Is there a separate forum area for speedsters, or should we post here?
Everything is here! So if you have some sweet speedster subject stuff let 'er fly!
In restoring my '14 years ago, part of the enjoyment was in knowing that there would eventually be a stopping point, and that "authentic" would ensure that "Hey Bill, it's finished; anything more will make it look like a '14, but it won't be one" would eventually come to mind.
In looking at hundreds of pictures of finished speedsters, all unique, my son and I have decided to not lower the frame, not put speed equipment (30 - 35 top speed for us is fine), put on Rocky Mountain Brakes, forgo a Ruckstell, and enjoy.
Is there a body manufacturer that is well thought of?
Rootlieb platform style speedster. They are a great looking brass era speedster.
www.rootlieb.com
How about a picture of " Becker Special " at speed just before we broke the crank last August. Seth I like your speedster jam getting enough parts to build one for my wife.
Here is a shot of a speedster I did a lot of mechanical work on for some other people. I believe that it is a Rootieb platform style. It is on a 26 chassis. I think it is a nice looking car. If it were my car I would put on a full windshield.
Other people tell me I need fenders and windshields for my speedster. I like it just the way it is with the wind blowing my hair and bugs on my teeth.
Just the way I would have built it in the 20's.
The bugs and the wind don't bother me as much as the small stones. Lot's of gravel where I live.
Mine'll have a pretty traditional front, here is the boattail. It is ply, with mahogany strips
All beautiful machines! The only problem with a speedster, is that you can always continue to add and do; is one ever truly "finished"?
Bill,
Probably not. There is always something out there that will make it "better" - prettier, faster, more authentic, more reliable, more comfortable, or just more fun.
But then, that's why some of us do this is so we can play with them as well as drive them. There's much more opportunity to do our own thing with a speedster that doesn't need to be "correct" to Henry's vision.
Some are beautiful in style and workmanship, some are not but the owner builder has some opportunity to build what they want within their skills (or pocket book).
Walt
I love speedsters! Almost as much as other model Ts. I have built/restored/resurrected five so far. Sold four of them for family needs. Am working on my number six (a mostly correct 1913), and plan to keep it and the '19 boat-tail.
Following is a link (I hope) to where I have put many, many, original speedster photos. There are quite a few categories, some speedsters, some other antique auto stuff. Most of these I collected from Jay in Northern Ca, so any thanks really go to him.
Do please let me know if the link works or not. I would appreciate that feedback.
http://s1073.photobucket.com/user/Tspeedsters/library/?sort=3&page=1
Most brass era speedsters were either home-built, or used body parts from other earlier cars. If you look closely at the photos I linked, you may even notice one with a cowl made from a steel water tub.
Most manufactured for speedster bodies came out after WWI. Ames built bodies, kits, and parts fairly early. Some of Rootlieb's things are near-copies of Ames. Paco built and was selling their design in 1915. It continued with a few minor changes until about 1922. One 1915 style Paco still exists and is being restored (the owner occasionally will respond here. I would love to know how far along it is now?).
There are many options with speedsters. I do prefer speedsters that represent a specific era, and mostly keep to that era. But that is me. You should enjoy your car.
Drive carefully, and do enjoy, W2
Wayne...the link works...nice collection of pics. Well done sir !!!! W
Wayne, great link! Quite a pic of the car losing it's left rear wheel, and the driver.....
Thank you for posting,
Rob
Rob,
That picture has been around for a long time. I can't remember where I first saw it. I was glad to be able to snatch a copy, though. The timing for that photo was incredible! And the look on the face of the driver is priceless!
Thank you Wayne, Wayne. (Don't type that very often) As I say, the real thanks go to Jay. Thank you Jay!
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
To Wayne Sheldon,
Wayne each time as I tried to open the speedster link I get a trojan horse message from my anti virus!!!!!
Regards
Andre
Belgium
Here's mine!!!!
Someone posted this photo about a year ago.
And mine, two versions:
Chris, how warm does it have to get for you guys to strip down to your Canadian Ice Breaker togs?
Wood wheels on a speedster scares me!
Ralph, that's actually the first Norwegian icebreaker moving up the Mississippi.
Mike — one occasionally sees wooden wheels on period racers too. These wheels were new about 6-8 years ago, and have nary a squeak nor loose spoke yet.
Ralph — where did you find that picture of me??
I have wooden wheels right now, but I don't usually venture over 50 for more than a few seconds anyway. I really want some of the wire rims that Snyders sells that will use my demountable rims and tires. I just am lacking the $3K at the moment. lol
Andre V, That concerns me. I have not heard of any problems with Photobucket. Thank you, I will try to check this out.
Mike Black, As long as the wood is good, and the wheel is tight, wood wheels are much stronger and more resilient than you would expect. I was very fortunate about 40 years ago to be connected to the four year run of the Calistoga Classics Dirt Track Race Reenactments. For one weekend per year, for four years, we drove model T speedsters hard and fast on a half mile dirt track. About a third of the cars ran on wood wheels. What is interesting, is that during those four years, many more wheel problems were experienced by steel wire or disc wheels than by wood wheels. There was never a total collapse of a wood wheel. The closest thing to one was after a car collapsed a tie rod resulting in a loss of steering which then resulted in a collision with the wall on one turn. The collision splintered several wood spokes, but the wheel did NOT collapse and the car was able to be moved on all four to the pit area.
During the same four years, several wire and disc wheels broke axles, hubs, and one spindle. One of the fastest cars running was on wood wheels and never had wheel trouble.
I have driven many, many, miles at about 70mph on wood wheels and feel very comfortable with them.
Speedsters are fun! The yellow one is the one I ran at Calistoga.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
Yes, I want them all! Keep sending pictures...
Bill, Here is a shot of my speedster.
Since we're posting pictures.
I'll join in.
I like the safety factor of fenders on road cars. However, I was surprised at the great improvement in performance when we removed the fenders in Cheyenne, enroute from Boston to Sacramento.
Motocycle fenders would be ideal.
I enjoy looking at different speedster keep the pictures coming. I'll add a couple more.....
Josephine, Clayton's 1926 Gow Job.
T-Bone Tim Williams 1926 speedster
Thanks Chris
Tim,
No problem, I wanna go for ride soon!
My engine is on its way home should be here Wednesday or Thursday. Can't wait to put it together and re install it. would look pretty cool to see the three cars together.