The Ford Barn

t-head · 04-30-2013, 09:03 AM

This Riley-Ford powered design that was apparently being used to promote General Balloon Jumbo tires in this undated photo. Details about the car are sketchy, but it was apparently built by Libby Body Works of Kansas City, Missouri as a rolling billboard for the Young Advertising Company using conventional Ford Model “A” running gear and a Riley OHV conversion.

We have some info on the famous Riley Four Port Head, but would like to learn more about this teardropper. Check out our post on The Old Motor and let us know if you can help us with more info.

flyin-t · 04-30-2013, 06:50 PM

From Dan Iandola's "George Riley Racing Scrapbook"

Owners- Young Advertising Co.

Designed by "Miehl"

Aluminum body and fenders by Libby Body Works painted a medium blue with engine assembled by Sloans Automotive service.

Riley equipped engine in rear.

Front and rear end as well as steering all Model A.

Hydraulic brakes.

Engine cooled by forced air at high speeds and onboard blower for low speeds.

Car also featured a radio sound system and 110 volt generator.

Built at a cost of $2,500.

All info taken from the back of the original picture.

The speed on the door stated speeds expected using the formula printed in George Riley's 1931 booklet "Building the 100mph Model A Ford", not the speed of the teardrop car as you posted on your site.

For instance, 110 mph for street jobs using the following Riley formula:
stripped roadster
solid skirt pistons
perfect circle rings
1 3/4 exhaust valves
special cam (no specs given)
90lb valve springs
metal cam gear
Riley C 8to1 head
mallory ign
Zenith 1 3/4 downdraft carb
gear ratio either 9-34 or 11-36

total cost, $292.40.

t-head · 05-01-2013, 06:38 AM

[QUOTE=flyin-t;642652]From Dan Iandola's "George Riley Racing Scrapbook"

Thanks so much for posting all of this info.

lookin-backtexas · 05-02-2013, 03:09 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

No offense but I still think it's "butt-ugly."
Fred

04-30-2013, 09:03 AM	#1
t-head Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: In my machine shop. Posts: 1,047	The General Balloon Jumbo Tire - Riley Head Ford Streamliner This Riley-Ford powered design that was apparently being used to promote General Balloon Jumbo tires in this undated photo. Details about the car are sketchy, but it was apparently built by Libby Body Works of Kansas City, Missouri as a rolling billboard for the Young Advertising Company using conventional Ford Model “A” running gear and a Riley OHV conversion. We have some info on the famous Riley Four Port Head, but would like to learn more about this teardropper. Check out our post on The Old Motor and let us know if you can help us with more info. Last edited by t-head; 04-30-2013 at 09:12 AM.

04-30-2013, 06:50 PM	#2
flyin-t Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 35	Re: The General Balloon Jumbo Tire - Riley Head Ford Streamliner From Dan Iandola's "George Riley Racing Scrapbook" Owners- Young Advertising Co. Designed by "Miehl" Aluminum body and fenders by Libby Body Works painted a medium blue with engine assembled by Sloans Automotive service. Riley equipped engine in rear. Front and rear end as well as steering all Model A. Hydraulic brakes. Engine cooled by forced air at high speeds and onboard blower for low speeds. Car also featured a radio sound system and 110 volt generator. Built at a cost of $2,500. All info taken from the back of the original picture. The speed on the door stated speeds expected using the formula printed in George Riley's 1931 booklet "Building the 100mph Model A Ford", not the speed of the teardrop car as you posted on your site. For instance, 110 mph for street jobs using the following Riley formula: stripped roadster solid skirt pistons perfect circle rings 1 3/4 exhaust valves special cam (no specs given) 90lb valve springs metal cam gear Riley C 8to1 head mallory ign Zenith 1 3/4 downdraft carb gear ratio either 9-34 or 11-36 total cost, $292.40.

05-01-2013, 06:38 AM	#3
t-head Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: In my machine shop. Posts: 1,047	Re: The General Balloon Jumbo Tire - Riley Head Ford Streamliner [QUOTE=flyin-t;642652]From Dan Iandola's "George Riley Racing Scrapbook" Thanks so much for posting all of this info.

05-02-2013, 03:09 PM	#4
lookin-backtexas Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Georgetown, Texas Posts: 396	Re: The General Balloon Jumbo Tire - Riley Head Ford Streamliner Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) No offense but I still think it's "butt-ugly." Fred __________________ Fred Carlton Life Member AACA 44 year member MAFCA Editor of The Restorer magazine, official publication of MAFCA 12 years Life Member Dallas Model A Ford Club (44 years) 23 year member & founder Lone Star Model A Ford Club Chairman 35th Model A Ford Texas Tour 1998 (state convention) Chairman 42nd Model A Ford Texas Tour 2005 (state convention) Charter Member Ford Model AA Truck Club If you aren't driving your antique car frequently, you might as well be collecting clocks!!!