1961 Ford T-bucket Hot Rod "Trojan"
- Engine
- 322 cu. in. (5.3L) Buick Nailhead V8, OHV, with Weiand intake manifold and six Stromberg 94 carburetors
- Colour
- Lime Fire Metallic with black-and-white pinstriping and yellow/orange flames
Trojan is a 1916 Ford T-bucket show rod constructed in Toledo, Ohio by Harry Markiecki, completed in 1961 after roughly a year of solo effort at a cost of approximately $3,000. Powered by a 322 cu. in. Buick Nailhead V-8 paired with a Dynaflow automatic, the car earned 18 trophies in its first seven showings and was featured on the cover of Hot Rod magazine. After changing hands several times, it received a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration while held in a large Nevada private museum, following which it won Best in Class at the 2009 Detroit Autorama and appeared on the cover of Rod & Custom. Original bodywork, engine, and frame are retained.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$126,500
- 1961 →Factory deliveryHarry Markieckifull documentation
Builder and original owner, based in Toledo, Ohio; constructed the vehicle himself over roughly one year at a personal cost of around $3,000, aside from outsourced upholstery and paint.
- → 1971Acquisition unknownChester Carypartial documentation
Resident of Lima, Ohio; the prose indicates ownership had transferred to Cary by 1971 but provides no further detail on the acquisition or duration of ownership.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMike Guffeypartial documentation
Held the vehicle briefly between Chester Cary and America's Car Collection; no dates or location provided.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAmerica's Car Collectionpartial documentation
Large private museum in Winnemucca, Nevada; commissioned a thorough nut-and-bolt restoration using period photographs to guide accuracy.
- Date unknownPrivate saleAndrews Collectionpartial documentation
Acquired directly from America's Car Collection; the vehicle entered the collection in show-ready condition following the completed restoration.
Competition
- 20092009 Detroit AutoramaBest in Class
Following restoration, the car appeared alongside several celebrated custom vehicles and was attended by members of Markiecki's family along with the original pinstriper and painter.
- 2009Del Mar showTerrific T and Excellence awards
Post-restoration appearance at Del Mar earning two awards; no further detail provided.
- 2009Boise showFirst in Class and Outstanding Detail award
Another post-restoration event appearance; no additional details provided.
- —Multiple show appearances (18 trophies across 7 events)18 trophies including 6 Best of Show awards
These victories were recorded by Hot Rod magazine during the car's original show career under Harry Markiecki's ownership; specific event names and dates were not listed.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationFlying A Garage
Full nut-and-bolt restoration carried out by Flying A Garage team (Dave Bengochea, Parker Arrien, Ken Lutzow); period photographs from 1961–1962 magazine features were used as reference to return the car to its original appearance. Pinstriping by Dale Weber of Sparks, Nevada; interior and folding top by Martinez Custom Upholstery of Burbank, California; chrome work by Advanced Plating of Nashville, Tennessee.
Commissioned by America's Car Collection; historian Mark Moriarty assisted with sourcing the reference photography. Completed prior to the 2009 Detroit Autorama.
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