Words & Photos: Tommy Parry
Starting with a 1929 Model A and expecting much at the Bonneville Speed Trails is a bold move. Most people going to the illustrious event pack some serious firepower since, well, what’s the point of going to all the trouble to prepare a car if there isn’t some major speed involved? Well, for some, speed is only as important as keeping true to the original formula of their chosen vehicle, like the boys at Piranios Antique Automotive believe.
The Denton, Texas-based shop specializes in Ford’s iconic Model A, and though they’ve toyed with the idea of swapping the motor for something newer, lighter and more powerful, they’re proud of the classic, 3.3-liter flathead four. It’s a motor that has propelled cars all around the world, so why shouldn’t it strut its stuff at the salt flats?
However, to have any sort of achievement at Bonneville, some upgrades were necessary. First, the interior was stripped to minimize the amount of weight onboard, and inside the cabin, they added a funny car rollcage. Because of the rules of the Vintage Altered Class requiring the original frame, the guys at Pirianos built a new chassis inside the frame, and from the outside, it’s unnoticeable. After all, seeing as this car would be challenging the top speed records for Model As, it would have to be somewhat safe!
The interior was refurbished entirely with aluminum and given a complete polish. All business, the cabin was designed for the triple-digit runs in which this machine would eventually partake. The rear end was designed for a quick-change axle setup that would allow for quick tweaks when setting up for a blast down the salt flats.
Additionally, a custom gauge pod was hewn from billet aluminum, brushed and centered on the dash to give the car a purposeful, simplistic interior.
The powerplant was completely rebuilt with the finest parts by Piriano. The rules dictate the original block must be used, but the head can be replaced as long as it’s a flathead design. Everything inside the engine was replaced with hand-built forged units, and dual Weber DCOE side-draft carburetors, a longer runner on the intake manifold, and a flathead, twin-spark aluminum cylinder head by Charlie Lion were tacked on.
Running on gasoline and Torco oil, this combo, based on a ninety-year old motor, chucks out an unbelievable 162 horsepower at 4,200 rpm, and 204 lb/ft of torque at 2,900 rpm! In 2012, the team ran several runs, eventually netting 100.76 mph and the record for a gasoline-powered Model A with an original motor.
Quadrupling the original power output of the engine was no small feat, but it was only one part of getting the car to run well at Bonneville. A Top Fuel bellhousing was adopted to house the custom direct-drive transmission bolted to a Model A rear end with a 3.27 gear ratio, which had to be machined to fit. Because of the direct-drive setup, the car needs to be pushed to start!
This comprehensive build shows just how much volumetric efficiency has come in the last ninety years, and how modern technology can quadruple the power output with the right builders involved! It might not be a stunning amount of speed by today’s standards, but considering the original top speed of 65 mph and the aerodynamic properties of a brick, the whole effort is nothing short of extraordinary.