1930 Ford Coupe Built by Frank Maratta
This 1930 Ford Coupe known as “The Rake” was originally owned by Frank Maratta, founder of the historic Connecticut Dragway and lead promoter of the Hartford Autorama auto show. Raced extensively on the New England drag circuit and at NHRA national events around the country, “The Rake” serves as a rare survivor from a New England hot rodding icon who was very active and well known throughout the region.
Frank Maratta was heavily involved in the New England Hot Rod scene in the 50’s and 60’s, and one of the pioneers who helped to grow the hobby in the region. Frank organized the Hartford Autorama which one of the biggest hot rod and custom car gathering events in the 50’s and 60’s, a five day event that drew some of the most iconic cars from hundreds of miles away. Maratta also owned New England Auto Body in Hartford, CT, where he worked on “The Rake.”
“I’m good with my hands,” Maratta noted in an interview with Rodding & Restyling magazine in 1959. Frank’s hands were so good, in fact, that he would receive letters from around the country requesting his skills. While The Rake is not in the exact condition it was first built in during the 1950’s, the details that Maratta provided in this build are nothing short of professional grade.
Maratta bought the ’30 Ford for $40, and invested more than $3000 building, customizing and preparing it for the drag strip. Originally powering The Rake was a 352 C.I. Chevrolet V8 which provided more than enough horsepower. Polished ports and heads along with six Stromburg 97 carburetors made the engine bay as attractive as the rest of The Rake. The interior of The Rake was upholstered by Maratta and tied the car together nicely.
After sitting in Voluntown, CT for decades, The Rake is far from what it looked like on the show circuit in the 1950’s. The current caretaker for The Rake is Dean Schimetschek, and he does not have plans to over-restore the car. Dean has prepped the car for the road with a 1958 283 C.I. V8 with a Weiand intake and 4 “deuces” with Spalding ignition and a powerglide transmission. The interior has also been updated by Dean to resemble the upholstery Frank completed in the 50’s. The Rake will continue to be preserved for years to come, and while it may not win “best paint” at the next upcoming auto show, but it certainly still has the horsepower to compete at the dragstrip!
On Loan from Dean Schimetschek, Haddam, CT
Specifications:
Engine: 283 C.I. V8
Engine Modifications: 4 Dual Carburetors, Spalding ignition
Drivetrain: Powerglide automatic
