SPEED-JUNKY Lee Cohen’s vintage Ford Popular is more than 50 years old – but it motors at 0-100mph in under two seconds.

Lee, 33, has spent £70,000 transforming the classic car into a snarling dragster called the Devil.

Only the original body is left after five years of rebuilding the 1955 “Pop”.

Under the bonnet is a monster 1350bhp supercharged engine. The V8 Chevy motor runs on methanol and can reach 100mph in just 1.5 seconds.

It has been a labour of love for Lee, whose dad used to take him to hotrod and dragster racing as a child.

Now it is the painter and decorator who is wowing fans at tracks around the UK.

His speed machine has hit speeds of 160mph in just 8.6 seconds on a quarter of a mile track.

Mr Cohen, of Amy Way, Clacton, said: “It’s hairy stuff and there have been some near misses.

“I’ve never experienced anything like it in my life.”

During one run, the Devil tipped onto two wheels, while he was still getting used to its awesome power. Luckily it came back down on all four.

Daughters Rebecca, aged nine, and Kayleigh, 12, love watching their daredevil dad in action.

The team has one sponsorship deal with Prolong Oil but are desperate for more so they can move up to the next league.

That could see the Devil hitting speeds of up to 200mph.