1927 1933 Ford Zipper Street Rod Roadster Total Custom

1927 Zipper Modified Roadster

General: This multi award winning roadster began as a rolling chassis by Zipper Motors of Utah. The initial design and creation of this total custom is the genius of Darrel Zipp, one of the premier builders of our time. Many talented fabricators and craftsmen added their touches to make it the well-sorted vehicle it is today. It is shown AND driven and does well with both. The discerning enthusiast will appreciate that this vehicle is solid from proper titling and registration to driving performance. It is unique in all regards and certainly gets attention.

Drive Train:

*"Eat off it" small block Chevy 350 crate motor with upgraded internals. Mild street cam, lifters, pistons, aluminum heads. Edelbrock intake, Holley 4-barrell carb, Moon Eyes filter and valve covers. Custom exhaust. MSD ignition. Lokar dipsticks. Chromed alternator, custom pulleys and mounts. Strong engine with no leaks. More than enough power for such a light vehicle. Exhaust tone healthy but not overly loud.

*700R4 auto transmission with overdrive. This is the desirable later year production which addressed some weaker prior year issues. Lokar shifter. Shifts smoothly through all gears. No leaks.

*Custom polished aluminum radiator and overflow tank. Full aluminum shroud with high CFM electric pull fan. Fan control gets reading from temp gauge and can be set to come on at any temp desired via knob control.

* Winters quick change rear end comes with extra set of gears in original case. Fully chromed or polished rear end from wheel to wheel. Inboard disc rotors and Corvette style axles setup. Drag style push bar. Very impressive setup. One lady spectator said, "Look, honey, it has a motor in the back too."

Chassis and Suspension:

*Custom chassis coated prior to final assembly to match Viper Red body. Many one-off mounts and tasteful details.

*Super Bell front end with friction shocks and half leaf per side suspension. 4-bar with reversed Corvair steering box. Chromed or polished front end from wheel to wheel. Wilwood disc brakes with stainless braided lines and anodized fittings.

*Rear suspension with friction shocks and single multi-leaf side-to-side leaf. 4-bar with Wilwood disc brakes and Wilwood dual reservoir master cylinder.

Exterior and Interior:

*Cab is based upon a 1927 Ford whereas the hood is 1933. Coupling the suicide doors (positive bear claw latching) and that great front grill makes for a perfect combination of cool. The front hood rotates forward and can be set at different heights to allow complete access to engine components. No unnecessary badges or chrome trim to break up the lines of the body.

*The Viper Red paint job stands out and is in great shape regarding straightness, consistency, gloss and condition.

*Full set Stewart Wagner classic white-faced gauges. Painless wiring and fuse block. Vintage style rear LED lights (BRIGHT) and turn signals. Billet LED license plate holder. Quick release steering wheel. Uncluttered and comfortable tan interior. Black carpeting. Aluminum battery box located beneath passenger floor. Wiring throughout is carefully routed and shielded to conceal or clean up wherever possible. Billet oval center rear view mirror and two vintage style swan door mirrors (driver side only currently mounted...other is NIB).

*Wilwood pedals and Lokar shifter.

* Two custom-made 6-gallon aluminum fuels cells are hidden under cab with easy access rear filler spout. Electric fuel pump.

*5-slot Wheels by Vintage Wheels include center "knock off" spinner option. Goodrich radial rear 285/70/15 and Nexus radial front 165/80/15.

*Two piece (flat glass) slanted split windshield with custom center and middle posts. Comes with tan powder-coated rag top bow and windshield "moustache" (shaped like an old school mini-visor). Simple and cost effective if someone wants to add a removable top. Got estimate once for $650.

The Paperwork:

*Clear Texas title. Originally titled in California as an "assembled" and still bears the exempt blue tag. Registering in Texas, they used this Calif. Vin but I did title change to read "1929 Ford Roadster-Replica" (DOT made year typo of 29 instead of 27). Had it plated "Texas Street Rod" instead of common "antique".

*All components fully inspected by Texas Auto Crime Prevention Task Force officers for any stolen or illegal components. Document provided.

*Safety inspected by a Texas ASE Master Technician and is fully compliant and legal in all regards. Document provided.

*Folder provided with most original build receipts.

*Bonafide appraisal provided valuing the vehicle at $65k with no labor costs considered. I find this to be accurate if you were to build from scratch.

Awards and Misc.:

*Shown extensively during 2015-16 show car seasons. First place and/or Best of Show in EVERY event entered. First place Autorama, Houston (Altered Roadster Class) and prestigious "Outstanding Engineered" award by International Show Car Association.

*Awards are nice but what they mean to me is that many judges have been all over and under the vehicle. It is THEIR objective and critical inspections that you can rely on.

*This is a well-designed, carefully constructed, and well-sorted roadster touched by people who know what a real hot rod is about. This is not a cheaply built T-bucket. It has always been garaged on a carpeted floor and within 2years, there are no drips or stains of any kind on the carpet. It handles well, rides smooth, is comfortable, dependable, and always gets the attention it deserves. It has been shown with some of the finest cars in my region and it stands out because of its uniqueness. There is never anything like it and the closer you look, the more you appreciate the hard work and cleanliness. It is being sold only to fund what is probably my last project.