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In
this month's issue of Rod &
Custom roadsters were being promoted.
Below you can view a couple in progress.
A theme of "glass-bodied T's
on "a '40s track roadster with
modern mechanics." An OHC 2300cc
Ford four-cylinder engine with a
5 speed trans and a narrowed 9=inch
rear on ciol-covers powers these
fabricated tube axle cars that ride
on a cross spring that carries a
Dodge Omni rack-and-pinion and Wildwood
disc brakes. A full tubular structure
inside the body is another unique
feature of these machines, which
not only protects the driver and
passengers, but also provides a
stiffer frame and mounting points
for the steering column, seat belts
and more. - based
on an article by Pat Ganahl.
Photos
taken and sent to Rod & Custom
by a reader named Richard Hill,
who happens to make a living as
a photographer in Woodbridge, Ontario
of his current project on a surface
table being assembled at Linken
Manufacturing in Oakville, Ontario,
by Ken Stewart and Al Harringa,
Jr. |
A-TRACK-TIVE
A '27 T body in a shop in Troy, Michigan
commissioned by Steve Gilkey of Knoxville,
Tennessee which came from California
is featured here. The nose, hood,
and pans were shaped much like those
on Dick Flint's famous red Model A.
Though this car has 248-inch Dodge
Red Ram "baby Hemi" in place
of the flathead that sits in Flint's
Model A. It also has a '39 top-shift
trans, a Halibred quickie and a set
of red Kelsey spoke wheels.
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based on an article by Pat Ganahl. |
| Driving
or riding in a fenderless roadster
has no comparison. You get to look
down a hood full of louvers and watch
the front wheels spin. The ride is
wonderful and the noise and chop are
very tolerable if not a splendid enjoyment. |
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This
old Jack Thompson '27 track roadster
was a dream come true once the finances
were established and Rick Creese finished
this splendid custom auto. With
a 2x3 rectagle shaped tube frame and
a small-block Chevy and new front
and rear suspension this classic became
a pleasure cruise. |
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The traditional and decorative nerf
bar with initial placed center formed
by Creese from mild steel sets this
'27 track roadster off just right.
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Ithy Otis had the pleasure of striping
the 8-inch headlight buckets in the
traditional
"Tommy the Greek"
style. |
The
decklid is complimented overhead by
a encirclingrear pushbar, as well
as teh side-mounted '39 Ford teardrop
taillights and Tommy the greek design
on the turtle deck with a personalized
license plate. |
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The
sprint/lakes-type headers, formed
by Tri-C were blued out and due to
heating issues an extra amount of
louvers were created and weren't the
easiest to paint and stripe. The front
suspension includes a Super bell front
axel with 4-inch drop '37 spindles,
JFZ brakes, a single leaf spring and
four-bar split wishbones make this
classic come to life. |
With no doors, no roof, no air, no
sounds and no six-way seats you can
see why the nerf-mounted step plates
were a crucial addition. |
 A
once upon a time stand in for Evil
Knievel, Gary Davis has worked his
way all the up to stunt coordinator
and second unit sound director for
many films such as: Terminator 2, Patriot
Games and F/X as well as many more..
So no wonder this guy can have Tri-C
help him create such an awesome machine. |
If Davis isn't spinning around the
block in his track roadster he is
hard at work riding his collection
of vintage flat track and TT motorcycles
including a triumph twins, BSA Gold
Stars and Matchless one-lungers. |
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| Since
the track roadsters were dual-purpose
cars their owners would make turning
passes at the El Mirage during the
off season. To the right was a dark
blue '27 T owned by Jack Thompson
and was on the cover of the Aug. '58
issue of Hot Rod with his huge 7/16
T 7/16-inch flathead that was being
restored to it's original condition
was more than powerful enough. |
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| This
famed Dick Kraft '23 T was on the
January '73 cover and featured was
featured as an old-track star built
in the early '50s and became the Highland
Planting Spl.On our right Pete Chapouris
sits in his British racing green '
27 T with is son Pete Jr. with Windshield
posts carved by Lil' John Buttera. |
Track roadsters have had a great spectator
appeal and have generated allot of
energy. Just look at this photo of
Jim Rathman (16) leading Jack McGrath
(1) which became Indy drivers. |
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We
here at Tri-C Engineering would
like to thank
Rod&Custom magazine for this
product profile. |
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