So Keith decided to build a Belly Tank Speedster in his home garage ... He wanted it period correct ... He started with a wing mounted “ belly tank “ off of a Republic F-84 Then he took a Model A and modified the frame to fit the belly tank ... It took six years - about 600 hours a year ... He raced it at TROG in New Jersey last year: Jim
Kevin made a wood pattern to fit the belly tank - then adapted a Ford Model A frame & running gear to fit by cutting the frame - turning it inside out - flipping the front axle .... Jim
I didn't know belly tanks were use for cars in the 30's; I guess they were the ones left over from the the Spanish Civil war from 1936 to 1939. Could be a very early one from the 1939 German Lufwaffe I guess.
Good Catch ! Because the donor frame & powertrain came from a 1930 Model A - I gave it that year. But .... The belly tank is actually out of a 1946 or later Republic F-84 Thunderjet. In this image you can see the “ fin “ on the outboard tank: Jim
This is just so cool .... Stopped yesterday at Skip’s Restoration in New Salem, PA to let Bill & Skip take a look: Today I stopped in Richmond, IN at The Wayne County Historical Society Museum to let Mark & the guys check it out. Tomorrow morning I will be at The Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum in Auburn, IN at 8:30 am showing it to Josh & anyone else that wants to have a look .... Jim
I doubt this will be competing in any more events. The owner decided to sell it. I was specifically requested to transport it ... The new owner is the President & CEO of a very well known privately owned International Marketing Company valued at two billion dollars. I didn’t know that until I met him when he personally took delivery outside Chicago last Friday. Plans are for this to be placed under a custom built glass conference table. Jim
The Jalopy Journal
