The hot rod of Ian Splatt of Melbourne, Victoria, was a highly modified creation based around a 1932 Ford Phaeton body.
The ’32 Phaeton body was shortened into a ‘bucket’ configuration, and channelled over a modified chassis. The cowl retained the air vent, and a tall Model T windshield was grafted in place. The polished flat firewall included 4 inset gauges. The grille was a sectioned ’34 Chevrolet piece with a quad-headlight setup mounted to it.
The chassis featured four-link front suspension, including twin-shock mounts on the ‘suicide’ front end, and spring cups welded directly to the front axle.
It was powered by a Ford flathead featuring two generators and Lucky Dipper running parts.
The steering wheel and column appear to be from a Ford XK Falcon.
The body survives and is currently being built into a channelled RPU by someone near Adelaide, South Australia. [1]
Registration Plates
HTL-699 (Victoria)
The crazy front end of Ian Splatt’s Ford-based hot rod shown here at Riverside Raceway in 1962. Image courtesy of Ronnie Williams
The current condition of the Ian Splatt body, being built into a channelled RPU in South Australia. Image courtesy of Michael Ahrens
References
[1] Michael Ahrens, via Instagram (@chestermeredith)