Arvid Johansen's 1930 Ford

Norwegian Speed King Arvid Johansen with his stripped-down Model A Roadster. Johansen's hopped-up Model A featured a Record OHV head, a Winfield carburetor, a Scintilla Vertex magneto, and hi-comp pistons made by Møller & Larsen. A powerful combo that made him nearly unbeatable for several seasons, and he used to brag about having at least one first price position in all forms of racing that had been hosted in Norway in the 1930s. Photo from The Greger Strøm Photo Collection.

After competing in Rally Monte Carlo in 1931, Arvid returned to Oslo with three Record heads in his bags. One head went on his Model A. The other two were shared amongst other Model A racers in Norway.

A photo of Arvid's roadster taken at Bogstadracet 10 Februar, 1935. This photo appeared in Veteran & sportsbil : bladet for virkelige entusiaster. 2006 Nr. 4, and it shows Arvid as he is chasing Alex Patana in his Ford V-8 Special. Arvid ran in the Sports-class at the race, and he won his class, completing 20 seconds faster than Konrad Bryde. Photo courtesy of Veteran & sportsbil : bladet for virkelige entusiaster.

A photo of Arvid Johansen with his 1930 Ford Model A Roadster taken at Leangen, September 12, 1937. Greger Strøm was on everyone's lips that Sunday. Would the young mechanic, with his homemade race car, be able to give Arvid any competition at all? Johansen was the big favorite, and Greger overheard him telling a journalist that he planned to play a little with the newcomer at the beginning of the race before he eventually would pass him by and kick his ass. Photo from The Greger Strøm Photo Collection.

Arvid with his roadster at Leangbanen in 1937. Next to Arvid's roadster is Greger Strøm with his Greger Strøm Special No. 1. This was Greger's first race with his new race car, and he beat racing legend Arvid in front of 7000 specators. Photo courtesy of Right On Magazine.

Greger knew that his engine wouldn't produce many more horses than a stock engine and that a low weight would be crucial for his success. He started the race at Leangen in second gear, knowing that Johansen always started in second gear as well. During practice, Greger had carefully measured which gears would give him the best start. His racer weighed less than Johansen's Model A, so he quickly achieved a leadership position. Photo from The Greger Strøm Photo Collection.

1930 Ford Model A Roadster owned and raced by Arvid Johansen of Norway. Arvid was one of the most successful race car drivers of Norway in the 1930s.

February 15, 1931 Arvid attended Gjersjøløpet in Oppegård municipality with his Model A. By then the car was fully fendered. Arvid ran as number 18 in the fifth heat. He won the heat, followed by Bjarne Aarsten in his Hudson, and Ole Finstad in his fenderless 1928 Ford Model A roadster. Eugen Bjørnstad won the class for cars between 1100-1500 ccm with a time of 9.41.2. Arvid came second, clocked at 9.49.4.

After attending the 1931 Monte Carlo Rally, Arvid returned to Norway with three Record OHV Heads. Arvid installed one of the heads on his roadster. He had Møller & Larsen make him some high compression pistons that were installed along with a Winfield carburetor and a Scintilla Vertex magneto. Arvid's Model A Roadster was almost unbeatable for many years, and Arvid bragged about having at least one first-prize trophy in all of the racing classes held in Norway in the 1930s. Arvid was often seen competing two different cars in the races he attended, one in the "Standard" class, and one in the "Sport" or "Special" class. In the "Special" class you could almost modify the car as much as you wanted.

In order to not loose any speed while driving on two wheels in the curves, Arvid found a way to lock the differential on the roadster.

In 1937 Arvid ran the roadster at Leangbanen in Leangen. He was beaten by Greger Strøm, who made a debut race with his first race car, the Greger Strøm Special No. 1.

During the autumn of 1937, the Model A engine in Arvid's roadster was rebuilt by Ford-specialist Erik Engelstad of Fram Motor Kompani.

Johansen raced at Vingersjøen 20 Februar, 1938. He ran in "Class 5," for cars over 3000 kbcm, and won his class. Arvid was the fastest contender around the track, making a round in 1 minute and 20 seconds, achieving approximately 90 km per hour. There was also a straightforward track. Arvis ran in "Class 5" here as well, and in this competition, he was beaten by Engelhardt Løchen. The next weekend Arvid competed at Øieren 27 February, 1938. He ran in "Class 7," where he beat Engelhardt Løchen.

Magazine Features and Appearances

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Veteran & sportsbil : bladet for virkelige entusiaster. 2006 Nr. 4