History Bring Out Yer Board Track Pics!

Laurel MD

"a native of backwater horse pasture, Virginia, 28-year-old France had been raised in Washington, D.C., where, as a spindly 6-foot, 5-inch high schooner, he had excelled in basketball. As a you boy, his father had taken him to the incredible 1.125-mile, high banked -an amazing 48 degrees- board track at Laurel, Maryland, where he had seen superstars like Ralph DePalma, Jimmy Murphy, and Tommy Milton skater their Millers and Duesenbergs around the wall-like corner at over 130 miles per hour"

 

The only "Comet" I remembered was the Premier of '05. Upon searching what I have, while there might be some common DNA in there, the Comet in question is far advanced, and I would not argue the potential HCS connection. The Premier is fun to compare, engine is huge, tall 4-banger in the '05 on a tall elliptical sprung chassis with chain drive, Here are some pics to chew on. I had fun lookin'!

 

The Premier engine was designed by Weidley.

 

Well, I suppose there is some DNA there maybe...

 

Miller91, is this the Premier in the Indy museum that was drilled full of holes to lighten it? 927 c.i. , four cylinder, OHV hemi head, with an open crankcase.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=254713&highlight=premier

youp.

 

Doug, Do you think they used a Regal, Norwalk or American Underslung chassis or custom built one?

 

It could be a later American frame, the early frames have shackles from the front spring horns to the springs (which is what I have most of an american underslung frame hanging from the rafters of the barn back home.). The later ones have the springs solidly mounted to the frame horns. Also all the cross members would have to be cut out (if it were a stock frame that was modified), since the car is so low, the cross members would be dragging on the ground. But it makes logical sense, if my "theory" is right.

Any thoughts on the shift linkage on it??

 

WOW, I forgot that thread. It was right before I actually got to see the Premiere at Indy. For those asking about the lost oil system, not only are the valves exposed but there's a opening on the left side of the crankcase between the block and the oilpan. It's about 3 inches high, you can see the crank and rods. You guys with the mental libraries impress the shit out of me. I can remember what I had for lunch. It's definately a differant car and engine.

 

cool pictures

 

not a full sized board track but there are boards involved. 2 wheels, 4 wheels and lots of teeth.
1929 wall of death

 

damn that is a cool looking speedster!

 

WTF? A lion riding shotgun?

Damn they knew how to party back in the day.

Born way too late.

 

Killer Thread Guys,Thanks for posting all that great history complete with photos + vidieo.

 

Maybe they used a Colby Underslung chassis? It had a transaxle.

 

never know...the Colby looks like a toy in comparison.

 

Almost all these race cars from this era have the rear parallel springs offset a few inches outside of the frame as opposed to directly under the frame. Any particular reason for that since the factory cars all had them directly under the frame? Could it be to lower the chassie or is it necessary due to the narrowed frames?

 

A lower C/G and a wider spring base, both a good thing for a race car.

 

Very true - but would the 2 to 3" wider on each side make that much of a difference?

 

Every little bit helps, especially when they only had the very basic parts/technology to work with back then.

 

I thihk it would have big impact in a lightweight race vehicle. Wider suspension stance plus the lowering of CG by a couple inches could have a bigg impact, or at least enough to gain an advantage.

 

All righy boys, a bit O/T but what's up with this Mason (?) flat twelve?

 

OMG!!! Are they radiators?

 

Not much room to pass that brute... maybe that was the point???

 

random...but i also need some info on the #7 1920 Protos..believed to be the only one in existence.

 

Racecars and haulers..

 

This is a REO Olds straight 8 Indy car. It has an alloy head. Can't tell you more except it was a pig to repair all the cracks in the head. Anybody know anything else about this car?

 

Love the pictures of the racers and haulers.

 

bttt

 

That D.O.Fronty is still on that Fronty equiped TT hauler in a collection in California. All the running gear was polished steel, never plated, exFloyd Clymer, Crazy Chris Eggsguard car.