Does anyone have any info on Tom Beatty speed equipment? I have seen a lot of stuff on his belly tank, but not much about the equipment he built. I know he worked for Navarro then went off on his own. I have seen pictures in the little pages of 6,8, and more V-belt blower drives accredited to Beatty. I think he got heavy into drag boats. I have seen pictures of rear bearing plates for blowers that had his name on them. I think he built his own snouts too. I have also seen and heard of Oldsmobile blower manifolds that were also made by him. Did he build stuff for other motors as well? Are there any old advertisements or catalogs out there. What you got?
I had him build a driveshaft for me ,in the late 70's. He had a shop on San Fernando rd. in the Valley,in so Cal. He had a few of his flathead race engines,in the shop,built for the lakes, at the time.. Real nice guy,quiet, humble,and knew his stuff!!..
Seems to me that his push truck was a '40 Ford -- don't remember if it was a PU or a delivery -- but it had a blown Olds in it, reportedly so he could really give the tank a good shove! Not what you asked, but I thought it was kinda neat.
I believe it was a delivery Tony. It made some rather quick trips between San Fernando and the Salt, also. Wayno
There is an old hot rod magazine that shows the belly tanker cut in half. I know Barney Navarro designed the irs and built most of the car.
Not much help on "Speed parts".........but, I took a messload of pix of the tank at Bonneville this past year and it amazed me at how homebuilt the tank was........lots of "tin snips".
Here is a picture that I cropped to see the blower parts I was mentioning. Not the best image, but you get the idea. There is a Cragar snout, Tom Beatty rear cover, crank hub adapter, and possibly a fuel pump stand? at the right.
There is a guy in New Mexico that has a lot of Oldsmobile stuff including some Tom Beatty engines and associated speed parts. I had the chance to buy a 371 Beatty built for the salt but passed on it. Lack of funds. I'm sure he still has them. He's got a ton of early olds shit. If he is a HAMBer then I will let him speak but if not I don't give out #'s or names. (privacy) Some people should take that advice.
I don't know about that... It looks like a race car to me (not some psuedo-traditional bit of recreationism that somebody spent hours brooding about). It looks like he needed some room for a quickchange in the used tank, picked up from some surplus/scrap yard. That bit of scrap met some snips, to clearence for some parts - to go racing, to try to set a land speed record. When you go racing every weekend, some aesthetic stuff gets rushed to deal with the stuff that makes it go.
True. I kept my reply short because that is a whole 'nuther discussion. Many time racers do what needs to be done without regard to asthetics, case in point, Mazmanians Gasser Vette with the hacksawed 1/4s. Back to the discussion of Beatty speed parts.
I still have my Beatty belt drive, its on the front of my 471 for my 390 Caddy, and still have my groved early Cad crank pully. I think its a 5 belt setup. Will have to look tomorrow to see. Did'nt get the adjuster tho, seller was always "going to send it" but never did. Sure would like to get a Beatty end plate though. Would like the borrow to duplicate or buy a belt adjuster to complete my Beatty 390. 471 is on a NOS Wiend intake. Can take some photos and try to post them if you like. Not to good at this "Posting" stuff yet, might need a little help!! Good luck on your continuing search!! Dave
I totally forgot that you had that set up. I remember you mentioning it a few years ago. I'd love to see pictures of what you have got. I can help you with getting pictures up. Shoot me a PM and we can go through it.
Anybody notice the torque tube bells on the axle tubes? Swing axle rear end. Same as what's in my roadster. In '08 my roadster will be a 50 year Bonneville car with three owners.
I noticed that Rich, and have to wonder why? What would be the advantage of a swing axle in straight line racing?
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