Beaver Springs Dragway – Imagine it’s your typical day at the drag strip. It’s original FE day at Beaver Springs, so there’s lots of cool Mustangs, Comets, Fairlanes and similar Fords rumbling about the staging lanes and roaring down the track. Then you turn your head and find it’s time for something completely different (apologies to Monte Python). You’ve suddenly been confronted by the ‘54 Customline Sedan of Ben Knechel. The car has the look of something that’s just escaped a barn, or perhaps a car that’s been daily driven since it rolled off the assembly line. Either way, you immediately know this isn’t your normal race car. It’s far more special than that.

Ben got the car about six years ago, in completely stock condition, right down to the original 239 cubic inch V8 (rated at 130 hp in its’ day) and automatic transmission. Of course, that old 239 is long gone. In it’s place you can now find a 390 cubic inch engine (built by Ben’s brother using a ‘64 Police Interceptor block) backed by a 4-speed transmission and a 9-inch Ford rear.

Right about now is when you find out this particular car is even more special than you thought. According to Ben, “I actually drive it to work almost every day. I’m a ‘54 guy, I have a ‘54 hardtop at home. That’s why I like it. I’m an FE guy, so….”

While Ben will be the first to admit it’s not the fastest car at the track, it may be the most unique one on the premises. But it is a fun combination, and definitely not a trailer queen. Ben is quick to add, “I drove it here and I’m going to drive it home. About and hour and a half away. It gets about 10 miles to the gallon. And I’ll be driving it to work on Monday.” I asked him for his best time and he quickly replied, “Yesterday it was a 14.46 at 101 mph. Next year I’ll probably have slicks on it…trying to get into the 13s.”

Our interview ended abruptly with Ben saying, “I got to go race.” Just as it should be. The results of the day speak for themselves with the car ending up in the Winner’s Circle. All this, and yet there was one more surprise for the day. After accepting his trophy, Ben revealed he was using the car as more than a racer when he opened the trunk to reveal he was hauling an FE block in the trunk. This is the best example of a real old-school hot rodder I’ve seen all year. Get a good look at this car when you get the chance. All the others will wait for you to visit them.