Over the past few years, a number of historically notable vehicles have been rediscovered, a list that includes the original 1968 Ford Mustang used in the iconic film Bullitt, as well as the very first Shelby GT500 prototype. Now, that trend continues after Beau Boeckmann – president and CEO of Galpin Motors – recently stumbled across the long-lost Ford Model T inspired hot rod known as “Uncertain-T” – which just so happened to be right next door, it seems.
Uncertain-T came about back in the mid-1960s after its creator – then 17-year-old Steve Scott – was inspired to construct this wild machine based on a cartoon drawn up by his classmate. As such, he set about building the one-off custom rig in this parent’s garage, using the Ford Model T as inspiration. However, the finished result of his efforts is undoubtedly abstract, and it was so striking, that it remained a stalwart on the car show circuit for around five years.
Scott’s amazing creation was so unique and beloved that it managed to rack up a number of trophies in its heyday, even topping builds from icons like George Barris, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, and Dan Woods. However, the car disappeared in the mid-1970s, and has been presumed missing ever since – at least until Boeckmann found it recently after searching for a number of years. Ironically, it was actually stored in a warehouse just a few miles from Galpin’s flagship dealer location in Van Nuys, California.
“This time, the Uncertain-T found me, I didn’t find it,” Boeckmann said. “While this historic hot rod has been a worldwide phenomenon, with its whereabouts unknown for so many decades, I love that it was built and found in the San Fernando Valley right down the street from Galpin Ford. What makes it even more sentimental is the connection between the previous owner, Dick Nickerson, and my father, who all worked on the Mach IV four-engine Mustang Funny Car together in 1969.”
Now, Boeckmann plans on teaming up with restoration specialist Dave Shuten to return the car to its original specification. In the meantime, visitors to the upcoming Grand National Roadster Show in Pocoma and the Detroit Autorama will be able to see Uncertain-T in its as-discovered condition.
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Comment
The engine looks like an old Buick “nail head”.