Speedsters Anyone?

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Whenever a speedster comes up there seems to be interest in discussing and I know a number of forum members own or are interested in these cars. A fantastic 1913 Buick Speedster is currently for sale in the "Buy/Sell" section of the forum, albeit a bit much for me! That said, I am seeing these surface based on models other than the typical "A" or "T".

So my suggestion is a section dedicated to these cars. Ground rules would be simple - this would not be a hot rod forum or anything like that, but be specifically for speedsters based on running gear no later than say, 1931? (This to allow inclusion of A based speedsters, but the date is only a suggestion.) What I have in mind is really the stuff dating prior to 1920. Granted this is a little different than our other forums, however can anyone think of a better place to house such a forum? Would be great to follow a couple builders or have someone like the builder of the Buick post a bit about their project. Also would be nice to know where some of these folks source parts like the gas tanks, seats, etc.

A friend built a nice T speedster a couple years ago and had the cowl fabbed locally, which I thought was interesting, and it came out great.

Not looking for another controversial topic (hopiing this isn't), and of course would defer the great folks who run our site on any groundrules, but I thought I would see if anyone else likes this idea.

Selfish reason is I want to learn more about these as I have been thinking about diving in. I am confident I could build a decent T based speedster but wonder if something a little more exotic would be possible..

Thoughts?

[RansomEli]

I like your idea. I'm currently assembling a Franklin raceabout from spare parts. I don't have enough parts to build a complete car, but I can put another Franklin back on the road as a raceabout.

A speedster forum would let everyone share ideas and tips.

[gavinnz]

I would be up for it.
Regards
Gavin

[TexRiv_63]

I love 'em, you have my vote.

[daytona]

Got my vote, I would love to build another speedster but would like something a little different from the T speedster that I built. Something on a bit larger wheelbase yet that would not be terribly expensive to build like a LaFrance would be. I think I would prefer brass era only but who knows...

It would be great if anyone had some period, detailed photos of a few speedsters. Great idea Steve.

[hddennis]

Steve, Excellent idea! I've always had a soft spot for these cars since the 1960's when as a teen I first became interested in antique cars. Back then many surviving chassis's were just easier to turn into a speedster than to fabricate entire missing bodies. Until recently I thought these were mostly built during that period. After acquiring a 1917 Maxwell chassis I too decided since I had limited funds and no body I too should try a speedster. In my research I've found that these were a LOT more common than I first thought and contrary to what I was first told even Maxwell dabbled in several versions of speedsters. I've found automotive magazines of the period are full of parts for and inquiries and suggestions of how to build speedsters. This should prove to be a popular subject I think.

Howard Dennis

[hddennis]

Steve, Here's some great sites for ideas and information to get this ball rolling!

Northwest Vintage Speedsters

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/speedsterowners/


Howard Dennis

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Thanks all - Howard, looks like my lunchtime reading assignment has arrived...

I was hoping Mr. Daytona would pipe up - look closely at the cowl on his (ex) speedster, to see some nice local fabrication work!

[MarrsCars]

Steve, Here's some great sites for ideas and information to get this ball rolling!

Northwest Vintage Speedsters

speedsterowners : northwest speedster owners


Howard Dennis

That's right here in my own backyard! I'm never going to have any free time again (thankfully).

[Tom Laferriere]

I'm in! Here are some of my speedsters.

Heck, look at my logo!

[1937hd45]

I've collected and sold Ford speed equipment for 45+ years, never had a finished Speedster, but still have the bits to assemble a rolling chassis.

[petri]

I'm fascinated by them. The first one I ever saw was the National Roadster in the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago way back in the 50's. A car similar to the Mercer Raceabout and the Stutz Bearcat. I wanted one but at age 68, I'm still "speedsterless".

The Newport, Indiana Hillclimb attracts a large number of speedsters, 15 maybe and mostly Model T's.

I'd love to follow a thread on these interesting automobiles. There has to be a lot of interesting history here.

Howard
1932 Packard Light Eight Coupe-Roadster

[West Peterson]

I'll present the idea of a speedster-specific forum to the those in charge. Here are a couple in my family's collection.

[79 speedster]

Like the idea of speedster anyone.
I had 1919 ALF that I started to convert but had recently sold it when I found someone looking for one.
The trouble was, had not satisfied the speedster itch and have recently moved into a 1914 Overland speedster project.
1914 was the only year for a factory speedster by Overland and all of the factory blueprints for most of the parts are available through the owners club. How great is that? I kind of fell into this one and am very pumped about getting it on the road for it's 100th birthday.

Best, Mark

[dep5]

Here is some pics of a 1911 Hudson model 33 I used to own. It came from Art Burrichter(sp) in Iowa. Originally it was a torpedo touring, I think the body was removed and converted to a pickup truck during WWII so a farmer could get gas for it. Around 1961 it was converted into a speedster.

It is in California now, I am amused by the "story" the current owners have fabricated. I have another 1911 Hudson 33 torpedo touring, it was parted out and parts used to make up a so-called Mile-A-Minuter speedster. Bob Forbes had my original engine but alas I lost rack of it. I still need an engine.

[Chris Paulsen]

Here's our 1920 Model T with a Frontenac 'T' head. Lots of fun!

[Restorer32]

Will post pics of a 1915 ALF Speedster we built for a customer as soon as someone volunteers to resize and post the pics. This is a 1000 cu. in. (15 liter) 6 cylinder. Drives amazingly well for a vehicle weighing 6600#.

[R W Burgess]

Here you go Jeff. The first one!

[R W Burgess]

Second picture!

[Restorer32]

Thanks Wayne! It's one of the few speedsters to be invited to and shown at Amelia Island. The owner drove it 50 miles to a show and 50 miles home thru Philly area traffic year before last, averaged 4 mpg. Great fun.

[The Green Dragon]

Years ago if you found an old car that was not restorable but had a good chassis you would build a speedster out of it. Even if it wasn't original they were fun. It would be interesting to have a speedster club with a meet at some track to run them.
RHL

[msmazcol]

Franklin the right way, Franklin with the spare stuff put together. Is that a Speedster?

[daytona]

MSMAZCOL, any more pictures of the Franklin Speedster, looks great. Who made the body??

[DavidAU]

I saw this Bentley a couple of weekends back at the Rolls-Royce National Rally on the Gold Coast in Australia.
It had the "saddle bags" on both sides and the trunk rack out the back so I would say they must have travelled some distance.

[hddennis]

Here's some more speedsters having fun:

Third Annual International Speedsters Trials And Reunion Bridge Photo 1



Howard Dennis