Edsel Ford’s Art Deco Hot Rod is revamped using carbon fiber.
Iconic Auto Sports
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Henry Ford recognized the capability of automobiles to enable mass movement, while his son Edsel viewed cars as artistic creations. As the only child of the Ford founder, Edsel urged the company to acquire Lincoln and commissioned unique cars adorned with Art Deco flair. Miami-based Iconic Auto Sports is resurrecting one of those creations.
The SP40 Restomod Speedster draws inspiration from Edsel Ford’s 1934 Model 40 Special Speedster. The original featured custom aluminum bodywork over a modified 1934 Ford Model 40 chassis (which is where the name comes from), powered by a flathead V8. This was an early example of the modification potential of Ford’s affordable vehicles, but it gained lasting fame as a barn-find, disappearing for decades before reappearing in 1999 and fetching $1.7 million at auction in 2008. It is currently displayed at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
The distinctiveness of the Model 40 Special Speedster and its tale of vanishing and rediscovery motivated Iconic Auto Sports to create a modern homage. The SP40 Restomod Speedster retains the original's unique styling but replaces the aluminum with carbon fiber. Its lightweight body is mounted on a steel-tube space frame chassis closely resembling the Special Speedster’s, including a 117.6-inch wheelbase—just two inches shorter than an Explorer’s.
The engine was also modernized to a more contemporary option. The Coyote V8 serves as today’s counterpart to the 1930s flathead, producing over 480 horsepower, according to Iconic Auto Sports. It pairs with a Tremec five-speed manual transmission and a rear limited-slip differential. With independent suspension at both the front and rear, electric power steering, and a Brembo brake system featuring six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers, the SP40 is designed to resemble a vehicle from the 1930s while handling like a modern car.
Orders are being accepted, but Iconic Auto Sports has not disclosed pricing details. It’s likely to be expensive, but the SP40 Restomod Speedster serves as a more appropriate tribute to a significant figure in automotive history than the notorious brand that shared his name.
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Edsel Ford’s Art Deco Hot Rod is revamped using carbon fiber.
You had to be Henry Ford's only son to possess the original Model 40 Special Speedster. Now, all you need is money.