Projects 1938 V8-60 Bantam Roadster Build Thread

Mac the Yankee had the right idea. This is what I was thinking about, several attempts later. The Jag photo is what had me thinking about an opening in the first place. The final version will be flush with the outside edge of the fender, this cardboard version is taped to the inside. Mac, what do you think now?

 

Looks good! You may even be able to take an inch off of that (height of the front fender opening vs rear, etc)- it's all about perspective... taking a healthy step back from your work and giving it a good, long look .

Take a pic of your car's profile, add it to the photoshop thread, and let those guys go to town

 

Bob, you are talking about the Harry Hull Bantam...had it for several years, pushed it in and out of my shop a thousand times,but thought it needed too much work for what would be a real "zip code" type car, so eventually sold it to Red. It was actually in better shape than what alot of guys start with. Was on Craig's list a while ago for 5 or 6 grand, dont know if it ever sold, I sold it to Red for little more than half that...this project is coming along nicely,will be neat when it's done.

 

Cool

 

Hugh, Thanks for your comment. I saw your thread in Dec 2011 when the Harry Hull car was on Craigslist. The last poster in your thread said that his son bought the car. ...ast CT. Anyone up there seen or heard of it?

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=651092&highlight=harry+hull+bantam

There is the right thread! I am OK with attaching photos but I mess up anything else.

 

I've own a few Bantam coupes and a PU and your roadster is pretty sweet.. I personally like the look of the original rear fenders but either way it's a cool build...

 

This one? 60 powered.

 

I don't usually like this type of car but this this one is cool. Subscribed.

 

That does look like the car I saw before. Great stance, wheels & tires, and I recall that the engine was beautifully detailed too. I'm less enthusiastic about the windshield, the way that it flares out at the top. Personally, that's the fender solution that I would strive for.

 

Making a little more progress. It is getting really tight under the hood, but everything still fits with only the firewall modified. Rebuilt the steering gear and mounted it, mounted a '38 Dodge m/cylinder and checked the fit to the pedal, checked clearance of the exhaust around the steering box, fitted a cardboard mockup of the new firewall, and it all fits with enough clearance. The carb clears the hood center hinge , but I will cut away the center hinge immediately above the carb to give it enough room to take in enough air. Will run an in-the-throat screen, no room for a normal filter.

 

Could you get a little cowl induction going too? I.e. fresh air from around the rear of the hood hinge area? Or is that not subtle enough?

 

BuiltFerComfort, good comment. I am going to try to pick up some fresh air flow by using '38 Ford hood hinge mounts that hold the hood panels just proud of the grille and cowl. I think that it will provide a pretty good flow at any kind of speed. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

Nice build you certainly ran around for all those parts I love the austin seven cars with the spolked wheels have you considered running them? How much room above the carb do you have? the willys jeeps used a carb horn elbow thing because of the low hood clearance

 

Hey Greg, great project. Wondered if your Bantam came with the round grille emblem that attaches to the two small holes on the upper passenger side of the grille?

Lee
Jensen Beach

 

Lee, I have the original that came with the car, in pretty nice shape, and a couple of nice quality repros. They are getting hard to come by. Greg

 

Greg, I have what I believe is an NOS Bantam grille badge left over after I sold my '38 Bantam delivery a dozen years ago. I was going to pass it on to you if you needed one but it sounds like you're all set.

Lee

 

Hey I could sure use one if one of you guys wants to part with one. I'm driving mine several times a week now and getting pretty darn tired of "What is that thing?" "How big was it originally?" "Is that a kit?" "Is it electric?" "American what?"

Not that the badge would fix it, but it'd be a start.

 

Grandadeo, Blowby is a good recipient for that badge. He did a very nice job with a Bantam V8-60 build himself. Thanks for thinking of me. Greg

 

Making a little progress, even if it is going backward. I was a little worried about the original Bantam T-84 transmission and the torque of the V8-60. I located a rebuilt Studebaker T-96, which is the heavier-duty successor to the T-84 rated by Warner as medium duty to the T-84's light duty. It is the same case except that it is a side shift transmission. I modified a T-96 case to eliminate the side shift mechanism and shifter housings, capped them with freeze plugs, installed the internals of the Stude transmission into the modified case with a T-84 input shaft (it is shorter as you can see in the photo). With a Gibson tractor top cover (they used a top shifted T-96) I have a transmission that will be stronger, and has exactly the same external dimensions as the T-84. Will now take out the transmission in the car and replace it with this T-96. So, progress but backwards.

 

Where can I get spark plug wires like those?

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Probably a lot of suppliers can provide the plug wires. I got mine from Mac's Antique Auto.

 

New photos! I have been listening to your comments about fenders and have come up with a pair of front fenders to try out. These are 1934 American Austin front fenders, and the MG rear fenders were first used by MG in 1933. Same period and perhaps a better match than the Bantam fronts and MG rears. Comments? Thanks!

 

Looks better to me.

 

Those new fenders compliment the rears and body, and look GREAT!!!

Almost makes your Bantam look like a miniature Duesenberg SSJ

 

I like it. Greg, I can't remember what the main roadster body tub differences were between the American Austin and American Bantam, if any. Was it just a fender and grille change? My brain has been out of the Bantam mode too many years now. Anyway this combination really works well together.

Blowby, PM me your mailing address.

Lee

 

Nice project!

I am not familar with Bantams, except the early Jeep. I like the looks of these.

You've got a great start.

I did a little photoshop, tilted back the windshield, rounded the bottom front edge of the rear fender, and lowered and moved the headlight forward.

What do you think?

 

love the duval style windshield on this build, extremely well done.

I tried to buy an ALGON FUEL INJECTION SETUP for this motor in my 37 ford v8-60 back in the late 60's.

MIKE

 

I love this build.

But I'm wondering if you've considered using some more proportional headlights. The present ones look so oversized.

I put some 5" chrome foglight buckets on our Bonneville Street Roadster for aero. I think they'd look great on your car.

No, you can't have mine. But they're pretty reasonable at Pep Boys.

 

Lee, the only difference in the Austin and Bantam body tubs was the spare tire mounting. Fenders and grille were the major changes. Later, the top tack rail was made much shorter and simpler The tubs are coompletely interchangeable. Your brain is working just fine. Greg