The Morris Brothers SoCal Speed Shop Roadster on the beach in Wildwood, New Jersey. Photos by the author.

From 1949 into the 1980s, a 1931 Ford Model A roadster (actually a 1931 body on a lightened 1932 frame) set records up and down the California coast, running on street, strip and dry lake beds. Built and campaigned by the Morris brothers, Dick and George, the car once wore the colors of Alex Xydias’ SoCal Speed Shop, though it was not an “official” shop car. Restored by former owner Dave Tanimura in 2010, the Morris Brothers SoCal Speed Shop roadster made its return to competition with new owner Lars Mapstead at this year’s Race of Gentlemen.

The roadster has worn many hats over the years, running for speed records on dry lake beds and at Bonneville, throwing down in quarter-mile competition, and, at one point, raising hell on the streets of Los Angeles with the Morris brothers and Alex Xydias. Initially powered by a normally aspirated flathead V-8, the car quickly received a supercharger upgrade, and in this configuration set B Roadster speed records of 166.975 MPH and 174.757 MPH. Later, with a supercharged Chevy V-8 under the hood, the roadster ran as fast as 215 MPH at Bonneville, good enough for yet another record.

It’s worn multiple liveries over the decades, too, though none as widely recognized as the dark red and white color scheme associated with the SoCal Speed Shop.

When Dave Tanimura restored the car, it was this early-1950s paint scheme that he opted to recreate. For power, a period-correct 1949 Mercury flathead V-8 was used, tuned up with an Iskenderian camshaft, Edelbrock heads, and an Edelbrock intake manifold fed by a quartet of Stromberg 97 carburetors exhaling through an open exhaust. The transmission was from a 1937 Ford, and keeping true to its as-raced configuration, a Halibrand quick-change rear end was installed.

Power comes from a 1949 Mercury flathead V-8.

Tanimura put the car up for sale in 2012, with an asking price of $160,000. It’s not clear how much Lars paid for the car, but it’s probably safe to assume the number is north of the six-figure border; after all, the Ford roadster is a multiple record holder with an extensive racing history and direct ties to the legendary SoCal Speed Shop. Few cars with such provenance survived their active racing years, and even fewer remained intact following their retirement.

Racing Petey Dobosz, who won this particular heat.

With such a significant piece of California racing history in his possession, Lars would be forgiven if he parked the roadster in a climate-controlled garage, or loaned it on exhibit to the museum of his choice. Such thoughts never crossed his mind, and as he explained in our conversation, “When I saw the pictures from last year’s Race of Gentlemen, I knew I had to be there.”

Lars lines up against Paul Reichlin in the 1929 Model A coupe.

The Jersey Shore event was the first time that the car had been raced since being rediscovered in 1985, and Lars was not afraid to push the car to its limit on the beach. “This is like Christmas morning,” he said on Sunday, “In fact, it’s better than Christmas morning. Racing on the beach in perfect weather; how can it get any better than this?”

Getting an assist from the Hemmings staff.

His enthusiasm was evident from the sand and salt water sprayed across the car. Run after run, Lars would drive the car (rather well, beating a large number of competitors) until he lost, then he’d reluctantly return to the pits until the next session. It was clear that he’d come cross-country to race, not spectate, and as long as the tide stayed out, he was ready to run.

Though some would argue that the Morris Brothers SoCal Speed Shop roadster belongs in a museum, where it can be preserved for future generations to enjoy, we’d say it was in its element on the beaches of Wildwood. A car with that much history deserves an owner like Lars, unafraid to use it for its intended purpose.