Speedster Help

[spdway1]

Hello, I am looking to BUY or BUILD an "A" speedster.
Is or was there a company that builds the aluminum bodies, I think about a year ago, I remember seeing a website that offered them.
Or should I stick with the kits in the parts catalogs? What is the better kit? Thank you.

[Jim Brierley]

Most common are the Rootlieb's, but they are pretty basic. Not sure if any other mfg.'s are still in business? A Rootdlieb or Model A roadster cowl and a hand-built boat tail would look good.

[PC/SR]

Check the FAST website advertisers where a couple are shown. http://www.hotforhotfours.com/ads3.html
If you are building a Speedster, you will want to join FAST. You will see all kinds and get some good ideas.

[Purdy Swoft]

Here is my poor mans version of a speedster. I had a rough 30 tudor cowl that was full of bullet holes. I cut the cowl down, narrowed the dash,(back of gas tank) and welded it back to the narrowed cowl to give it a factory made look that the original instrument panel would still be used on. I had to lengthen the steering column bracket and choke rod bracket. I was able to save a cowl that would have otherwise been junk. I used the gas tank off of a Gordon Smith air compressor. I built the platform and floor from left over plywood and boards that I already had. The seats are boat seats bought at Walmart I made the spare tire mount by cutting down a 30 tudor rear spare tire mount and welding on a flat piece of metal for the bracket to bolt to the platform. It didn't cost much and I had the fun of building it myself.

[Purdy Swoft]

Here is another. I call this one my september 29, it was my first model A that I got in the spring of 1960 at the age of 13. It caught on fire in the driveway in 1962 and destroyed the cowl, wiring, battery,steering wheel and pretty much ruined my hot rod model A. I saved all of the pieces and rebuilt it in 2006 It looks pretty much like it used to except this time I used aluminum 15 inch wheels with big and little tires instead of the mercury wheels and 7.60- 15 tires with spun aluminum disc hubcaps that it had when I got it. The engine and running gear is pretty much stock. the only mod to the engine is a simmons carb. Low and mid range power is strong with the smaller diameter wheels. The seat came off of a 40s model school bus

[Model A Fan]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

What do you make the frames out of? They look smaller than the standard Model A frame.

[Purdy Swoft]

The frames on mine are unmodified.

[Ross/Kzoo]

I asked myself these same questions 6-7 years ago. Brent Terry along with other Fordbarners made me focus on what it was that I wanted. What I built suiys me fine.

[spdway1]

Originally Posted by Ross/Kzoo

I asked myself these same questions 6-7 years ago. Brent Terry along with other Fordbarners made me focus on what it was that I wanted. What I built suiys me fine.

Is that a kit? Yours is very nice!

[Mikeinnj]

I have observed that many homemade "speedsters" end up looking like doodle bugs or home made tractors. How would insurance adjusters view such a radical modification from what they thought they were insuring as an antique original vehicle.

[Ross/Kzoo]

Originally Posted by spdway1

Is that a kit? Yours is very nice!

The cowl is a 29 Briggs, I handmade the windshield, seat is from Antique T, Trunk is from a 35 Chebby and the gas tank from Speedway motors.

[OoltewahSpeedShop]

Here's one that my buddy built. Star-Durant cowl and windshield. A model everything else.

[Jim Huseby]

Check out www.olympic-speedsters.com

[Ross/Kzoo]

Check out these speedsters on the Northwest Vintage Speedsters. Just click on the # or Name:

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

[ratamahata]

click in my signature

[kenparker]

The Miss E is built fron a '28 Model A cowl, Radiator and hood and the sheet metal fron cowl back is custom made. I had never done any kind of sheet metal work like this before and it was a fun and interesting learning curve. The top part of the rear deck (the boat tail) is actually a 37 Chevy hood - cut to fit. Is that a dirty word. The frame is Model A that has been droppped 3 inches in the rear- immediately in front of the rear crossmsmber.

And just for grins each hillclimb she has participated in she has had a different paint scheme.

BTW. The Miss E is short for Elizabeth, my oldest grandaughter.

[Bob/Kansas City]

I don't see where you are located but you might look at this web site for Olympic Speedsters here in Missouri.
Custom built speedsters that are beauties!
http://www.olympic-speedsters.com/

[IrishHills]

Ad I ran across here in Michigan...


Car for Sale: I have another 1man boat tail race car body almost finished and for sale . $1000.00 . I also have a set of lowering brackets available . 2 man boat tail and open seat speedster bodies built to your specs . Email me for pictures .
Tom Butterworth <[email protected]> 248-227-1008
Madison Heights, Mi USA - Mon Nov 21 06:35:22 2011

[Brian LI]

Originally Posted by Ross/Kzoo

I asked myself these same questions 6-7 years ago. Brent Terry along with other Fordbarners made me focus on what it was that I wanted. What I built suiys me fine.

Looks Great!

My son and I have 2 that we built over a period of 3 or 4 years.



Boat tails are made from a 1940 Buick Hood (Blue) and 1941 Ford hood (Red)

[Junknshit]

That is great. Someone enjoying what they built rather than keeping it locked up and dusting it.