Blown Ardun First Start! - Crazy Hot Rod History Found!! 

Ron just blows me away. He is a cut above.

There's nothing better than a blown Arden flathead!!!! Sounds amazing!!!! Congratulations Matt!

I remember reading the Speed-O-Motive ads back in the day when I would read the latest issue of Hot Rod magazine as a kid from cover to cover. That you actually wound up with a set of heads from a Salt Flat Lakester is mind blowing. The significance of the history of these heads is crazy. All the work in repairing and adapting all your collection of parts is stellar and Ron deserves some kudos for all his family efforts in bringing this amazing engine back to life. What a wild story this engine has. Thanks for sharing it all as you are now the keeper of some quite storied flathead lore. Congrats on this milestone and I see how motivated you have become about this car. The glint in your eyes and the face cracking grin speak volumes. On to the firewall next!

Excellent Sunday feature! Ron is the man! Nice to see everyone smiling!

If you are interested in Ardun serial numbers from the old country here are a few - the only early head with end outlets we ever came across was #272. The others we had dealings with are 1017, 1026, 1028, 1040, 1041, 1054, 1055. The two pairs of consecutive numbers were not pairs but pure coincidence. All are centre outlet (1026 and 1054 are in my own roadster). 272 and 1028 were NOS and went to a certain speed merchant in Nebraska. The "early" heads that you have are in fact the third design out of four. The first two had end outlets - the very first had outlets down on the bottom alongside the exhaust and the second had upper end outlets like yours but with outlet flanges fixed by three bolts. I follow all your projects but this must be my favourite

To have Mr. Ron, that close to where you live. He is THE leading man on ARDUN engines. That thing sounds amazing and the perfection thats put in it will last a long time. Cant wait for the vid with it going into the car and take a drive. Congrats on the new baby!!

When that engine fired so quickly it startled Ron And he got flustered trying to find that groundwire to shut it off, that was a very funny moment.

The best day of a HOT RODDER"S LIFE was the day he brought home the running ARDUN.......IT just doesn't get any better....Congratulations Matt Murry and Iron Trap Garage.....you made me cry.......

What a challenging project to get this Arden running again and you found the wizard guy to undertake making it right. So many problems to make right. Once again finding this guy to correct and just 4 hours away from you is indeed a blessing. Just can not say enough how fortunate this was. Thanks for educating us and the history of these Ardens. Best to you on finding these Ardens....a hot rod dream come true ❤❤ 😊😊😊

That motor is a work of art

Sweet sounding "music" coming from the headers! Quality build all the way around on the engine. I got a kick out of seeing the three "teenage boys" walking around the engine smiling and taking it all in. Glad to see this project going on the front burner.

Awesome journey from finding them to get Ron to build it for you, and finally hearing it run... man what a trip through history!!!

Nice to see there is still someone that talented who can bring back to life pieces of automotive history, beautiful workmanship.

Congratulations on getting a nice running Ardun, only place I ever see them are in museums. 👍😎👍

Watching this video just made my Sunday morning Matt. Really pleased for you, great history lesson from Ron too. He certainly knows his stuff. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend. 👍👍👍🇬🇧

That would have been a scary drive home Matt haha looking back every minute after every bump… 🤣 Looks killer

I was always interested in Ardun Heads and to find these were CT Automotives heads is pretty amazing. At least two of those sets of Heads made their way to New Zealand. One of my Aunts Boyfriend ran a set on his Grandprix car. Which I was allowed to see when I was around 6 or 7 years old..

Wow! That engine is a thing of beauty! Sounds incredible, nothing else like an Ardun with a blower! The rest of us can only dream! Ron is the master! Incredible history! Congratulations Matt! Go Iron Trap, keep moving forward!

Amazing piece of automotive history, definitely found its way to the right guy. Nice to see it will be used and not left in a barn or basement only to be scrapped and lost forever.

Badass would be the only way to describe how it looks and sounds. Congrats on finally getting your dream engine!

I worked for Sheehy Ford in Md. many years ago. We were going to prep a dragster with a 302 Boss engine? Before it came to fruition shit happens and I had to move back to Maine. Sheehy supplied engines to some very well known drag racers etc. Pinto, Mavericks Torino’s etc. Dragsters, long story short, these guys all talked about ARDEN !!!!! Never dawned on me what the hell they meant. I was a Late 60’s 70’s boss etc engines…..But now I’m 75, I know, and you guys excited me about all of it. Thanks guys!!!! Now I know that was one very expensive build. I know live in Lynchburg Va., that has a famous engine builder that I was friends with until he died a few years ago. “Sonny’s Racing Engines” wish he was around, he knew about everything, I could have spoken to him about these heads. 👍👍👍👍👍👍

Matt... Only in my dreams. Having done a number of one-off engines, I know where you're at. Congrats!!!

Ardun project started as a way to get Ford trucks over the Rocky Mountains. The vast majority of heads went to work and were used up quickly. Then diesels got popular and the truck market went away.

The history on those heads is unreal! What a score

Great to see those rare heads rebuilt for a new life. That oiling system for them is simple but very clever. That coupe is going to have to join the Sweetheart roadster and the convertible in being fully finished and painted (easy for me to say). That killer motor deserves it. And the sound is magic.

Really cool that the upper engine cradle was designed for loading and unloading with the width matching the forklift tines as well the center hole for your chain and pulley set-up in your own shop. Not just a typical Ardun, but one with documented race history, impressive development!

What a story! That motor sound sweet!

my father and uncle were into the flatheads. I am 73 so the history of those engines in my family go back along ways. I remember them talking about Arden and I’ve only seen one set of Arden on a roadster at a car show in Redding California some years back. Good show my man.

Bonneville is a place that connects Hot Rodders. I crewed for Al on Betsy for 15yrs until we retired her in 02. I met Ron at the salt about 10yrs ago & that started an evolution of aerodynamic changes on his roadster that added another 50+ mph & going 220+. Then Ron meets Al at the LA Roadster show where another connection is made.

The sound of that is beyond amazing. The history of the heads is mind blowing. Can't wait to hear it with zoomies. Congrates major big time!

What a beautiful piece of automotive marvel! It sounds like a hot rod should sound (Bitchin') and runs great! Matt, you asked a while back about what you should do to the 33 three window once it is a state of drive ability. Leave it kinda crusty, paint it black or do whatever! IMHO, I think that after you get some miles on it once you get it together to just enjoy it, you should paint it dark green, similar to the color that it is now! My reasoning being that that piece of jewelry Ardun engine needs to be displayed in not some "Rat rod" state of finish, but in a rod that is worthy of such an awesome engine, also a jeweled body and frame! Anyway, love the engine and anxious to see it in it's final format! CONGRATS Matt!!!!

That"s one awesome sounding Ardun and so crisp when you blip the throttle. Going to be a handful in that little coupe.

Wow. What a project for Ron. Plus, him digging into the history of the heads. Makes the whole engine build even more special. Sounds fantastic. Looking forward to more videos on this build. Cheers

That motor is going to rock the world around it when you're rolling down the street. Congratulations on finding it and getting it to this point. It's been really interesting to learn the history.

That engine is a timepiece in automotive history. This video was so cool to watch, keep up the good work. Thanks

Just one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time. Well done Matt, Ron and everyone involved. As for how it sounds...... fark yeah! It's awesome!

WOW! You’re one lucky S.O.B. Ron is one very knowledgeable fellow and not afraid to share his knowledge. Enjoy.

An Artist always signs his work. Did Ron put his signature/mark in these heads so he can be added to the history? What a great job, what a great story. Thanks for sharing it all with us. BTW sounds awesome. Can't wait to see it on the road.

Matt, I've been out here for along Time! And I couldn't be more excited & happy for ya! You've come along way from the "Meat Truck" I can't wait to see what becomes of the 34 Say howdy to Mike, Steve & Moon! Watching from Cleveland! Burrp!

One thing for sure, those heads landed into the right hands and not continue to lay around on a shelf in a basement or garage and lost forever.

Good for you Matt. Pretty cool history lesson today. Looking forward to see that beast running in the car.👍

Badass motor for a Badass car! Everything is lining up for it to be a once in a lifetime car/build. Best car in the shop. Have to let..or are you going to let Ron take a turn behind the wheel when finished? He's earned it. :) Sweet ride Matt. Congrats.

Wow! Sorry I was busy yesterday. What a day for Matt, if this ain't a dream fulfilled! Congrats! You deserve this, helps make it all worth it I'm sure. A blown Ardun, one rare animal, absolutely fabulous!

Matt the engine sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing! Kevin

Sounds mean! The engineering and work for Ron to get those heads lined out boggles my mind.

He mentions Dave Generous as the cam maker. He and Brother Harry belonged to the Injectors hot rod club in Milford that I was also a proud member of. They ran a destroked small block in an old vette that he shifted at 10000 rpm! Great video!

One of your best videos ever, that engine couldn't have found a better, more appreciative home, thanks so much for preserving automotive history!

That is such a unique build. Thank you for getting him to run it down, yet, hopefully Ron videoed the whole thing to document it for future builders. Ty for taking us along

That is definitely one of the coolest engines hands down. Now you need an Allard

Congratulations Matt! Hope you bring it to the Gillmore this summer.

Very cool engine! I look forward to it being in the car. And the history is amazing- even connected to Dick LaHaie, one of my favorite Top Fuel drivers and tuners! Cool!

Awesome episode!! Ron is the Ardun guy and his knowledge of the history of them and connections to so many hot rod icons is fantastic. Thank you Matt for getting this engine back to life and sharing all this with us!!😎👍

It sounds awesome Matt!! Congratulations to all involved!!

Sounds great. Lots of iconic engine racing history to document. Ron and family, thanks for everything.

So cool all this educational and historical master class. Love it.

Congrats on the engine .Hope you have it for many years to come.Oh by the way it sounds AMAZING!

Ron is so cool!! What a wait but it runs and sounds so good. The history with the heads and inlet manifold awesome 👌

Eagerly awaited video, I know y’all are ready to get it installed. Can’t imagine how good it sounds in person because it’s fantastic on that video! Congrats

SOUNDS GREAT CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT IN THE CAR AND DRIVING

Absolutely fantastic! What a great piece of history. So cool Ron was able to repair (save) those heads and the story that goes with them. Great vid, congrats on owning this great engine.

Little late to the party but such a cool engine and amazing history.

🗿💨 congrats Matt👍 that setup was like the great white buffalo of flatheads. Rare to see and even moreso in a car being driven. Thanks for sharing ✌️

Very KOOL Matt Sounds Awesome and Ron is a Book of knowledge

Congrats Matt I know you been waiting a long time for this. The smile on your face tells it all. Now we can't wait for it see it running in the car. That will be one sweet Hot Rod. Oh ya it sounds awesome. 😎😎👍👍

*congrats matt!* the thing sounds wicked! and ron seems like a real gem of a guy! so much coolness all around.

You can’t just have a blown ARDUN but you also have to have a historically significant one… nice!

cant wait to see it in the car, this is gonna be insaaaaaaaaaaaaaane!! 😁😁

I dropped off my Ardun project at Ron's Hobby Shop last October for Ron to complete the RIGHT way. I'm eagerly awaiting being able to hear it run for the first time, just like yours did.

Utterly fabulous! What a dream engine. From a sunny England.

Sounds wicked,love the al Teague reference,one of my all time land speed favorites.

Congratulations Matt, what an amazing example. Hopefully Ron's knowledge is being passed along so future hobbyists can benefit as you have.

Sounds gnarly dude! What a set of parts you got that day!

Now that’s a true hot rod setup to be proud to run without a hood

it has a great sound Matt great history

Man! What a flash back moment that was when the history of the heads was mentioned. Wow, c/t automotive, speed-o-motive, El Mirage, Bonneville what great memories. I am 81 now and grew up in Cali in that era. I had to get out some of my first Hot Rod year books to reattach my memories of those times. the Southern California Timing Association ( SCTA) started it all in the late 1930's (1937) and hot rodding just exploded from there. I did a lot of racing in later years but none of it compared to that era the late 40's and early 50's. 😎🏁

That is a real piece of early speed equipment history, I know you have to be excited to get it on the road.

It's amazing that you found a set. The Duntov Bro's only made about 250ish sets. Super-Congrats! Well worth whatever the cost to bring them back to life!

Man! That thing sounds BAD ASS! I can’t wait to see it in the car! Look out tires here she comes!!

i thought mi 1972 cummins in a ccc crane carrier drill rig straight piped was the best sounding engine i have ever heard! still is but that ardun is same class! thanks beautiful motor!

That thing sounds awesome! I love how rare it all is. Definitely a one-off engine

Sounds fast...like the $$$$$$$$ flying out of your wallet. Very cool mill Matt. Congrats on its completion.

It's great seeing it come together. Looking forward to the finish!

Wow what amazing engine-kudos Ron and crew!

Italmeccia blowers were used on cabin pressurisation rigs for some European aircraft, that could explain the unusual manifold shape. Awesome episode Matt.

Sounds just like a blown engine with the varying idle but it certainly isn't a BBC or a Hemi. Has its own sound. Can't wait to see it cruising down the road. Congratulations on your luck and also knowing the expert Ardun guy.

Wow. Somehow I think the 33 three window just got bumped up on the list. Beautiful machine, loved how it came onto idle. Great stuff!

Oh God Matt ! You made my Sunday morning man ! 👊😎👍

Yea, it's here!

Hey guys, great video. Very knowledgeable, enjoyed it....Ralph

And over a thousand views inside of an hour. P.S. It sounds absolutely awesome.

I love the history of the that engine as alway great job Matt.

Great job! Can't wait to see it installed and on the street! Maybe late this summer?

Man I don’t think I’ll ever look at one of those the same again!

Thats awesome story ! Cant wait to see the finshed car !

ITG, Ardun rules! Great find and build guys!

Love it WHAT an Engine. plus love the History.

That 3 window is going to be a hand full to drive. I'm happy for you.

So happy for you. It’s been a long time coming. But damn if it wasn’t worth it!

Can't wait to see the final chassis dyno tune graphs & numbers!

Work of art that sounds outstanding!!