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January 6, 2024

Joker's Gone Wild

The world of hot rodding stands out as one of the most wildly diverse and unique communities in the automotive enthusiast world. Each custom car is a masterpiece unto itself; they never cease to amaze with their vibrant colours, distinctive touches, and creatively unique names. These beautiful creations always steal the spotlight at any car show they attend. Some are so unbelievably wild that they even bear names inspired by Batman's greatest rival, such as the renowned "Joker's Wild."

The front of Joker's Wild roadster
The front of Joker's Wild roadster

The 1930-1931 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup, affectionately known as Joker's Wild, took its place among the remarkable vehicles at the Lift King Wild Wednesday car show hosted in New Horizon. It was undeniably a "wild" ride that outshone every other vehicle on display.

Rear of Joker's Wild roadster
Rear of Joker's Wild roadster

Joker's Wild donned the infamous colour reminiscent of Batman's arch-nemesis' beloved suit, a hue resembling Mopar's plum crazy purple, fitting for a truly diabolical villain. This vibrant paint scheme was beautifully complemented by classic white accents and brushed aluminium, creating an elegant contrast.

The Chevy V6 sat perfectly inside the engine compartment
The Chevy V6 sat perfectly inside the engine compartment

The attention to detail in Joker's Wild was nothing short of breathtaking. The firewall sported an iconic checkerboard paint, reminiscent of the diner floors from the 1950s when hot rods like these ruled the scene. A brilliantly stylized caricature of the Joker himself sat between the doors and engine compartment, complete with his famous jester hat and billiard 8-Balls hanging from the ends of his cap. Moving to the rear, the bed boasted a spectacular wooden finish and was accented by 1959 Cadillac tail lights, further enhancing its truly unique custom appearance.

The Joker's Wild caricature was a stunning mural to witness
The Joker's Wild caricature was a stunning mural to witness

The dual bug catcher air cleaners added an extra touch of uniqueness, as they were engraved and painted with a five-of-a-kind poker hand. These distinctive air cleaners perched atop a supercharged Chevy V6, which was an exceptionally rare choice for a drivetrain conversion in an old Ford hot rod. The engine received a set of classic hot rod-style headers that funnelled into side-mounted mufflers, elegantly exiting at the rear of the roadster through a pair of chrome tips.

Inside Joker's Wild
Inside Joker's Wild

This Model A Roadster pickup stood out as an exceptionally unique masterpiece, characterised by its uncommon traits. With a supercharged Chevrolet V6 under the hood and a paint job resembling Mopar's plum crazy purple, it epitomised the wild and villainous aspects of hot rodding. Whenever this roadster made an appearance at an event, you could be sure it was going to be a wild and memorable experience.

The sides of the air intakes were engraved and given the five of a kind hand
The sides of the air intakes were engraved and given the five of a kind hand

Until the next time I see you guys, get wrenching, get driving, and keep these classics alive!

- Kyle Hanger of Searching for Classics