Could this be from a RAJO-FRONTY -or a MERCURY

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Could this be from a RAJO-FRONTY -or a MERCURY
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Trevan - Australia on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 09:22 pm:

FOUND --Could this be from a FRONTY-RAJO-or a MERCURY ?}\popjpe


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Daron - Brownsburg IN on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 09:40 pm:

If it is a Mercury,it should be marked. Nice find.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Bergmann Sydney - Australia on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 09:41 pm:

Mercury AxleHowdy Bob
Not Mercury, but very desirable.
Hope someone can help.
Tom


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 10:01 pm:

Bob,

The photos below show the front axle produced for sale with the Mercury speedster kits. They are from an article Jarvis wrote that appeared in the Jul-Aug 1980 "Vintage Ford" and is used by permission. They were on page 17.





So the axle above is NOT one produced by/for the Mercury.

Below are several Ford supplied axles and it does not look like one of those was modified to make that one. Top - one piece spindle, then two piece spindle, bottom the 1924-5ish English Drop Frame front axle.



Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Swanson on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 10:02 pm:

what kind of wheels are those? look like drop center rims


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mark herdman on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 10:13 pm:

Bob

Have a close look at the spring perch bosses in the axle and see if they have been built up in that area and drilled. The axle looks 1918 studebaker / Essex 4 or 6 / Dodge to me.

Also overland used perch holes as well but not sure if they did a dropped version like this. My guess would be Stude or Dodge built up and drilled. You can se where the conventional spring pads fro for a Dodge/ Studbaker and recess hole for the spring centre bolt clearance.

This is the type of axles used in the 1933-34 era dirt track club NSW cars that ran at Granville and Wentworth park pre midget. Also the same club laced Hayes hubs directly into later rims just like what you have. “wire wheels especially laced by the club” . So you may have found the front end off an old pre midget Rajo – Fronty racer. There were at least 10 cars running in that era.

Charlie Spurgeon’s garage at Croydon was behind it all. His garage was the club in the early years. One of the cars had a genuine mercury dropped axle and most of the rest were copied from it.

Looks like it has been under a trailer last.

Mark


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mark herdman on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 10:22 pm:

Bob

I think this is the axle from this car. Don't know the driver but it is NSW (New South Wales) #4 Rajo at Granville Sydney 1933c.

Note the same notches in the axles where the conventional spring pads were and the flat bars where the Hartford shocks were bolted on the rear of the axle. (reason for no holes in your axle for the shock absorbers).

Charlie and club built at least 10 cars, Fronty Rajo, R&R (my car) and at last 1 Overland. (One with Noonan Miller Head) at Charlie's Garage. This all pre Midget era.

just have to find one of the references to the club lacing there own Hayes wire wheels


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mark herdman on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 10:40 pm:

Bob

This is the only reference to the Dirt Track Club of NSW building their own wire wheels for the moment. (end of 2nd paragraph) They used Hayes Hubs and laced them directly into later rims most likely for better tyre selection. Most of the photos of the Granville/ Wentworth park Fronty & Rajo's had the Hayes laced wheels. some had 26-27 standard wires.

Unfortunately I don't have any early photos of my R&R special.

Good find Bob!!!




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed in California on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 10:41 pm:

That is incredible if that is the same axle. It is probably worth a pretty penny.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Trevan - Australia on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 10:42 pm:

''CRIKEY''---As we would say in ORSTRAHYA


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mark herdman on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 10:46 pm:

Bob

I think it could be Max Campbell's Rajo. Max raced it 1930 to at least 1935 at Penrith, Canberra Speed Trial and various tracks and hill climbs. He was very active in racing.

Mark


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mark herdman on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 10:55 pm:

Ed is correct. Charlie's workshop really pumped out the Rajo / Fronty cars for the club. Made there own hybred Hayes Wire Wheels for some of the cars (some stock Hayes) and nearly all copied the same style front axle. So the Axle could be from either a few of the cars from Charlie.

Here is some history on Charlie and some of the Fronty / Rajo cars

http://www.vintagespeedway.com/CharlieSpurgeon.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Trevan - Australia on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 11:00 pm:

Picture of wheel on axel--Sure looks like the relaced wheel that Mark mentions


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mark herdman on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 11:02 pm:

One of Charlie's 1933-34 adds.

Andrew Webb might know what Bob's axle is. He and I did some research on his Ted King Rajo (1925c-1930c, another Aussie Rajo Raver) and came up with Studebaker 1920c. Andrew knows more


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mark herdman on Saturday, August 09, 2014 - 11:24 pm:

Bob

Found another pic of NSW#4. Even looks like your wire wheel rims with the slight dropped centre and hayes hubs. I now believe you have the axle from this car.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Phillips on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 01:09 am:

you can even see the notches cut out of the beam section of the axle. awesome!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Manuel Voyages, ACT Australia on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 01:23 am:

Hi Hap,
Is it poss to date the years those 4 front axles were used.
The bottom one looks different from the others.

Thanks

Manuel in Oz


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Bergmann Sydney - Australia on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 02:06 am:

Manuel
The bottom axle in Hap's post is an English Drop Frame axle. This will help.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/375948.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Doug Partington on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 02:24 am:

Mark, keep Bob talking while I nick the axle and we will split the takings.
Doug.
PS never tell Bob anything good it always goes to his head and I have to listen to it all. When I was in Lismore last he was so tight he took me to the Uniting church soup kitchen for lunch.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Trevan - Australia on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 05:47 am:

I take you there so you can say a pray for all x motor dealers.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Trevan - Australia on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 07:27 am:

UMM !! --Compare my pictured axel assemble tyre pattern against Marks #4 car tyre pattern.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Greenlees on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 10:50 am:

What an amazing discovery!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andrew Webb on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 05:59 pm:

Hi All,
What a find Bob
I do think Mark is correct it looks like the Ted King Axle which I have found a 1918 studebaker to be the best fit.
1918


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 06:36 pm:

Where's the rest of the car??


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mark herdman on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 08:23 pm:

Andrew

1926-27 Pontiac is another possibility. I used to have an axle but didn't take any pictures. anyone have any photos?

Mark


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mark herdman on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 08:26 pm:

Bob

Did some more research and it is not NSW Rajo #4

I made a mistake. It is Just "Rajo NSW" #4 was a different car

Mark


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Swanson on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 08:33 pm:

early MG wheels have hollow tubular edges like late T and early A, with the drop center and 48 spokes, like these here


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 09:10 pm:

A little thread drift to answer’s Manuel’s question ref the T axles and dates:



Top to bottom:
1. Oct 1908 to early 1911 calendar year. Ref: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/F-H.htm#fr1

2. Jan 31, 1911 to late 1926 Ref: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/F-H.htm#fr1

3. Dropped frame front axle produced in England and used in Europe with the DF cars 1924-25. Page 154 “The English Model T Ford”

4. Bottom photo – In late 1926 the axle was modified and now had a “droop” or “sag” between the perches. Ref: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/F-H.htm#fr1


And now back to the main thread –

Bob – if you could possibly post some additional photos of the axle – especially near the spring perch holes. Is there evidence that the original axle was built up in the area where the Model T spring perches fit? Is there evidence that the a flat area was ground off the axles where the spring mount for a spring that parallels the frame would have been? While we cannot reposition the old photo, I think it might be helpful if you could position the trailer front axle and take a few photos from the same angles as the old photos so we can better compare the found axle and wheels to the raced axle and wheels in the old photos.

I believe the “found trailer axle” is a great match for the Rajo NSW front axle. I’m not so sure that the 1918 Studebaker front axle is what it was made from – but that is minor compared to finding the axle that most likely was used by the Rajo NSW car.

Again – great find and great sharing of information.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Trevan - Australia on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 11:03 pm:

Hi Hap,
I will sandblast the axle and take some pics on what i find.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P. Steele, Montana on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 11:06 pm:

Bob is the area where the spring perch comes through built up by welding then ground down to give it a more finished appearance? I went out and looked a 1922 Buick frame and that front axle looks very close. I also took pictures of a 1925 and 1928 Essex front axles and although similar, not quite the same. I will try and post some pictures tomorrow.
Pure speculation on my part but those axles all have little ears that stick out that the U-bolts went through to hold the springs on. The notches in that axle appear to be spaced about the same on both sides, could they have just whacked them off with a big hammer?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Manuel Voyages, ACT Australia on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 11:07 pm:

Thanks Tom and Hap.
Sorry to wander off topic.

Manuel in Oz


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Herb Iffrig on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 05:17 am:

Maybe in should be used on this car:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1916-Model-T-Ford-Race-Car-Speedster-Roadster-Racer-Boat -Tail-Torpedo-Rajo-Roof-/181300758448?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fit s=Make%3AFord%7CModel%3AModel+K&hash=item2a365e07b0&vxp=mtr


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P. Steele, Montana on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 12:32 pm:



1922 Buick Roadster


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P. Steele, Montana on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 12:49 pm:

I've tried to download the Essex pictures but can't seem to get them resized. I will try later.
Herb I know the that car and turned it down when it was $1000.00. It resides about 20 miles away.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Swanson on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 06:58 pm:

john, good move turning down that project!!!. on one of my T speedsters i used about an 18 or so overland axle, very similar to the 22 buick you show, and as you said, i cut off the spring pads to make a straight beam, then welded in some 1 1/2" round shaft, sliced in half, and drilled for the T perches. worked good. steering parallel to the frame rail, like in Andrew's photo


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mark herdman on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 07:14 pm:

Bob

I don't think it is Essex 4 or 6 cyl. Like the Studebaker axle, the have tapped holes for bolts around the yoke area (not showing in your axle and are a different drop.

Essex 4



Essex 6


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Trevan - Australia on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - 01:15 am:

G'Day John,
I sandblasted around the perch bolt area to see what it was all about . I has certainly been built up with weld but never smoothed of.

AGAIN WHO CARED IN THOSE DAYS OF RACING?

Note the raised section in the axel for a maker or for number .-- long since gone whatever was there


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mark herdman on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - 05:54 am:

Bob

Looking more like the Buick Axle John Steele Posted. Maybe John could post a better pic of the over-steer stop that has been cut back on yours, for a better match.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P. Steele, Montana on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - 01:25 pm:




Here are the Essex that are similar to what Mark posted. I will try and get a better photos of the Buick, but that is looking very close to what you have Bob.


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