Cams, and Reggie Jackson.
In the Fall of 1970, the chassis was completed, the prototype body was hauled home from Los Angeles and Wayne completed installing the 440 cubic inch fuel injected Chevy powerhouse. With the body still in primer from the factory, the brothers tested the car at the Fremont Dragstrip. On only the second quarter mile run for the new machine, with Wayne at the wheel, the car bettered the A/Street Roadster world record elapsed time with a 9.38 ET at nearly 140 miles per hour. When they left the track that day they knew the first of their two goals for the roadster was attainable.
Famosa 1996
Tony, owner of Del Rio Customs in Hayward, then set out to create a work of art with the fiberglass ’27 T as his canvas. What developed was a brilliant integration of his own eye-burning “Goon Yellow” and intricate graphics and murals. When the paint dried the brothers knew their second goal was in reach.
GNRS 1971
(From 1957 to 1971, two AMBR awards were given. One for the most beautiful street driven car and one for the most beautiful competition car. Lonnie Gilbertson won along with Wayne in the street class with his ’23 T Roadster Pickup.)
Famosa Hot Rod Reunion 1996
At the start of the 1971 season, Wayne and Tony had the only fully fabricated ’27 T on the California racing circuit. By the end of the season there were a handful, and by the start of the 1972 season there were well over a dozen cars attempting to copy the future of drag racing. Unfortunately for the competition, none was as successful as the Del Rios who dominated the sport until they retired from racing after the 1975 season.
Fremont Baylands 1972
In 1989 at the 39th annual Oakland Grand National Roadster Show, the Del Rio Brothers and the historic ’27 T were inducted into the GNRS Hall of Fame.
In the fall of 1990, a friend notified Wayne that the roadster (which they had sold in 1978) had been found behind a barn in Northern California and was for sale. Although Wayne was not really interested in pursuing racing again, he wanted to take a look at the car anyway “for old times sake”. The roadster, which had carried him to such victories as America’s Most Beautiful Roadster and world record racing titles, was so totally neglected and in such poor condition that he decided to rebuild the car to its former glory. Since their retirement from racing, Tony had passed away and Wayne dedicated the roadster’s rebirth to the memory of the other half of the Dynamic Duo.
In 1995, Wayne and the roadster traveled to Medford, OR, as the featured car in the “Thunder Alley” event sponsored by the American Nostalgia Racing Association. Wayne and crew also took the roadster on the road in that year to Thunder Valley Raceway in Oklahoma and participated in several events to benefit the survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing. In addition, Wayne and the roadster participated in the featured match race with Diamond P (Fiat altered) at the 5th annual Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield.
Sears Point 1997
Wayne and the roadster ran Pomona, Palmdale and several other tracks into 1996. It performed its personal best of 8.77 seconds at 150 MPH at Sears Point on April 24th, 1996 (Wayne’s birthday). It’s latest track outing was in 2014 at the November Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield where it posted its best 60 foot time.
It was featured on the main floor of the 50th annual GNRS when all 65 GNRS winners were invited back to commemorate 50 years of history making at the “Grand Daddy” of them all. The roadster was selected for display at the NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona and spent from 2000 to 2002 there.
Current Engine
- 454 bored .060 over (468 cubic inches)
- Venolia rods and 15/1 pistons
- Steel crank
- Open chamber ported heads
- Vasco Jet valve springs
- Roller rockers
- Vertex magneto
- Hilborn injection
- Howard’s Cam
Other
- ’57 Olds Rear end with Lamb axles
- PowerGlide w/6,500 RPM stall converter
- Trans brake
- B & M flywheel
- Lakewood bell housing
- Trans blanket
- RPM shifter
- Jennings shift linkage and neutral start switch
- Electric water pump
- 3 gallon fuel tank
- 3 gallon water capacity
- Front wheels are American mags, 5 spoke, spindle mount
- Hooker headers (show chrome and painted sets)
- 5 pound Halon fire bottle (one nozzle on motor, one on driver)
- Simpson harnesses and chute
The car is show ready (there is one scratch on the left front fender).
Sacramento 1999 (8.92 @ 149)For over 100 more pictures of the car today as well as vintage photos and awards Here is just a sampling of the video included with the car The car is located in Castro Valley, CA. You may pick up the car in person, or I will help load the car on the carrier of your choice. A $1,000 deposit is due 48 hours after auction close. Payment must be made in full within 7 working days following auction close. I will store the car for up to 4 weeks after the close of the auction in a secure garage at no charge.No warranty is expressed or implied. The car is sold on a bill of sale only since it is purely a competition vehicle.
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about the car or for a more complete description of any part of the car. I will get your requests to Wayne so he can personally answer them. I can supply additional pictures if you need them. If you would like to inspect the car in person please contact me through the eBay email system with your phone number and I will arrange it.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE ORIGINAL EBAY AD
Damn, I remember that car back in the day! It was unusual to see a drag car win the AMBR award period!
Yes – I thought that AMBR was solely for street driven cars. But that doesn’t take anything away from its sheer beauty. But even if I had the money to buy this, the overkill of the lengthy advert and its garish photos would have me running for the hills!