Projects Track Roadster 16 yrs in the making

LB+1,

Thanks buddy. Yeah side curtains would be nice. I think I'll run the TR this year without curtains, but they are high on my want list.

cheers,

charlie

 

Charlie,

Thanks for the heads up on those post #'s. I love that dash, coolest damn thing I've seen. The dip switches on the back of the speedo, are they for pulse or hall effect senders?

 

Bob,

Hey thanks for the kind works about the instrument panel; I wanted the driver to feel he/she (me) is sitting in a cockpit. The old 20s and 30 Indy/GP cars had this general arrangement.

Hummm...I don't know about the pulse versus Hall effect, but the signal originates from a tach adapter that in turn receives a signal from the distributor, which is equipped with a Petronix electronic unit. I can find out if you wish.

charlie

 

I meant the speedo has dip switches on the back.

 

Bob

Ooops, I’ll ask Jack. I don’t remember what he did about a signal for the speedo, nor setting it up.

I did not look, but there may be a PDF on this subject available on the Classic Instrum. Co home page.

charlie

 

Very Nice!

Chris

 

Thanks Chris,

I am pretty sure that the light I see is indeed the end of the tunnel.

I'm more confident that I can drive the TR on a long trip and feel fairly relaxed. Pray for some sunshine and when it arrives, I promise to drive over your way.

Charlie
aka trakrodstr

 

I promised some more top fabrication photos from Don Kite's shop.

Here are four photos Michelle Kite took of the process. I was not present when Don fitted and made a "mock-up" top. When I saw it I thought...hell this is better than most finished tops I've seen. Nonetheless, this top was made to insure that the final product fitted perfectly (or at least as well as possible given that the body is not perfectly symmetrical).

The material is scrap vinyl Don had. The only comment I can add is that the last photo shows the layout for the Ford roadster repo window frame.

I just got word today that the top is finished. So I'll probably post some photos tomorrow or the next day.

charlie
aka trakrodstr

 

I like the top, a lot. How much of a chop and how far from "stock" are the bows / look? Gary

 

Gary,

Thanks for your question and interest.

Short answer. I don't think it's possible to say how much was chopped. I will check facts with Jack Presse, who made the stainless steel hardware for top. If memory serves I bought a "standard" set of Model A Ford wood bows (middle and rear). My understanding is that the front bow was originally intended for a 32 Ford convertable, but here too, I'm not sure. I know it was an old "spare" part Jack had in his collection of goodies.

I will find out details if you wish. Further I would be happy to make detailed measurements of the top for your use. I will also ask Don Kite if he would be willing to share dimensions from the patterns he made for my top. However, the patterns are Don's intellectual property.

Compared to the stock Model A Ford tops we looked up in reference books, I would say that my top is drastically "chopped" perhaps as much as 8 inches, but since my roadster is markedly modified this is more or less a meaningless statement.

It is probably obvious that we (Don, me and Jack) were trying to avoid a streamlined side profile (e.g., a Sid Chavers "Bob Top"). The 90degree angle between the middle and rear bows is the most significant stylistic difference. Also the exposed wood on the rear bow was a common design feature of late 1920s canvas tops from many Detroit autos. These fairly mild design cues make a big difference in the way we car nuts perceive the "flavor", stance and profile of a given auto.

You may not have read my earlier text but my TR was sectioned about 4 inches in the cowl area which lowers the windshield posts with respect to the body, and changes the angle of approach the top makes with respect to the main character line (quarter panels to the "cheeks" on the nose). This is easier to see when the hood is on the car.

To summarize I'll be happy to provide dimensions and proportions if it will help you with your project. I think probably the aspect ratio between the body and the the height of the top are most important, followed by the length of the top. The windshield posts will be a MAJOR determinant of the final look. Note that in this case the posts are more upright that many modern Model A or 32 based hot rods.

charlie
aka trakrodstr

 

Charlie,
Thanx for your reply, but there's no need to go further now with details unless someone else needs them now. When and if my future A bone comes along I'll get back with ya. Gary

 

Hey just a quick message with the first ever photo of the new cloth top. Michelle Kite took this photo yesterday. Which means that as soon as the weather clears I’ll be able to go pick up the roadster….hooray!

I’ll follow up with more photos, including some with the hood in place for the final full-dress look.

This is very gratifying.

charlie
aka trakrodstr

 

Looks great, Charlie, but us British sports car guys will tell you that anyone who needs a top is a wuss!

 

Yeah Rick, but all you British sports car guys are men of iron who have a full head of blond hair....whereas I am a bald-headed ole fart who needs the shade.

I'm told the top insures that more rain and spray stays inside the roadster; but for those blistering hot summer days...a sombrero won't stay on my head above about 30mph.

Thanks for the check-in Rick, have a great spring and summer.

charlie

 

Up town - new meaning 2 top of the day -

 

LB+1,

"Top of the day" is good.

I took the TR to a local cruise-in Sat and had several compliments on the top.

Here are some "never before" views of the roadster. This is the first time the Maserodi has appeared with its new top, hood and the wind wings installed. The hood and top really change the look of the TR, don't you think?

Anyone, what do you prefer, better with or without the hood, top, both?

trakrodstr

 

It looks like it just rolled right out of a time warp.
You and all the ones that worked on the M have pulled
off one of the best builds out there - bar none!

A Nerf Bar across the lower chin with the M to me is all it
needs. There again, you know I don't mean that as a smart ass.

 

Haven't looked here for a while - looks great Charlie!!

 

You should have a "shake down" run this weekend & go to the SK500 in Dewey, OK.


Sent from my iPhone using TJJ.

 

Thanks Doug (LB+1),

Your opinion means a lot too me. I'll draw a "M" nerf bar and put on the front using PhotoShop to see how your suggestion looks.

I understand your suggestion is sincere; thanks for the encouragement over the last couple of years. Did you know that you first posted on this thread in April of 2009?

Many, many thanks buddy.

 

Thanks Barry,

How are things on the far side of the world?

I wish I could beam my TR to South Africa and drive around your beautiful country.

Cheers,

charlie

 

Sodbuster,

Jack Luther said the same thing about the Dewey road trip. I'm not sure I have the (ahemm...) testicular fortitude to try that distance yet...I'll give it some more thought. Are you driving to the event?

 

OK Dude, here is a feeble attempt to add a nerf bar...I’m obviously not a professional graphic artist to say the least. The bar is “hanging” in space, with no realistic means of attachment to the frame — assuming one wanted to fabricate a real nerf bar such as this.

LB+1, I’m not too sure I like the look...do you?

charlie

 

That looks good Charlie! Between our two projects, you should get pretty good at "nerfbar photoshopping", ha! Where was the cruise in?

 

Yes, were on the way there right now to the SK500 (driving the late model). You still have time to head to Dewey.

Chris


Sent from my iPhone using TJJ.

 

Mike,

I drove (all by myself) up to Liberty MO at the Town Square. About 80 display cars and really nice weather.

I had lots of fun “customers”.

You around this weekend?

 

Chris,

I’m going to weeny out. The TR is showing some really rich air/fuel ratios on ONE bank (driver’s) but not the other. I don’t want to go too far until I get this figured out.

Sorry, thanks for askin’ have a great time — blue sky and green lights all the way.

charlie

 

Ha! Cool. I am heading to Lawrence in the am for the swap meet. I'll probably get back early afternoon or so. Come by if your out and about. I'd love to see the new lid!

 

2009 - It has been fun for me - As we all know an opinion is not a
statement of fact -
Thank you Charlie for letting me chatter about the (M) -
I look forward to the shake down rides!

 

Doug, your input is always clever and useful. I will keep fooling around with the nerf bar idea. One thing is certain, any bar would have to attach to the axle unless I want to punch holes in the beautiful work Jack did on the nose.

Watch out for high water.

charlie
aka trakrodstr