nice to see the buck from the last body made was saved and being used again. don't make the seats to small.
Hey, Blitzen142; Glad to see you bringing this to life. If it's a vote, I'd like to see you run the Fronty. I'd also like to see measurements & 3D castings of the ports & comb chambers, if you wouldn't mind, too much. I can give a bit more info, if you're willing. I'd pay for the stuff, if you'd send me a copy. I'm always interested (fascinated) in the shapes used. One of my favorite time era for cars, is the 20s/30s board-track (1 & 2 man) & small dirt-trackers. I have a collection of a publication called "The Castor Fumes" from "the Frontinac Club" by John "Pete" Schmauch. Only missing one issue. Marcus...
After continued reading I have decided on the Frontenac head for this build. Clayton your kind to be willing to take that beautiful one off of refried confusion's hands! @ Cadzook I did not build the buck but it is from a previous build. I appreciate the kind words and you are right, I sure am lucky. @ Furbiscut I will have to widen the body a bit if I plan on using the buck as with the body this buck went on to make the passenger seat is under 12 inches wide! Not the most comfortable for friends. @ nrgwizard I am not sure how to do 3d casting etc but if you would like to PM me we can talk about it there. What is the topic of discussion in "The Castor Fumes"? I am also newly interested in boardtrack and dirt trackers. Do you have any vintage photos you could share? -Blitzen142
I also have an exciting update regarding the build progress of the car. This weekend I attended the Millers at Milwaukee event which was impressive in all aspects from the people attending to the cars and organization ( I strongly suggest it for years to come). While at the event I made some real progress. For months I have been searching for the right radiator, I have considered just about everything under the sun but there is nothing I liked more than the Whippet radiator but they are so difficult to find and far too expensive for my budget. As I was walking around the Pits of the Miller event I saw a gorgeous racer out of Jacksonville Florida that had a cut down whippet radiator after talking to the owner for a bit I found out he had a spare new old stock never out of the box Whippet. For $200 I bought his spare! This made the trip well worth it. Here is a picture of a speedster with the same radiator. That bobtail sure looks good If anyone is in the market for an early brass radiator let me know. It holds water and works well. -Blitzen142
Does anyone have any ideas for a steering box? I thought it would be unique to have a duplex set up ( steering arms on each side) such as on a maserati 6cm. I have also considered using ford tractor steering box but I have hear that they are not meant for high speeds. Any ideas you may have would be great. Have any of you heard of this being done on a T before? -Blitzen
Blitzen, I like your choice of radiators. Is the shell part of the radiator? Either way, that is an incredible find. ~Alden
The shell is part of the radiator, got a great deal. Here is a photo of me driving the Blitzen Benz at this weekends Millers at Milwaukee event.
Did you get it wound up in 4th gear? That would be a kick to drive, but must be somewhat terrifying also, because of the value. That looks like a cool event. I just took in the Lemay ACM in Tacoma and they are going to be the venue for the Kirkland Concours. Do you guys do that show? I had not previously heard of the show, as it is out of my league. But I think I should try to attend, to see the truly first class cars of the past. You got that radiator for far less than the cost of the plating! Can't wait to watch the build. I have a feeling it will be top notch. ~Alden
Hey Alden I haven't heard of that event before. I am not a big fan of car shows, I like getting out and driving them. The Blitzen was a bit frightening. I didn't get the car out of third and did around 95 according to a gps spedo I have on my phone. The torque was simply unreal, in 2nd gear going 60 I spun the rears as I dug into the throttle out of the turn. The car is the most amazing machine, I fell in love after getting behind the wheel and found a new respect for Oldfield and Tetzlaf. No one has taken the car in high gear, or even pushed it in 3rd for that matter. The car has so much more than anyone driving it is willing to give. -Blitzen
I would lol! You lucky dog Blitzen! How did you get a chance to take Oldfield and Tetzlaf's Monster out for a spin? I would love to drive "Old #16" and see what she would do when you open her up. The early Gran-Prix Fiat's would be fun to do that with too. ...The New York-to-Paris Thomas-Flyer is still the one I would love to drive the most...hands down. Those early Gran-Prix and Vanderbuilt Cup cars are IMPRESSIVE machines and I would love to get behind the wheel of one.
My dad currently has the car so I just had to convince him. If you like Fiats I can send you some pictures of the ones we are restoring currently, S74 and an S61. -Blitzen
You luck dog! "..Hey Dad?....can I borrow the Benz?" "..Don't wreck it and be home by eleven.." I would love to see some pictures of S74 and S61!
Blitzen, I'm just connecting some dots here reading your posts...were you at Hershey this past year? Did I eat dinner with you at a pizza place with my parents, your dad, Richie, Buzz, etc.? I recall my dad mentioning you were building a speedster; I was sitting with Buzz's gang at the other end of the table so never got to talk with you. At least I think it's you. Cris
The car is going well, drove it yesterday for the first time. HAve been getting quite a bit of work done. The New: With a donor engine and transmission the car drives. We fitted the buffalos and had to do a little work to turn the wheels ( which where all fronts) in to two rears. Battery mount made. Working on suspension now. Just ordered a schroeder box and pitman arm, I know it is far from period but I want the steering to be sound and I really like the look of the steering arm out the side. I will update pictures soon. -Blitzen
Talk about biting off as much as you can fit in your mouth and then just chewin' like hell - do you knwo no bounds?? Good luck on your quest to replicate a piece of non-existant history - intriguing!!
It's about time you gave us an update! Been wondering if this project had stalled. Now blow us away with a bunch of photos! I've read a bunch of stuff on the web about your Dad's car. Now let's see the "Blitzen T". ~Alden
more power in a T. the more power you get the more parts break. I've got a steedster all apart in the shop, I lost a dist-cam gear, so have to buy a vw-bosh for my front plate. I ran my old speedster up MT hamilton in San jose in 78, the overheads could pass me on the flats but I gained it all back in the corners up the hill, It cost more for oil to run than gas. Present engine, , 60 over aluminum pistons, adjustable valves new cam and springs, head and block milled. NO flywheel magnets, and A Moore 2 spt rear gearbox.
yes come on Blitzen! - more picks and this time don't take them with your phone - we want plagiarism quality pics especially of that front end. Kume
Some sound advice timothale, ill keep it in mind. Ill be down in the shop working on the car some more tomorrow and will update with some photos. If there is something specific you would like detail of send me a pm and ill do my best. -Blitzen
Here is the Photo update from the other day. Few photos of the block build in progress. http://i.imgur.com/DYhBZ.jpg http://i.imgur.com/SWnSd.jpg It sure is coming along http://i.imgur.com/sqfH3.jpg http://i.imgur.com/xr95v.jpg http://i.imgur.com/sC2d4.jpg http://i.imgur.com/jkGcc.jpg http://i.imgur.com/EwIMB.jpg
Looks like you are having fun! What is the engine block that you are using? Excuse me if I overlooked it, but did you decide which head to go with? ~Alden
WE are using a 5 main bearing block that came machined nearly all the way. I decided to go with the Frontenac head! REally excited about finishing up the project.
It would be great to see some pics of the Fiats please I saw the Blitzen Benz at Brooklands here in the UK a few years ago, just after it had been finished. WOW !!!
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