Buzz
Crafted by Tommy Ivo, the Ivo T hot rod features a 1925 T touring body paired with a shortened Model A truck bed at the rear. Dive into a visual journey with more stunning hot rod images.Known as "TV" Tommy Ivo, the mastermind behind the custom hot rod Ivo T, he gained fame as a child actor in the 1940s and 1950s, starring in films and on the Mickey Mouse Club. At 16 in 1952, he surprised a Burbank, California, Buick dealer by purchasing a new car with cash, immediately taking it to the local drag strip to test its capabilities.
While the Buick was disappointingly slow, the 1955 Century he acquired three years later was a speed demon. Tommy Ivo clinched his first victory in the '55, setting an A/Stock Automatic record at Pomona. This win fueled his desire for greater speed, leading him to install a high-performance engine in the lightest vehicle available.
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Taking inspiration from Norm Grabowski's newly constructed T-bucket, Tommy crafted his own version using a 1925 T touring body found abandoned in the desert. He modified it into a two-door by shortening the body and further reduced a Model A truck bed to accommodate the battery and fuel tank for his Ivo T hot rod.
Collaborating with renowned Buick engine expert Max Balchowsky, Tommy Ivo assembled and fine-tuned the 402-cid Buick nailhead V-8 engine, initially fitted with four carburetors and later upgraded to Hilborn fuel injection. The interior was expertly crafted by Tony Nancy, another legend in the hot rod community.
A spotlight in the August 1957 edition of Hot Rod highlighted how the combination of lightweight design and substantial torque earned 21 trophies in as many drag strip appearances. The Ivo T was remarkably fast in the quarter-mile, achieving times just under 11 seconds and reaching top speeds of 119 mph.
The hot rod's stunning design also landed it roles in several TV shows and movies. After just a year, Tommy Ivo sold the Ivo T and went on to establish himself as one of drag racing's pioneering touring professionals and a dominant force in Top Fuel drag racing.
Following its drag racing career, Ivo's T underwent several modifications, including a redesign by George Barris, who installed square headlights. It became a popular show car in the 1960s and, alongside Grabowski's T, inspired countless fiberglass "Fad Ts."
Tommy Ivo commissioned Tony Nancy, a renowned hot rod expert, to handle the upholstery for the Ivo T.After years of neglect, Jack Rosen, who inherited the Ivo T from his father Hy, had it meticulously restored to its original state. Ron Jones led the restoration, honoring the craftsmanship of a young, speed-enthusiast actor from decades past.
To learn more about custom cars and hot rods, see:
- History of Hot Rods
- Custom Car Profiles
- Hot Rod Profiles
