Speedster shakedown

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Speedster shakedown
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bernard Paulsen, San Buenaventura, Calif on Monday, May 21, 2012 - 03:36 pm:

Past weekend was another El Mirage dry lake landspeed record weekend, which we use to set up our Roadster -- formally the fastest "Model T" on Earth -- for the Bonneville Speed Week (now aiming for 258mph).



I used it to do a little shake-down on my recently "un-restored" '20 Speedster.



The reception was quite amazing. Even the car guys loved it.



I had to give so many joy rides over the course of the weekend that I had to crank-start with my right hand after about 5 hours. The muscles of my left arm were totally sour!



There were two more T Touring cars running around in the dirt, one "cowerized" one and a red one from Utah which, I don't know, I failed to take a photo of.

The Speedster ran fine and I tried to work the Ruckstell shifter in a more civilized manner which is easier to do if you have a few miles of nothing ahead and don't have to fear crushing into something.

The car still leaks some small amount of coolant; the front spindle bushings -- the only front end components I didn't replace -- now do need replacement as well, which becomes pretty obvious at full throttle with a 3:1 rear on the washboard surface, and actually my driver's seat broke apart, showing where it needs some reinforcement. Better here than on the Santa Clara 200-mile trip!

Here are some "OT" photos. Enjoy.






Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Monday, May 21, 2012 - 04:51 pm:

Great pictures! Ok, this is the fastest land speed racer with some parts or shape of a model T body in it - then there's Joel Young's streamliner powered by a turbo charged T engine running over 200 mph - http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/156998.html?1282965241

I wonder which one is or was the fastest with both a Model T body and engine, preferably wheels too, but safety may demand some modern size.. I remember how the Bonneville crew picked on 'ol Burt's tires in "World's fastest Indian" :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bernard Paulsen, San Buenaventura, Calif on Monday, May 21, 2012 - 05:24 pm:

Well, there are no body rules for Streamliners and Lakesters which are both special construction vehicles, but a "Roadster" needs to have an actual Ford Roadster body incorporated, which is what we have.

But since you brought it up, the first Bonneville land speed record we reeled in with this car back in 2007 is with a supercharged T engine at 114.696mph in V4/BFRMR


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Monday, May 21, 2012 - 05:42 pm:

Wow - almost 115 mph with a Model T body & engine - you may have the all time record there!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 02:12 am:

Bernard, are you taking your speedster to speed week this? Clayton Paddison and I are driving our T's to Bonneville this summer for Speed Week. My speedster is 1917 and resembles a 1913 Mercer, and Clayton is driving his 1926 roadster. Hope to see ya on the Salt.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bernard Paulsen, San Buenaventura, Calif on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 02:06 pm:

Chris,
salt is brutal on cars. My business partner raced a once pristine '69 Coronet with a Stage V Hemi in Bonneville in late late '80s to early '90s and 12 years later the salt had done serious damage, despite thorough cleaning after every trip. We shoot several quarts of ATF onto the undercarriage and in the wheel wells of our pickups before heading out to Bonneville but even that doesn't prevent the salt to find its way into the little crevices our hands can't reach.

While I don't want to sound negative, bringing a 100 year-old antique car with steel body onto the salt is something I personally wouldn't want to do, unless it's necessary.

Another thing: I consider the trip to Bonneville the least interesting part of the whole experience. What's cool is being on the salt (the sun + reflective salt = sun burn!) and soaking in the good vibrations. I don't know if you guys have ever been to Speed Week, but it's truly an experience to remember. Great cars, great people, great noises and the smell of race gas and nitro are an intoxicating mix.

By the way, I thoroughly enjoyed you guys' built stories. Wish I had your talent and skills!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Duffy on Thursday, May 24, 2012 - 10:14 pm:

Bernard,
Can you post some pics of the firewall area on the speedster? You could email to me if you want. Thanks, mike


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bernard Paulsen, San Buenaventura, Calif on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 01:29 am:

Sure.
Car is on jack stands right now (front spindle bushings, radiator bolt, coolant leak, broken seat, rear end), but I can shoot some tomorrow.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 02:30 am:

Thanks Bernard for compliments on our builds. We've had a lot of fun doing them and it will be very cool to see them finally done in the next few weeks.We still have a way to go but they will be done before we leave August 7th for Bonneville.

I don't know most of my family and fiends think I am nuts for wanting to drive an almost 100 year old car to Bonneville (My wife Melissa and my Mom understand it is important). My dad and I talked about driving our 1919 touring across country but he never had a chance to do some thing like that before he passed away in October of 2010. Clayton and I are doing this run in his memory and it has been 60 years since Clayton's Grandpa Thor drove his first hot rod to the salt 60 years ago (1952) this year. This trip is something Dad would have loved to do with me.

I also want to prove to myself (and many people that say it'll break because it's old!) that someone can build a early hot rod (speedster) that can be driven long distance and back home reliably. For me it has been dream to get in an old car and drive across country and see a different road. I looking forward to the experience of being there. The sights, sounds, and the sun burn!

Clayton has me on the build story I am not very good at posting picture of my build as Clayton is! And, yes even though I know that the salt will get into even the smallest nook and cranny I still want at least one picture of the "Becker Special" and "Josephine" on the Salt to prove I made it!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 02:33 am:

No we have never been to Speed Week.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Duffy on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 12:00 pm:

Bernard, thanks. I am building a speedster and using a metal firewall. Need to see how you addressed the coil box mounting, steering col. And floor boards. It looks like in your pics that you have a metal and wood firewall. Thanks again, Mike


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