I like it! Somebody posted a couple pics of it in another thread. I’ve always loved goofy shit like that!
Looks like the builder took the styling cues from Bantam. I'd have a hard time passing that one up if the price was right.
No no no no no Don’t acquire this space ship Won’t fit your collection!!!!! Send me the contact info To save your marriage Really
I think it’s absolutely hideous and looks like hell to drive, so naturally I would buy it if it was local…
Neat! Every time I see an early "cut down" open car, my mind instantly starts calcing costs for stock replacement panels to get it back to stock proportions. Open doors and quarters (the easy way; from Brookville-$3000)......but not for this one. This one "works" and really needs to be put back on the road as a fun puddle jumper. A guy could do a budget build by doing all his own work, scrounge and utilize all used, left over parts from his and friends' garages. From the looks of the framing around the steering box mount and frame rail, it looks to have had/been intended to have hood sides. The 6 is cool but a steering box relocate would leave room for a small V-8, Maybe that 265 or 283 sitting under someone's work bench. I see it with hood sides, painted wires and painted a bright color (red, orange, yellow (with orange wires ala Jake's 34) or maybe British racing with apple green wires). Anyone for a Photoshop?
A v8 would be as out of place there as the boat motor, too short for the space. The hood length and body set back are what makes it work. TC MG was my first thought. Big wire spokes in the front at least. Maybe some solid 16s on the rear. I could probably walk around the yard and fit this thing out. I've got Jimmys laying around but need to get rid of projects not acquire more, DAMN! I usually don't even look at these things. What is the Sonora connection?
I saw this car sometime before 1995 in Modesto… I was with my dad, and the owner had pushed it out into the street and put a for sale sign on it. It was even more horrible to me back then…but could be fun. I had a drag car with solid rear suspension, and have driven it on the street… it will kill your back in under a mile.
I love sport rods mine was built in 1955 by Bill Smith for the Oakland roadster show it was in 56/57/58/59 Made from a Tudor sedan
Here my thread on the 34 roadster https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/bill-smith’s-roadster.1151630/
A friend had a drag car with a solid rear axle. He needed someone loco enough to drive it (460/C6/Dana/14X32s/open headers) from a storage place to his rented house, about 6 miles on city streets. The tires made the ride okay, but he mentioned that while following me that I had it up on one rear tire a few times going around corners.
I sure can see the possibilities. My first thought these days is always, “got paperwork?” But it it could be a fun little hot rod. Some rear suspension, a 283 and a 4 spd? Why not?
I keep thinking 35 wires, cycle fenders on the front, cut down Model A rear fenders on the back a low windshield or Brookland screens with the whole thing carrying a 50's I couldn't afford a Brit sports car so I made my own vibe. If a V8 flathead didn't offend anyone I have just about all the pieces outside of windshield and seats to put it together.
I know, I'm terrible biases, but to me, this is ultimate "Sports Rod" and has the credentials to back it up !!
They were their own legitimate form of hotrodding just like dry lakes, drag strips and roundy rounds. Isn't this sorta where the Colorado Hillclimb comes from the hot rod vs sports car thing? The first one?
Needs an inline six it already has the room. The 4 speed is a good idea, maybe 5. Many a 283 has been sawed off by a 302 Jimmy.
I assumed Sonora, Ca. Within easy driving distance from sellers location. And don’t you have a ‘28? Chevy to get done…