I found a pair of frame rails at a swap meet today ($40) , and decided to mock up the car when I got home. The rails are from a late teens early 20's maybe A.O. Smith Colby (I have to do some research on this). The rails are nice and heavy, taper from 3" to 5" and have a nice swoop out at the firewall. I may target a 102"-104" wheelbase. The nose is just clamped together. These are the rears of 47-54 Chev pickups. I may need a better set for the final build but the concept looks like it will work. Undecided on all other build criteria at the moment. I have some old ford suspension...No motor/tranny thoughts as of yet. Give me some ideas! Close up of the frame detail:
Really nice. I'd think about widening the body so that you can channel it over the frame - bottom of the body flush with the bottom of the frame. I'd also think about an inline flathead 6 - but that's me. I would suggest staying away from SBC and Ford flathead V8s since there are so many of them out there. Maybe an early Cadillac, Ford Y-block or something like that.
Why don't you see if you can find one of those 61-63 Buick skylark aluminum v-8's? I have always thought one of those would make a sweet engine for a roadster.
Not a bad idea. I believe that that same engine has been used up into the 90s in Land Rovers. Should be easy to find one.
Those are neat motors, nice size and weight too. I definately like overheads. I was thinking Y-block (there was a really nice complete 239 with tranny at the swap today.) Studebaker, Caddy etc.
Goin for an earlier track roadster look with the body on the frame, plus it will set me down further in the car. The frame in this case will be similar in profile to a belly pan. I will recontour the rails to match the body better. The body is fairly straight. I agree with the motor selections.
I have two pairs of those Chevy fender extensions and have always thought they'd make a great track nose. Keep with your plan. The proportions seem to work. Sometimes track roadsters can have a generous wheelbase, say 112" with a suicide pitch, and not be out of proportion. I love flatheads myself but that's just me. My '27 roadster has that wheelbase, couldn't be happier with how it handles. Good luck, looks great, Doug
Looks really cool! that track nose will be sweet. I vote for no channel job, space is tight in those as it is already. I think stick with early 50's whatever you choose for an engine.
What happened to the t body chassis did you just remove it or is the body channeled on to it? here is mine for referance i am thinking from this mock up that the body sits to high and i need to channel it.
Just dug...the Chevy fender extensions...you mean something like this? I'm using 4 of them to fab the flat tail on my '33 dirt car. Ron
Those are the ones although with more material added between them. I'll get around to them sometime. They'd make a great track nose is my thinking.
BloodyJack, I didn't have the frame. I wanted the extra frame height to visually shorten the car and give more room inside. I have some ideas for a unibody construction in the cockpit to maximize space and minimize weight. I already blew the weight equation. These rails are heavy. Nice car by the way.
Thanks Doug. I'll have to get some axles and play with the wheelbase more. I want to run taller tires which will help with the proportions as well.
You should have the body sit between the rails like a Miller car. Then make a full louvers belly pan and weld the doors shut. Maybe even run parallel leafs up front to that it does not mess with that Nose. I like what you have going thus far. Cool project.
I like that look, and quite frankly did not think of that. The body could be flanged at the bottom, outward and fasten with rivets or button heads. The Millers have more frame contour, I wonder if the flat rails may be too flat. Might have to get the posterboard out now...
Youngster- do you have any shots of the fender extensions before you cut them- I'm wondering just how much material there is to work with (the tail of my speedster has just about the same shape as your dirt car, but a bit more height, length, and width)?
a belly pan would be bad-ass can't wait to see what you do! ps. just looking at the exhaust marks on the door makes me feel like I just drove it yesterday
Just dug...I cut 1-1/4 off the inside to get the shape I wanted on the dirt car. If you were to add an inch or so and use the bottoms of the Chevy pick up rear fenders, I think you'd have a really cool nose. Jeffery James...That isn't what's going on the front of my '27...no, this is just another '27 modified. Search Technical Knock off to see the thread on it. Ron
I've posted this picture on here before but it's the only current one I have here. If you look at the bottom of the nose you can see how it is bolted to the frame. Further back you can see the aluminum angles that hold the body to the frame. I used button head bolts every 2". Buy the way, this nose is made from the top rear corners of a '29 tudor body. Mac...I don't have any pics here of the fender extensions but I can take some tomorrow. Ron
Is your "A" on the road? As you can see I have the 34 going slowly, and the Roadster project.....The house is undergoing a major renovation as we speak, and should be wrapped up mid November. I'll keep draggin stuff home for the Roadster so when I do have time it should go quick.
I know how it goes time wise... I've got a little one due in November, too! I did get the roadster on the road: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=295852
Understandable, and matching the contours will help a lot. I know what you mean about sitting 'in' the car. My Touring is heavily channeled over the frame; you don't as much sit 'in' it as 'on' it.
I like the mock up. Contour the rails to fit the body. Set the nose over the front suspension. Dropped axle with dead man perch. Hairpins. Cowl steering. And for power, a 153/181 Chevy II banger running through a T5. However you do it I will like it!
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