Why Rileys? Interesting twin-cam-but-not-twin-overhead-cam engines: Note Nailhead-like valve train to achieve a hemispherical combustion chamber. Fours went up to 2½ litres, and there were sixes and the abovementioned Autovia V8.
Sort of T-Head thinking translated to the overhead valve era. Very popular for special builders and influenced ERA, among others.
I heard that Edward Turner worked on the design of the Riley 9 motor, the first Riley pushrod Hemi Motor. Edward Turner also designed the Triumph Speed twin motorcycle engine and the British Daimler SP250 motor.
I only discovered this thread today: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/a-speedster-comes-out-of-the-weeds—build-thread.1003005/
This picture was said to have been taken in California. It's clearly a T speedster, but the three-lug disk wheels are new to me. Anyone familiar with them?
Concave disc wheels would of course become something of an American theme over the following decade or so.
Shows you how much I know... Turns out that they are relatively common. One of the biggest brands of disk wheels for the T was Disteel (also sold as Western Auto & likely OEM'd to other brands). From the Model T Club site: "The Disteel wheels have a special hub that has to be placed on the Model T. It has three large bolts that the disk wheels fits over and a special round plate that holds the three large nuts. " Oddly enough, Michelin, from France, the home of the three-lug hub, made Model T wheels with a proprietary four-lug hub...
I went to the Beaulieu Autojumble (i.e. Swapmeet) event in Hampshire a few weeks ago. Along with all the "usual suspect" parts and cars this interesting special was on one of the stands. It has a Buick straight 8 motor obviously, the Wade blower looks like it is from a Commer TS3 2 stroke diesel truck motor. I'm not sure what the chassis and running gear were. Certainly looked to be well engineered and superbly finished. Does anyone on here know anything about it?
ABC special: Along with moving the steering wheel down for more of a racer profile, they apparently converted the trouble-prone air-cooled ABC twin to water cooling.
Is this special? My friend is finishing it up. Almost ready to fire it. It was a dirt track racer. Ir has a '25 Chevy with a 3 port Olds head. It has dual carbs, a counter balanced crank, a T-5 transmission, and I don't know what else.
Here is my special. Current build but made in the tradition of a 50's road racer that would have been campaigned by a privateer against europe's finest. Deigned/built by me. Aluminum body, hand pounded, vette c3 frame. 415hp, 5spd 2600lbs. I drive the car semi hard. It does go to local shows but gets little respect. It is perceived as a glass kit car. It is in the true tradition of a special . Just saying that to me that this tradition is still alive and well. Ray in Oregon
Hand formed alum body panels that get mistaken for gelcoated fiberglass? If that's not mad respect, I don't know what is. Very well struck indeed, sir.
@frankinplymouth That did come out well! I seem to recall a build thread some years ago? @CoolHand You've been quiet lately! Good to see you're still around.
Hello, Frankin!Beautiful design and excellent realization! (maybe to let polished aluminium for such diletantes seeing it as "plastic" body?) Good rides, joy and happiness in 2019 for you and all of the constructors that made or are in process of making their special dream automobiles!! Regards, Zoran
Brilliant straight-8 Crosley special: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/scratch-built-crosley-special.1135185/
Some of you have some seriously cool stuff, so much so I am kinda embarrassed to post my cars but here are my 3 specials.
As long as the hubs turn; and the engine makes a "cool" noise! It's O.K. by me! On a 'nuther subject: Hey Terry, are you and that motley group known as "The Del Monte Trophy" gonna be down at Santa Barbara for T.R.O.G. in March?