WAY OT, but cars at least.

[Sundowner]

I'll probably be a bit quiet on these pages for a while, again.
Today I received a phone call that I've been waiting on for nearly 18 months.
It was my vintage car specialist Panel & Paint guy, David, telling me he's ready to fit up the bodywork on my 1915 T Ford Speedster.
Rather than it being a restoration, I've been building this car from bits and pieces, on and off over the past 7 years and this is the last stage of the build.
I figured you might be interested in seeing the project as it is now and as it should look when finished.
Apart from the colour and the wheels, the first pic is close to how this should look when finished. Mine will be Cream where its Maroon and the seat leather will be red. The last 2 images are the car now, waiting to go to Daves workshop which I might add is about 200kms away.
I told you it was WAY Off Topic....but I thought some of you might like to see some photos.
I'm sure most of us have interests other than Dolly's.
Cheers,
Rob
PS: A stock Model T engine in good order will put out 20hp. Theoretically, this one will put out about 45.

[Toledo Man]

Rob, it is fine to post in this section about non-Dolomite cars. We have the "dark place" for the more controversial topics.

It is looking good so far. Will you have any problems getting "rego"? I know the rules are different to the UK.

[Sundowner]

Will you have any problems getting "rego"? I know the rules are different to the UK.

Because all the parts used in this build are either genuine Model T Ford, genuine era correct performance parts, or reproductions of both, the thing "should" qualify for the Historic Registration Scheme here in NSW.
The oldest part on it is the front spring dating to 1912 and the newest are the wheels, at 1928. Everything else is between those two dates and the body style is "around" 1915.

About 15 years ago I restored a 1921 Model T that has been in our family since 1964. It was during that restoration that I fell for and realised I could build, a model T Speedster.
So this project is the end product of a dream, I suppose. I've attached a photo of our other T. A long-ish but humorous story goes with the car. Maybe, another time, I'll post it here.
Rob

[Mahesh]

The pictures are mesmerisingly beautiful.

The simplicity of design.

Nice,

[tony g]

Very nice Rob keep it updated here please

Tony

[Sundowner]

Today we loaded up and took Evangeline inland to the panel shop.
This is no ordinary panel & paint business. Two brothers have been working side by side for decades and lots of their work has gone on to win concourse trophys. Their business is not in town but rather out in the country in a small-ish, well equipped shed behind a farmhouse........but not too far from Canberra.
Evangeline's in good company with an XK120 Jag Coupe, an MGB-GT and a '34 Dodge.
The mud-guards/fenders/wings, hood/bonnet, running boards seats etc; are in those cartons beside the girl.
Cheers,
Rob

[GTS290N]

Oooh, this is shaping up nicely, can't wait for more photo's.

[Sundowner]

I had to attend a family funeral in Canberra the other day, so I took the opportunity to call in and see the progress on the Speedster.
I'm pleased to say that it has advanced quite a lot in the 4 weeks since I dropped it off. The only thing damaged in transit from the USofA was the fuel tank, which has now been repaired, had the brass filler attached and is now ready for paint. Likewise the seat buckets are also ready for paint and will be sent to the motor trimmer for some bright red leather ASAP.
The left side front and rear fenders and running board were being massaged when I arrived. Its crucial that the flat tops of the fenders are level, in the same plane and parallel with the running board. This was causing David some grief at that time. You can see from the photo that the rear flat top was pointing towards Mars, but a few hours later and after some massaging, is now level. I've fitted this car with friction shock absorbers and in order to fit the rear fenders, their inner skirts needed to be trimmed around them. You can see the piece removed and the swage beaten into the thing to follow the new lines.
Cheers,
Rob

[Jackinthebox]

Your cars look fantastic, can't wait to see the Speedster finished. Did you find all the parts down under or has it been a worldwide search?

[Sundowner]

Thanks for the kind words.
Basic Model T parts are still fairly easy to come by down here. From about 1910 (?) Henry exported Fords to all the Commonwealth countries from a factory in Walkerville, Canada and at one stage they were built at Geelong, VIC, here in Australia. So things like chassis, axles, springs, engine block & gearbox were all sourced locally.
But, about 80% of the vintage performance parts I've had to import from the USofA. The rest came from either here, New Zealand or the UK. I'm a big fan of eBay, but as I mentioned in an earlier post, I gained knowledge of future Speedster build contacts while restoring a standard car back in 2003/4.
Mr. Ford made more than 15 million Model T's and there are so many still operating worldwide, but mostly in the USA, that consequently, there's a massive spare parts industry, both in NOS and good quality reproduction parts. There are Model T parts vendors all over the USA, mostly hawking decent quality stuff, but like in the UK, some need to be avoided, if possible.
Thanks again, I'm glad you like it.
Rob

[Sundowner]

I had to deliver some more parts the other day so I took some more photos. They're pretty self explanatory except for maybe the wooden deck/floor in the spray booth.
Cheers,
Rob

[Galileo]

It never stops to amaze me just how little has changed in 'personal transport' over the past 100 years, sure a car from today is extremely refined but the basic principles have not changed.

Lovely seeing it all go together!

[Carledo]

It never stops to amaze me just how little has changed in 'personal transport' over the past 100 years, sure a car from today is extremely refined but the basic principles have not changed.

Lovely seeing it all go together!

Well the basic concept hasn't changed! If you want to go fast, you need 4 wheels, 2 seats, a drivetrain and a fuel tank, plus the minimum amuont of metal to tie it all together! And NOTHING else! To go faster, add lightness!

What you are looking at here, is the direct lineal ancestor of a Caterham 7! Isn't it lovely?!!!!

Steve

[Galileo]

Spot on Steve!

[Sundowner]

It never stops to amaze me just how little has changed in 'personal transport' over the past 100 years, sure a car from today is extremely refined but the basic principles have not changed.

Lovely seeing it all go together!

Well the basic concept hasn't changed! If you want to go fast, you need 4 wheels, 2 seats, a drivetrain and a fuel tank, plus the minimum amuont of metal to tie it all together! And NOTHING else! To go faster, add lightness!

What you are looking at here, is the direct lineal ancestor of a Caterham 7! Isn't it lovely?!!!!

Steve

"Thank You" Steve, for the kind words. I agree, your words are "Spot on" but I'm more than a little biased.
Where have I heard the "to go faster, add lightness" words before? Was that a Mr. E Bugatti ?
Thanks again Gents,
Cheers,
Rob
EDIT; Colin Chapman said it.....or something like it. I should have done some research before I posted, not afterwards.