Göran Silfors' 1932 Ford

A view of the Early Bird at the April 1965 Hot Rod Show at Ostermans Marmorhallar in Stockholm, Sweden where hot rods and custom cars were prominently displayed for thousands of visitors, reflecting the emerging popularity and artistic flair of the Scandinavian hot rod and custom scene. The first edition of the Hot Rod Show was hosted by Bosse "Gamen" Sandberg, Acke Nordström, and Jonas Qvarnström. The idea for the show came to Gamen after witnessing the success of an indoor car show hosted by Roffe Skoghag at Scania’s facilities in Tanto, Södermalm. The inaugural event took place from April 21 to 26, 1965, spanning from Wednesday to Sunday. The show was noted for its impressive attendance, drawing over 20,000 visitors. Its success led to a follow-up exhibition later the same year. The second edition was held from November 10 to 15, 1965, and it is believed that many of the same vehicles that appeared in the first event were featured again. Photo from The Christer Wistam Collection.

The turquoise version of the Early Bird at the 1965 Hot Rod Show in Stockholm. Photo courtesy of Sven and Maude Sandberg, from Spoca.se.

The first version of the Early Bird at an indoor car show. Photo courtesy of Per Andersson, from the the Facebook group Gamla custom bilar i Sverige.

This photo of the Early Bird was published in Colorod Nr 1 1980. Photo courtesy of Colorod Magazine.

Sillan racing the roadster at the first organized drag race of Sweden. This drag race took place October 1-2, 1966 just outside of Stockholm.

Order from: Sweden - Norway - Rest of the world

A photo of the Early Bird taken October 20, 1966 in Stockholm. The photo was taken by Bob D'Olivio of Petersen Publishing while touring the Volvo manufacturing plant. Photo by Bob D'Olivio, courtesy of Getty Images.

Photo by Bob D'Olivio, courtesy of Getty Images.

A close up photo of the Early Bird taken in October of 1966 at the Hot Rod Festival in Masthugget. Photo by Ryde Brundin, courtesy of Maths Pålsson.

Another photo from the Hot Rod Festival in Masthugget in 1966. Photo by Ryde Brundin, courtesy of Maths Pålsson.

A photo of the Early Bird from a story in Teknikens Värld.

A photo of the Early Bird taken at the April 1967 Hot Rod Show in Stockholm. Photo by Ryde Brundin, courtesy of Maths Pålsson.

The blue version of Sillan's Early Bird at the Hot Rod Show in Stockholm. Photo courtesy of Anders Norman.

Photo courtesy of Anders Norman.

Photo courtesy of Anders Norman.

Photo courtesy of Anders Norman.

Photo courtesy of Anders Norman.

The Early Bird was featured in Start & Speed No. 2 1967, in a two-page Hot Rod & Custom Review feature titled “Sillen går till väders”. Referred to in the article as “Early Bird II,” the spread showed the car’s spade motif and padded top, the 1959 Ford Thunderbird dashboard, and the 1947 Ford Flathead V-8.

This photo of the blue version of the Early Bird was published in Colorod Nr 1 1980. Photo courtesy of Colorod Magazine.

A photo of the Early Bird taken at the 1968 Hot Rod Show in Stockholm. Photo from The P.A. Flink Photo Collection.

From 2020. Photo by Peter Andersson

1931 Ford Model A Roadster owned and built by Göran "Sillen" Silfors of Stockholm, Sweden. Göran's roadster was built on a 1932 Ford chassis, and it went under the name “Early Bird”. The first version of the Early Bird was painted light turquoise.

Build

The Early Bird featured a 1959 Ford Thunderbird dashboard and a Covico steering wheel. Contemporary photos reveal a low, padded top and a pronounced spade theme, with spade cut-outs/graphics extending into the windshield area. Power came from a 1947 Ford flathead V-8 with Allard heads, magnet ignition, and dual carburetors. The transmission and rear end were also from a 1947 Ford.

Drag Debut and Show Appearance

On October 1–2, 1966, Sillen entered the roadster in Sweden’s first organized drag race. Due to rain and a wet track, the car ran the quarter-mile in 18.4 seconds. Later that month, October 26–30, it was shown at the Hot Rod Festival Masthugget in Gothenburg.

Repaint, Feature, and Show Circuit

Shown at several events across Sweden, the Early Bird went through various changes. By April 1967, it had received a Deep Blue Candy paint job with Royal Blue Metalflake flames by Yankee Custom Parts. “Sillen” pinstriped the car himself after it was painted. The car was featured in Start & Speed Nr. 2 1967 within the “Hot Rod & Custom Review” section under the headline “Sillen går till väders.” The article referred to the car as “Early Bird II.” The feature highlights the spade motif and noted a dramatic front show presentation that gave the impression of a “double engine,” described as an effective display rather than a true twin-engine setup. The car later ended its days against a garage wall in Skärholmen, and the remaining parts were sold and spread around Sweden.

Later History and Ownership

According to a Facebook thread, many years later, Ingarö-Kjelle, former member of Sofia Hogs, acquired the car and sold it to his relative Erik Denander, who gathered most of the parts and rebuilt it on a ’32 frame, this time not channeled. He painted it orange.

The car was then sold to Roffe Witt and Susanna Warfvinge. They had Ingemar Becker repaint it black with scallops, and Bosse "Sybo" Warfvinge did the upholstery. After a divorce in 1999, the car was sold to Olle Davidsson in Borlänge. Master painter Ray Hill then painted flames all over the car.

Olle kept it until August 2003, when Robert Budai in Sandviken bought it.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Start & Speed 2 1967
Colorod Nr 1 1980