Our 2021 Speedweek adventures making some History with a 1950 Ford Flathead V-8

[ronnieroadster]

Here's a run down of our Speedweek adventures for 2021 we arrived in Wendover with two goals. First was to reset our gas a record to over 200 MPH thus becoming the first gas burning Ford flathead roadster to go over 200. The second goal was to get our close friend Jeff Arnett into the 200 MPH club thus getting his Red hat. So this is what happened.


FIRST On Saturday August 7, 2021 at 10:53 AM History was made when I drove my Rear Engine Modified Roadster powered by a supercharged gas burning 8BA Ford flathead to a speed of 204.770
This my friends was the first time a Ford flathead V-8 burning gasoline powered a roadster over 200 miles an hour on the salt. On Sundays return run the speed was 206.717. I now had the the gas record at 205.744 our record coming into this was previously 195.650 First step in our plan was now completed.

For our second goal we changed the car to run on our fuel record while still burning gasoline. We changed the driver to Jeff Arnett and on Monday morning Jeff ran 206.906 he was now half way to that Red hat. On Tuesday mornings return run Jeff went 205.906 he now had the record at 206.249 Jeff is now a life time member of the 200 MPH club. The record coming into this was 187.443

With some discussion with the team about the possible potential of the new combination and Ford flathead engine my crew chief and son Ron Jr suggested we change the gear to a lot taller number and change the carb jetting. Now it was my sons turn to take the car for a ride to see what the changes would do. Here's the numbers at the 2-1/4 speed 205.183 mile 3 - 210.757 mile 4 - 219.851
this was the fastest speeds ever turned by a Ford flathead powered roadster on the salt using no exotic fuels just plain old racing gasoline.

My son and I machine and assemble as well as build everything ourselves its a labor of love taking hundreds if not thousands of hours to accomplish. My wife Laura is our biggest supporter and fan without her help guidance and wisdom none of this would have happened. The reliable 8BA ran 16 miles on kill without any issues whatsoever.

We now have a good tune up to work with for 2022
Ronnieroadster

Enjoy this in car video of my 206.717 MPH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxpKOAceIq0

[trimmers]

Ronnie:
Congratulations on accomplishing both of your goals - and more!  It was great getting to meet and talk to you down there last Saturday.  Thanks again to you and Ron Jr. for autographing my Commer Cob door panels, too.  Now that Jeff has joined the Club, I hope you'll bring him back next year to add his signature! 

Jeff in Boise

[Stan Back]

Geeess . . .  Was that the turn-off road or did you just make your own.

It's amazing how much you've accomplished year after year.  And I believe it's a just reward to all your hard work.  Congratulations!

Stan

[Jack Gifford]

Were those great runs with a "flathead" or with the Ardun hemi heads?

[gray63]

Ron,  Congratulations to you and your family on your accomplishments with
Your flathead tanker.  It is amazing that you have made this old technology
So fast and reliable. I can?t wait to see what you can do next.
Regards, Dave Gray
Mechanicsburg, Pa.

[ronnieroadster]

Were those great runs with a "flathead" or with the Ardun hemi heads?

   Jack this is a flathead no overhead valve heads.  Our Ardun record t Bonneville is 225 MPH

[WOODY@DDLLC]

 

[Lemming Motors]

Congrats RR. Super result. Hope to see you again in person next year on the salt.

Trimmers; Commer Cob. Are we talking the small English delivery van? If yes please post a pic. My friend Steve in NZ (yup they are mostly Steves) has a Hillman Husky with a 2.5 litre Vedette flat head V8; hoping he brings it to the salt next year for cruising purposes. Sorry for the hijack RR.