speedster project update. Took the first ride yesterday :) :)

[dobro1956]

Well after 6 years of working on the speedster project, I got to go for the first ride yesterday. I was still having a little problem with the engine "stumbling" when I would give it gas. I pretty much decided it was running "lean" But other than a few "pops" thru the carb, it actually did very well. It handles very nicely, the suspension was good over the bumps and wash outs getting to my field (test track). In high gear it ran very smoothly, and the acceleration was "awesome" . Last night I got the instructions out for the Stromberg OE-1 that Stan Howe rebuilt. So with a little reading and setting the carb, I have the "stumble" taken care of. It now takes the gas instantly. Im still working on idle, but it may never idle smoothly as I have a long runner intake and a 290 lift cam. Its raining now, so it may be next Wednesday before I get another test drive. I think the speedster project is nearing the end. I still need a windshield glass, the upper half of the floor boards, and finish the wiring of the lights but that's about it. After I'm totally done Ill change the Disteel wheels, for the Buffalo Disc wheels I have that match my inspiration photo.

I only have a photo that my wife took with her phone that shows the event that took six years to get to.

Here is that photo and a photo of the inspiration car.

Im in the process of making a video "walk around" but the learning curve is killing me

I am in need of an old leather belt like the one in the inspiration photo holding the hood down . It is about 1-1/2" wide. Maybe some one has an old dirty piece of harness that I could use. Any farmers out there have an old piece hanging in their barn I have hood latches for my hood, so the leather belt will be just for looks.


.

[Henry K. Lee]

Looking Good!

But the girl fell out.


Hank

[Ed Fuller]

Way to go Donnie!

Looks great!

[GEmering]

Very cool!

Gene

[dobro1956]

Henry, If you will remember, about 2 to 3 months ago I turned our 27 T upside down in a ditch, while on tour, with "my girl" with me. She said no more rides till I get disc brakes on the 27 tour car. So I see a "uphill" climb to get her to ride in this one. She may do a "photo shoot" but no rides at this time. She was already complaining about nothing to "hold on to" in this car, even before I turned her upside down in the 27.

[Henry K. Lee]

Oops! Me suffering from sometimers! Me Bad!

Hank

[Aussie16]

Great Stuff Don. i have enjoyed going along for the ride and following your restoration. six years is about right. I just got this one on the road after starting 6 years ago.

[Dan McEachern]

Donnie- consider mounting a handle of some sort on the back of the drivers side seat. This will allow your passenger to reach behind with their left arm/hand and hold on to something solid. worth a try eh?

[ModelTWoods]

Donnie- consider mounting a handle of some sort on the back of the drivers side seat. This will allow your passenger to reach behind with their left arm/hand and hold on to something solid. worth a try eh?

Maybe the handles or rails off of a coffin, might work.

[CudaMan]

Awesome!

[MWalker]

Congratulations, Donnie! Your perseverance is paying off.

[dobro1956]

Kathy will still ride in the T, but after she heard some of us talking about disc brakes, she is all about getting disc on the 27 tour car. Before the wreck, I was at the point of wanting them my self. We drive it too much to not consider putting them on the tour car. As to the speedster, she is not a fan of "very little body to sit in" She also does not like motorcycles. So her rides in the speedster will be limited at best. And to be honest, there is very little room for two people in the speedster. Anything more than a short ride with two people would be uncomfortable. But by myself, the car is very comfortable. I will drive it quite a bit, but it will never be a long distance tour car.

[John Warren]

Sweet!!! It has been a wonderful project to follow and congratulations on the first drive, nothing like the first drive!! A little pinstriping , a hood and BAM, you got it!!! I had already figured the wife wanting to go with me, so passengers, in my case, not an issue hahaha. Thanks for sharing and taking us along, I have been amazed at your superior craftsmanship. WOW

[PDGx]

Check your local TSC for a cinch strap. If not, there’s always Amazon - they have leather strap.

[dobro1956]

PDGx Thanks for the suggestion, If I have to use a new leather belt, our TSC does have a good choice. Im hoping for a used old worn and dirty leather belt/strap. My car is a "patina" car so anything new looks out of place. If I have to use a new one Ill age it somehow...

John, I have a very nice hood with proper patina for the car. Sometime in the distant past someone painted their names on the hood. The name "GENE" is on the driver side top panel, and the name "BUD" is on the passenger side top panel. There were also several "polka dots" placed around the names. The patina is a mixture of original paint and rust. It appears the names wore off years ago. Probably made with "shoe polish" But the names were there for long enough to protect the original paint allowing the names to show up as a "ghost" image in the original paint. It was hard to get a good picture of the names so I did a "paint" highlight of them to help show them. They add a neat detail to the car. I wish I could find out who they were.

[david_dewey]

Weathering a leather belt isn't hard at all. Hit the edges with some dark shoe polish, and highlight the face with it, flex it around to age the surface too. Advantage of new is it isn't rotten anywhere, so it can do it's job of holding the hood down well.