Norman R. Douglas' 1923 Ford

1923 Ford Model T Roadster originally owned and built by Norman R. Douglas of Cincinnati, Ohio. Norman's Model T was first shown as "The Casual T," later on, it changed name to "The Mint Julep."

Norman's Ford was featured in Rod Power magazine. The story had mixed up two sets of car notes, and Gene Weaver was listed as the owner of the car. After buying the car, Dave tracked down Gene to tell him that he now was the caretaker of his old hot rod; "He was amazed, and started to tell me about it," Dave told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in 2018. "After 5 minutes we realized that we were talking about two different animals."

A newspaper clipping about Norman's Ford from The Cincinnati Enquirer 17 Feb 1969. In February of 1969 Norman won three awards in the Hot Rod class with the car at the 9th annual Cincinnati Cavalcade of Customs. He took home the Best Hot Rod, Best Rod Engine, and Best Rod Interior honors.

A photo of the Mint Julep taken when it was pulled from the service station where Harry had stored it since the 1970s. Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

An old display sign that came with the car when Dave bought it. Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

A wiring manual that came along with the car. Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

For judges use. Photo courtesy of Dave Rouchy.

1923 Ford Model T Roadster originally owned and built by Norman R. Douglas of Cincinnati, Ohio. Norman's Model T was first shown as "The Casual T," later on, it changed name to "The Mint Julep."

Completed in 1966

The build was started in 1965 and completed in mid 1966. In February of 1969 Norman won three awards in the Hot Rod class with the car at the 9th annual Cincinnati Cavalcade of Customs. He took home the Best Hot Rod, Best Rod Engine, and Best Rod Interior honors.

Sold to Harry Arrington 

When later owner Dave Rouchy bought the car in 2018, the name of the original owner was unknown, and the car was rumored to have been built in the Cincinnati area. It was supposedly built for the Douglas family. 2 brothers and a sister. The car was shown for a few years before Norman sold it to Harry Arrington of Arkansas in late December 1969. Harry Arrington was the second owner of the car, and he got it titled March 12, 1970. Harry showed the car for years before it was put in storage in the back of an old service station.

Sold to Dave Rouchy

In 2018 Dave Rauchy of Pompano Beach, Florida bought the car from Harry. "When we found the car, it had been tucked in the back of an old service station for over 40 years. I showed the car to my mother, Nona Rauch, and we both decided we had to have it. We did the deal, and it headed to Pompano Beach, Florida. when it finally arrived it was even Cooler than pictures can do it justice," Dave told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama. When Dave got the car, everything down to the tires was original. The wheels were original Magnesium Torque Thrust, but they had been mirror polished when Dave got it. It ran 16-inch wheels up front, and 15-inch wheels in the rear. It was powered by a 1965 Chevrolet 327 engine and a polished 4 speed. "Everyone has told me the transmission is a M22. I have not verified the numbers, but if so, it would make it a group of the first M22s produced." The engine did also run a Cragar blower. Dave promised he would not change a thing on the car.

The Mix Up

The car was featured in Rod Power magazine. The story had mixed up two sets of car notes, and Gene Weaver was listed as the owner of the car. After buying the car, Dave tracked down Gene to tell him that he now was the caretaker of his old hot rod; "He was amazed, and started to tell me about it. After 5 minutes we realized that we were talking about two different animals."