*MrModelT and Powerwagonmaniac build a T speedster in 6 months!*

Clayton, That is some good progress to report. Will the hood have hinged sides ?

Dave

 

Thanks Dave!

The hood will have hinged sides. The hood top has yet to be removed from the forms and cut down the center for the middle hinge as well. I will be making up the hood sides (with louvers) in the next few days so that we can get them in glass by this weekend.

 

Clayton, Will be watching as you fab the hood sides. Are the hinges something you made ? Will stay tuned.

Dave

 

Mac,

I see you approve of Clayton's proper etiquette for applying cloth!!!

Can't wait for this part of the project to be completed and on to paint. Even though this resin does not have a lot of smell there are evenings when I have gone home with a splitting headache even with all the doors open on the shop.

 

some current pictures of the fiberglass process.

Chris

 

LOL!!!... dumb, but serious question- do you guys have fans drawing that stench out of the shop?

 

Mac,

This marine epoxy is completely oder-less, it does not smell or gas off like Polyurethane based resins to which you are referring.

I find it strange that it effects Chris. If my Dad can use it IN the house...WITHOUT my mother noticing....it's oder-less

 

Gotcha- I'm just concerned that if it's giving Chris headaches, you guys might be breathing in something you might not want to.

I did a HUD job back in high school that involved using loctite- didn't smell a thing, but we were loopy as all get out after an hour, and felt like crud the next day...

'Course we were just young and stupid back then...

 

That is precisely why I didn't want Polyurethane resin. My dad builds R/C ships from scratch. The hulls are made of plywood, then fiber glassed. Originally he was using Polyurethane, but you had to wear a respirator, it had to be done outside and it was a pain as far as drying time...especially in winter. So dad experimented and found this stuff from TAP...he could mix and apply it in the comfort of the warm workshop, it had 3 different speeds of drying hardeners...AND it was oder-less so Mom couldn't smell it

 

Hey Mac,

Clayton can say what he wants about it being oderless. If I don't have the shop doors open I end up with head aches And just feeling awful. I painted a Peterbilt truck for a freind of mine a couple of years ago and the red Delstar paint I used gave me the same reaction, even with all the safety gear I was wearing doing a job like that.

Chris

 

Wow you guys are going a great job. It all looks great. I'm really stoked at how cool the fenders and other fiberglassing has turned out.

Now that your pro's, how much would you chard to make me a 10' surf board.

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I think I'll coach you on how to fiberglass the surfboard as the itchy fun is about to start! I think I'll be done fiber glassing parts this weekendand onto sanding them in prep for painting.

Chris

 

William John Becker
November 29th 1945 - October 13th 2010

​

In the midst of our steady and excellent progress on the "Becker Special", I thought it fitting and necessary to take a moment to remember the wonderful, kindhearted man that inspired it's creation.

He was a tremendous soul with a unique personality that truly endeared him to every life he touched. I am thankful for all that I learned and the short time I had with him..and I know I will miss him dearly for the rest of my time on this Earth.

So today, In honor of 'ol Bill.....dim your shop lights for 60 seconds....then break out the tools and make some progress on your projects in his honor


To those who have followed this thread and offered so much support and so many compliments....we thank you.

Clayton Paddison, Chris Becker
and the entire Becker family
​

 

Guys, Has it been a year already? I have been watching progress from the begining and have loved to see the work and the inclusion of the whole family in the job. Keep up the inspirational work.
I spent the day in the workshop today with my son, making him a Chess board from wood, before setting him up on his first motor bike out in the field amongst the sheep and chickens. Love to see them growing up RIGHT!
Here is a picture of our project together.

 

Woodbox,

It has been a year since our friend, mentor, father and grandfather passed away. It caught me a little off guard too....seems like just yesterday, he was down at the shop with us on Saturday working on getting the 1906 Holsman back together and getting the 1934 Rolls-Royce ready to fire for the last time before winter storage.

I still feel his presence in the shop whenever I'm there, yet it feels...different and empty in a way that I can't describe.

Glad to hear you and your son had a good day of "Father-Son" time, and I gotta say I love the Track T you two are putting together...a very nice looking rig!

 

Still awfully weird to walk in there and not Dad around. some things have moved and others haven't. I will always miss dad and love him very much thanks for encouragement and we will get this done in Bills honor!

 

Woodbox,
Nice looking roadster. I had more fun working with dad on projects on Saturday. Enjoy it while you Can!

 

Chris and Clayton, Many happy memories about Bill. I know he is in the shop watching you both working on the Special. There is a big smile on his face.

Dave

 

Thanks for you comments on our project. I would share some more shots of it from more recent times but I lost my phone last week and all the photos from the build were on it!! I have managed to find some that someone else took at a show from last year. Looks better with the right tyres and the QC on display.
Here is the shifter build thread I started a couple of weeks back. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=631996

 

*UPDATE*
BREAKING NEWS!
Local man Chris Becker begins sanding, makes fenders remarkably smooth.
Also lays up new layer on hood.

Chris called me last night all excited to tell me that he started sanding on the fenders and that even the worst looking fender smoothed out exceptionally well. I was quite enthralled as well and can't wait to see them myself!

Here are a few "sneak peak" photos hot off Chris's iPhone:







He also put another layer on the hood. next step is to cut it from the form and down to the right length.


This symbolizes the last of the fender 'glassing....the "end of an era"


More to come so stay tuned!
​

 

At some point I hope someone will do a match set in metal - But great job!

 

Thank you kindly!

There is a slight possibility of such a thing, but I doubt we ever will.

Chris and I did the fenders in this fashion because I had talked about doing a T in fiber glass (including the fenders) much like a Corvette. Bill had seen the idea (cardboard sealed with glass) in use on my father's R/C ship models and was fascinated by it and if it could be applied in a full-size application like the T I had talked about. When I originally planned to make a set for my roadster, he couldn't wait to see how it all would work.

Since he passed away before we could make a set together, I figured the "Special" was the perfect "guinea pig"

....after all, this car was for him.

 

I was very pleased at how smooth they turned out. A couple of heavy coats of primer and a little filling here and they should be ready to paint. Once we get these fenders done they will be permanent, I've too many projects on the grill and I need to finish them. After the Special is done I want to finish Dad's 1913 White GAF 30 Touring car he never got done. I really wish dad had seen this thing at Clayton helped build one mean looking animal!!

Chris

 

Keep up the good work guys! Perhaps more than anyone here, I can hardley wait to see your finished " 1913 White G.A.F. Thirty"

 

Fred I need to get the Special done first Then the White. I can't wait either!!! How your hot rod truck coming Fred? Wait till I get these fenders painted Envy Green with Safety Orange pin stripes then I'll get really excited.

 

Hi Chris!
the hot rod truck is coming along well; it is taking up what little time I have! It is in primer now though, and ready for paint. And then, it will be back onto the White. I can hardly wait! Keep in touch!

 

*UPDATE*


Slowly but Steadily.....

Well I worked on the special some more this weekend. Clayton cut all the tabs off the radiator trying to make the original shell to fit rather then use the Durant shell. I also got the other two fenders Da'ed and ready for primer.


​

 

*UPDATE*
Hood and License Plate

This weekend we managed to make so "okay" progress...nothing huge, but still a move toward the "finish line". While Chris worked on the applying the last of the wood trim on the body, I whipped up a rear license plate bracket for the "Special" We had originally planed to have the plate and the tail lamp mounted on the drivers side rear fender, but in the effort of strength and so that we don't run the risk of loosing them..I opted to put them in a another very period location for a very correct look and solid mounting.







We also test fitted the hood pieces that Chris had finished fiber glassing and were quite pleased with the fit. There is much work to be done.







More to come
​

 

Bump for the morning crowd..

 

To much green going on back there, wheel and plate now light?
Orange works with green but perhaps on the plate a bright blue
background with yellow numbers?