Projects 1917/1928/1938 American Lafrance Plymouth V12 Speedster

Wired up all 4 coils to both distributors today. As soon as the fuel pump gets back she'll have all 24 spark plugs firing!

 

Found a YT vid of it.

 

Today I ate lunch at a small town restaurant about an hour east of where I live. Across the street are the remains of a very BIG very old chain drive truck. The differential and the associated shafts/sprockets were missing. Someone with a lot more money, energy, and youth than me could probably turn it into something really cool. I didn't see any stampings or markings that would help identify it. Rear brakes were mechanical and it appeared that all the rods/linkages were intact. Front had no brakes. Rear spring packs had 16 leaves per side. I didn't count the front springs. Pics:

 

chain drive mack?

 

@patsurf,

While you were posting I edited and added more information that might help someone knowledgeable to make identification.

 

chain drive AND A diff!?

 

Well; you can see the differential housing between the frame rails. The "axle" housings that go out to outside the frame are still there, but the actual shafts and sprockets are missing.

I'm only guessing that that housing held a differential. I have no idea why it "faces" upward instead of forward.

 

Possibly a "worm drive" type of ring and pinion? The housing orientation would lend itself to that type of arrangement.

 

FIRST RIDE!

 

What was all that knocky, grindy noise?

 

Alot of things lol
Sprockets kissed on the right side. Frame bottoms out pretty easy. Smashed a brake line. Carbs need rebuilt.

 

Bet it feels good to run it around the block.

 

Absolutely awesome!

 

I've been following along since you first posted about this project. I'm blown away with the engineering and solutions involved.

Good work and I'll be watching to see another video when you get the rest of the bugs worked out.

 

Thank you very much

 

Very cool. The first ride is always awesome.
Andy

 

Noice!!! Are you double-clutching that beast?
Andy

 

No just driving it like a normal car

 

Photo dump

 

This thing continues to be freaking awesome!

 

Thanks

 

The Beast of the Valley will be running in the Fins And Films Dirt Drags next weekend in Ostrander MN. If you can make it stop on out it's a blast!

 

Well I gave the Beast 3/4 throttle on pavement and my mock up axles didn't like that very much. Getting them machined and sleeved now.

 

Those axles look like some serious beef.

 

The axles and differential are from a '28 Plymouth rear per the original poster. He narrowed the rear housing, then cut and welded the axles to the required length. Looks like the break is right at the weld.

The rear differential from a 28 plymouth will be connected directly to the trans and speockets will be mounted on the axles which will be connected to the rear wheels via chains

 

This is correct. I always meant to sleeve the axles..... but I didn't.... I'm surprised it held up for as long as it did.

 

Got my VIN today. Title should be produced soon!