Indy roadsters, how come nobody's done this?

My wife got me "Throttle", from TRJ. How cool is that? Now, I'm obsessed by the thought of building a street version of an Indy roadster from the late 30's/40's. How about a Mazda or Toyota truck DOHC banger, 5spd, wider bodywork with staggered seating, 20" wires...I gotta sell something...

 

There was a guy on here who was building one for his dad. Don't know what happened to it though. Might have been a Sprint Car...but it was for the street.

 

"Johnny Fast" that posts on here has converted several early sprint cars and super modifieds to street use but no Indy cars that I know of.

 

I'm with you on this one. I have a design in my head for about a 110" wheel base T style rails with a swoop in the back, slung really low on a banjo axle and a dropped I-beam with quarter elliptical springs, stagger seats to keep it skinny, and a fabric boat tail behind an aluminum cowl. Maybe a high compression four or a slick overhead cam six.

Yes, I know indy cars didn't have two seats, but I like taking my Honey along.

 

I'm with all you guys n this one! I like the tandem approach, like a scooter. Get yer honey all up on ya'.......uh, anyways, yeah, great idea Bro!!

 

it's been done.

 

The Kurtis 500s had Indy roadster written all over it. Just a Kurtis Indy 500 ch***is widened for two people.

 

OK, lets see one.

 

There is an "Indy type" car cruising the Burton/Grand Blanc, Mi. area has a SBC in the rear. Stops into Burton auto parts a few times.

 

All the cars I build have self starters, street engines & transmissions, use gasoline fuel and are capable of running on the street.

Click on the mac millers garage website below:

 

From the Uk. Street legal.

 

There was a street legal turbo small block Chevy powered lakester driiving around at Bonneville this year, that was a first for me.

 

This is my street driven sprint car built in the 80's and still on the road. Only one person, flathead 255 cu in. Rails are T with a kickup and Ford running gear. Maybe an inspiration for a two man car.
DeChrome

 

Now that has fun writin all over it.

 

That's what I'm talk'n about! Thanks, that's pretty cool, and I now know I'm not the only guy who thinks these are totally cool. I really like the Masarati roadster from 1940. Thanks for the links to your sites, I bookmarked 'em!

 

Plenty of 'em had two seats...one for the driver and one for the riding mechanic. Riding mechanics were mandatory for a number of years at Indy.

 

Yup, like the Quad4 gold one about 4-5 years ago. Was that built by Dave Lane?

 

This is a little newer than the 30/40's cars, but it is cool. One of the guys on MetalMeet built a McLaren type car several years ago; which he calls the McBearen. It is running a Honda 2.0L VTech engine and transmission.

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3618&highlight=mcbearen



The same guy is building another car to go a little faster, it's pretty cool as well; it will have a SBC.

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11644&highlight=mcbearen

 

This type project has been on my mind for awhile also. Seems like it could be done on a relatively tight budget also. My only problem is that I currently lack the sheet metal skills and fab tools. Perhaps down the road.

 

I'm collecting parts......................film at 11:00

Frank

 

Here is one built by a family friend (sorry for the small pic in the link) I'll try and track down my pics or you can send Steve a request.

Built on early 60's alfa running gear, single seater, fabricated most all of it in house, sheetmetal was done by an HVAC guy, engine turned dash done by hand, bugatti wind screens, etc. Steve added the removable side car later. He truly enjoys ******* off the Alfa/Ferrari purists and shows up at alot of Seattle Italian Exotic events.

http://www.closeenoughengineering.net/index.htm

 

Here's a picture of mine. It really isn't an "Indy roadster", it's actually a replica of a 1940 dry lakes streamliner heavily influenced by the Indy cars (big cars) of the day. It's still not finished, but is street legal. Only one seat though, but if I ever did another one it would have staggered seating just as the two-man Indy cars had.

 

so cool

 

Here's mine under construction. It will be licensed for the street.

 

..had my pile o' parts mocked up once....

 

Check this out. Im planning a ride like this. only Im goiong to use a 4banger
http://murraybrothersgarage.com/theandrewpages.html

heres the Hot Rod article
http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0812_top_10_best_hot_rods_of_2008/street_roadster.html

 

How about this one. Built in Brownsburg, IN by **** Cecil, one of AJ Watson's buddies, and in the same age group (mid 80's). Flathead powered with a '30 Chevy gearbox, dropped front axle and a quickie rear end. Wheels are Jaguar wires. The main body is a fibergl*** clone of the Miller front drive flathead powered cars that ran at Indy in the 30's and the rest is aluminum by ****. He built the entire car in his (admittedly well equipped) garage. **** moved the p***enger seat area forward as his wife did not like being a "back seat driver".

Roo

 

Run it detuned offy powered and you will be my hero!

 

Heres mine ( with a MacMiller body from above post). Plan on streeting it this summer and racing later at the Newport hillclimb....


All model T ch***is, axles etc....... single seater ......Miller Indy Car style body.....

 

Loving this thread. Hope to see more!!