How Sick Week Turned This ’29 Model A From a Car Show Regular Into a Drag-and-Drive Competitor
We’ve heard the stories about how a vehicle’s intended purposes can change over time, and it’s normally along the line of taking a stock or lightly modified car or truck and turning it into a drag strip bruiser. Sometimes the vehicle’s owner / driver can even change as well.
In the case of this 1929 Ford Model A Hot Rod, owner Amber Chestnut used to enjoy driving it regularly, including grocery store runs and visits to car shows. But all it took was one visit to the race track to change its future.
Sick the Mag is giving away a ‘71 Chevy dually pick-up, and we’re bringing it on Sick Week to be a part of Sick Ward! Click here to get all the details and check out bundles that maximize your chances to win!
It’s rare that a drag-and-drive becomes someone’s first time down the race track, but it was the case for Amber’s husband Justin, who snagged the keys to the Model A they refer to as ‘The Syren’ for a chance to participate in Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive back in 2022. “Sick Week was my first time down the track in my whole life,” said Justin. “It hooked me, and now I look forward to it every year.”
Sporting a cool black with green flame paint job, the blown small block Chevrolet powered ride jumped into the popular Dial Your Own (DYO) class at that first Sick Week, and Justin started with a 14.65 at nearly 100 miles per hour pass at Bradenton Motorsports Park to start his week.
But when he returned four days later, he had dropped over a full second in performance from the Model A, posting a 13.29 at 99.82 mph on his final day to complete his first drag-and-drive and garner a weekly average of 13.82.
A year later, Justin returned with improved performance, and made the move to the Gassers Vs Hot Rods Vs Beetles class. Justin opened the 2023 edition of Sick Week with a 13.65 at just 76 mph, but once again, improved his performance throughout the week.
On the final day, Justin cracked into the 11-second range with an 11.95, getting his average to a 12.75.
For the 2024 edition of Sick Week, Justin will once again return, with his wife Amber in the passenger seat. “The whole atmosphere of helping one another, and the drive and the challenge of the drives and problems you may and will face, is what brings me back each time,” said Justin. “Trying to finish without tearing everything up, but be competitive at same time, is the biggest challenge.”
To level that challenge up a little bit, the Model A comes into 2024 sporting new suspension and a bigger blower. “I’m hoping to do 9-second passes this time,” said Justin. “I can say I have the sickness!”
To get to the 9-second zone, a 383 cubic inch small block Chevy engine with an 8-71 Dyers blower on top makes the power. A Powerglide transmission backs up the powerplant, and the upgraded suspension includes a ladder bar setup with double adjustment coil-overs.
“I’ll be running in the Gassers Vs Hot Rods Vs Beetles class once again. I couldn’t do this without my supportive wife Amber Chestnut, the owner of the car and the one that sees all my ups and downs when I am in the middle of building and fixing her car.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, Motion Raceworks and Justin Chestnut.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com