Tom Beatty's Belly Tank at The Henry Ford Museum

Just got back from the Autorama, had a great time. On the day before the Autorama, we went to The Henry Ford Museum and to our surprise, in the corner of the restoration shop, was Tom Beatty's belly tank. Here are some pictures. It was hard to take good shots since I was shooting through glass, but thought these would of interest to HAMBers.

 

Boy,

I hope it doesn't get "restored". It might be one of the few, if not the last belly tanks that remains in its as run condition.

Jay

 

Whoa, what is that rear end setup?

 

I agree with Jay, these historical cars get "over restored" and really lose the authentic flavor. I saw that tank when it was in Dave Simards collection, VERY COOL!

Pete-

 

I agree, story was that Tom was too busy to paint the frame and running gear, and it rusted...sort of like his other cars....hope it stays original

 

I hope so, too. I'd take original over restored, any day, especially with historically significant vehicles.

 

We also went the henry ford I didnt think anything in the museum was over restored everything we looked at was very oringinal looking.I will post some of my pictures when i get them edited Thanks for sharing.

 

Looks like IRS. I wish I could have gotten closer.

 

From some of the other posts that I've found, it's known as a "swing axle" setup. Tom indeed used early ford torque tube bits to make it work. I'd love to see closer pics if anyone has them. The geometry doesn't look like it would work too well, but I am really intrigued by the use of the early ford stuff to make a quickchange IRS that is entirely period correct. Do we have any closet HAMBers working at the museum?

 

One more vote to keep it looking like the last time Tom ran it. I think it was featured in Rodder's Journal and that's how it should be displayed.

Frank

 

Bob nd Jim Brisette's tank ran the same rear end set up, also some of the rear engined modified roadsters of that era ran set ups like that. They used Ford U joints and torque tube bells. I believe the idea was brought back from Europe by the GI's that saw the Porsche designed Kubelwagens with what became the VW swing axle rear ends.

 

Is there a more common name for the Brisette tank Dean?
I can't seem to find anything on it...

 

Based on all the other Historical Race Cars in the Ford collection i would think the car would stay as is after a general inspection and cleaning.

 

Here are some pix I took last month

 

I am not sure where the idea came from, but Beatty worked for Barney Navarro. When I interviewed Barney for the story on him and his car in The Rodder's Journal, he made a special point to me of noting that he was the machinist that put together the swing axle under the belly tank. The story on the Betty belly tank had been published several years prior and it was vaugue as to who designed and created the rear. I am sure Tom helped, but Barney wanted me to know of his contribution.

Jay