I find the "Specials" very appealing, but just what would one do with it? I live in a rural area so it's not like there are vintage car races anywhere nearby that I'm aware of. The only thing I can imagine would be puttering around on gravel county roads in hopes that a Sheriff's car wouldn't be doing the same, or maybe display it at a few local car shows. I'm especially attracted to the car below, that's been posted recently, and just happen to have a bunch of parts on hand (it wouldn't really take very many) to build something similar. Lynn
There is going to be a hillclimb in Virginia City, Nevada the first weekend of June. Ts & As (in the automotive realm) because that it who is putting it on. I wish my Essex was a thing.
Making it road legal wouldn't be an issue, but getting a title in Missouri would be a challenge since I'd be building with "leftover" parts. Lynn
Go to an estate sale somewhere within Missouri, buy a total basket case with legit numbers-for cheap. Transfer ownership and register in your name. Next, carve out the chunk of the frame/body that contains the legit serial number, (not just a tag, a nebulous section-even the brilliant law makers can't tell you how big) and place it in the correct relative location in your garage stall. Then build the rest of your car around it with your stash of supporting parts. I think that's how Smokey Yunick would handle it.
Estate sale with a Model A including title...for cheap. I'll get right on it. I agree though, it would be a simple plan if all of the stars line up just right. Lynn
Does it have to be a Model A? just build what looks about right. I can't tell those pre 30's cars. Build a Whippet, or Huppmobile, Or a Studebaker.
It is modified who's to say you didn't start with a 2021 Honda? Well other than all the modern "safety" & emission requirements.
My buddy and I built 26-27 ford roadster/modified car from parts about the time off the first HAMB Drags. Scratch built frame, scrap body, you get it, junk parts. He picked up a title for a 41 International, so that's what it was.
'AMSC Speed Trials' - Sept. 14, 1947; George Thomas photo; State Library of Victoria. No details about the car or driver; wheels could be Austin 7?
Sure unique rear shock mount for that Vincent special. Wonder if they work ok & do the job. Looks like strapped down on a “tune up” rack to also check chain drive. Unique & unusual for sure but I like it.
Its on a roller starter. Pretty common for bike-engined specials in the UK & down under. The NHRA ran roller starters in 1974, but they were replaced by hand-held starters.
Some more info on Dragstrip rollers: www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/whatever-happened-to-roller-starters-in-drag-racing.1263753/
^^^. Thanks for write up on roller starts. Never saw one in eastern Pennsylvania. The push starts we’re part of the show years ago. See now that Vincent special has pickup next to it driving a roller starter.
I remember the first Vincent ever saw. It was in a shop/motorcycle junk yard where I was gettin parts for my '49 Indian. I just sat down and looked at it for a long time, a thing of beauty.
'AMSC Gymkhana, Eltham' - George Thomas photo Nov 10, 1946; State Library of Victoria. I haven't seen any other photos of this car.
I posted this first pic a while ago: 'N. Andrews driving a Stewand' at Rob Roy in 1947. The second pic here is 'Tom Hawkes driving a Steward at Fisherman's Bend' in Oct. 1949; [It's called a Steward in this pic]. It looks like the same car. First pic by George Thomas, second by J P Read; both from State Library of Victoria
That’s all I dream about with my speedster. Lol! Mine will never be street legal, but there are literally hundreds upon hundreds of kilometres of gravel back roads around my place in the Gatineau Hills region that I’ve explored over the years, and I’m just scratching the surface. In fact, I hope to make an ebook of all the abandoned properties I’ve come across travelling on those back roads. If I could do it my speedster one day, that would be a dream come true.
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