1930's Style Race Car Build

[Jay Driggars]

In 2017 I started the design and fabrication of a 1930's style race car, it took almost 4 years and over 3500 hours to build. This is my first attempt at building a vehicle, it's far from perfect but ok for a first attempt. I've wanted to build a car like this for many years, it was a difficult project but worth every minute.

 

Here's a link to a short build video on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fugwleaJaLQ

 

Edited August 29, 2022 by Jay Driggars (see edit history)

[George Smolinski]

How about an engine shot?

[31 LaSalle]

what's under the hood ???

[West Peterson]

Nice build, especially for your first effort. I'm assuming the exhausts are attached to the hood, as it would probably otherwise be impossible to open the hood.

[alsancle]

V16?   Or Model A 4?

[8E45E]

Now you and Gary can have a race!!  

 

Craig

[46 woodie]

Jay, Absolutely beautiful and as others have asked what does the engine look like? One note however, I would think that your spring hangers might need to be gusseted in some way, they look a little weak.

[Jay Driggars]

9 hours ago, George Smolinski said:

How about an engine shot?

It's got a SBC with a Borg Warner T5 5 Speed transmission.

 

 

 

I wanted to use a Jaguar XK6 engine however they are very rare and too expensive. I did look at some straight 8's but they were very heavy with low HP.

 

 

 

[DFeeney]

What a outstanding job of metal working. " Be Proud and Stand Tall !  "

[Jay Driggars]

7 hours ago, 46 woodie said:

Jay, Absolutely beautiful and as others have asked what does the engine look like? One note however, I would think that your spring hangers might need to be gusseted in some way, they look a little weak.

Thanks, I appreciate the positive feedback.

There are gussets on front and rear on both axels, the car only weighs about 1250 lbs. and the mounting bolts are 1/2" Grade 8.

Several of the early cars had no gussets, like the Alpha Romeo 2300, it weighs a little over 2000 lbs.

 

Edited August 29, 2022 by Jay Driggars (see edit history)

[31 LaSalle]

lovely bodywork and design

is metalwork your trade 

[1937hd45]

Looks great, what chassis did you use? Bob 

[erichill]

Looks fantastic.  Enjoy the  hell out of it!

I have  speedster based on Ford Model and it is a blast.  You are going to get a tone of attention and questions driving it around.

[Jay Driggars]

On 8/29/2022 at 3:59 PM, 31 LaSalle said:

lovely bodywork and design

is metalwork your trade 

I've worked with metal, like in sculpture, where I learned some basics about shaping sheet metal. My background is design drafting, engineering, electronics repair and auto restoration.

For this build I did all of the design and fabrication of the frame and body, including the upholstery. 

[1937hd45]

Your rivet work is very nicely done, smooth, no warpage, whatever the system was, you really did a nice job. 

 

Bob 

[Jay Driggars]

On 8/29/2022 at 4:39 PM, 1937hd45 said:

Looks great, what chassis did you use? Bob 

I built the chassis out of 2" x 5" and 2" x 4" rectangular steel tubing.

There's a short build video on YouTube that covers some the techniques I used to build it.

 

1930's Style Race Car Build:

https://youtu.be/fugwleaJaLQ

[Jay Driggars]

22 hours ago, 1937hd45 said:

Your rivet work is very nicely done, smooth, no warpage, whatever the system was, you really did a nice job. 

 

Bob 

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words.

Unfortunately there are some screw up's, more than I like to admit to, but I'm not ashamed to say I built it. 

[Jay Driggars]

On 8/29/2022 at 2:13 PM, DFeeney said:

What a outstanding job of metal working. " Be Proud and Stand Tall !  "

Thanks, It was the most complex and difficult thing I've ever done.

Edited September 1, 2022 by Jay Driggars (see edit history)

[TAKerry]

Im quite impressed with the overall job you did with this speedster. However I am most impressed by the level of polish on the body!