Projects 1917/1928/1938 American Lafrance Plymouth V12 Speedster

Here's my 1938 American Lafrance V12 Speedster project.
A big engine Speedster has been a long time dream of mine but I thought it would be a project I wouldnt be able to get to untill much later in life, but last November that all changed. A 1938 V12 and Trans popped up for sale at a price I could afford not far from me and it was owned by a friends father and stored at my friends.
When I went to check it out at my buddies he also had wheels, a front axle, rear diff, and a steering box off of a 1928 Plymouth which in my mind had great proportions for what I wanted to build so I picked those up too.
When I got it all home I shoved the parts in a corner and finished the projects I had going on. While finishing these other projects I chewed over the design in my head. I decided I was going to build a super stripped down, chain drive, brass era looking speedster like what would have been seen in Indianapolis, or on ice covered lakes making Land speed runs, or the Vanderbilt Cup Races at the turn of the century. The Ford 999, 1905 Premier, and Durrauq's, were huge insperations for this project.
December 14 2019 was the oficial start of this build.
I started by using wood to figure out what size Frame rails I wanted. I went with 2"X8"X.125" box tubing.
Next I set the engine in place making sure the intake was level in all directions using cinder blocks and wood as cribbing.
I then did the same with the frame rails.
Next I set crossmembers and built engine mounts.
Soon after mounting the engine I decided to test fire it which I originally said I wouldn't do untill I was done because if something was wrong with it my motivation would be destroyed. But it ran awesome and gave me even more motivation.
And to make a long long story short i'll forget about chronological order and just list everything else i've done since then.
Procured a 1917 ALF Radiator, wheels, tires, modern trailer hubs and spindles that have correct bolt pattern for wheels, rear axle which is actually a front axle off an 80's international, and purchased custom springs from Alcon Spring,
Shortened the rear diff so it could be used as a transaxle for chain drive and set it in place
Welded trailer axle spindles into the 80's international axle
Fabbed radiator mount, steering box mount, front frame horns, and spring mounts,
Machined adapter for transmission output to read diff input, spacers to allow the modern hubs to be used on the 28 Plymouth front spindles.
Right now I'm finishing up the front hubs and getting ready to make spring hangers for the rear axle.
I'm sure there's alot I'm missing but whatever it's time for pics!

 

More pics View attachment 4879015

 

I'll get shots of the build as is today

 

BEAST! A 6-headed monster of an engine! What is the cylinder angle of that V12? Can you post a straight photo of the front or rear of the engine?


EDIT: Never mind, I found one on the interwebs.

 

I'm subscribed, this looks like a fun project.

 

Awesome!




Bones

 

Oh Yeah! big brute teens and '20s / brooklands era speedsters/ cycle cars really tick all of the boxes for me! Definitely subscribed, cant wait to see this come together!

 

Nice progress- looking forward to seeing where this goes!!!

animal, where are you located in Jersey?

 

Ya man I’m hooked and ready for more !!

 

Here is how she currently sits. I'll have u bolts later today and can start on the rear spring mounts.
I'm no longer in Jersey. I moved to Spring Valley, Mn 5 years ago

 

Curious to know what the advantage of the IH front axle is, won't it turn backwards, or are you able to flip it upside down? Interesting for sure. Love the project overall. What's the CI and HP rating on the engine?

 

This is just a guess, but I assume the young lady is your project supervisor?


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The IH axle is just a dead axle. No gears. Hubs will be chain driven. The rear differential from a 28 plymouth will be connected directly to the trans and speockets will be mounted on the axles which will be connected to the rear wheels via chains

 

OK I get it. That's wild, looking forward to seeing more!

 

You got my attention when you said Premier, I am waiting for more progress. Looks great so far.

 

It had better be or his wife might be mad.

 

"Google" says 527 ci and 215 HP.

 

Yup. Big number back in the day lol

 

Too bad Gui (@Drmalacarne) is in Brazil and you're in NJ. It would great to see both of these V-12 monsters side by side when both are done.

 

Since this is going to be a chain Drive Rig the trans output can be connected directly to the Input on the Diff.
So I made a mount plate that locates itself on the trans output and spun the old 28 plymounth diff input yoke so that it fit inside the mounting plate.
After checking that everything was nice and centered I TIG'd them together with alittle 309.

 

I agree. As they say in England, "Bring back Brooklands!".

 

Very cool project

 

I had a productive day in the shop. My buddy came over to learn a bit of machining so while he made spacers for the front hubs I got onto the seats, which i've been fantasizing about for months.
I started with my CAD design software and moved on to steel at the end of the night.

 

I'm watching. Hope to join the club someday, but I have a straight eight that may not be salvageable. Cool start, really like the chain drive idea.

 

Very cool build. What are your plans for attaching sprockets to the rear drums?

 

@Austin kays another one! How dang cool!

 

The 28 plymouth brakes will remain of the rear diff/chain drive diff
On the rear axle I'll be attaching the rear sprockets directly to the rear hubs and create an external rear e brake at the same time

 

If that ain't gonna be cool, then Frosty ain't a snow man.....look out Levethian, there's gonna be a "new kid in town".....i'm watch'n.

 

Seat 1 is done...untill I have another set of hands to help me run a few beads in it

 

2 seats