Hot Rods # 10 Track Roadster Build- Marty Strode

Bruce, this isn't getting a quickchange, just an open drive banjo, using a 42-47 pickup ring and pinion.

 

I could make you a good deal

 

I got the rearend disassembled, and notched the body, so it drops over the rails.

 

Installed the front spring perch today, as soon as I can get the wishbone blasted, it will get split, bungs welded in, and the front axle will be installed.

 

The Sandblaster got the wishbone cleaned up and it's a really nice one. Model A bones don't have much caster built in, so I will cut, tip and re-weld later. I thought I had a correct spring for this application, but it looks like I need to order one, to complete this phase on construction. Meanwhile, I can mount the master cyl and pedals. Tomorrow I will be hopping back to the 29 RPU.

 

Fantastic build thread! Here is a pic of the wallpaper on my iPad.....to visually keep me fired up between your posts on this build.

 

I like that shot too, if the RH seat was removed, it would pass as a racer from 1949 !

 

Here is my Dad in 1949. his car is on top. Nice interior shot.

 

It was time to install the sleeves for the rear suspension arms. The sleeves are 1" OD with a 5/8" bore, that are angled through the frame rail to allow for the angle of the arms. I made the clamp on drill guide to drill a 1/4" hole for a pilot on both sides, and followed up with step drills to bore 1" holes.

 

While working in the same area, it was natural to mount the master cyl. Here again, the center punch template, made the job simple. The front spring arrived today, so the next move will be cutting and welding the bones for caster correction.

 

Today, I got the body mounting rails fabbed and fit in place, and ready to stitch weld to the side of the frame. When final assembled there will be 1/8" neoprene rubber sandwiched between the body and mounting flange.

 

I like your templates, how many did you build before you started using these?

 

Marty, love these track roadsters you build. What do you do with the ball end of the A wishbone?

 

When I started the first one (red#7) I had hopes of building more than the first two, so that is when the template making started. Ironically, in the basic car, the only change I made was moving the pedals 1" forward from the location on the first two cars.

 

I still have a few, do you need one ?

 

I've been wanting to try something with a couple of them but didn't really want to cut up otherwise good wishbones.

 

PM me your address, and I will send you a couple !

 

What is the machine in this photo used for? I never saw one before.

 

It's a turret punch. That one looks like a DiAcro. They're a huge time saver in a a fab shop because they have 12 or 16 punch sizes that you can quickly change between without tools. I wish I had one!

 

Marty,

Thank you for doing a build thread on this car! I've read and re-read the Rodder's Journal article on your track roadster and would love to build my own copy. This thread is like a how-to manual!

 

I agree. This should be required reading for anyone building a T.

 

While visiting in the Atlanta are several years ago, I had seen a turret punch very similar to what you have but perhaps a bigger version, I believe it was from the aircraft industry in use in a shop adjacent to the Mills fabrication in Marietta Ga.

 

You are correct Graham, it is a Di-Acro Houdaille Turret Punch, with 18 stations and an 18" throat. The 6" notcher in the foreground is the same manufacture, and they are 2 of the most time saving machines I have. They really shine at prototyping brackets out of light sheet metal, to be reproduced from the desired metal thickness for the job. And the article in Rodders Journal #10 was a dream come true, and put Pat and I back in contact after nearly a decade, and eventually led to the building of the Spalding Copy. As far as building one of these cars, you won't build a car any cheaper, or have as much fun for the money as one of these, providing you build it your self. Thank you all for your interest !

 

Marty, PM sent. Love following your work. Keep the pics coming. Lots of inspiration there.

 

“Best bang for the buck....if you build it yourself”!
Hopefully this thread will light a fire under some asses around here!

 

Do you keep all the plugs from the puncher to fill holes in old frames and stuff?

 

I thought about you yesterday Marty. I bought a new 2X reader for the inside of my helmet which is great...until I have to weld a bracket on the bottom of my welding cart and couldn't get close enough to focus on what the hell I was doing. Weld looked like Stevie Wonder did it definitely not Marty welds.

Thanks for the updates. Enjoying the build.

 

I certainly do, they come in handy for plugging holes in firewalls, fenders and frames. Also, since my earlier post, I cut out a couple of lower shock mounting brackets for my 40 Pu, using that process.

 

Billy, are you going to "The Bolt" ? I always enjoy that event, and seem to find something to buy. As far as the welding, I don't have a high quality auto darkening helmet, but I use a 1.25 power magnifier in the lense, and a 2.00 glasses for the close up work. There are plenty of guys on here, that put my welding to shame, especially the one's using pulse machines, but I do the best I can for an old timer.

 

It was time to fab the pedal bracket, and since I have an extra chassis, I made 2.