Progress on speedster body

How about Canvas covering the body like the 1930's Bentleys. The two would work well together.

The Old Tinbasher.
 
If the body doesn't work out as fair as is hoped, then a fabric covering would conceal all imperfections and is a last option!
Keith

Tinbasher said:
How about Canvas covering the body like the 1930's Bentleys. The two would work well together.

The Old Tinbasher.
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Beautiful wood working! Are you a cabinet maker or just a hobby. It will be a project that you can be proud of. Keep us posted on the progress.

Hope the weather is fine there this coming October when we visit and take a side trip to do some fly fishing.
 
jrelliott said:
Beautiful wood working! Are you a cabinet maker or just a hobby. It will be a project that you can be proud of. Keep us posted on the progress.

Hope the weather is fine there this coming October when we visit and take a side trip to do some fly fishing.
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Woodworking is just a hobby and a result of my total lack of skills with metal working.
October is our spring and the weather can be very unpredictable and not necessarily very warm.
You can never tell and you might just strike beautiful weather!
Keith
 
Tinbasher said:
How about Canvas covering the body like the 1930's Bentleys. The two would work well together.

The Old Tinbasher.
Click to expand...

A lightweight polyester aircraft (heat shrink) fabric applied to the body after all fairing is done would be a viable alternative to epoxy. The weave can be filled with a heavy primer, sanded very smooth and the color of your choice can be applied. There are many aircraft vendors such as Aircraft Spruce, Wag Aero, and Wick's to name a few.

Chet
 
That's gorgeous, the design, the shape, your craftsmanship and your energy! BTW, West worked beautifully on some Rolls Royce wood I did 20 years ago, but I didn't have to do the whole body! I too would like you to keep us posted. www.olympic-speedsters.com
 
wensum said:
The body is now ready to be glassed up with the WEST system.
Because it's planned to be painted, a fair bit of time has been spent with bog to get the body as fair as possible.
Interestingly, we were planning to paint it black but the WEST people said it would absorb too much heat and the system would soften so we have to go for a lighter colour
Keith (in a still very warm New Zealand)
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Before using any epoxy and glass cloth system, fabricate a sample and subject it to the weather conditions that your speedster may experience.
Epoxy as a rule will soften up in the sun no matter what the top color is. There are much better methods in which to finish your beautiful work. Just my opinion backed with experience.


Chet
 
The craftsmanship is perfect, I'm building a 28-29 style speedster as we'll. do you have any suggestions on where to start/ maybe a boat builder.
Thank you for the pictures.

Jim in seal beach!
 
coatings03 said:
The craftsmanship is perfect, I'm building a 28-29 style speedster as we'll. do you have any suggestions on where to start/ maybe a boat builder.
Thank you for the pictures.

Jim in seal beach!
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Hi Jim, There is another Strip plank bodied Model A Speedster in the States and he used a boat builder to assist him in the construction.
There is quite an extensive website on the car but off the cuff, the only way to find it is to go to Model A Speedsters on Google or try the contact below
Good luck
Keith

http://www.nwvs.org/Technical/ConstructionStories/JohnsSpeedster/Speedster.shtml

By the way, pushing the radiator forward to drop it in front of the front cross member as per the speedster on the site, in my eyes ruins the proportions.
If you look at all classic cars of the era, the radiator shell is always aligned over the centre line of the front axle.
Use a 28-29 radiator for a lower bonnet line
 
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Beautiful work! Have you considered just a clear coat on all that wood? After all that work it's a shame to cover it. Why is the "boat tail" upside down? And the steering wheel is on the wrong side too! Just poking fun. I admire your woodworking ability. You should be proud of it.
 
dumb person said:
Looks like a wooden hood too.
So how did you do the rear spring mount?
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Yes, it has a wooden hood (bonnet in NZ) as the body and hood were made as one.
It has a 4" dropped front axle and the rear spring mounts were relocated to the rear of the axle tubes to lower the rear 4"
The wheelbase is 4" longer than standard and the motor is set back 4" in the chassis.
The was to get the right stance and the right proportions
Keith
 
Great workmanship! It does seem that as much as you plan things out they need some tweaking to make things look right.
 
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