The Ford Barn - Speedster Kit

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- - Speedster Kit (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32989)

Re: Speedster Kit

What is the cost of the kit?
I would love to build one of these, and may end up with a spare chassis soon.

Re: Speedster Kit

Those are Universals; can't answer the wear question because I've put only a hundred miles or so on them so far.

Re: Speedster Kit

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffM (Post 201603)

What is the cost of the kit?
I would love to build one of these, and may end up with a spare chassis soon.

The complete kit can be bought from Mac's and is $4960. It's much less if you don't want fenders or a windshield. You can also make your own if you are handy.

Re: Speedster Kit

Thanks Sparky.
I could have checked their site, and called them, but nice to ask here.
Hope you dont mind, im currently using your speedster as my wall paper for inspiration.

Re: Speedster Kit

Thanks, I'm honored!

Re: Speedster Kit

How about some more pics of Speedsters!

Re: Speedster Kit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O'Brien (Post 206440)

How about some more pics of Speedsters!

http://nwvs.org/CarPhotos/CarThumbNails.shtml

http://nwvs.org/CommonBits/NWVSLogo1In.jpg

Re: Speedster Kit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O'Brien (Post 197631)

Hi Bill,

The kit is fine, it gives you all the major pieces and basic instructions. But it it is not something you can knock together in an afternoon. You will need some basic woodworking and fabrication skills. Here are the major tasks off the top of my head:

The steering box needs to be moved rearward three inches. This means making new mounting holes in the frame, increasing the length of the drag link, and tweaking the throttle and distributor linkages.

The choke and starter rods need to be lengthened. The throttle will not reach the new floorboard and will need extending (I made a new linkage with a gas pedal.)

You will need upholstery for the seats. All you get from the kit is a sheet metal frame.

Make the tail light mounts, and if you go fenderless, the headlight mounts as well.

The gas tank is higher than the stock location, so a fuel pump is helpful.

I have an album of photos, you can see them here:

http://fordbarn.com/forum/album.php?albumid=326
My latest project was adding a pair of windshields. I haven't had a chance to take pictures of them yet. If you have any other questions I'll be glad to answer them.

Richard aka "Sparky"

Hi, Bill, I was just reading over one of your old posts about the Rootlieb speedster kit, and my dad and I are elbow deep in the build. I have kind of a novice-sounding question that maybe you can answer. The kit comes with a gas tank, which, if I recall has no filler hole in it, and with the brass (I assume) filler neck. Any recommendations for the best way about getting those tow pieces together? I ask because, well, I've got one chance to get it right and there's no shame in asking for help, right?

Thanks in advance for any you can provide!

--Dan

Re: Speedster Kit

Hi Dan,

My filler neck has an extra saddle-shaped piece that fits between the filler itself and the tank. Do you have something like that? I think they are soldered together; I didn't assemble my tank personally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikeinnj (Post 201497)

Attachment 41109

That is a BEAUTY!

Re: Speedster Kit

I dropped my speedster 4 inches by using a T rear spring and only leaving in I think about 6 maybe 7 leafs. For a rootlieb kit, this would be plenty sense there is not weight in the back of them. My speedster is a boat tail, that had the 15 gallon gas tank in the very back. It does bottom out when I hit a big enough bump. I haven't gotten to adding shocks yet, but I'm probably going to have to drop the rear end and add a leaf or two in the assembly.

My cars getting the upholstery done right now, so after this Friday I should be able to post pictures of it completely done :). Be looking for that thread this weekend or within the next week or so. I also only left like 5 leafs in the front spring. This dropped the front a little, but not a whole lot. I really only took out some leafs in the front since there wasnt going to be a whole lot of weight up there. No fenders, hood, or any go slow stuff up front.

Re: Speedster Kit

Hi there,
I am building a speedster and looking at every component with the view of improving performance and improving handling whilst utilising as much of the original A components as possible
A dropped front axle has given me a headache as the tie rod is now too close to the chassis and the front brake shaft supports have needed extending up and made additionally stiffer.
At the rear the spring mounts on the diff have been relocated to lower the rear.
A quick change centre section on the diff has resulted in an open drive shaft with the radius rods (front and rear) relocated to the chassis rails and an F150 gearbox has slotted in simply using a Macs Speed shop bellhousing.
An alloy radiator reduces weight and the petrol tank is at the rear between the chassis rails for lower CofG.
Oh yes, the motor is moved back 4" and the wheelbase is 4" longer.
All these mods are resulting in the project taking a lot longer than anticipated as I don't have engineering skills.
Cheers,
Keith

Re: Speedster Kit

Another option is to work with Jim Husbey @ olympic speedsters. Great guy to work with. The pic is one that I worked with him on last year.

Re: Speedster Kit

Here is a pic of my speedster, 32 B engine, shorten frame, open drive shaft.

Mike https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictur...754281&thumb=1

Re: Speedster Kit

Here is my home made speedster. I'm a po country boy and couldn't afford the kit. I had a bunch of discarded parts and decided to try and make a purty out of them. http://www.bluemelon.com/photo/3145644-T400300.jpg

http://www.bluemelon.com/photo/3145642-T400300.jpg

Re: Speedster Kit

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike (Post 761551)

here is a pic of my speedster, 32 b engine, shorten frame, open drive shaft.

Mike https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictur...754281&thumb=1

beautiful!

Re: Speedster Kit

Skrain,

Thank you, we have a lot of fun with this car

mike

Re: Speedster Kit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike (Post 761551)

Here is a pic of my speedster, 32 B engine, shorten frame, open drive shaft.

Mike https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictur...754281&thumb=1

I like the looks of your speedster!

Re: Speedster Kit

Mine started as speedster, and I decided to fab my body rather than buy one I started with the chassis in my avitar, took 3 springs out of the rear, 2 out of the front, re rolled the front springs to turn the eyes over., and used 17 inch wheels. It sits a few inches lower all around, and has about 3 inches of rake to the front. Admittedly it is morphing into more of a Rod than a speedster though.