Looks like a Gasifier (wood/gas generator), they became an alternative in Europe in the early rationing of WWII. They use the original engine configuration like propane power with a lot of mess. A late model truck made a pass with a slow time to get a land speed record at B'Ville back in 2011. So I have an "A" stakebed, always wanted a chance to run at Bonneville and this seems to be a very very small class...
And here I thought you'd be talking about a Doble steam car being hotrodded. Now that would be different...
I’ve seen me with my own eyes! Split intake manifold that bypasses the carb. It’s basically like running your car on BONG HITS.
Love steam*,,cars,boats an trains,back in 1976/77 I worked as crew on 4449,4-8-4 big baby +restored too pull AFT* all over USA ,steamer from the early 1940s. If ya don't know what "ATF"in 1976, was,look it up for fun. Last of the few, super tech steamers built, awesome power= About 4 of any Loco you see today pulling a train* This photo is me and crew doing up keep, a few new stay bolts; They hold fire box sheet an outer boiler sheet together ,at over 300 steam n water psi. There are a lot of these bolts. A 10 min. video for fun. For size=The 8 drive wheels are 80 inch high each.
Yes, wood gasifier. There are a couple of those around, one rumored to be in the North Branch MN area. I've not yet tracked it down, much less talked to the owner(actually forgot about its' existence 'till this popped up)... Going very far has its' own problems, namely, fuel supply. & it helps to have your own wood lot. Speed would be limited by gas-volume production. Slow is better than Nothing, when liquid fuel isn't available, or at least unaffordable. What is being done, essentially, is the wood is being "coked", but instead of charcoal being the desired product, the CO is the main goal. The 34 roadster is a very nice version compared to most, most of which were quick-n-dirty versions. The "gasifier" is the still-looking thing in the trunk, air-intake/burner is under trunk, the cooler is the long muffler-looking thing going across the tulip-panel. The gas has to be cooled before running it in the engine. Like most steam engines, quick-turn-key-operation is *not* its' strong suit, & it takes awhile to get going. Somewhere on the net, there are plans for a DIY gasifier set-up. So, who's going to be the 1st HAMBer to put one of these in a rod? . "Patiently Waiting... " Marcus...
Not quite HAMB-friendly, but at least it was running at the right location: https://www.driveonwood.com/press/wayne-keith-woodgas-speed-record/ Cheers, Harv
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