Hot Rods FOUND Ted Frye's Belly Tank

J.D. It looks like he used wing strut tubing for the frame rails, I haven't seen that before. And BTW, Lucas Doolin drove a "Tanker".

 

I caught that also...Neat

 

https://kustomrama.com/wiki/Tom_Beatty's_1929_Ford

...This is I suspect the same Tom Beatty aka Author behind "Belly Tanker", circa 47ish

Quoted; Tom Beatty and The Rust Bucket

1951 - 154.63 mph

It had good handling even at high speed thanks to the upside-down Model A front suspension.


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I just love all this Belly Tank history, thanks for those who have taken the time to find it and share. JW

 

Marty I never thought of them being steel. Back after the war there was so much “scrap” military scrap/parts in the LA area it was unbelievable. Along Alameda there was one yard right after another and everything was relatively cheap.
I see a lot of it was kinked when it was bent and left that way. Over and under bracing just held it. I’ll bet 90% of the welding was act/oxy welded too; very typical of the day. It was the first way I learned from my dad in the 50’s.
As stated Ted’s cars looked great on the outside as many did with paint and pin striping. All lettering was hand painted and is why it’s lasted this long too. Great observation. JD

 

Wondering what the speedo may have been from? I don't see an airspeed indicator and I could be missing it. But what kind of vehicle at that time would have a gear-driven speedo at that range?
Anyway, awesome and cool throughout.

 

Sorry I'm slow on the gun here ....
I can barely stand to see the photos of this tank. This apparently was left without payment for the metal work and then sold in it's entirely for the payment due to someone, maybe the current owner I believe in the late 90s. The part that bugs me is that had it not been in the way it would have still been laying there 10 years later when I bought out the entire shop and property. That's how I found the replaced panels, they were outside in the scrap pile. I have photos of it sitting without axles in my driveway right after the aluminum work was done. I spent quite a bit of time hoping to track it down and buy it back but appears it's in good hands now and likely not for sale or atleast not at a price I can afford. Ive always hoped to find more.parts to another tank "body" and build one for myself using these few original pieces that I have. Maybe someday.....

 

I have noticed quite an uptick in the interest in Belly Tanks in the last few days, maybe because Speedweek just finished. I have been looking at one since last December.

 

My favorite was the twin tanks with the hemi Dodge -- Howard Cams?

 

I like so much it's overwhelming in a way to keep up with it all...Speedweek helps bring up Dry Lakes focused Material but there are Builds underway to keep it trending...

These Tanks did dual duty across the race spectrum as well so that also keeps them a prevalent focus of the Big Picture...

Nice Tank your eyeing there Marty...

 

Jack Kelly’s is still popular at El Mirage and setting records. He made a fiberglass mold and lengthen it. He sold the molds before he died. Eric Hansen also doing very well with his too at El Mirage and Bonneville. It’s nice to see them but if there was ever a class made for belly tanks guys would fuck them up like the rear engine modified roadster class.

 

PBY struts were used on other cars of the era.

 

I know you are aware but for others that may be wanting to build a tank @Elmo Rodge still has the molds and will sell anyone a glass tank.

 

Not that I'll ever do anything with the info; but how does the weight of the glass shells compare with the original aluminum tank shells. I'm thinking the glass would be heavier; but does the weight difference actually make a difference?

 

There would be very little in it, glass would be slightly heavier. JW

 

Wayne aka Elmo would be the one to ask. Weight is actually your friend on the salt, free downforce.

 

Wow that belly tank is cool.