harris speedster

Curti, Thanks for the tip. I did call, but ended up speaking to deaf ears. Do truly appreciate the tip though, true car guys are good people. John

Greg, The wheels are 100% Dayton built. Axle stubs and inner hubs and carrier were all special Everything, besides the actual wheels, was also specifically machined. BTW, it is well documented in the corporate offices of Spicer-Dana, that this was the first half shaft the company ever built, long story, but true. Greg I am aware of the Alvis. Thank you for bringing it up. Cord Ruxton and a few others were producing also. Ben was not first, he just simplified and cut the weight in half or more. He was a highly regarded Engineer, designer and race organizer, among many other things. I still look at it in amazement, as it just shouldn't have been, don't know how else to put it? I am just the care taker of Ben's remarkable Speedster >>>> after 30 years of research, I am merely starting to report what I have found. Continuing on, >> I do truly need to "" identify "" and source as many parts as possible. One thing people do not realize, this car is the basic size, height, width and length of an AC Cobra or a D Type Jaguar. SIA page you posted above, is from an old Hemming's magazine, think that one was 5 pages. Thanks for the heads up Greg. That picture shows V-8 Ford caps, Ben used them for aerodynamic advantage. They cover the Dayton wire wheels We have accumulated magazines from 1936-1963, and 1983-1999. we have been keeping them under wraps for a submission to the library Of Congress in Washington. We continue to search for more though. If somebody would volunteer to post the pics, email me and i will attach my picasa pictures motorcarinvestments@gmail.com Thank you guys, John

AG2 & CURTI. Guys thanks for chiming in to help out. After 30 years of research into the man & machine, and trying to identify obscure parts, I have burned myself out. Did just find some pictures of Ben, the builder, with Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney and Sterling Moss. So I do have success from time to time. This guy was remarkable, and his car Sensational, as on National magazine put it I have tried to post pics, but trying to move from my picasa to the site, something goes wrong, plus I am pretty bad at navigating', nit wit better describes it !! Have some good pics to post, but can't get them on. They are bolt on wheels, 5 bolt pattern. I actually have pictures of the wheels on Midget race cars, late 20's-1932. CURTI, I spoke with somebody at Dayton probably 10 years ago, they were not accommodating at all. i WILL try your guy mentioned, in hopes that he may have some idea's >> or knows where the original stamps are, if any left. One never knows. A fellow member told me he has some, but have not heard anything back in several attempts, happens a lot with parts for this car. THANK you guys, John

Edinmass, First off, thank you for the guidance. It has been, and continues to be, very hard to identify parts Ben used from manufactures, and or one off parts he actually cats & poured. After 30 years of researching the man and his machine, I found out he was a major race organizer too, 1951-1963 Recent pictures came from the Henry Ford Archives, Ben with Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney, Sterling Moss. He was quite the man. >>>>>>>>>>> Moving on' I can't get pictures to down load correctly, as a person could see the box for ID purposes, and its steering adj linkage's and more. It has friction shocks also, which again is another guessing game in hopes that somebody does know what they are from, maybe even a old indy or midget, who know's, I pulled the numbers from the side shaft box in hopes that it can be narrowed down, as you kind of mention above.Edinmass ROSS Sand Cast #'s 202944 Stamped #'s on the box's pad # 190465 Any help would be greatly appreciated ! Thank you, John

I am in need of a 1930 ish Indy or midget car ROSS side shaft steering box. Anybody have one kicking around. A few pics would tell me if what you have, would work. Thanks John

Does anybody have old records of pre war V-8 Horch cars? OR, anybody have records back into the 40's-60's that have David Biggs from Clarksville Missouri? David Biggs had two 1960's racing Ferrari's, Mercedes chain drive race car, 500K cab Mercedes, one of 3 pre war Blown Alfa's and MUCH more To the point; I ask, because I have a mid 1930's cowl tag off a Horch Cabriolet he owned, complete side cabriolet roof folding rack to windshield, big rear folding hinge side cowl panel. And the original cowl tag. Is there a Club that has any records? I want to sell these parts, but want to find out what I can about the car. It did not have side mounts, did not have wire wheels. It did have a rear seat, but was not seen when the top was up. triple hinge doors. It had a highly angled spare tire rack on the back trunk area and the framing that supported it was quite heavy and bolted directly to the frame rails.. Please let me know Regards, John

By chance, are there any libraries on the old National Speed Sport News publications.? Specifically, April 1952. I want to BUY one !!!!!!! It is a Special Edition print of an upcoming Chicago Event. Or, is there another area of AACA that I should be looking? Of all things, Watkins Glen has control and all editions from the Chris Economaki ( sp ) estate, and this is one of the few that's missing !!!!!!! Respectfully submitted, John

By chance, are there any libraries on the old National Speed Sport News publications.? Specifically, April 1952. It is a Special Edition print of an upcoming Chicago Event. Or, is there another area of AACA that I should be looking? Of all things, Watkins Glen has control and all editions from the Chris Economaki ( sp ) estate, and this is one of the few thats missing !!!!!!! Respectfully submitted, John

Sending you a PM. Thanks for the tip.

$um fun, I truly wished they had the same hub. Have searched and looked at every style of hub, for about 10 years. Mnay midget racer cars went to knock off hubs, after about 39 or so. The wheels I need are bolt on 12 inch diameter Dayton midget racing wheels. I have looked at agriculture and airplane wheels too>>>> been working on this one off project many years. It really gets me down sometimes, but I keep plugging away !! Thank you for the post, and the help, I truly appreciate it. Car guys are the best group of people in the world. John

These heads were the very first racing heads made for the FE engine. They have factory machined chambers, just like the factory 427 High Riser heads had. They were made in 1958 for racing. Ford stopped making them after a very short run>>> as they cost way to many man hours to produce. Never been cut on. Somebody did sand the numbers off the heads though. Probably trying to pass them off as 427 Low riser heads, which were inferior to these. Large stock flowing chambers and valves, like a 427. Check them out on the internet., search Ford FE factory machined combustion chambers. These are real, and rare I would like $525.00 for the pair. Plus the ride. John

These heads were the very first racing heads made for the FE engine. They have factory machined chambers, just like the factory 427 High Riser heads had. They were made in 1958 for racing. Never been cut on. Somebody did sand the numbers off the heads though. Probably trying to pass them off as 427 Low riser heads, which were inferior to these. Large stock flowing chambers and valves, like a 427. Check them out on the internet., search Ford FE factory machined combustion chambers. I would like $525.00 for the pair. Plus the ride. John

Greg, Thanks for the help. I will send you pictures of the wheels. I do believe that the hubs are the same as std Dayton wire wheels Can you email me at motorcarinvestments@gmail.com Can send them and others via my picasa. Yes, I have heard and read about the guy, think it was a Hemming's article, or maybe Hemming's classic car magazine>? Thanks in advance, Thanks in Advance, John Nebo Illinois

Keiser 31, That's a good idea, might as well use every option. I am actually a member there, but have not logged in at the site for 4 or 5 years. But hey, worth a try. The parts I am looking for are definitely not common in the market place. Thanks John

Guys, Hard order to fill, BUT somebody has to have some. The Midget race cars back in the pre war era had Dayton made 12 inch diameter wire wheels. I need 5 of them for the 1935 Harris fwd Speedster. I would literally buy a complete Midget racer if it had these wheels. Wheels can be rough, I just need some. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also wanted, >>>>>>>>> Montgomery Wards racing dirt track tires>>>>>>>>>>>> ANY condition considered. I missed one on Ebay about one year ago. Thanks in advance, John please email motorcarinvestments@gmail.com

Looking to fill holes in my SCCA magazine collection. Sports Car Club of America magazines, 1947-1951 Any race programs from Watkins Glen, Elkhart lake/ Road America, Guttenberg hill climb, Lime rock, Meadow Dale in Chicago, 1947-1957 ANY base races, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Studebaker proving grounds, Michigan, NY, Nebraska.1950 - 1956 Also desire any badges, banners, caps, patches etc from 1947-1957 Please email me; motorcarinvestments@gmail.com

Stefani, Had 3, none left, sorry! Guess they break, or get lost during resto. Best regards, John I might try hills T Bird in Ohio >>> or Stan Levy, in Mass.

Larry, I was looking in the wrong place. I thought you meant here in AACA. I was looking in the wrong site. Thanks for setting me straight. I sent the guy an email, he is in the UK. No big deal though, as it can be shipped over the pond, as they say !! Thanks again, this is what makes AACA such a great club !!!!! John

RAY 500, Thanks for the reply. Yes, very hard to find now days, but needed for the futuristic Harris Speedster. Yes again, Boos Harrel did sell me some extra parts, 5-6 years ago, hell of a nice guy, straight forward and honest. I do check ebay often for the tail lights, or parts. ONE good thing, I do have extra parts for the 36 zephyr tail lights to trade off. Searching for a reasonably priced STARTIX also. 12 inch diameter Midget racing wire wheels from the late 1920's >>> 11 inch X 2 inch steel brake drums from what I believe are from a Chevrolet truck, mid-late 1920's.? Sooo many obscure parts he used to build his machine. Thank you for the reply, and the help, I TRULY appreciate it. After 30 years of ownership, I need to finish the story, and get the car to a recognized restoration facility. In the world this car will live in, people like me would be frowned upon for the process>>>>> I HATE that, because many of us here are as good>> if not better than those pedigree shops>> Oh well !!!!!! Respectfully submitted, John

Larry, I searched everywhere. Parts go back to sept of 2017. Went back into Lincoln/zephyr too. I must be searching wrong somehow? Can you set me straight, Thanks in advance, john

Paul, You are correct. But, there are at least 500 plus parts I am selling for an old friend. I have started lists before, but always get pulled away. I appreciate the advice, truly do !! Respectfully submitted, John

Keiser, Thank you sir !! I could have called him, or emailed him, but felt like an idiot, because i could not find the posting>>> he has MANY>> ha Your tip led me to the Graphic art he did on the Miller race car. It was under Memorabilia, Toys, art etc. I am wanting to post a picture of one he did for me, which will end up going to the Library of Congress. Respectfully submitted, John

Here is more graphic art work that Richard did in 2016. He has real God given talent. Richard did a work up on my Speedster, I want to try and get it posted here also. Meantime, here is the other one he did, Miller race car. John Y

I have searched until I am blue in the face, looking for a post by taylormade that displayed his graphic art done on computer. Was a very professional workup of a Miller race car. Does anybody know where I can find it? Thanks in advance, john

Viper 36, Going real slow. Had some set backs with a hip replacement and a few other issues. Back on track, working on some more history about Ben and The Speedster at this time. Taylormade, from herein the site, did some outstanding computer graphics of the car, and a blueprint. Going to submit the speedster to the Library of Congress, in hopes that they will induct it. We shall see They want a blueprint, that is why Richard ( Taylormade ) stepped in >>> great guy to work with, does not get any better AND his work is unsurpassed. If I knew how to move pictures, I would post one here, and would really like to post on ein the Speedster topic area>>> that will blow the guys away. Hope all is well, John