This all-steel 1925 Ford Track T Roadster was built as a tribute to the car Harvey Porter drove to the 1950 Midwest Roadster Racing Association championship and used to set the track record on the famed Rex Speedway high-banked 1/2-mile dirt oval that operated from 1949 to 1954. Harvey himself supplied the specifications and actively assisting in the build. According to the car’s history, Harvey stated that this car matched his original car’s specifications.
Built to compete, this roadster was actively campaigned by its two previous owners with the IMCA Old Timers at Davenport, Knoxville, Arlington and other venues.
The blue-and-white 4R comes from the Leo Anderson collection and still carries his name as Owner/Driver. Leo owned and raced multiple vintage race cars. According to his son Randy, this was Leo’s favorite—and the blue 4R could “beat 'em all.”
The dash bears the painted tribute “Harvey Porter 1950 MRRA Champ,” the car carries multiple IMCA event badges, and the components utilized are a veritable who’s who of vintage hot rodding, land speed and oval racing legends.
POWER & DRIVETRAIN
• 8BA Ford flathead V8
• Edmunds finned aluminum heads
• Offenhauser dual intake
• Dual Ford Holley carburetors with frog-mouth scoops
• Cirello magneto
• Culbert in-and-out box
• Locker banjo rear end
• Open trumpet headers
BODY & CHASSIS
• All-steel Model T roadster body
• Reversed and boxed Model T frame
• Body channeled 2.5 inches over the frame
• Double firewall
• 1916 Maxwell grille shell
• Gordon Schroeder cowl steering
• Trussed steering arm
• Houdaille shocks
• Chrome rear pusher bar
COCKPIT & WHEELS
• Wrapped banjo steering wheel
• Hot-foot accelerator
• Safety containment harness
• 1935 Ford wire wheels
• New Firestone 6.50-16 dirt-knobby rear tires
• New Firestone 5.00-16 ribbed front tires
• Painted spare wheel with mounted ribbed front tire
COMPLETE, STORED IN “AS RACED” CONFIGURATION
The car entered long-term storage in its last raced configuration. Ignition wiring, brake lines, fuel lines, cooling hoses, steering components and other systems remain intact and complete.
Built from components spanning roughly 60 to 110 years of age, this roadster has been raced and shows the marks of that life. Expect rubs, dings, paint chips, scrapes, scratches, paint bubbling, some very minimal rust and areas of mismatched paint. It presents extremely well and with plenty of character, but it is an old competition car with imperfections, not a flawless restoration.
Designed to be push-started at race events, it has not been started by the current owner and has not been fired recently. Marvel Mystery Oil has been added to the cylinders, the engine oil has been changed to fresh high-zinc oil, and the engine rotates freely. Running condition remains unknown. The car is offered as a complete competition vehicle requiring inspection and recommissioning before operation.
Its next owner could preserve it as a striking museum or private-collection display, or recommission it for vintage racing. It could also provide a distinctive starting point for adaptation to The Race of Gentlemen (TROG), subject to modifications and organizer approval.
The 4R captures the character of early Midwest dirt-track hot rod racing. The Harvey Porter connection, Leo Anderson ownership and its racing history give it a story that goes well beyond its appearance and components.
Located in Northeast Missouri.
Competition vehicle. No title; sold with a bill of sale. The only trades considered would be pre-war race cars and pre-war race car parts. All photos and the video were shot on 10/14 and represent the current state of the car being offered.
Delivery may be available within a 250-mile radius of the car’s location, with terms and timing by arrangement. Longer distances considered by special arrangement.
