MTFCA Forum

Looking for help from anyone that has built a speedster body from the Lee Thevenet plans
Which I believe are also the same bodies that Langs and RootLieb sell
Built the base framework and placed it on my T frame to line up where to cut out for the parking brake. Problem is seems like it’s 2 inches short. If I was the push it forward to where the firewall is attached, the rear cross member would be on top of the spring hump and the front cross member would be over the cover for adjusting your bands ? and even if I keep it back the 2” where it would line up correctly on the back

Jay


Can only surmise that build used different measures to the firewall/dash, since he used a modern Mazda engine in his speedster, with custom frame rails.

https://www.horselesscarriagereplicas.c ... Issue2.pdf

Guess if you are satisfied with your firewall position, and where the hood former and hood will ride, then scoot up the entire floor sill. You could just cut a bit out around the rear frame crossmember to allow clearance to push the floor sill forward to meet with the dash.


Found in retrospect, the radiator / hood / hood former / dash need to be measured first to have all fit well.


Built from scratch a speedster body, and used the wood firewall as the start.

But later found using a '15 hood former, the hood would't fit, too long. That '15 former is made to fit "over" the edge and capture the std. Ford wood dash, so I had to resort to 'trimming' off the rear edge of the alum. hood to make it fit Had to cut about 5/16" or so off.


Doesn't show much to any observer, but if someone later wanted to use that hood on a real '15, they would wonder who the ^&$&# cut this short!

The Rootlieb speedster kits use a torpedo hood which is 2" longer than the normal T hood. I'm guessing since these plans are based on the same speedster you're going to have to get a new hood. You also need to modify the firewall brackets to make things fit.

It appears to me that the general size for the Thevent deck was taken from the deck we produced. Overall size appears close, but actual construction is different. Where this deck is made from solid lumber, ours is two layers of plywood. This body ends at the front of the engine pan ears and with our kit that is the same, as the firewall is relocated up against the pan ears to gain the 2” for the longer hood. Given that the article states Mr. Thevent used a number of our products in the building of his car, tells me we were already in production. We have made the speedster kit since 1974. The plans for this body, which I have not seen, are very different from ours and is not what we sell. Good luck with your project.

Thank you everyone for the replies very useful !
Unfortunately It was what i was thinking....That I'm not that far along and It was my own rough cut lumber I milled from dead ash trees either I will start over or fudge one way or the other. didn't like the front cross member over the transmission band cover screws anyway
My last project I had NO plans and built as I went and will say think it turned out okay.....