*MrModelT and Powerwagonmaniac build a T speedster in 6 months!*

Dave, You know I barely remember it. I was younger than 4 at that time. My Great grandpa Lou started Becker's T and A Parts in 1965 when he retired from Rose City Transit... At our height before the family sold the business in 1982 we were the 2nd largest supplier of T and A parts world wide behind Lang's Old Car Parts.

I need to post some pic of the e-brake I have been working on. Soon as I finish the fab work I'll do that.

Fred, I need to take you for another ride with fenders on it will be a little less muddy!! How is the White coming along?

Rob, Thanks for the encouragement. I am really interested to see how Clayton's idea with the fiberglass fenders is going to work. I'll take pictures as we go for you guys.

Gary, I glad you like the different parts. I like building them and making stuff work and using my imagination to figure how stuff goes together. I was digging around the shop and came up with a 4 cylinder Kellogg air pump that was originally mounted on the motor of a 1914 Buick and I am thinking of figuring how to adapt it to the T motor and use it rather then letting it collect dust in the bottom of a cabinet.



Chris Becker

 

Chris, That is a great story about how your family has been tied to Model "T's" since the early 70's ! Maybe that is why you are so good with modifying T's ?
Thanks so much for your reply.

Dave

 

Gary, I glad you like the different parts. I like building them and making stuff work and using my imagination to figure how stuff goes together. I was digging around the shop and came up with a 4 cylinder Kellogg air pump that was originally mounted on the motor of a 1914 Buick and I am thinking of figuring how to adapt it to the T motor and use it rather then letting it collect dust in the bottom of a cabinet.



adapt the Air pump, as in supercharger?

 

I wish, I did have my eye on a Pepsco supercharger for a VW. but lost out on the bid! No, I was thinking of putting on the engine for on-board air for blowing up tires and such.

Chris Becker

 

well the whole family is getting involved in dad's T. My mom Karen, Melissa my wife and my sister Susan are doing the upholstery for the special. We decided to use army OD green canvas for the seats and map pocket under the seat as well as going around the shift lever opening and pedal openings. Here Melissa and Mom are laying out he patterns for seat cushion and the map pocket. Carston even got in on the action putting bolts in the running board and hammering them home.












Emergency brake is just about completed. I cut all the slots for the lock plate and figured out the tension of the spring and it works very well. I need to complete the rods going to the e brakes themselves yet.




Clayton's working on the spare tire carrier it's started but still has a ways to go.





We're making progress!!

Completion date is hopefully before the NW Flathead Reliability run in September.

Chris Becker

 

Chris, Looks like you and Clayton are wailing away on the Special ! How many hours a week do you guys put in ? You have great work ethics.

Dave

 

We are making excellent progress! I would say we are usually able to log about 12 to 18 hours a week (Wednesday evenings and all day Saturdays) on the "Special"

UPDATE:
E-BRAKES, SPARES AND FENDERS..OH MY!!

​

Here is the latest from me:

Chris has been working diligently on the E-Brake lever and lock-out assembly and has managed to fab up a really awesome setup that is period in appearance and both ridiculously simple in design and functionality....in short, it just works.....WELL.

It is simply a hand shaped aluminum lever and (soon to hardened) steel bracket with notches, oh and a steel striker on the lever and.....let's just let the pictures do the talking:




While Chris has been working away on the E-Brake, I have been working on fenders. I am virtually done with the fenders now, save for a few trim pieces and skirt pieces.









I have also been working on the double spare tire carrier. I have the mount built and mocked up on the car...just need to bolt her in place:







I do have a few pictures of the fender construction I have yet to put up and will make sure to take plenty of the glassing process.

Sure has come a long way since....




Stay tuned for more!

 

Clayton and Chris. Looks like you are making some great progress. Really love the swoop of the rear fender towards the rear. Were you going to mount the tail light in the middle of the spare tire mount ? That would be the place to put the light.

Dave

 

Dave,

On Mercers the taillight is mounted out on the outer edge of the left rear fender with license plate crossing the width of the fender. I'll need to build another special bracket for it. The taillight matches the cowl lamps which are off of a 1914 Hupmobile made by a company called Adlake. I started machining the gas cap today on my lathe and tomorrow hope fully finish it up. We try to work on it as much as possible which works out to about 10- 18 hours each week. All depends on how late Clayton over sleeps!!!!

 

Chris, Clayton oversleeping . . . . ? Starts to sound like a trend. Didn't he oversleep for the trip to drop off his motor . . . . Will you be showing any pic of how you made the gas cap ? Love how handy you guys are.

Dave

 

Carston and I trying the Special out for fun on a nice Sunday evening.






Dave, here is a couple of photos of the Gas cap I built Saturday afternoon. Made out of a chunk of Aluminum. I got to try my new Knurling tool out.






E-brake was stressing the plywood body too much so I built a brace that goes under the seat and bolts to my 2x6 header under the seat bases.


Started adapting 1926 Chrysler drum brakes as my own version of Rocky Mountains as I couldn't afford a set (about $700.00) Chrysler drums ($0.00 & just time). I had to make longer bolts to hold the Chrysler drums over the T drum inside. Clayton will bring the bands out on Wednesday so I can start restoring those suckers to make them work. Sounds like Clayton and his dad are finally getting close to finding and ordering Kevlar or fiberglass cloth for the fenders so we can finish them.





6 hours Saturday afternoon and about 5 hours Sunday night before dinner with my mom, which we do every Sunday evening since dad passed away.

Well back to another long week of work before this week end.

Chris Becker

 

Chris, You sure are making some great headway on the Special ! Love the gas cap you made. It is clean anf fits the Special just right.
Looks like we need to meet next Aug. Hope I have a rod there at the Salt.
Oh, almost forgot. Love the pix of your pup looking back as if to say - "Hey Dad, Let's go cruise !"

Dave

 

The gas cap REALLY turned out nice! A really unique and custom touch...

 

Clayton, Can only agree with you om the gas cap Chris made. It is simple and looks great. Like the spare tire mount that you made. Overall is going to be way cool Speedster !

Dave

 

guys now you have the shape of the fenders it is easy to make a frame out of light right angle and bend some 20 gauge over it to make the guards works real well and you can even run a swage into the steel while it is flat

 

Mr Model T is a badass car builder

Im sorry, thats all I have to add.

 

Gasser, I think your quote it bullseye on Target for this build. Clayton and Chris have sure made the Becker Special - well Special darn it !

In memory of Chris's Dad on Father's Day 2011.

Dave

 

OH,MAN! Could this be brought out to our show in August in St Helens?

What a beautiful car!

 

Spooky,

We are diligently plowing ahead on the "Special" with the goal of making the E Vs.W Flathead Reliability Run in September....but should be able to have it on hand for show in St. Helens along with my '26 Roadster

Dave,

It was an excellent Father's Day weekend! Though we do miss Bill terribly (Chris and Karen especially) Chris and I...the "brothers" that we are...made some decent progress on the "Special" in his honor.

On the day itself we all celebrated Bill by taking Bill's favorite toy out for a spin. Karen went for her first SOLO drive in the 1909 Brush and did fantastic! She always rode with Bill, but since his passing, she has taken a keen interest in keeping it running and driving it her self. She made a few good loops around the country side around the shop (with Chris and I escorting on the Whizzers) tackling some daunting hills and some decent straight-aways with just as much expertise and skill as Bill! ...she had so much fun in fact.....she went around again!

Gasser300,

Thank you kindly...but the "Special" is equally as much Chris's genius as it is mine. Neither of us could have built this car on our own....and as a project for such a great person....I could not imagine building this car without Chris....and would not have it any other way..

 

Gasser300,

Thank you kindly...but the "Special" is equally as much Chris's genius as it is mine. Neither of us could have built this car on our own....and as a project for such a great person....I could not imagine not building this car without Chris....and would not have it any other way..[/QUOTE]

Clayton, BRAVO ! Let the world know the the two of you (Chris and clayton) built The Becker Special in Bill's memory.

Know he is all smiles as the Special nears the end of it's build. Good work guys !

Dave

 

You guys are really moving along on this project. The fenders are going to look great. The gas cap looks top notch and the color is a good choice!!!

 

Clayton, Looking forward to any updates you may post on the Special.

Dave

 

You are in luck

UPDATE:
Progress soldiers on...slowly, but surely.
​

Finally, an update! Sadly, Chris and I haven't had much to report lately with several back to back event filled weekends and a few snags that have slowed our progress. Our major stall at the present time is the fiber glassing process for the fenders. The marine grade epoxy resin that we are using, has to be used at a constant temp of 70 degrees...any hotter and mix will "fire off" at an accelerated rate. Last few weeks, it has been in the 90's here, so I haven't been able to proceed. We have in the mean time (since my last update) made some progress on such items as the spare tire carrier, hand fuel pump, Prest-O-Lite tank, Horn and e-brake rods. Here are some shots from the last few weeks:

The Hand Fuel Pump




The Prest-O-Lite Tank


The Horn and Mount


The Brake Rods





Once the weather begins to cool down a bit in the next few weeks, I will be continuing the fiber glassing efforts and plan a rather large update on this for you all.....so stay tuned for more!

Clayton - Mr.ModelT

 

Dang, did that horn come from a lighthouse? It looks like it produces a pretty loud and low tone. Killer work guys.

 

The horn dates to the early 'Teens (1912 to 1914) as it was originally nickle plated. It is...atrociously obnoxious....but it is just killer perfect for this car!

As we all know, Almost all of the cars built in the first half of the 20th century were predominately 6 volt. This was a spare for the Becker's big '13 White (not correct for that year, but it was on the car when Bill bought it). The fact that it came from the White makes it a rare exception...it is a 12 volt horn. The White Motor Co. was one of the very few companies who's cars utilized 12 volt electrical systems...and even odder still, 24 volt starting systems...using two 12 volt batteries in series when the big starter knife switch was engaged!

 

[Professor Fate voice]Throw the switch, Max![/Professor Fate voice]

-Dave

 

Clayton, Now you have given us a small Taste of what is to come. Hopefully we will see some more progress . . . with the weekend ? Hopefully the weather gods will be providing you with cooler temps.

Say "Hello" to your bud Chris. Have a great weekend.

Dave

 

Wow! This car is one of the neatest I've seen in a long time. Great job!

 

sweet.

 

Dave, there will certainly be a substantial update on the "Special" this weekend. Chris and I have been waiting for a full weekend with decent temperatures in order to fiberglass the fenders and hood....one of our LAST big hurdles. I will taking my fully charged camera to document it completely.

With my Roadster also waiting in the wings for a full tear-down, we need to get her done.....also the 1st anniversary of Bill's passing (Oct 13th) has Chris and I want to see his tribute car finished.

Thank you both! We are quite proud of the "Special" as both a build that we undertook together and as a tribute to Chris's late father Bill.