Vintage speedster tow rig build

[babychadwick]

Good morning work progresses on out new old car which I intend to use as a tow package for the speedster. The car that found me is a 1929 5 passenger Buick coupe (29-58 model).

The plan is to keep her relatively stock, upgrading the intake and battery to 12v. While she would start and drive there are many things that need attention. EVERY handle is broken, the windshield is cracked, a PO decided to use roofing shingles on the top, the front wood/roof is gone, carb has multiple broken bits, fuel tank leaks, some (very little) rot and rust, tires hold air but I wouldn't trust them over 5mph, wiring needs work, missing lense and taillight, bent bumper, cosmetic wise the chrome is toast,as is interior, and much more I'm sure but a "good looking car needing a little TLC"


So far I have removed the old carb setup and am working on the adapter plate for a Stromberg. Eventually there will be a period T downdraft.

While the carb is out I'm working on the dash filling all the old dash holes ect. I figure since I have it apart take care of the dash and electric. I'm going to try adding a vaneer to the front covering up the hols and taking up the space to mount the radio head behind where the big hole is.

The trailer will come later, I have started collecting pieces though. I am going to build out of aluminum ibeams (old boat trailers) painted black with some basic period wheels and fenders. New hubs will allow for good brakes.

[Rich Eagle]

I have friends who so loved and cursed those 20's Buicks. What a wonderful car.
I hope it treats you well.
Rich

[babychadwick]

The dash is progressing one more coat and she should be ready to go back in. This is my first time trying a vaneer and I think it's turned out pretty good.

[babychadwick]

Dash is back in and wired up, the dash lights are fantastic at night.

The fuel tank was leaking and I could hear something rattling around inside. I cut a hole thinking it was loose rust flakes. More like rusty dried up foam? Anyway looking at the inside and outside I should be able to make a jbweld patch.

[tdump]

I would NOT do that jb weld thing. NOPE.
Clean it and solder a patch on it,not hard to do,if I can hammer out a piece of copper water pipe and solder up a rust hole on a gas tank , anyone can. Jb weld won't flex,tank will expand and contract with temps and fluid content, and that will crack the jb weld and leak again.And getting all that jb weld off to make a good repair,is a pain.
The foam may have been because of no baffles to prevent splashing around. Race car gas tanks have it to keep fuel from gushing out in a wreck to.

[fschrope]

That's kool Mack. I never thought of patching a leaky tank like that.
I did braze up a rusted spot on a '64 Olds once. I filled it up with water and still got a little huff from the flame.

[babychadwick]

Reason thinking jbweld is due to previous experience where it was a quick fix that turned into a permanent repair and held thru many miles of rough driving. The tank is baffled so the foam throughout is baffling. It is nasty though

[babychadwick]

She lives, fuel tank isn't back in yet but I moved her out of the hole she was starting to dig (soft ground) under her own power! Now to get the tank back in and start checking things out before the trip. I have another plug for the exhaust to make where the intake was removed. Plugging by hand it's amazing how quiet the idle is! She is sounding great.

[babychadwick]

Motorcamp to IN was successful, 800 miles under her own power.

[tdump]

800 miles is a jump for any vehicle! So were there any issues?
Veneer on the dash? can you tell me more about that?is it wood or formica or?

[babychadwick]

800 miles is a jump for any vehicle! So were there any issues?
Veneer on the dash? can you tell me more about that?is it wood or formica or?

Nothing major, some cutout problems resulting in a dead battery, a bit of rust issues with the filter but that was expected.
The dash is wood vaneer, I glued it down using an epoxy like fiberglass resin then used a table top epoxy once it was glued. Definitely an improvement and looks factory if you didn't know better.

[babychadwick]

Another 300+ miles logged in under 48 hours. Judging how she runs I don't see a problem as a speedster tow rig. Time to start thinking about the trailer. Some updated pictures.