Narfi

We got the introduction pack in the mail yesterday for joining the Franklin club. I am amazed at how much Landon has latched onto this idea. He loved every bit of it from the introduction letter to the magizines to the members only password for the website. (Which I already had access to by email) He stayed up late reading and really REALLY likes the "The Last Airman" article and pictures in publication #200 Roumor is he even snuck a magazine to school today and was 'caught' reading it at lunch. (No rules against that I have subscribed to other magazines for him before and the homebuilt aircraft magazine even comes with a comic book, but he never showed the interest he has in these.

Ooops, I searched your car and found your add here on the forum. $20k +shipping is a bit further along on a project than we were wanting to go right now. Sorry It does look like a real nice and clean example though

Hello, I tried to send you a PM but do not have the required post count on the forums here to initiate a private conversation. If you send me a PM I can respond to it (I have been able to answer another member who messaged me) and I can give you my email address. Thanks!

Well back to my original intent, figuring out a practical plan Perhaps I am too hung up on wood working and need to look more at mostly complete piles of parts we can clean, restore, assemble, etc..... If we are paying to ship axles and suspension and engine, etc..., the frame really won't make the pile all that much less manageable. This opens up more doors of opportunity, perhaps? I see a few projects for sale on the forum here, perhaps more around for those of you in the 'know'. For example these look interesting, 1931 Franklin Club Sedan - Disassembled. Rough. Not complete 1934 Franklin Club Sedan - Disassembled. Rough. Not complete Have any of you seen these specifically or talked to them to know what is there? Is this a good path to look down? Find a disassembled project like that, find most of what is needed to complete what is not there, and get it all trucked up to me at the same time?

Well, I got off on the wrong foot. I apologize. Just trying to learn and figure things out, I wasn't around then, so I have to ask people and read what I can find Ultimately, I just want to build things with my son that he will enjoy during the process and be proud of when he is done, everything else is meaningless.

I appreciate your time. You might have missed it, but the opening line of my introduction stated that I had in fact joined the Franklin Club. I paid the dues and have access to the drawings that are not accessible without membership. I also made it quite clear that I am researching, that I am aware of how little I know, and that is why I am asking questions. The internet is a poor place for portraying tone, so please understand why I am confused by your aggressive implications that I am somehow stealing from the club or cheating the system somehow. I am assuming that is not how it was intended Factory drawing 47900(and in turn assembly number 47904) says it is for series 12 ALL models. This is why I ask these questions, because even though I am doing the research, there are things that are not apparent by reading through the factory drawings a few times. Obviously, I am not going to buy a bunch of stuff until I have a good plan. That is why I am reading and asking questions.

All fair points Yes I have access to lathe, bead blaster, air, etc... I will look up what Joe Puleo is doing, thanks for the suggestion. Honestly, restoring an engine isn't high on my dream list. I think building the coach and frame, learning and figuring it all out would be a lot of fun. Are there good engines around? My thought process, We like the looks of the v12 and longer hood, but they used a steel frame. So we are looking at probably series 12 seven passenger sedan or limo without the partition. I would want to start with an engine and transmission, both axels and suspension as well as steering. Then like you suggest get a running driving chassis, though unlike your suggestion, I do not see the advantage in buying and shipping old lumber when the drawings for new frames are so simple. Then the fun part of building the carriage, it would be better to buy doors and fenders, but if not easily available then a new learning curve there as well. Most likely, any parts I buy will be shipped to Anchorage, then flown out to me in a small plane at an additional cost of roughly $1 per lb.

Thanks!

Thanks! Unless I can be talked out of it, I would like to build as much as possible from scratch. The chassis and body seem doable, but this is the time to tell me I shouldn't The dimensions for the frame are laid out and easy to follow in the drawings I looked at so far in the members section, I would likely reinforce the laminate with unidirectional fiberglass and epoxy. My bigger questions are certainly engine, transmission, axles, etc.... My two biggest concerns are practicality and affordability. Hopefully I don't offend anyone by not needing to be a purist. If there are available parts they would be great, if not, then I am not opposed to other routes.... Hopefully that makes sense? (again, I know nothing about cars (yet) let alone ones nearly 100yrs old) If there are parts available, what kind of budget should I be looking at? If not, are there known aftermarket kits for similar era cars that are known to work well with the design?

Hello, I just joined the HH Franklin club in order to learn more. My son and I (he turns 12 next month) have built a couple of boats(14ft canoe, 17ft powerboat, sailing trimaran conversion for the canoe) and currently building an aluminum airplane(Zenith 750 Super Duty), all from scratch from plans except for the trimaran we designed ourselves. He wants to build a car, so we have started the preliminary research into what that would take. I have no experience or knowledge with cars, but have worked my entire carrier on small aircraft. I recognized the Franklin name as some of the planes I have worked on (Stinson) were originally built with Franklin engines in them, this lead me to reading the history behind the car company, its demise and then the aircraft engine company finally sold to PLZ. With the membership I can see all the factory drawings and there is a LOT of great detail there, I will need to study a lot more to find out if there is enough info or if it is not a realistic dream. We live in a remote village in Alaska with no roads leading to it, there are two gravel runways and roughly 1 mile radius of gravel and dirt driveways. We can barge or fly in larger vehicles, but there is a not insignificant cost involved, smaller pieces are easier and cheaper, and we enjoy the challenge. (I want him to grow up knowing he can build or do anything he puts his mind to, and provide him with the skills to make that a reality) I am not a welder, but I have done a lot with wood, fiberglass and aluminum. We are not committed to a 100% replica, we just want to build a good-looking and functional vehicle with our own four hands We would love any thoughts or advice as we start the research stage. Thanks!