Hello...I'm brand-new to this forum, and know little about cars, so please bear with me!  I'm in the midst of a writing project, with a character who owns a '35 Ford Roadster...  

What I'm looking for is some things my character might have done, between the years of '35 to '41, to make this V8 as fast as possible---without altering its outward appearance:  Specific stuff like straight-through exhaust systems, superchargers, etc...stuff that could realistically have been done in a police garage.  If possible, I'd also like some info on whether how a supercharger would be engaged by the driver, would it make a sound, etc.

What I hope to achieve is a medium-sized paragraph (or two) which conveys a sense of realism about a fast-as-possible '35 Ford...  

Thanks in advance for any help or insight you might be able to provide.  You guys have a very cool site!  

You might want to pick up a copy of one Gregor Felsens hot rod books from the 50's(Hot Rod, Teenage Drag Racing, The Race Club).  A lot of titles were published and reprinted in the 60's so you might get a copy on EBay or at a used book store or library.  He was a master at making complicated things sound simple in a paragraph or 2. If you want one of us to tell you, it will be long winded and no one else will ever understand it!  

Thanks for responding!  I'll look into your recommendations, re: books.

As for a long-winded, difficult-to-understand answer...I'm certainly willing to take my chances.     Like I said, I'm looking for anything which will add to the realism of the piece.  

Oh, well.  Thanks anyway!

Watch for "Blood & Ashes" in 2008!  

I'm no expert either, but I was born the same year that car was. The most common enhancements to that engine were these, and others will have ideas to add:
Dual free-flowing exhaust system
porting and polishing the intake and exhaust ports, which were in the cylinder block in that engine
Dual carburetors with a custom intake manifold (triple carb manifolds came along later)
Racing camshaft
Superchargers? Judson made one, but I think it came along later
I hope this helps.