George Albright Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 Well,where do I begin? About a decade ago Randy Ema call me and said the Talmadge family of California were selling their dads race car,and would I be interested. I immediately said yes,as this car was an amazing piece of history and well known in collector car circles. For instance this car is the cover car story in the January 1978 issue of Old Car Illustrated magazine. (see below) James Jim Talmadge, son of silent film star Buster Keaton,was an avid auto collector,having owned 8 Duesenbergs. He built this yellow 1931 Ford model A chassis race car in the style of Bugatti,around 1970.He was an MGM Film exec,and found this Miller two man stagger seat Indy car body in an Indianapolis garage,next to the speedway,around 1970.He always stated from the beginning it was off of a Miller race car,though there are no documentation or body tags to prove it . It is truly a work of art and in totally amazing rust free original unwrecked condition. The Model A chassis was used and all non original Ford bodywork other than the original Miller body was done by Jim personally in his own machine shop. The European styled swept fenders are truly a work of art! Jim created an engine turned dash and installed period and WW II airplane gauges for effect. On the drivers side is a wooden tool box that has a beer cooler and picnic silverware set in it! (Jim toured this car regularly and drove it 70 MPH at times) The passenger side wood tool box is where the battery is stored. The car has Brookland windshields on it. The 50 plus year old patina throughout the car is perfect for racing,showing or touring . I am 5' 11" ,190 pounds,and I can fit snugly into the drivers seat. It will not accommodate a lager person. When I received the car it came out of storage,and I found the original Ford Model A block with its single cam HAL ohv head to be rusted through,and unrestorable. I had my good friend and Model A and T expert Steve Ellis,also of Ocala,Fla. agree to install a totally new Model A engine. Steve went to Steve Fallucca,owner of Antique Engine Rebuilding of Skokie,Illinois for the motor. Steve has bought several engines from him with wonderful results,as he is a recognized expert in Model A engines. Fallucca provide us with a brand new short block,with balanced crank,inserted bearings,new valves,rods,pistons etc etc A brand new copy of a Winfield 7-1 compression aluminum racing head was acquired from Reds Headers. The original pair of Winfield racing carbs off of the original engine were installed on the new motor,as well as the original headers etc. The car starts and runs smooth and great and goes like heck also due to a 3:27-1 high speed rear end.At 50 MPH you are just getting started if that is your goal! The motor has under 10 hours on it. Talmadge replaced the original Ford radiator with a thick cored model and the car runs cool.The new set of period Lucas black wall tires have around 10 miles on them. I have always stored it in a climate controlled garage man cave and seldom drove it,but each time i did the experience was amazing! There are no major issues with the car that need to be address to use it. However the next owner needs to remove,replace,or rebuild the new style alternator as it is inoperable. I charge the marine deep cell battery every 6 months and that is plenty of juice to drive the car. The new tires were never balanced and need to be so. Eventually the wiring should be replaced with a new Model A Ford wiring harness. Includes two Winfield carburetor gasket rebuilding sets should you want to rebuild the carbs which is not necessary at the present. Car comes with a clear title. I am sadly selling to pursue other automotive interests. My health is fine. Time to share the "yellow beast" with a new owner. Price is $39,000 which is what I have invested in the car including all of the mechanical and engine rebuilding work. Can store for 90 days. More photos of car in present state below. Thanks for reading,Please share with your Ford and race car friends. Sincerely George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624 weekdays 10-4 EST Best. Email: gnalbright@gmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted February 15, 2022 Author Share Posted February 15, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted February 15, 2022 Author Share Posted February 15, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted February 15, 2022 Author Share Posted February 15, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted February 15, 2022 Author Share Posted February 15, 2022 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted March 19, 2022 Author Share Posted March 19, 2022 Still available. Thanks george Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted May 6, 2022 Author Share Posted May 6, 2022 Still available. thanks,george Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted August 10, 2022 Author Share Posted August 10, 2022 Now stored in reading Pennsylvania if you would like an appointment to inspect. Stored at norm Hutton’s shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted September 7, 2022 Author Share Posted September 7, 2022 Norm Hutton will display it at his space at Hershey for sale if not sold then. Thanks George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 Still available. Will consider reasonable offers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted December 6, 2022 Author Share Posted December 6, 2022 Still available. Reasonable offer entertained. Thanks,George Now stored at Norn Hutton's shop in Reading, Pa. Can be seen there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted December 6, 2022 Author Share Posted December 6, 2022 $29,000 takes it. I have over 35K in the car and the new engine it it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted January 14, 2023 Author Share Posted January 14, 2023 Still Available stores in Redding Pennsylvania Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted April 22, 2023 Author Share Posted April 22, 2023 Still available in Reading Pa. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted May 11, 2023 Author Share Posted May 11, 2023 Norm Hutton is bringing it to the Luray show for sale for me this weekend. Thanks George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkhammer Posted May 13, 2023 Share Posted May 13, 2023 Looked this machine over at Luray. Tempting but hard for me to drop 30K on a toy. I wonder if it sold. I did see some other cars there sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted September 4, 2023 Author Share Posted September 4, 2023 Still available. Stored with Norm Hutton in Reading Pa. Norm will bring to Hershey. Cheers George Albright Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supercub Posted September 6, 2023 Share Posted September 6, 2023 Neat car. I'm curious about the seating, is there an advantage to the offset seating? I've seen it in some speedster posts. The passenger bottom cushion is long, for a reason? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted September 6, 2023 Author Share Posted September 6, 2023 Staggered seating allows the driver to look to the right past the mechanic passengers body to see if someone is gaining on him. Car will be for sale by norm Hutton at the entrance of Carlisle and will be at norms spaces at Hershey is still available. It’s an amazing and fast car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supercub Posted September 10, 2023 Share Posted September 10, 2023 Thanks! It must be a blast to drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted September 10, 2023 Author Share Posted September 10, 2023 It has 3:27-1 rear axle gears. Runs out like the wind. I was told by the original owners family that he regularly toured it at 70 MPH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supercub Posted September 10, 2023 Share Posted September 10, 2023 Thats fire! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted September 29, 2023 Author Share Posted September 29, 2023 Car at entrance of Carlisle for sale by norm Hutton and in his chocolate space at Hershey if still available. Thanks George 352 843 1624 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted September 29, 2023 Author Share Posted September 29, 2023 Price is now 29k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted October 7, 2023 Author Share Posted October 7, 2023 Sold at Hershey! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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