On Oct 27, 10:25 pm, [email protected] (J T) wrote:
> http://www.smallcarplans.com/MI%20Speedball%20Special%20Plans.pdf
>
> I've seen the original, and it was beeyootiful. Probably have to
> do a bit of substituting of pieces, vut if you want something unique, it
> could be done for not a lot.
>
> JOAT
> It's not hard, if you get your mind right.
> - Granny Weatherwax
Brings to mind a series from the '50s, mid to late, my memory says, in
Hot Rod, Car Craft or ? about building your own hot rod for a buck a
pound. I haven't been able to find anything on it on-line (but I
haven't looked very hard). As I recall, the car weighed in at maybe
1,200 pounds, and used a flathead Ford V8. Motorcycle style fenders,
etc.
Or maybe my brain is slipping more than its usual two or three clutch
plates.
Have you run up on that one? Has anyone?
On Oct 28, 7:10 pm, [email protected] (J T) wrote:
> Sun, Oct 28, 2007, 7:43pm (EDT+4) [email protected] (Charlie Self)
> doth recall:
> Brings to mind a series from the '50s, mid to late, my memory says, in
> Hot Rod, Car Craft or ? about building your own hot rod for a buck a
> pound. I haven't been able to find anything on it on-line (but I haven't
> looked very hard). As I recall, the car weighed in at maybe 1,200
> pounds, and used a flathead Ford V8. Motorcycle style fenders, etc.
> Or maybe my brain is slipping more than its usual two or three clutch
> plates.
> Have you run up on that one? Has anyone?
>
> I remember MI with an article showing how to make a two seater
> "sports car" from a Ford. Cut the frame in half, keep the front, with
> flathead engine, then make a tube rear, and cover with sheet mets. Told
> how to shorten the drive train and all. Don't recall any mention of per
> pound. Came out looking looking something like Ak Miller's El Caballo..
>
> The only one I recall touted as being a dollar a pound tho is one
> by Tex Smith. Seems to me he used a Mopar slant six i his tho. A buck
> went a lot further in thos days too. I don't recall the final price.
>
> Seems like the guys building really cheap now are some of those guy
> with "rat rods". Apparently the goal is to make something that looks
> like absolute crap, but runs. Some of them are bqsically decent
> looking, or at least could be, if they'd at least cover up some of the
> rust, and patch a few holes. Read about one and the owner/builder
> claimed he actually had mechanical brakes. Stupid. Even read about
> some that hire someone, at larg bucks, to make one for them, and to
> purposely make it look out like crap.
Let's face it; what else can you expect with today's styles in
clothing and music?
I had totally forgotten Ak Miller and Tex Smith. Hell, I won't even
swear to the dates: I was rolling around the idea I was 15-16-17,
which pops us in the world of late '53, '54 and well into '56. By July
of '57, I had managed to get enough hours out of school and working to
buy my first new car...I'd hurt someone for that now, a '57 Chev
convertible, 283, dual 4s, Duntov cam, close ratio 3 speed (on the
column), dual fishpole antennas (just the thing for a rising 19 year
old), and silver and red vinyl upholstery. The 16 gallon gas tank was
a BIG mistake on Chevy's part. That thing had a range of under 100
miles, but with high test (and with a 10.5 to 1 compression ratio it
needed high test) selling for $.32.9, who cared?
On Oct 31, 1:24 am, [email protected] (J T) wrote:
> Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 12:22am (EDT+4) [email protected] (Charlie Self)
> doth sayeth:
> <snip> '57 Chev convertible, <snip> The 16 gallon gas tank was a BIG
> mistake on Chevy's part. That thing had a range of under 100 miles,
> <snip>
>
> My El Camino will get 20+ on the highway. But as most of my
> driving is around town, and I like to hear the pipes, I'm averaging
> somewhere above 10 MPG, on regular. But who cares?
>
> My first car was a '55 Ford. That I latter put a rod thru the
> block. Unhooked that plug wire, and was surprised at how well a V-7
> runs. LOL
Oh, lord! My first car was a '50 Studebaker, black 4 door, hill
holder, flathead six, three on the column. That six was one of the
absolute worst engines ever foisted on the public: my old man was a
mechanic at Mt. Vernon (NY) Studebaker back then (about '55), and I
bought the car from him (50 bucks: he ripped me off), and he kept me
supplied with rod bearings, because the two main bearing crank whipped
so much it would would produce a rod knock in the center two bearings
in about 400-500 miles. POS is the best phrase that comes to mind, but
at 17, I had wheels and very few others did back then. We also had a
'49 (IIRC) Crosley convertible I'd love to have today. That came to
use via a trade-in at the Stude place. Either car would drive all week
on a two buck's worth of gas (at 28 cents per gallon). Five bucks
overflowed the tanks.
Wed, Oct 31, 2007, 12:03pm (EDT+4) [email protected] (Charlie=A0Self)
doth sayeh:
Oh, lord! My first car was a '50 Studebaker, <snip> rod knock in the
center two bearings in about 400-500 miles. POS is the best phrase that
comes to mind, but at 17, I had wheels and very few others did back
then. We also had a '49 (IIRC) Crosley convertible I'd love to have
today. <snip>
Buddy of mine got a (I believe) '50 Stude convertable, for $35.
Now this guy would run the crap out of a car. His daddy bought him a
beautiful '55 Chevy 2dr hardtop, candy paint, 4 speet, et al, and he
basically ran it into the ground. Somethow he got hold of a show car,
'40 Ford coupe, with Modal A pickup bed in place of a trunk lid, along
with two disassembled 3/4 race flathead engines, for $250. Last time I
saw that one, it was definitely not running, and literally rotting into
the ground. Shame, I've got pictures of it from the big Detroit car
show, before he got it. Anyway, his Stude gave im no problems
engine-wise while he had it.
A guy I went to school with bought a '48 'Ford convertable. This
thing looked almost like it'd just came off a showroom floor. New top,
new back paint job, new shitewalls, rebuilt engine - that you could
bareley hear run with the hood up and your head under it, new seat
covers. For the grand price of $150. Within six month it was totally
worthless. I could have cried.
First vehicle I had real access to wass a '49 Plymouth 2-door sedan.
Pukey green, holes in the floorboards - lost a tire wrench that way,
three on the tree, and a flathead six. Dearly wish I had that thing
now. With a 440 stuck in it. Ah well. Now I'm sure I couldn't afford
to buy it, even if it was in the same condition. Then it was just a
junky old car, now it would be a "classic", with a price to prove it.
JOAT
It's not hard, if you get your mind right.
- Granny Weatherwax
Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 12:22am (EDT+4) [email protected] (Charlie=A0Self)
doth sayeth:
<snip> '57 Chev convertible, <snip> The 16 gallon gas tank was a BIG
mistake on Chevy's part. That thing had a range of under 100 miles,
<snip>
My El Camino will get 20+ on the highway. But as most of my
driving is around town, and I like to hear the pipes, I'm averaging
somewhere above 10 MPG, on regular. But who cares?
My first car was a '55 Ford. That I latter put a rod thru the
block. Unhooked that plug wire, and was surprised at how well a V-7
runs. LOL
JOAT
It's not hard, if you get your mind right.
- Granny Weatherwax
Sun, Oct 28, 2007, 7:43pm (EDT+4) [email protected] (Charlie=A0Self)
doth recall:
Brings to mind a series from the '50s, mid to late, my memory says, in
Hot Rod, Car Craft or ? about building your own hot rod for a buck a
pound. I haven't been able to find anything on it on-line (but I haven't
looked very hard). As I recall, the car weighed in at maybe 1,200
pounds, and used a flathead Ford V8. Motorcycle style fenders, etc.
Or maybe my brain is slipping more than its usual two or three clutch
plates.
Have you run up on that one? Has anyone?
I remember MI with an article showing how to make a two seater
"sports car" from a Ford. Cut the frame in half, keep the front, with
flathead engine, then make a tube rear, and cover with sheet mets. Told
how to shorten the drive train and all. Don't recall any mention of per
pound. Came out looking looking something like Ak Miller's El Caballo..
The only one I recall touted as being a dollar a pound tho is one
by Tex Smith. Seems to me he used a Mopar slant six i his tho. A buck
went a lot further in thos days too. I don't recall the final price.
Seems like the guys building really cheap now are some of those guy
with "rat rods". Apparently the goal is to make something that looks
like absolute crap, but runs. Some of them are bqsically decent
looking, or at least could be, if they'd at least cover up some of the
rust, and patch a few holes. Read about one and the owner/builder
claimed he actually had mechanical brakes. Stupid. Even read about
some that hire someone, at larg bucks, to make one for them, and to
purposely make it look out like crap.
JOAT
It's not hard, if you get your mind right.
- Granny Weatherwax
On Oct 28, 5:07 pm, "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Charlie Self wrote:
> > On Oct 27, 10:25 pm, [email protected] (J T) wrote:
> >>http://www.smallcarplans.com/MI%20Speedball%20Special%20Plans.pdf
>
> >> I've seen the original, and it was beeyootiful. Probably have
> >> to do a bit of substituting of pieces, vut if you want something
> >> unique, it could be done for not a lot.
>
> >> JOAT
> >> It's not hard, if you get your mind right.
> >> - Granny Weatherwax
>
> > Brings to mind a series from the '50s, mid to late, my memory says,
> > in
> > Hot Rod, Car Craft or ? about building your own hot rod for a buck a
> > pound. I haven't been able to find anything on it on-line (but I
> > haven't looked very hard). As I recall, the car weighed in at maybe
> > 1,200 pounds, and used a flathead Ford V8. Motorcycle style fenders,
> > etc.
>
> > Or maybe my brain is slipping more than its usual two or three
> > clutch
> > plates.
>
> > Have you run up on that one? Has anyone?
>
> Haven't run on that one, but if you google "Locost" (note--the
> spelling is not a typo and there is no space or hyphen) the first page
> of hits will all get you information on variants of the car that Ron
> Champion described in "Build your own sports car for as little as
> UKP250". It's very much like a Lotus Seven but it's not the same
> design.
>
> --
I probably should go over some of my Lotus 7 shots and post them.
Local race course, Virginia International Raceway, is a great venue
for vintage sports car races...to keep wood in this, they're framing
condos for sale along the esses and back straight.
On Oct 29, 9:50 am, Charlie Self <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Oct 28, 5:07 pm, "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Charlie Self wrote:
> > > On Oct 27, 10:25 pm, [email protected] (J T) wrote:
> > >>http://www.smallcarplans.com/MI%20Speedball%20Special%20Plans.pdf
>
> > >> I've seen the original, and it was beeyootiful. Probably have
> > >> to do a bit of substituting of pieces, vut if you want something
> > >> unique, it could be done for not a lot.
>
> > >> JOAT
> > >> It's not hard, if you get your mind right.
> > >> - Granny Weatherwax
>
> > > Brings to mind a series from the '50s, mid to late, my memory says,
> > > in
> > > Hot Rod, Car Craft or ? about building your own hot rod for a buck a
> > > pound. I haven't been able to find anything on it on-line (but I
> > > haven't looked very hard). As I recall, the car weighed in at maybe
> > > 1,200 pounds, and used a flathead Ford V8. Motorcycle style fenders,
> > > etc.
>
> > > Or maybe my brain is slipping more than its usual two or three
> > > clutch
> > > plates.
>
> > > Have you run up on that one? Has anyone?
>
> > Haven't run on that one, but if you google "Locost" (note--the
> > spelling is not a typo and there is no space or hyphen) the first page
> > of hits will all get you information on variants of the car that Ron
> > Champion described in "Build your own sports car for as little as
> > UKP250". It's very much like a Lotus Seven but it's not the same
> > design.
>
> > --
>
> I probably should go over some of my Lotus 7 shots and post them.
> Local race course, Virginia International Raceway, is a great venue
> for vintage sports car races...to keep wood in this, they're framing
> condos for sale along the esses and back straight.
I stuck a few up and even slipped in a Lotus Eleven (1957).
www.charlieselfonline.com for those who don't know. Check the Auto
Shots page
Charlie Self wrote:
> On Oct 27, 10:25 pm, [email protected] (J T) wrote:
>> http://www.smallcarplans.com/MI%20Speedball%20Special%20Plans.pdf
>>
>> I've seen the original, and it was beeyootiful. Probably have
>> to do a bit of substituting of pieces, vut if you want something
>> unique, it could be done for not a lot.
>>
>> JOAT
>> It's not hard, if you get your mind right.
>> - Granny Weatherwax
>
> Brings to mind a series from the '50s, mid to late, my memory says,
> in
> Hot Rod, Car Craft or ? about building your own hot rod for a buck a
> pound. I haven't been able to find anything on it on-line (but I
> haven't looked very hard). As I recall, the car weighed in at maybe
> 1,200 pounds, and used a flathead Ford V8. Motorcycle style fenders,
> etc.
>
> Or maybe my brain is slipping more than its usual two or three
> clutch
> plates.
>
> Have you run up on that one? Has anyone?
Haven't run on that one, but if you google "Locost" (note--the
spelling is not a typo and there is no space or hyphen) the first page
of hits will all get you information on variants of the car that Ron
Champion described in "Build your own sports car for as little as
UKP250". It's very much like a Lotus Seven but it's not the same
design.
--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Sun, Oct 28, 2007, 5:07pm [email protected] (J.=A0Clarke) doth
sayeth:
Haven't run on that one, but if you google "Locost" (note--the spelling
is not a typo and there is no space or hyphen) the first page of hits
will all get you information on variants of the car that Ron Champion
described in "Build your own sports car for as little as UKP250". It's
very much like a Lotus Seven but it's not the same design.
I've got a copy of Chapman's book. Excellent read, and loads of
inspiration. I'd love to have one with a V-8, like the one in the
pictures sction. Be very neat to make one and stick in a turbo 2.3L
Ford engine, then crank it up tto about 400 HP (very doable). You'd
probably have massive trations problems tho, with the light weight. Fun
tho.
I also got a copy of "How To Build A Cheap Sports Car". Wast of
money. You can read better, and more informative, on-line, for nothing.
The guy was influenced by Chpman's book, but instead of making a frame,
bought one. Then he goes on to tell how he bought this, bought that,
and put them all together. Sucks. I would highly recommend the Chapman
book tho, great inspiration, lots of how-to stuff (or maybe just how he
did it0, and a great dream book.
JOAT
It's not hard, if you get your mind right.
- Granny Weatherwax