I've been working on the Model T all week, fixing a bunch of nagging little issues with it... project creep set in a bit, and now it has a high-compression aluminum head on it. Bumped it all the way up to 5.5:1 It needs valves, but I put it back together without touching them, just because I don't want to tear it down that far until fall. It runs OK, and will have to be good enough for now.
On Saturday I called up an old friend I've known since we were both kids on our first T tour in July of 1994 and talked for over an hour about T's, and just catching up... after that same tour, 19 years ago, he decided to build a speedster from parts and finally got it running about a month ago. I too have wanted to build a speedster since then, even tried when I was 15 but that project stalled out and I gave up when I didn't have any money to buy a U-joint. We talked for a while about the speedsters on that tour, especially the nasty sounding bright red boat-tail race car with the overhead-valve RAJO head. I was 11 years old at the time, and that car... wow. some cars just stick with you. You're all car guys, and I'd bet every one of you could give me an example of a car that did the same for you.
Tonight I opened up my new Model T club magazine that showed up in the mail, and what's in the classifieds? Yup, that same old race car. Looks just as cool as I remembered it. I got pretty excited... even thought, "I could afford that if I sell the TT truck" (TT truck is worth about 1/3 ~ 1/2 the asking price of the speedster)
I showed it to Jenna, you know, the voice of reason... the logical one who will squash my irrational dreams and stop me from spending money foolishly? What's she say? "If you sell the TT truck, we could buy it"
I'll be calling tomorrow morning. If I don't make it to Car Craft, you'll know why. North Carolina is a long drive.
Lost in the 60s said
Jul 16, 2013
Derek69SS wrote:
You're all car guys, and I'd bet every one of you could give me an example of a car that did the same for you.
I, personally have no idea what you're referring to here...
I'll be calling tomorrow morning. If I don't make it to Car Craft, you'll know why. North Carolina is a long drive.
16 hours will put you well into NC. Plan on going thru the Smokies during daylight. I40 can be treacherous in the dark and the scenery is too beautiful to miss.
dashboard said
Jul 16, 2013
Great story! Yes, I want pictures?
Derek69SS said
Jul 16, 2013
It looks similar to this, but with wire wheels... it's a home built body though, not a "real" period aftermarket.
I don't have any pics of the actual car other than a tiny picture in the magazine ad.
No fenders, no top, no problem!
No room for kids either.
Derek69SS said
Jul 16, 2013
hmmm... bunch of stuff missing from that post after hitting "submit"
The same friend I talked to on Saturday about the car (before knowing it was for sale) lives on the way (Chicago). Back in our teenage years, we talked about starting a speedster club called "Strip T's"
Chris R said
Jul 17, 2013
I may have missed this. Were those streamlined bodies made by Henry as well or were they home built by the racers themselves and set on a Model T chassis? Looks like the hood assembly and radiator is a Model T but the body from the cowl back is custom.
Derek69SS said
Jul 17, 2013
There were several aftermarket companies selling those type of bodies... Mercury, Morton & Brett, Ames, PACO, Faultless, etc.
None were made by Ford. This one is a home built body, patterned after a car built by the Marchese Brothers in Milwaukee WI who were well known racers back in the 20s and 30s.
The overhead valve conversion is a RAJO, made by "RAcine JOe" Jagersburger in Racine WI in the 20s. There were several other companies that made these too... Frontenac speed parts were built by the Chevrolet brothers after they sold their shares of Chevrolet to W.C. Durant. Robert M. Roof also built overhead conversions but I don't know much about the Roof-Laurel stuff.
Racine Joe's grandson, Jim, is on Team Chevelle... 71BBSSCONV
Lost in the 60s said
Jul 17, 2013
Derek69SS wrote:
There were several aftermarket companies selling those type of bodies... Mercury, Morton & Brett, Ames, PACO, Faultless, etc.
None were made by Ford. This one is a home built body, patterned after a car built by the Marchese Brothers in Milwaukee WI who were well known racers back in the 20s and 30s.
The overhead valve conversion is a RAJO, made by "RAcine JOe" Jagersburger in Racine WI in the 20s. There were several other companies that made these too... Frontenac speed parts were built by the Chevrolet brothers after they sold their shares of Chevrolet to W.C. Durant. Robert M. Roof also built overhead conversions but I don't know much about the Roof-Laurel stuff.
Racine Joe's grandson, Jim, is on Team Chevelle... 71BBSSCONV
Um...........what about the call.....
Derek69SS said
Jul 17, 2013
Called today... still waiting for some more pictures to be emailed before I get too deep into price negotiations.
Might take Friday off work to go get it if all goes well.
Scott Parkhurst said
Jul 18, 2013
This is so cool..!
Derek69SS said
Jul 18, 2013
Still no pictures. Her internet access is down They just moved into an assisted living facility, and his health is declining rapidly. Information on the mechanical details is a bit sketchy right now too.
I don't really want to drive 32 hours based on my foggy memory of what it looked like 19 years ago, so I just might make it to Car Craft yet.
OscarZ said
Jul 18, 2013
Derek is there anyone you know from Team Chevelle in the area that could maybe take a few pics for you and give it a quick inspection?
Lost in the 60s said
Jul 18, 2013
Derek69SS wrote:
Still no pictures. Her internet access is down They just moved into an assisted living facility, and his health is declining rapidly. Information on the mechanical details is a bit sketchy right now too.
I don't really want to drive 32 hours based on my foggy memory of what it looked like 19 years ago, so I just might make it to Car Craft yet.
Not to mention the price of gas for all those miles. I did that last fall when I went to Knoxville TN on in-accurate info and came back empty again. Cost of that folley was close to $800 with fuel, meals and 1 night in a motel.
Derek69SS said
Jul 18, 2013
Yeah, I might just wait a week... that will give me some time to get the A/C fixed in the truck, which would make the trip a lot more pleasurable. I'm also getting a code for a bad O2 sensor, which is not helping the gas mileage at all. On a 2200mi round trip, it would probably pay for itself to get it fixed beforehand...
Derek69SS said
Jul 18, 2013
Looks like the trip is off... car is tentatively "sold" to someone else. She'll call me if that deal falls through.
This isn't the first Model T that has "gotten away" while I waited for an computer-challenged elderly person to email pictures... probably won't be the last either.
Lost in the 60s said
Jul 18, 2013
Derek69SS wrote:
Looks like the trip is off... car is tentatively "sold" to someone else. She'll call me if that deal falls through.
This isn't the first Model T that has "gotten away" while I waited for an computer-challenged elderly person to email pictures... probably won't be the last either.
It sucks when that happens. It could be the other person said they would take it sight unseen and then start picking it apart and reducing the price once they see it. I don't like doing business that way but there are plenty who will to get first chance.
Derek69SS said
Jul 18, 2013
The other guy wants the enclosed trailer they're selling too, which tips the sale in his favor. I just wanted the car, and couldn't afford to buy both.
Lost in the 60s said
Jul 18, 2013
Derek69SS wrote:
The other guy wants the enclosed trailer they're selling too, which tips the sale in his favor. I just wanted the car, and couldn't afford to buy both.
Could the trailer be sold later and recover enough to make it worthwhile ??
Derek69SS said
Jul 18, 2013
not really... price on the trailer was high, and I'd have to borrow money to do it then.
The car itself would have wiped out our cash reserves. I was already kind of nervous about spending every last dollar we have to buy something so entirely impractical. It's very era correct, and even has to be push-started every time... In a way, it's best that it sold, but I'll probably regret it forever...
bowtie said
Jul 18, 2013
Derek69SS wrote:
[I was already...spending every last dollar we have to buy something so entirely impractical....and has to be push-started every time....... but I'll probably regret it forever...]
Spoken like a true car guy
Lost in the 60s said
Jul 18, 2013
Derek69SS wrote:
not really... price on the trailer was high, and I'd have to borrow money to do it then.
The car itself would have wiped out our cash reserves. I was already kind of nervous about spending every last dollar we have to buy something so entirely impractical. It's very era correct, and even has to be push-started every time... In a way, it's best that it sold, but I'll probably regret it forever...
When you're done with the Chevelle, start gathering parts and build one the way you want....
Derek69SS said
Jul 18, 2013
I've been thinking about doing just that for a very long time...
Well, you have a vision and a goal......let go of the dream and move on.... maybe this was just to motivate you....
I, on the other hand, have been looking at Corvair Corsa convertibles....
Derek69SS said
Aug 4, 2013
I did eventually get some pictures, after the car was already sold... but I'm glad to see them anyway.
Scott Parkhurst said
Aug 4, 2013
I see the appeal!
Derek69SS said
Aug 4, 2013
Cale just said to me this morning "When I get bigger, like 12, we should build a speedster"
I'm not sure I will be able to wait that long.
Scott Parkhurst said
Aug 7, 2013
Here's a great shot of a Packard racer from the same era. Lots of cool details in this unusually sharp and large image. Note the friction shocks, ventilated brakes, and steering wheel diameter, for starters. The louver design is also noteworthy, as that entire hood side (with it's bulges and scoops that are specific to this car) must have been hand-formed, and then punched with these unique vents.
I've been working on the Model T all week, fixing a bunch of nagging little issues with it... project creep set in a bit, and now it has a high-compression aluminum head on it. Bumped it all the way up to 5.5:1
It needs valves, but I put it back together without touching them, just because I don't want to tear it down that far until fall. It runs OK, and will have to be good enough for now.
On Saturday I called up an old friend I've known since we were both kids on our first T tour in July of 1994 and talked for over an hour about T's, and just catching up... after that same tour, 19 years ago, he decided to build a speedster from parts and finally got it running about a month ago. I too have wanted to build a speedster since then, even tried when I was 15 but that project stalled out and I gave up when I didn't have any money to buy a U-joint. We talked for a while about the speedsters on that tour, especially the nasty sounding bright red boat-tail race car with the overhead-valve RAJO head. I was 11 years old at the time, and that car... wow. some cars just stick with you. You're all car guys, and I'd bet every one of you could give me an example of a car that did the same for you.
Tonight I opened up my new Model T club magazine that showed up in the mail, and what's in the classifieds? Yup, that same old race car. Looks just as cool as I remembered it. I got pretty excited... even thought, "I could afford that if I sell the TT truck" (TT truck is worth about 1/3 ~ 1/2 the asking price of the speedster)
I showed it to Jenna, you know, the voice of reason... the logical one who will squash my irrational dreams and stop me from spending money foolishly? What's she say? "If you sell the TT truck, we could buy it"
I'll be calling tomorrow morning. If I don't make it to Car Craft, you'll know why. North Carolina is a long drive.
Great story! Yes, I want pictures?
It looks similar to this, but with wire wheels... it's a home built body though, not a "real" period aftermarket.
I don't have any pics of the actual car other than a tiny picture in the magazine ad.
No fenders, no top, no problem!
No room for kids either.
hmmm... bunch of stuff missing from that post after hitting "submit"
The same friend I talked to on Saturday about the car (before knowing it was for sale) lives on the way (Chicago). Back in our teenage years, we talked about starting a speedster club called "Strip T's"
I may have missed this. Were those streamlined bodies made by Henry as well or were they home built by the racers themselves and set on a Model T chassis? Looks like the hood assembly and radiator is a Model T but the body from the cowl back is custom.
None were made by Ford. This one is a home built body, patterned after a car built by the Marchese Brothers in Milwaukee WI who were well known racers back in the 20s and 30s.
The overhead valve conversion is a RAJO, made by "RAcine JOe" Jagersburger in Racine WI in the 20s. There were several other companies that made these too... Frontenac speed parts were built by the Chevrolet brothers after they sold their shares of Chevrolet to W.C. Durant. Robert M. Roof also built overhead conversions but I don't know much about the Roof-Laurel stuff.
Racine Joe's grandson, Jim, is on Team Chevelle... 71BBSSCONV
Um...........what about the call.....
Might take Friday off work to go get it if all goes well.
Still no pictures.
Her internet access is down They just moved into an assisted living facility, and his health is declining rapidly. Information on the mechanical details is a bit sketchy right now too.
I don't really want to drive 32 hours based on my foggy memory of what it looked like 19 years ago, so I just might make it to Car Craft yet.
Derek is there anyone you know from Team Chevelle in the area that could maybe take a few pics for you and give it a quick inspection?
Not to mention the price of gas for all those miles. I did that last fall when I went to Knoxville TN on in-accurate info and came back empty again. Cost of that folley was close to $800 with fuel, meals and 1 night in a motel.
Looks like the trip is off... car is tentatively "sold" to someone else.
She'll call me if that deal falls through.
This isn't the first Model T that has "gotten away" while I waited for an computer-challenged elderly person to email pictures... probably won't be the last either.
It sucks when that happens. It could be the other person said they would take it sight unseen and then start picking it apart and reducing the price once they see it. I don't like doing business that way but there are plenty who will to get first chance.
Could the trailer be sold later and recover enough to make it worthwhile ??
The car itself would have wiped out our cash reserves. I was already kind of nervous about spending every last dollar we have to buy something so entirely impractical. It's very era correct, and even has to be push-started every time... In a way, it's best that it sold, but I'll probably regret it forever...
Spoken like a true car guy
When you're done with the Chevelle, start gathering parts and build one the way you want....
I've been thinking about doing just that for a very long time...
http://northstarchevelles.activeboard.com/t44840138/next-project-after-the-chevelle/
Well, you have a vision and a goal......let go of the dream and move on.... maybe this was just to motivate you....
I, on the other hand, have been looking at Corvair Corsa convertibles....
I did eventually get some pictures, after the car was already sold... but I'm glad to see them anyway.
Cale just said to me this morning "When I get bigger, like 12, we should build a speedster"
I'm not sure I will be able to wait that long.
Here's a great shot of a Packard racer from the same era. Lots of cool details in this unusually sharp and large image. Note the friction shocks, ventilated brakes, and steering wheel diameter, for starters. The louver design is also noteworthy, as that entire hood side (with it's bulges and scoops that are specific to this car) must have been hand-formed, and then punched with these unique vents.
http://www.shorpy.com/node/5184?size=_original#caption
-- Edited by Scott Parkhurst on Wednesday 7th of August 2013 08:59:17 AM
A lot of those early pictures are unbelievably clear and sharp like that, as they're done on glass-plate negatives.