Hot Rods # 10 Track Roadster Build- Marty Strode

................"ruminated"...................... I'm impressed!

 

10 dollar word! They say I'm colleg edumucated. I dunno tho...
Still, I was an industrial mechanic for 10 yars befor colleg. Whuda ever thot.

 

Dave thanks, I encourage you to build that car, you won't be sorry. I spent a lot of my weekend on an English Wheel project, as I didn't want to weld the legs to the main frame. With the main frame being very heavy, due to the larger size, thick wall tube, it was very cumbersome to deal with. With that out of the way, work on the TR, will resume tomorrow.

 

Wow! I'm telling She who must be obeyed we're moving to Oregon! That english wheel is a work of art. I don't think you will have much flex when wheeling 1/8-inch plate... At least it looks like it could handle that to me.

 

After a long hiatus, I have started back, first by mounting the grille shell to the radiator. Then, set it in place, mock up, and make the hood pattern. The grille shell brackets are 18 ga cold rolled steel, and weld to the shell and the radiator. The upper mounts will also carry the front hood latches.

 

Glad to see you are able to use the brown paper!

 

Thanks Rich, please keep me in mind for another roll.

 

Will do, next time Erik and I come down for a visit.

 

Well, it looks like Bruce (Gearheads QCE) will be happy, it's going to get a quickchange. I have had this one for quite some time, it has been broken and repaired in the rear pinion support area. After reading one of Bruce's posts on the subject, I realized it could be used. Thanks Bruce, for the valuable advice ! I thought I could get away with the open drive, pickup banjo, but the driveline angle didn't look very promising, this is the solution. I will be using the ring and pinion, and the carrier from a 46 passenger car, my Brother Jerry gave me. I will need a rear cover, because I foolishly sold the Culver City one from this center, and I need to round up a 10 spline lower shaft, and yolk. These cars are a natural for a quickchange, as Track Roadsters had to be one of reasons the V-8 units were produced.

 

Wow, I do believe you have everything figured out. That car has a perfect profile: proportions right on the money, nothing excess and everything has a purpose.
Thanks for posting another great build thread!

 

Terry, they haven't changed much, since I built this one in'98. Left to right, Ernie Martin, Spike Parham, Bobby Mead, and me, all great pals. I think I might still have the blue checkered shirt too ! Thanks.

 

Cool track roadsters or fine wearing apparel... either way, the good stuff never goes out of style!

 

Any progress Marty? We're all feeling the drought. I need encouragement for my feeble efforts.

 

Last weekend I was paring down the remnants of a T touring body to weld together as a roadster. It'll be saved for a project similar to #10. Maybe throw in a little Eshelman influence.

 

Jeff, that's a great example of having all the parts in the right places, the brace at the cowl for steering box was done very cleanly. As far as the #10, I did get the radiator mounted, and will install the support rods next, and follow with the hood. Been busy dialing in some equipment, English Wheel, and building a cart for the latest Tig Welder. More soon !

 

Thanks Marty for the offer. If we were only a days drive apart I'd have been there today, but its just not possible like you said. Oh well, at least you gave me some ideas to consider if I find a T coupe around here in need of a new use.

 

That one checks off a lot of the “right” boxes for me. Thanks for sharing the pic, @alchemy!

 

I acquired my friend's fixture for assembling early Ford rear ends. He used a worn out brake drum from a Mack dump truck. He cut out a 10 ga steel disc, and drilled a bolt pattern to match the housing ends, and tack welded 7/16" nuts on one side. cut a center hole, large enough for the bearing snout to pass through, and drilled and tapped the perimeter. It works very well, using the stack and bolt method. When checking back-lash, it's waist high, for the average person. I will be using it on this project, when the time comes.

 

^^^^^^ Genius!
Now I know what I can use my old vice stand for.

 

Marty,
I was just about to private message you to see if you wanted me to put that thing together for you.

 

Bruce, I would do it in a minute, but the shipping would kill me. Probably cheaper to buy you a plane ticket out here ! I will be bugging you for advice.

 

Yes,
About $175 each way. I'd love to come for a visit, but I'm afraid I'd never leave. We could build some cool stuff, though.

 

Maybe we can put something together this Spring, depending on how things are. BTW, I have a 1/4 mile dirt track, 8 miles down the road. Sure sounds like fun to me !

 

How about I start shipping tin and iron out west and you guys can bolt my #11 together this spring?

 

Jeff, I do have an extra perimeter frame, ready to go.

 

I call this picture "Styrofoam Dreams".

 

Such cool roadsters Marty!

 

Since my progress is slow, I uncovered some pics of #7 when it was new, thought I would share them. I really enjoyed shooting pics with a Pentax with real film. The last one is my old buddy, Spike Parham, lettering the hood.

 

On it's first outings in '98