Projects BENNETTS ‘Midnight Special’ speedster

It is always great to watch an artist do his thing. I'll be following along and trying to learn what I can. Thanks for sharing your work!

 

It's a stock '28 Chevy lever, wrong in a serious racer, but handy in mine.

 

Scored some 21s today, tires are off and they are going to the sandblaster tomorrow morning. Bit of tweaking and straightening and some paint up next, any nice 21 tire ideas? Will most likely run Lucus

 

Will you be doing your own tweaking and straightening, or farming that out? I've got a set of wheels needing the same TLC, just wondering how much you're tackling.

 

I’ll give these ones a once over- this thing will primarily be doing dirt laps but I’ll put some photos up as I go.

 

Very cool build!! Love the grille

 

Not sure wether or not to blend the bottom of the grill in or leave it cut?

 

I realize it would be a difficult and challenging project to somehow blend the original bottom onto your cut off grill top, but it sure would be look awesome. On the other hand considering the era your are building the car to resemble just installing the top of the grill would probably be period correct.

 

I believe either or would be period correct...some were beaters some were extremely well polished...money was a factor I'm sure...did it win the race...I suspect not necessarily...

He could fab a lower transition using the cut off section to the frame or splice the lower shell back...even doing that he'll have to fab a transition to the frame...

 

I think it looks kool without the bottom.

 

you’re right, this one’s getting nice paint and polished bits. I might have a crack and see what it looks like.

 

I would fill the side and reshape the bottton to follow the contour on the frame.

 

...Inspiration 1




...Inspiration 2

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I think it depends, if the racer will get a bellypan or not. If you take a referance to the Miller Racer, you see both styles. I personally would prefer the look with the lower section grill and belly pan..... anyway since i have seen your skills in fabrication and determination.
Just my two cents.

 

...Just a couple examples of these Racers showing how varied the fit and finish could be...Both are awesome but there are obvious differences...were they in the same class...not sure...the fella in the lower pic better be careful reaching for that lever just above the pipe...

Credit to Photographers, Owners
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I would leave it as you have it, just tidy the bottom with a flange that bolts on top of the frame.

Maybe tidy the sides a bit.

I reckon that easy to take off and replace quickly would be a big consideration on a racer.

 

Possably you can do it the dual way, prepare a nice end just below the chassis-bow for the top grill. And the same for the lower grill, this way you don't need to blend the two grills but use both looks .

 

Stogy as always its amazing how much help your offer us members! Digging your 2nd rendering for sure!

 

I agree with oldbanger71, number one if you are planning on a full belly pan, number two if you're not.

 

In either an extension below the frame or not an angled flange bolted to the frame makes sense over a welded connection as yes it allows removal of the grill for service.

 

Thank you for this! Really mean it, extremely nice of you and wow does it give you the visual I was trying to see! I think as everyone has mentioned, belly pan number one no belly pan number two!

 

New video up now too!

 

Nice one mate - just watched it. Ben is indeed a champ!

 

I reckon thats the way to go, but given the length of your legs, may need your feet to be down below the frame rails.

If you were to fit a 2x2 g.box cross member which fixes under the rails, and fit the floor to the bottom of that, it would be a neat way of finding more room.

Your feet might feel a bit exposed below the rails, but the cross member being low and the bell housing in front would help there. As would making the floor out of thicker sheet folded up at the front and sides for stiffness.

 

Thank you and you're welcome...I just saw an opportunity to help envision what you were describing and visualizing with your sketch...now comes the hard part...deciding...it certainly seems Belly Pans were pretty common on these...I'll bet one reason was to get as low as they could in these to tuck in when trouble arose aka rollover...beautiful racers but incredibly dangerous in the event of accidents...not uncommon in all motorsport at that time in History...it's shaping up quickly Jorda...

 

Removed the rear spring and started reshaping it. Reverse eye and shape is similar to a model T spring outline. Still a few more to do to see the proper layout but should be able to lower is a 100mm (4”) I’ll l
Finish off that in the morning as well as the front spring and see where it all sits.

 

Leaf spring finished for now, I’ll wait until the body is on and trail the ride height.
Edges smoothed out and successfully lowered it over 100mm or 4”s reverse eyeing the leaf and shaping them all similar to a ‘T’ spring.

 

The water pumps look to be those made by Mike Davidson (Flat Attack Racing) from South Australia. Unfortunately Mike has a worsening neurological condition and has had to give up on his racing and business. I believe his streamliner and business are for sale. Not sure if you can buy the pumps at present.

 

Tick Tock

 

Leave in a week for Canada for 7 weeks!
Time will be ticking! Haha