So since I started my A RPU I decided that it was time to really start on the special also because why not? Some of you have seen pictures of a quick mock up for it before. Now it's taking space in the shop and I need the frame table for something else so instead of shoving it back under the work bench I decided against my best judgement to actualy build it, this build might be faster than the A. The plan is to build a race inspired car based on a '23 Zedel CI6 upside down chassis for that underslung look, 50's Chevy front springs, late 20's Citroën C4 I-beam, '33 Ford spindles, F1 steering box, 2.4L Jaguar engine maybe blown via a Constantin blower, LT77 5 speed from a Morgan I believe, a Matford banjo rear or something assembled from a E-83 Ford banjo, friction shocks, most likely '42/'48 juice brakes and a '28 Renault hood with probably a hand made body. First order is to modify that Citroën I-beam, I cut the boss and pivot for the mechanical brakes. On the first pictures I had round back spindles on there, they kinda fit, the steering arms clear the beam but I don't want a cross steer set up and don't want something too hot rod inspired, so I'm using some '33 ford spindles. The I-beam requiered some modification to fit those spindles with later type Ford bearings. I still need to machine a sleeve for the kingpins, because the Citroën ones were massive. I will need to bend the steering arms though. A quick mock up of the Citroën C2 friction shock, originally on the Citroën C4 the friction shocks were parallel to the frame had one arm only and bolted to the I-beam on that big fat bolt next to the kingpin. It looks too bulky so I place my shocks parallel to the frame with a C2 rear mount as my front lower mount and on top of the spring what I believe is a Peugeot 203 pick up rear end spring hanger as my upper mount. I'm thinking it could double as a headlight mount also. I need to fabricate the mount for the Jaguar spring shackles, then the front springs will be done. For the front I made a spreader bar threaded on the inside to act as the blower support and for the front of the spring bolt to bolt into.
I have a goal to build one and started the long slow search for parts. So far I have a radiator and massive 5 spoke steering wheel. The goal is to use a comet as inspiration. Circa 08-10 double chain drive ect
That thing looks cool 650-19 up front minimum should do the trick. I'd like steel disc wheel, I actually have a set but I don't think I'll be able to use them because the disc is not centered. I wanted to change the almost 19" hoops but they are assymetrical so it's not feasible. I have a nice truck metric disc wheel but it's about 32" so that's way too much, finding 3 identical others is almost impossible plus tires will be a problem. I'm keeping my eyes open for Panhard, delage or delahaye artillery wheels 19" or 20". I don't want rudge wire wheels even though it would make things easier. Stock Model A could work also.
The American Underslung Automobile was built from 1905 to 1914. I've got to agree that it takes a big diameter wheel to carry it off. The Chassis shot shows that they had what amounted to an upside down C notch in a pretty straight frame to carry itoff. Both the white and black cars are/were 1908 50 HP cars.
It's not a V8 at least. If only I could afford a Miller or Bugatti 4. I love the look of the Jag 6, especially with the smooth valve covers it ages the engine a bit, to age it even more I have an XK120 oil flter, MK X intake manifold and a 4.2L E-type aluminum oil pan that will be modified to age it further. I'd like to stick the distributor to a camshaft through the firewall à la Bugatti, but that might be way out of my league. I draw my inspiration from the Millers, Indy Peugeots and the Panhard Razor Blade, race cars from the 20's and 30's in general. I love the American Underslung, they look elegant and racy at the same time, they should have been European .
What's really neat about the chassis, is look at the rear springs rear mounting "irons". Were they forged with big machinery, or by a blacksmith by hand?
If I'm not mistaken that is a Frontenac and regular i.e. not underslung. Fyi the motor on the comet circa 08 was a V8 so it doesn't have to be a banger but a period v8 is very difficult to find. An early Cadillac would be an option for 20's. Regarding wheels my $.02 is a good set of discs would be killer but $$$$$ with the other option tall wires. Trying to get a handle on the size of the car but I'm guessing something larger than a T or A and you will need larger wheels to pull it off. Have you thought about wood spoke, maybe off something like a Buick? I have a 29 Buick (new acquisition) and have been looking at the chassis a bit. The wheels dwarf a 21 inch T/A. The brakes/diff/frame ect all look like they would fit the period you are looking to build with modifications of course. The old Buicks can often be found cheap due to mostly wood bodies that are too much work to restore. Just a thought.
The original picture was a poster, from a 1921 Race, at the Tacoma Speedway. So it may very well be artistic license from the artist or it may very well be a "Frontenac" as you have indicated. I really don't know. To my eye, the front springs and their position "appears" to curve upwards, which made me think it was an underslung suspension.
The size is about a '32 Ford, I'm in Europe so 20's American car parts are not really a viable solution. I did looked at early spoked wheels precisely steel wheels that mimic wooden spoke wheels, I have my eyes on a set from a Delage, they are 20" but they are of the knock off type unlike the Panhard that where 5 lug nuts. On the other hand Panhard wheels are harder to come by. My problem with rudge type hubs is that it would requier an adaptor piece to mount on the drums and I'm guessing it's gonna screw up my scrub radius.
Yep '24 through '29 Renault NN round emblem till '26, diamond shapped after. Radiator behind the engine until '29, when the radiator moved in front they put a grille in the hood. I narrowed my hood by 10cm to get it more streamlined. You should look up the Renault 4O CV race cars, those things were wild.
Finally I'm done with the front crossmember, for now it's bolted in, will be riveted when the frame is done. It's a really tight fit but I wanted to be able to place the engine as much forward as possible which isn't that easy with that suspension and hood. Here's how it looks like with the hood And I found some 23" wheels. Not disc wheels but the next best thing. They're 5 lugs and I will need to redrill my drums for them to fit.
I believe they are British accessory wheel. I don't remember the brand, but it's stamped on them. The older gentlemen I bought them from used to have a Vermorel but he never got to mount them on luckily for me. He didn't know exactly how to measure them but I took a gamble and bought them without seing them in person. Let's just say it was an excelent deal worth the risk compared to what they go for in the UK.
The Jalopy Journal
