This 1928 Ford Roadster is a totally custom hot rod with an old school open-wheel Lakester look.

The body is steel -- except for the hood and side engine covers, which are all aluminum -- and features a host of custom touches to evoke the classic dry lakes racers of the 40s and 50s. The grille is customized from a '38 Ford, 'aero-sculpted' to blend into the rest of the front end, the trunk is modified from a '27, the door handles are shaved, the custom frame totally powderecoated to match the duPont white exterior of the car, the cowl and dash are stock but with a custom Brooklands-type shorty widescreen, Stewart Warner auxiliary gauges substituted in place of standard gauges, and added Classic Instruments speedo and tach installed in front of the driver.

The heart of this rod is a 350ci V8 with 2.02 double hump heads and topped with triple downdraught Rochesters and aluminum Edelbrock intake manifold. It breathes out through a raucous set of custom made stainless headers and side-exiting lakes exhaust. The triple Maund aluminum air intakes for the carbs are exposed through top of the quick-release engine cover, an authentic touch taken straight from vintage So Cal hot rodders.

A Turbo Hydramatic 350 transmission with Lokar shifter backs the powerful engine, keeping the car fast and user-friendly, and driving a Speedway Engineering quick-change 4.11 differential. Additionally notable performance features include dropped '34 front end with '47 dogleg wishbones, front disc brakes with vented rotors, narrowed 8-leaf rear end with gas shocks, hidden external oil cooler, custom high capacity aluminum radiator, custom aluminum fuel tank, rear-mounted battery, and red painted Chrysler wheels with '34 Ford hubcaps and 475fr/650r reproduction Firestone race tires.

The detailing hasn't been forgotten either, with touches like vintage E&J Type 20 headlamps, a custom large diameter 4-spoke wood steering wheel, finned Corvette valve covers, louvered hood and engine bay side panels, louvered rear body-work (176 louvers in all!), S.C.T.A. sticker in the engine bay, all leather interior, hand-finished leather door check straps, and high mounted 1928 tail lamps.

This unique Lakester is finished to a very high standard and was featured with an article in the June 2012 issue of Street Rodder magazine shortly after it was completed. It drives excellent and has covered fewer than 200 miles since completion.