MTFCA Forum

Just received the latest pics. If all goes well, it's on the way back to Nebraska next week.

Rob,

Absolutely Beautiful!!!! Be a Proud Daddy!

All the Best,

Hank

That right there is some high level coolness.

Thanks for posting the photos.

Thanks guys. For a little context, four Ford Special racers dressed in white:

Super. Will you have a number on the gas tank or the radiator?

Oh yeah that thing is looking sweet and mean!
It looks to me like Ford never had any number painted on that were meant to be permanent. The number "12" car pictured above (a picture posted often) appears to have the number in black tape. It was most likely that old style black cloth electrical tape as there were not many "tape" options available at that time. Although the demand for that stuff is limited these days, I have seen it in hardware stores in recent years.

I know that Ford had these cars originally configured to "quick change" the seats and gasoline tanks to favor different kinds of speed contests. Are you having the smaller gasoline tank made and painted ready to use? Or the seats set up to change in or out? As I recall, you already said you were having both wood and wire wheels done for the car.

Thank you so much for taking us along on this quest! Remarkable to say the least!

Dave and Wayne,
I'll probably have magnetic numbers made that may be placed on the gas tank. The aluminum hood doesn't give me the same option. I know places like Kinkos in Lincoln make a mesh sign material that might make a radiator number, although I don't know if it will stand up to heat.

A few period photos of Fords with numbers;
This is a version of the largest Ford racer taken at the Detroit Branch Store over the winter of 1911-12:

At one of the summer 1910 races:

WELL DONE INDEED!!! It's a real beauty.

Best
Dave Carnahan

Dave, thanks.

Wayne, i meant to answer, I probably won't make another tank. We will have the wood wheels although I'm not sure I'll ever put them on. The back wire wheels are 32 inch giving us a slightly higher gearing. Along with 3:1 ring and pinion it should be a good "go fast" racer.

For my previous speedster, I considered it more of a road car than a racing car, so I didn't want to paint a number onto the radiator. I also didn't want to paint over paint and build up insulating coatings on the radiator. So I got some wire mesh/screen. I think 1/8 inch galvanized would work best. I cut the number I was using slightly oversize, then rolled about a quarter inch underside all around the number. Painted with silver paint, and carefully wired onto the radiator with soft copper wire, it showed up very well on the black painted radiator core.
The SCVMTFC for their Endurance Run required a number on the front so that timers could see what car was coming and be prepared to mark them off on their time sheets.

Poster type artist paints will wash off with water, and could be used for other places on the car. HOWEVER, they do tend to stain even most quality paints if used too often or left very long. I used to know a few people that tried that and proved it the hard way. An old racer's trick is to use a piece of old linen, held onto the car with honey. It is quite sticky, and holds very well. It does not appear to stain the paint, and generally rinses off with water and a bit of elbow grease. I have done that a couple times just to try it. However I haven't tried it on more recent types of paint, so can't be certain how well it would work with them.

It looks really nice, Rob. Can't wait to see it in person....
Keith

Absolutely gorgeous, stunning racer Rob !

Beautiful!!
Love your idea about the magnetic numbers. I vote for "12"..
Get your goggles ready!!

Not only "get your goggles ready" but also your drone so we can ride with you!

It's looking great, Rob, Congratulations! Those guys are doing a beautiful job on it.

Rob,

Wondering how Peter is going to accommodate those headlamp holders in building your car. None of the earlier pictures have headlights. I am assuming you plan on a few nighttime runs. Do you have an acetylene tank to place on the side of the car?

Just give Julie a can of red rustoleum and a 1 inch brush. She will get you the right number.

Thanks guys.
Wayne, good ideas on numbers.
Dave, there are a few Ford Special racer photos with headlamps. A few of the races the Specials ran in were long enough to require headlamps:
Below is a photo of the Ford Special 3 liter racer sent to France, with headlamp forks:
Courtesy of THF, all rights apply.
I'm not sure where I'll mount the prest-o-lite tank yet.