I am trying to help a buddy ID his car, it came out of Victorville by El Mirage he doesn't think it ran with any of the timing ***ociations but thinks it's a period car.
Does it run? or is it a trailer tank? I think that I have seen it behind a car a couple of years back @ a car show. You might PM Bobby Green and I bet he could tell you more about it. Chris
They don't get much simpler, but it is very pretty. Maybe someone else can venture, though, how much HP you can really expect to get out of a flathead plumbed like that...
Cool Tank! ... Here's some pics of it in its "natural habitat": ... and there's more pics of it HERE. __________________________________________________ Yep ... it was on eBay & on Craigslist in October/November of 2009: click thumbnail to enlarge
It is very cool, but somethings about it make me wonder if it is from the '40's...for one thing, most tanks had a sprung rear end, and those tube mounts for the instruments etc. don't quite look from the period....but even if it is a repro, it is still well done.
Actually most had solid mount rear as space was at a premium, no room for a driveshaft, if they had a IRS it would have a spring. All had some form of suspension travel up front. I agree the tube mounts for the front hoops are a little elaborate for the late 40s would fit right in for mid 50s though. I like it, it really captures the style.
Interesting. This comes to mind. Gut reaction is a well done recent build, and you could start picking it apart from there.
I remember seeing that on Ebay. I'd never seen or heard of it before. From what I've heard, it's a recent build, ie. in the last few years. I don't think it has any history beyond that. But drive that thing into any local car show and your a rock star. Just don't idle too long or you'll overheat. I went to look at a bare tank for sale about 8 years ago in Bakersfield, it was that same tank. Don't know what plane they were from, but I remember it because it has a flat section running down the top and bottom, and that flat tail. I haven't seen another one til now, or maybe it's the same one. Wish I could offer more info on the builder,.... I'll do some more asking around today.
I got an email from the owner. It does appear to be a project that was at least started in the late 40's . There is a lot of period welding and cutting. Vern Tardel who is kind of the guru of flatheads, got the car running for me and he loved seeing all the old stuff. We dont believe it ever raced but it does seem that it was at least started in that era. Thanks for the update and lets see if anything else turns up.
The more I look at this photo, the more I don't understand how the driver is supposed to get to the steering wheel which is in front of his shins!
Rich Venza - Those were my thoughts exactly. Here's what was posted on the subject on another forum: ... and here's some pics that kinda show the steering: click thumbnails to enlarge
Not too many tanks out there any more. The last one I laid may hands on, we ended up turning into a rolling ice chest (NO!, it never ran!) About ten years ago, I did run across a set in a back yard at a San Marino yard sale (of all places!) I believe they are the set from the P-38 Lightning (big and small?) So- there are a few still lingering out there. http://public.fotki.com/bowtie0069/shop-projects-1/shop-projects/img3921.html
The Jalopy Journal
