Speedster nearly finished!

[wensum]

It's been almost 5 years to the day since I started work on a Model A Speedster having bought a chassis and running gear as a starting point.
Not having metal working skills, I decided to build the body out of wood using the strip planking method.
However, I didn't want the body to have a timber finish and this resulted in an enormous number of hours fairing it up using the West system.
Today we wheeled it out of the garage to see how it looked outside and feel reasonably happy with it. Once I get the accelerator linkage sorted and the twin Strombergs tuned, it will be interesting to see how it performs as every aspect has had a good working over in the interests of improved performance.
Keith

[TerryH]

What a beautiful job you have done with that, and a very interesting project for sure. I have never seen anyone attempt a wooden body such as you have done.....outstanding workmanship!!

[H. L. Chauvin]

Looks like you are very well pleased .... after 5 years you deserve it ... glad to see you finished it ..... many give up half way.

Thanks for posting and sharing the wonderful end result.

[Indiana A. Lover]

Wensum Sir that is a work of Art! Well done you are a craftsman in every way. Sorry to keep going on but you done good. Don in Indiana

[Jwilli]

Beautiful car.

[Pete / MA]

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Lovely. Very nice job.

[2manycars]

That is amazing workmanship, and a beautiful car. are those radial tires? the seats look like austin healy seats.

[1946]

That is one beautiful car, Keith you should be well pleased with the result. I have just committed the great sin of envy!

[Mitch//pa]

WOW absolutely beautiful

[Domino]

Wonder job - you should be proud.

[Domino]

wonderful that is!

[Big hammer]

Very nice work Please keep us posted when you hit the road with your beautiful car :-)

[Jim Brierley]

Very very nice! Start with stock jets in your Strombergs, should be very close to what you need.

[ronn]

Love the last photo-a true boat tail!

[james hitchcock]

Extremely cool. I want one. Great job !

[raprice]

Permit me to put in my own compliment. MAGNIFICENT!!!
You must be incredibly proud of the job you've done.
Congratulations.
Rog

[53RYDER]

Gorgeous Keith!

Glenn

[Richard/Tennessee]

well done

[MikeK]

Will she float?? With that Halibrand rear end you could extend the shaft out the back cover and put a prop on it!

[wensum]

Many thanks for the compliments.
There are times with a project like this when one is tempted to give up, but the knowledge that after all the hours that have been committed to that point, you only have a half finished project worth a relative pittance, that one has to see it through to get pleasure out of it and ultimately to get some financial return.
I suspect the float levels are too high in the Strombergs causing it to flood and wet the plugs which kills them very quickly
With the rear of the body visible when the garage was open, passers by would ask when was the launching date without realising that it was a car.
Cheers,
Keith

[Tom Wesenberg]

Beautiful work, and it sure looks like it was a lot of work.

Someone mentioned today that they wanted to install more comfortable seats in their Tudor for long trips. The seat you installed is what came to mind for more comfort. What did they come from? Thanks

[zzlegend]

Excellent job Keith. By chance, is that one of Quickchange Derek's quickchange unit? Or? Mark.

[Wooden wheel]

that's one very smart machine, well done, I have never been a real fan of the boat tail design but have to admit you have created great lines. look forward to seeing a movie in the future. Keep up the good work

[jm29henry]

Great job you can be proud

[wensum]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Beautiful work, and it sure looks like it was a lot of work.

Someone mentioned today that they wanted to install more comfortable seats in their Tudor for long trips. The seat you installed is what came to mind for more comfort. What did they come from? Thanks

The seats were made by another enthusiast at night school for his MG and I purchased them off TradeMe, Our equivalent to EBay and had them re-upholstered in leather
Keith

[wensum]

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Originally Posted by zzlegend

Excellent job Keith. By chance, is that one of Quickchange Derek's quickchange unit? Or? Mark.

I bought the quick-change rear end off TradeMe too. It came off a vintage speedway midget and with an excellent crown-wheel & pinion, it was cheaper than a new crown-wheel and pinion.
I then discovered it had been a fixed diff and had to get the carrier machined to clear the through shaft.
It was made in New Zealand originally but is obviously a copy of the American product

[wensum]

Originally Posted by Wooden wheel

that's one very smart machine, well done, I have never been a real fan of the boat tail design but have to admit you have created great lines. look forward to seeing a movie in the future. Keep up the good work

We had previously owned a 1923 Vauxhall 30/98 Wensum bodied which supposedly was copied from a vintage launch on the river Wensum in the UK. the Model A body has some similarities

[Jim Huseby]

That's a beautiful, classic design, and beautiful work. Obviously, you spent lots of time researching and planning as well as the determination to stay with your dream. Thanks for sharing.
www.olympic-speedsters.com

[Beater]

very very nice

[jrelliott]

Beautiful car! You are truly a craftsman as seen by the work. You can be proud of a job well done.

[old car guy]

This might be a stupid question but what is the west system you mentioned. I have never heard of it. By the way you should be very proud of what you have built. It certainly shows the dedication to the project in all details. Congratulations may you enjoy it for the beauty that you created.

[Tinbasher]

Nicely Done. I hope my next project will be a Speedster. Once I'm finished my Sport Coupe. The windshield looks like it may have started out as a Jag 120 or 140 OTS frame. or handmade after a Duvall style frame. Neat, I like it. I'm not a wood guy so I appreciate the work.

John Poole

[Mcb12]

WEST System is an Epoxy product Brand. One of the best in the composite boat building industry. I have used there epoxy for years in Kayaks and small sail boats. They are leaders in the field of composite building. They also are used in Wind Tubine blades.... There are several good brands out there but WEST is one of the best. Combined Kevlar and Carbon fiber it will be the next generation building material. I just wonder what they will look like when they are 80+ years old?

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Keith,

Just for kicks ....... if you ever exhibit your wonderful masterpiece at a Car Show .......... absolutely no doubt ...... with a pair of oars hanging on the sides ...... and a couple of life preservers on the rear deck ...... you would have several mechanical minded guys crawling all over "under" your car.

[wensum]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

Hi Keith,

Just for kicks ....... if you ever exhibit your wonderful masterpiece at a Car Show .......... absolutely no doubt ...... with a pair of oars hanging on the sides ...... and a couple of life preservers on the rear deck ...... you would have several mechanical minded guys crawling all over "under" your car.

I've been tempted to add a couple of boat style vents in front of the windscreen which was a quite popular in the era of boat tail cars but my wife thinks it would look a bit twee.
I'll keep my eyes out for a suitable pair all the same!
Keith

[wensum]

Originally Posted by Tinbasher

Nicely Done. I hope my next project will be a Speedster. Once I'm finished my Sport Coupe. The windshield looks like it may have started out as a Jag 120 or 140 OTS frame. or handmade after a Duvall style frame. Neat, I like it. I'm not a wood guy so I appreciate the work.

John Poole

In fact, I made patterns for the three uprights for the windscreen in Customwood and had them cast in bronze. The glass sits in a standard vintage car windscreen channel bent to shape and then bonded into rebates in the castings with JB Weld.
Time will tell as to whether JB Weld is strong enough?
Keith

[RockHillWill]

Very nice job. Well done!

[JRHASZARD]

WEST System. Wetted Epoxy Saturation Treatment

[Charlville]

Saw this one at Beaulieu on Saturday, where I also spotted Corky Coker over this side of the pond!

http://automotiveamerican.com/2015/0...mber-5th-2015/