Ralph Stone's 1931 Ford Model A Roadster

Kerrville, Texas. A photo of the Ralph Stone Roadster from Gene Roush's photo album. We believe this photo was taken in 1953. Photo courtesy of Gene Roush, provided by Karl Knecht.

Ralph's Roadster as it sat when it appeared in Rod & Custom February 1954. Photo by Billy O. Boyles.

Photo by Billy O. Boyles.

Photo by Billy O. Boyles.

The dash in the roadster was hand tooled by Ralph, featuring numerous patterns and artistic designs like flowers, leaves, and the likeness of a woman. Photo by Billy O. Boyles.

The engine was a 1951 Ford inline six, sporting a Edmunds intake manifold and split exhaust. Photo by Billy O. Boyles.

Photo by Billy O. Boyles.

Ralph's roadster was featured on the cover of Trend Book 117 Hot Rod 1955 Annual.

Ralph racing his roadster at Caddo Mills Dragstrip in 1956 or 1957. When the photo was taken, he was competing against Gene Finan's 1929 Ford Model A Roadster of Little Rock, Arkansas. By then, Ralph's roadster had received an Oldsmobile-engine. Turning 108.04 mph with an elapsed time of 13.64 seconds, he won the "B" Roadster Class with the car.

1931 Ford Model A Roadster owned and built by San Antonio Road Runners member Ralph E. Stone of San Antonio, Texas.

Custom Leatherwork

Ralph was a saddle maker and a leather maker by trade and a true fan of custom cars and hot rods by hobby. Therefore it was only natural when building his roadster that he would combine those two elements. The dash, for instance, was outstanding, with numerous patterns and artistic designs like flowers, leaves, and the likeness of a woman. The upholstery was done by Ralph and was all done in leather. The side panels were padded and pleated with genuine leather. The scuff mats and carpets were the same color as the base material. The trunk compartment was done in the same matter as the interior.

1932 Ford Frame

The body was a 1931 Ford, dropped on a 1932 Ford frame, which had been stepped six inches in the rear to eliminate the need for longer shackles. The front axle was dropped and filled, and the wishbone was split and mounted to brackets under the frame rails. The front spring eyes were reversed to give an extra 2" drop. The steering assembly was stock 32, except for the addition of a 1950 Ford steering wheel. The car featured newer spindles, juice brakes, and a chromed steering arm. It had 60-40 double-acting shocks. The windshield was chopped, and a white canvas top was installed. The top was held with four bolts and easy to remove. Besides from the leather dash, the cluster hailed from a 1949 Ford, with an extra electric tachometer.

Six-Cylinder Engine

Ralph had Tony Lawrence of Castroville, Texas to take care of the mechanical features on the car. And when it came to choosing an engine for it, they picked a nearly stock 1951 Ford six-cylinder. It was mostly because they had it in possession and wanted something unusual in it. The only alteration to the engine was the addition of an Edmunds dual intake manifold and a split exhaust manifold. The engine mounts had to be hand-made in order to install it. The transmission was a 1941 Ford unit stuffed with 26 tooth cluster gear and column shift. The read end was from a 1940 Ford, sporting a set of 3.54 gears.

Electrically Operated Deck Lid

The body was kept as smooth as possible. The deck lid was filled and electrically operated by a convertible Studebaker electric top screw jack. The door handles were shaved, as well as the tank filler cap. The 1932 Ford grille shell was filled, and a custom Nerf bar was made up front, with the letter S being centered. The rear Nerf bar was hand-made as well. The taillights were from a 1942 Ford. Once the bodywork was done, it was painted yellow, with the engine done in red as a bright contrast. The color scheme was topped off by red wheels, white walls, and chrome beauty rings.

Rod & Custom Featured Story

When Ralph's car was featured in Rod & Custom February 1954, he was currently in the service, and Tony Lawrence was the caretaker of it. He could confirm that future plans for the car included a hopped-up engine, chroming all the parts that could be removed, and making a belly pan.

Olds-Engine

A magazine clipping from 1956 or 1957 shows Ralph racing his roadster at the Caddo Mills Dragstrip. By then, the car had received an Oldsmobile-engine. Turning 108.04 mph with an elapsed time of 13.64 seconds, he won the "B" Roadster Class with the car.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Rod & Custom February 1954
Trend Book 117 Hot Rod 1955 Annual