Projects Curtiss Aero V8 powered Fiat 503 project.

I'm embarking on my next project which is going to take me way outside my comfort zone, so I'm trusting in help and advice from those with experience in this area.

Key to this project is the 503ci World War 1 era Curtiss V8 aero engine.

The goal is to build an early 20s race car. We've identified the 1924 Alfa Romeo P2 race car as the "look" we're going for.

Last but not least I found an interesting base to build the car on. It's a 1927 Fiat 503 Torpedo which has come up for sale locally. Sadly we won't be using the lovely touring bodywork or the original engine, but hope to find a good home for it.
But it's got all the right ingredients. Longitudinal leaf springs, friction dampers, RHD steering and of course a title. Fiat built a lot of race cars back then, some real monsters too, so the mechanicals are appropriate.

The main challenge is finding a transmission and rear axle which will cope with the torque and translate a cruising rpm of 1400rpm into about 80 - 90mph.

So, is this a traditional hotrod? Not in the Californian way, no. But I'm putting an ex WW1 American built aero engine in a pre-war Fiat chassis and fitting a hand built streamlined aluminium body to it.

Apparently the Curtiss V8 is a popular transplant so there must be solutions to the drive train problem.

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Really cool project. Subscribed

 

Dia-yum; where do you find this uber-cool stuff? I realize you're in Europe, but still... . Fabulous build, I'm in for the watch. These rank right up there w/20's->30's BoardTrack cars. Very top of the Cool pile. Which, btw, is the precursor to & grandfather of, the so-called "traditional hotrods".
Marcus...

 

I'm in. I like what I'm hearing. Seems a shame to tank the Touring body but I get it. Maybe the new Touring owner will do something outside the box with it. I have a friend with an old dirt car with a Ranger aircraft motor in it. Can't remember if it has a gear box or just an in and out but do believe it has a Clutch on the prop shaft. May be some info there that can help you in a direction for drive unit. If my memory is right I believe his car was built mid 40's just after the War. It's pretty Kool and a real monster.

 

Lemme see, hum? You're putting a overly large pre-64 V8 engine into a hand built roadster with all the design and fabrication problems you're going to encounter, correct? When you're done, you're going to have a roadster like no one else has and you're going to be the envy of every hotrodder on several continents. Is this a traditional Hot Rod? Hell, yeah

 

Beautiful engine. I would hope that the final coachwork will show it off ss much as possible.

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We are going to carefully remove everything we don't need from the 503 tourer and try and find a restorer who will put in back on a 503 chassis. Most 503s where sedans anyway, so hopefully someone will need it.
Honestly if it were mine, I'd restore it, but that's not what I've been asked to do. But definitely going to save the body.

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Loads of cool stuff in Europe if you look. My buddy just found this Delage.


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The Spirit of Barney is Waiting @edwardlloyd......Look forward to your doing the vintage magic you put into everything you have as a canvas...

 

Intrigued, this will be worth the journey.

 

Here’s some inspiration....




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It uses a divorced transmission and a one off flywheel / clutch setup mounted to the tapered crankshaft output


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This sounds interesting.

 

Oh wow. Yes that's it. What chassis is that? It looks like the Fiat. And any more details about transmission, rear axle etc.

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It may be more traditional than you think. Right after WW1 in the US there was a company that installed surplus Curtis engines in used, high grade chassis like Marmon and Packard. Then there were the aircraft engined record breaking cars and race cars, this seemed to be a British specialty. Several such cars ran at Brooklands in the twenties. Mercedes and Benz chassis seemed to be favorites. Such cars as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 1 through 3, Rabbit 1, the Higham Special and others.

 

Wow, who would think they'd see two of those motors in one day?

 

I'm in!

 

I was at the Montlhéry Vintage Revival today I've seen 3 cars with Curtiss engines but didn't check or get pictures of the transmission set up. With straight exhaust they sound good.

 

Ab Jenkins Mormon Meteor, designed by Augie Dusenberg,

eventually got a Curtis Conqueror V-1570, the successor to your engine.


jack vines

 

Contact Rolfzoller, he's putting together a GN with a Curtiss. Maybe he could help you.

 

The chassis is from a 1914 Velie touring car 120” wheel base including front and rear axles The transmission is from a 1913-1914 Cadillac .

 

1924 Alfa Romeo


1927 Fiat 806 Corsa

 

Subscribed. Love this kind of build!

 

This is going to be a fun and awesome build.I`ll saddle up and go along for the ride.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

Long live the long hoods!
...............
Long live the long bonnets!
.

 

First time I've ever seen Velie mentioned. There was a Velie Touring car in a warehouse near my grandfather's place when I was growing up. I often pressed my face up against the window and daydreamed about what I'd do with it if it were to fall into my hands.

 

I THINK Velies were built by the son in law of John Deere.

 

J-C A. pic from Vintage Revival Montlhery 2019.