History Auto racing 1894-1942

It think you are right.....

 

OUOTE Rapid Robert
Just by way of a slight correction, according to George Schuster, in his book The Longest Auto Race, the stripped teeth were repaired by George Miller, his companion for most of the trip, while he was out looking for a spare transmission that had been shipped and lost.

The transmission repair finally failed several days later and Schuster had to go 215 miles by horse to retrieve the finally located new one, then bring it back. He states that it took all day for he and Miller to install it.

Boggles my mind how this was done with few tools or hoists.
Bob.[/QUOTE]

Robert....Thanks again for the correction, last time I read the book was to long ago and you can see how I remembered it. I think I need to reread it this winter.

If any of you can find a copy also read the Peking to Paris book, it is fascinating.

Again these were very tough and determined men. To get that unit in and out of the car all of the clutch components and the shaft have to be removed. The unit is unfastened and it has to be moved forward and then pulled back and lowered on an angle to clear things. The real tough part for those guys had to be getting it back up into the car.

It is a very tough job because the body is in the way of things and at the factory they dropped the body on after it was already in the chassis. I have worked on a 1906 Thomas and on that car you have to remove the body to get it out.

If I remember right they had to put in a new unit out west here in the US before they arrived on the coast and change it twice more on the race.

 

The cover is now of of the Thomas trans-diff so you can see the insides now.

 

T-H

My first reaction is 'bloody hell' 3' long and 400lbs

can't belive that was repaired and changed 'by hand' so to speak.

as you say truly 'Iron man' stuff,

great insight ..thanks for posting


Keith


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.

 

You need gears made? I got a really good guy here

I can't buy freeze plugs or AN fittings here but one off gears aren't a problem

Guys

It's hard to explain the focus you get running in a long event. And don't forget the locals help too. I lost the trans brake in Ipoh Malayasia once The locals woildn't even let me work on the car in a matter of hours the Mercer's brake drum was welded. New forklift lining fitted. They dropped everything to help. Sat me is a chair with a cold bottle of water........I bet it's still in use today.

 

C-6 Corvette....eat your heart out!

The 1917 Studebaker owned by a freind of mine uses a similar transaxle.

JG

 

Cars speed around the Thompson International Speedway's bank in the last race of 1941.

 

Just purchased this online. Can anyone shed any light on car, location, or people? Supposedly from Washington State family.

Howard Dennis

 

Howard, it looks like it is a Model A Duesenberg powered, car the radiator also appears to be from a Model A. The chassis appears like it maybe earlier. The front axle is a Timkin just like they used in the early fours and eights.

I am sure some of the record keepers will be able to tell you its history. Congrats, nice photo.

 

Those guys, ecspecially Schuster and Miller, were truly "iron-willed" to accomplish what they did with that car in 1908.

They had reoccurring issues with the trans in the Thomas throughout the race, but did replace it here in the states. If I remember correctly The transmission went out in Nevada I believe and Schuster had to hike to a nearby ranch where he aquired a Mule to ride the 200+ miles to Tonopah to inquire about a Doctor who lived there and also owned a 1907 Thomas Model 35. Schuster arrived at the Doctors residents and explained who he was and if he could "remove the parts required from your car to complete the race" The doctor agreed and Schuster went about dismantling his car in the garage for it's transmission...leaving the Doctor with the promise "the Thomas company will personally take car of your machine". He traveled all the way back, fixed the car and off they went.

Reminds me of my favorite quote by Theodore Roosevelt (also found in Scbhuster's book)

"I admire Americans who do things. Whether it is going up in a balloon, down in a submarine or race around the world in an automobile. For them I will always lend a helping hand. I do not admire the good, quiet man who does not have the strength of his own convictions"

...I think I have that right, been a while since I read it.

 

Thanks T-Head, Do you think this was a factory assembled race car or homemade from passenger car parts?

Howard Dennis

 

Howard

How come none of them look like the WANT there photo taken?

 

Can't say for sure but judging by the background it looks like their day ended prematurely.

Howard Dennis

 

Even if that chassis was originally a straight frame Duesenberg they were pretty much hand built. Most cars like this were made with passenger car axles w/a custom or modified passenger car frame which only used the side rails.

The Timken front axle is just like what was used on four cylinder Cadillacs and as I mentioned earlier four cyl. Duesenbergs.

 

Over head view of the four cyl. Thomas chassis which gives you a very good idea where the trans-diff is located along with the details of the drive chains and inboard foot brakes. The hand brake is on the rear wheels.

 

This is a photo of a 1908 4-60 525 C.I. Thomas engine that is identical to the NY to Paris car. I went for a ride in this car a couple of weeks ago when I took this photo. Bonhams is selling this car next week at the Quail in their auction. Follow the link below to learn more about this cars very interesting history. It was owned by Mr. J. Herbert Carpenter.

The NY to Paris car sailed back on the SS Lorraine which was docked at the French Line pier in New York while its cargo and occupants were being unloaded. Aboard this ship that sailed from Le Havre was some very important cargo: the NY to Paris car. As the historic auto was being unpacked, her drivers and mechanics exited the gangway where they were greeted by E.R. Thomas himself, officials from AAA, and Mr. J. Herbert Carpenter, representing his Auto Club of America. Mr. Carpenter would host the heroic drivers at a lunch at the club headquarters in New York that afternoon.

The second photo shows a piston and rod of the type that is in this car and also the 6-70 six cylinder cars one of which we are working on. Both engines are 5.5" x 5.5" B+S. This is also identical to what was in the NY-Paris car which supposedly was a 1907 Model 4-60.

http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/publ...ItemNo=4583570&iSaleNo=18267&iSaleSectionNo=4

 

Seems like an awfully small crankpin for that big of bore? I inderstand they didn't rev the rpm as they do today, but still....
HG

 

Les Gough -1936:

 

Don't forget ..... and don't be late:

 

Melbourne Motordrome:



A couple of the riders check the track:

 

Programme for Olympic Park, Melbourne - 1940:

 

Here's a link to UK Racing files

http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp

 

The main and rod journals are 2.000" and are on the small side which is common back then. These motors were designed around 1904-05 and it was not until about 1912 that some of the bigger cars started going up to 2 1/8" and 2 1/4" journals along with larger section cranks.

 

It's not about the pin dia. but about the radii size.

When the crank flexes large radii are what keep it from cracking.

If a crank grinder bumps it that's the start of a crack......

Any time you've a crank ground be sure to remind the grinder to blend the radii.

Knowing you know might keep him honest and you from a broken engine.

 

A small Buick .....

 

Anyone know what event this might be?

 

Two Thomas Flyers circa 1907 on the track. These LOC images were posted by SWI66 over on the PREWWII photo thread.

 

All -
Here is another one from my collection. Western Service, Wendover, Utah, October 1937. The fearsom Thunderbolt of Capt. Geo. Eyston getting a going over.
Bob

 

I believe they are called stress risers. That's what we called them in the Mopar race group. I recently saw an example of that on a friend on mines race engine.....that is, two pieces that were supposed to be one piece....
Thanks Jim, I won't think you are trying to 'spoon feed me' LOL
HG