Back in 2007, renowned hot-rod builder Boyd Coddington brought his custom-built 1927 Ford Model T Roadster to Bonneville Speed Week with one goal in mind: breaking a pre-1934 Roadster class-record run of 199 mph. Coddington’s original steel-bodied Roadster was purpose-built for the Bonneville Salt Flats as the first-and-only dedicated race car ever produced by Coddington’s shop, Hot Rods by Boyd. It featured a 1200+ horsepower GM intercooled, turbo-charged 2.0-liter Ecotec engine with a Liberty six-speed transmission. Coddington’s wife Jo Coddington would take the wheel after completing race certifications and undergoing countless practice runs. Things were looking good, and the team was ready to make history.
Despite several great runs in the leadup, Jo Coddington had to drive three qualifying runs to qualify for the main course. Within a span of 24 hours, one run needed to reach over 200-mph, and two runs had to reach over 199-mph. Jo Coddington impressively hit the 200-mph mark but, ultimately, the previous record remained intact. Boyd Coddington and his team vowed to return the following year for a second attempt after learning so much from the first.
Sadly, Boyd Coddington’s untimely passing in early 2008 cut that dream short and the future of the Roadster was uncertain. That is, until Boyd Coddington’s longtime friend and customer Mike Martin took ownership to keep it in safe hands. In the years that followed, Martin cultivated a vision for the Roadster that would see its return to Bonneville. As a dedicated automotive enthusiast himself, Martin wished to preserve Boyd Coddington’s legacy and have the Roadster find its place in the record books.
In 2025, that vision took shape. Martin and Grant Grosser, an experienced salt flat racer and fellow enthusiast, prepared the Roadster for a return to Bonneville Speed Week. The goal was the same as in 2007: break the record and secure a place in history with a build made for the purpose. Grant’s daughter Sherry Grosser was set to take the wheel, just as Jo Coddington did 18 years earlier.
As it was the first time, AMSOIL lubricants went into the 1,100+ horsepower engine to get it ready for the challenge. The mission honors Boyd Coddington and was years in the making. The specs below show what this Roadster is made of.
1927 Model T Roadster
Builder and designer: Boyd Coddington, Hot Rods by Boyd
Body: 1927 Ford Model T original modified steel body
Original build date: August 2007
Engine: Destroked 2.1-liter turbocharged GM Ecotec
Transmission: Liberty Gears 5-speed air shifter
Rear end: Winters quick change
Engine management: FAST Electronics
Horsepower: 1100+
Torque: 750+
Estimated top speed: 230 mph
Suspension: Custom rocker-style horizontal inboard shocks
Frame: Custom Boyd-built tubular frame
Tires front: 600×16
Tires rear: 250×15
Wheels: Custom-built steel wheels with moon discs
Weight: 3,410 pounds
Exhaust: MagnaFlow custom
Intercoolers: Custom-designed by Hot Rods by Boyd
Turbo: Precision Turbo & Engine / GT 105 mm
Brakes: Wilwood Racing
Safety gear and parachute: Simpson Racing Products
Video transcript: Engineered for What you Drive and How you Drive
Whatever you drive. However you drive. AMSOIL specially engineers lubricants to maximize power, performance, and protection in your vehicles so you can work hard and play hard with confidence. Order online at amsoil.com
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Jamie Gibson is an AMSOIL administrative professional supporting Marketing and Communications. She contributes customer, vehicle and product stories to the AMSOIL Blog and supports the review, publication and management of technical documents and marketing materials. Gibson’s published work draws on customer interviews, maintenance histories and documented product use to connect lubricant performance with real-world vehicle and equipment experience.
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