Speedster Kit

Bill O'Brien said:
How about some more pics of Speedsters!
Click to expand...

Speedsters are fun, here are some pictures of a couple that my father and I have built together. The first was a partially built Rootlieb kit where the folks building it "lost some parts". We took it apart and redid it the way we wanted to, using a '40 Buick hood for the tail.

The second is the red one, built from the ground up using a "hot rod cast-off" chassis using a '41 Ford hood for the tail.
 

Attachments

  • attachment-3.jpeg
    attachment-3.jpeg
    91.7 KB · Views: 141
  • attachment-4.jpg
    attachment-4.jpg
    79 KB · Views: 160
  • SecretsCoverJan2010.jpg
    SecretsCoverJan2010.jpg
    45.3 KB · Views: 125
  • attachment-5.jpg
    attachment-5.jpg
    82.5 KB · Views: 157
  • 649-vi.jpg
    649-vi.jpg
    82.4 KB · Views: 131
  • Red_Speedster_3.jpg
    Red_Speedster_3.jpg
    88.7 KB · Views: 132
Just wondering, what goes between the plywood deck and the frame on these kits? Is there some form of crossmembers or spacers of some sort?
 
The kit that I disassembled just had something like a welting material in between. Nothing substantial. The rear plywood had been cut to allow the hump of the rear crossmember through.
 
Thanks. I need to know if MY bucket will fit in one, or if I will have to come up with a bench seat like Mike has...:rolleyes:
 
The shell is 20" wide and I have an inch of upholstery on each side, so it's about 18" on mine.
 
Q Golden, Thanks for the comments. I am attaching a few more pictures. Howie.
 

Attachments

  • 100_0234.jpg
    100_0234.jpg
    50.8 KB · Views: 135
  • 100_0301.jpg
    100_0301.jpg
    50.7 KB · Views: 130
  • 100_0644.jpg
    100_0644.jpg
    63.6 KB · Views: 136
  • 100_0648.jpg
    100_0648.jpg
    74.6 KB · Views: 122
  • 100_1077.jpg
    100_1077.jpg
    93.2 KB · Views: 138
Last edited:
You really don't want a bench seat! You will slide around and not enjoy the speedster. Just start with some metal and wrap it around you and go from there. They are really fun to build!
 
The Ford logo was hand painted by the pinstriper. He did a beautiful job. I kept the choke and starter rods as close to original angle as I could determine. They run through the firewall with steel guide plates. The starter rod is just round stock threaded to screw into the starter switch with a wooden handle on top. With the firewall set back 3 inches, the starter rod enters behind the dash. I shortened a reproduction choke rod and made a longer sleeve using large diameter brake line. The GAV/choke rod also enters behind the dash. Operating the starter and choke at the same time is a stretch but I have long arms. I used a reproduction starter pedal as a gas pedal. I welded an extension to the stock throttle linkage and made a swivel for the pedal to screw into. I found all the final details to be the most enjoyable part of the project. This summer I added turn signals using a vintage turn signal unit and motorcycle signal lights mounted with custom made brackets. Thanks again for all the positive comments. Howie
 
Ok speedster fans, I have started on my 31 frame. It is almost bare and needs blasting.
Going on vacation and will try to post some pics in Dec when I get closer.Will be using ft brakes only,don't know about wheels yet. I like the look of wide 5 for the rear. Will be reversing the ft spring eyes,possibly a t spring in the rear. May try swapping my 31 rad and grill for 28/9
How thick is the plywood base? How thick is the metal for the body ?Why do you need to move the steering back? Not a problem though.
I have a friend that is very good at fabrication work,and he is going to help.
 
The deck for the Rootleib kit is made of 2 layers of 3/4 inch plywood. The top layer is one large piece, the bottom layer is smaller pieces placed for reinforcement. I am not sure of the sheet metal thickness. It is quite easily formed over the cowl and around the seats. In the kit, the hood is about 3 inches longer than stock and so the firewall is about 3 inches further back. That requires moving the steering column back. It also means changing the choke rod, starter rod, throttle and spark linkage. If you are not using the kit, you can do whatever you'd like. I saw a picture of a speedster built using a stock cowl and fenders and it looked really nice. You can be as creative as you want and that is the fun part. Howie
 
I will be copying the kit .Lowering the steering is not a problem.

Have been doing some research on my fathers side. My GGfather had a body shop where they built truck bodies, and wagons. It's not a stretch that he built some car bodies. This will be the Jefferson Body Shop Spl, B'ham Al. Would have been est around 1915 I think. I have the st address.Colors will be red /cream,black lettering.

Is there any chance I could see what the bottom panel of ply looks like?
 
Does this help?
 

Attachments

  • rootlieb2 001.jpg
    rootlieb2 001.jpg
    39 KB · Views: 115
  • rootlieb3 001.jpg
    rootlieb3 001.jpg
    45.8 KB · Views: 104
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top