F137 1927 FORD T-BUCKET TRACK ROADSTER 304 CI Flathead V-8, 3-Speed, Known as Murphy’s Law Ascot, Gilmore, Gardena: the track names now bring nostalgic thoughts about where open-wheel events pitted amateurs and professionals alike against the clock, clay or dirt and each other. This beautiful Ford T-bucket, wearing No. 78 and known as Murphy’s Law, was the type of car that made that history possible. Built in Southern California and gifted to Parnelli Jones, this vehicle represents the classic track roadsters constructed during the late-1940s and early- 1950s. Once raced out of myriad small race shops and home garages by talented men often mechanically trained during the then-recent war era, cars like this ran on the Golden State’s quarter-mile and half-mile dirt tracks and proved to be a popular draw at places like Culver City Raceway and Carrell Speedway in the Los Angeles area. Big name drivers such as Bill Vukovich, Troy Ruttman, Sam Hanks, Johnnie Parsons and Mr. Parnelli Jones himself all drove track roadsters during their careers, and in some ways, SoCal was the epicenter of weekly American auto racing during this era. Being offered here, car No. 78 begins with an all-steel body modified to racing trim and mounted on a modified Ford frame. Installed into that frame is a 304 CI flathead V-8 engine, period-styled with an Isky 404 camshaft, high-compression aluminum heads, triple carburetors and an upgraded custom ignition system, and running on straight methanol for fuel. Behind this is a Lincoln Zephyr 3-speed manual transmission, and a quick-change-design Halibrand rear differential and gearing kit completes it. The cut-down orange exterior with race lettering is how these cars appeared, and the interior was also created solely for business. With a fabricated dash hosting a handful of ESTIMATE: $25,000 - $40,000 gauges and mementos from nostalgia events, the car has been a legal competition machine, with an aluminum seat featuring an orange cover, Simpson racing belts, a single-loop roll bar with rear support, open floor layout and details like a vintage Ford four-spoke wheel, show-shape gas pedal and “8-ball” shift knob. As shown, the car has Firestone front tires and treaded Bridgestone rear tires, and this sale will include two spare transmissions as well as four spare tires and wheels. As raced and parked, the Parnelli Jones’ track roadster No. 78 is sold on a Bill of Sale. The spattering of dirt and race wear you see was put on during competition and has been left intact as a tribute to its use. After all, there is no extra charge for it, and you can decide yourself how you want to present it once you get this historic open-wheel racer home.
