I also took pictures of the HF powered rig. I have no idea what the story is, but I would like to know!
Always thought it would be really slick to build a Fairgrounds cruiser bucket like this, using mostly throw away parts. Complete Model A front suspension…remove a bunch of the spring pack, scrap the front brakes…no front brakes needed with low top speed, split the A wishbones, thin wall 1.5” X 3”, or so, rectangular pie cut tube frame…contoured to the bottom perimeter of a Speedway Tupperware 23 T body, Model A banjo rear end, with the mechanical brakes, possible quarter elliptic rear springs, louver a fabbed aluminum hood. Low speed vehicles are becoming street legal all across the Country…would really be fun on the city/neighborhood streets. Certainly could be built on the cheap!
Guess no one from SD is on the H.A.M.B.! Or gives a care. When I was a kid obscure builds like this were a feature in some of the magazines of the day, like Mechanics Illustrated, Popular Mechanics and others. Something the “Montgomery Books” generation of Hot Roders never experienced.
I talked to the guy for a minute. He said he used an engine from a zero-turn lawnmower turned sideways to power the rear wheels.
Yes, that's Madison South Dakota. I don't know Gary the owner but pretty sure his dad is Jim who has done upholstery for years and has built a number of cool rods and customs. Haven't seen him lately but have known him for a long time. Here's the car as it was in 2011 at BTT50's, with a slightly different powerplant: I will say the "new" engine swap is a conversation piece alright!
Zero turn lawnmower power would work as a fairground cruiser, if you didn’t drive like a bat out of hell, like the lawncare are guys do
I remember a Model 77 Willys fiberglass car with a Briggs & Stratton. Same idea. It had me thinkin', If all I want to do is putt around the show, why bother with the $20,000 Hemi?
My comment was going to be- nice fitting top. With his Dad in the trade that explains that. Maybe the fabrication didn’t support the power train so they decreased the power input? Stole the motor for something else? Inquiring minds want to know the rest of the story.
The Jalopy Journal
