Projects 1930's style Race Car build

For years I’ve wanted to design and fabricate a 1930’s style race car. These style cars are pretty simple and are perfect for a beginner. This would be my first attempt at fabricating a frame and body. Over the years I learned paint and body, upholstery and glass.
My metal forming started with hammered copper artwork and later the lower cab replacement panels for my 1937 Dodge pickup.
Also, my first real job was as a design draftsman, so scale drawings were no problem.

I started fabrication in early 2017 and got it street legal by 2020. There are over 4000 man hours in the car and 95% of the work was done while working a full time job. The end result is a decent attempt for a novice builder. The project was challenging but well worth every minute.

It's called the "Oden Special"



Creating a Rolled Bead Edge
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/creating-a-rolled-bead-edge-on-sheet-metal.1268081/

 

Very nice work..

 

Ok , your can’t just drop a couple pics of such a nice car with a couple lines of a story .


MORE !!!!!!!!

we need more pics more story more everything!!


Killer car !!

 

Very nice car! Tell us more!

 

Yes more please!

 

Very nice build for sure.

 

That is sweet and you absolutely nailed the look. Some fine craftsmanship there too.

 

Beautiful car . Creative , inventive and built from a dream. This cannot be true. According to a couple of old timers on here you cannot be creative enough to mate a steering wheel from one manufacturer to another manufacturer’s steering column . It just cannot be done so something like this is impossible, I say IMPOSSIBLE!!!! You , sir should have a sore arm from patting yourself on the back.

 

If that doesn’t add a spring in your step as you head to the garage to take that machine out for a drive , I don’t know what would .

 

WOW AND WOW

 

“For years I’ve wanted to design and fabricate a 1930’s style race car. These style cars are pretty simple and are perfect for a beginner. “

You certainly nailed what you wanted to do for years! Beautiful car.
I don’t know about the second statement though, no disrespect meant, but if a beginner could build a car to that standard I know what their future could hold.

 

Very nice! I love these style cars! I too would love to see more info!

 

Thanks!
I cruise around BA, maybe we'll run into each other sometime.

 

A guy once asked me if the steering wheel was a "Grant", no I made the steering wheel. He was blown away that I made my own steering wheel but not that impressed by the rest of the car, go figure.

 

It might have been a great future if I wasn't and Old Fart already!

 

Wow, Jay... that's really neat.
Tell us about the drivetrain.

 

A lot of guys build a lot of cars.
And every one of them is great.
But others seem to do as you've done... wanting and planning and dreaming of building their dream car their whole life.
And then they do.
And it's awesome.
And extra special.
As yours is.

 

Thank you for posting all the pictures of what must have been a fun filled project. It’s beautiful!! I would love to see more pictures if you have them. HFH.

 

Jay...
This is a beautiful fabrication that 'feels' like the scale model airplanes I used to build.
Bulkheads. To scale. The 'mechanical drawings'. Then the stringers...and skin...
I've started similar (but 1920s crude) vintage race cars, but something always came up!
Impeccably done, please tell us about the drivetrain!

 

Holy cow! That's awesome!

 

Nailed it. Absolutely beautiful

 

Very nice job! Agree, what's the drive train?
D

 

Based on the photo in post #1 looks like a SBC, T5 and an S10 rear end. Maybe.

 

Ah, yes... I see it now. My eyes.
Thanks, @34 5W Paul

Well, sounds like plenty fun.

 

The original plan was to use a straight 8 or 6 cylinder engine. A 1970's Jaguar XK6 engine popped up on Craigslist early on during the build but the seller didn't know anything about it's condition. I passed on the XK6 engine as it had the later style head with square valve covers and no idea if it was rebuildable.
A local guy offered me a 1939 Hudson Straight 8 Flathead, it turns out the engine weighed a 150lbs or more than a SBC and it had massive 70 HP, decided to pass on that.
The Jaguar XK6 was my choice for an engine until I found out what it would cost to rebuild one and there's no engine builders around here that know anything about them.
I decided to use a stock SBC as I had no idea if I could even complete the build.
With no access to a louver press I added the 16 tubes to the hood to let the heat out.



Here's a list of the components:
Engine - SBC 350 crate engine, Edelbrock 3x2 intake with Speedway Motors Stromberg 97 copies
Ignition - Pertronix Distributor and coil
Transmission - Borg Warner T5
Clutch - Stock Pressure Plate/clutch, Wilwood pedal/master, Mcleod hydraulic throwout bearing
Differential - 2000 S10 Blazer with a custom made Torque Arm
Front Axel - 4" drop tube with Speedway Motors GM metric calipers and panhard bar
Shocks - 1960's MGB rear shocks used Front and Rear
Springs - Late 30's - early 40's Ford pickup leaf springs front and rear
Steering - Vega manual box
Brakes - Wilwood pedals/masters, front calipers Speedway Motors GM metric, rear calipers Blazer
Master Power/Ignition/Starter switch - NOS Delco Remey WWII B-26 bomber magneto switch
Weight - approximately 1350lbs

 

You got it right!

 

Very cool.
The body looks really amazing!

 

That is a work of art!

 

Beautiful work of Art love to see it in person

 

Thanks for all of the positive comments. It's great to know other people appreciate what I built. I do see it as a work of art, one of my other passions is designing and creating sculptures in wood, metal, clay and stone.
The best thing is I get to drive this piece of art, it starts conversations with people of all ages and backgrounds.