Todays "Whatisit?" #2

[Greg Myers]

Edited October 12, 2014 by Greg Myers

[Snake45]

Dunno what it is, but I'm kinda diggin' it a little. Did someone try to make a sports car out of...hmmmmmm...a Model A roadster?

[Joe Handley]

It does look like a Model A, kinda cool actually! Wonder if it's a real car from back in the day, or a modern creation made to look that way?!

[chunkypeanutbutter]

Yeah, looks like a Ford lakes roadster.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I like it. Seems to have old Ford rear axles, so my guess is that it's not some recent re-creation. The small tube-shocks, drilled backing plates for the big Buick brakes, the non-dropped front axle (which would require a suicide-style mount to get the nose so low), the low roll-bar (low by the standards of today's safety regs) and the overall fit and presence of the car are so period authentic, I'd be really surprised to find it's not an old build.

There were a number of low-slung hot-rods built in the '50s with the specific intent of beating the European sports cars at their own game, cars like Max Balchowsky's "Ol' Yeller" and Ak Miller's "Caballo de Hierro". They were effective too, even winning against contemporary Ferraris on road-racing circuits. I think the photo may be one of the genre that I haven't seen previously..

Edited October 12, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[Greg Myers]

Yep http://www.sportscardigest.com/cars-for-sale/featured-listing-1937-ingalls-special/

[Ace-Garageguy]

Here's another interesting one, the "Monsterati", built by Bill Janowski in '55-'56. Originally based on mostly '39 Ford guts with a flathead, it was re-engined with a little Chevy V8 and a Corvette 4-speed gearbox...after which it was seriously fast. The car went through a succession of owners who hacked and modified it, but is now back in the hands of its original builder, restored to its Chevy-powered configuration.

[Snake45]

Here's another interesting one, the "Monsterati", built by Bill Janowski in '55-'56. Originally based on mostly '39 Ford guts with a flathead, it was re-engined with a little Chevy V8 and a Corvette 4-speed gearbox...after which it was seriously fast. The car went through a succession of owners who hacked and modified it, but is now back in the hands of its original builder, restored to its Chevy-powered configuration.

Oh, I like THAT thing a LOT! And it reminds me I've got a Heller Alfa Romeo Zagato in the Snakepile I need to do something with....

WWJLD?*

*"What Would Jay Leno Do?"

Edited October 12, 2014 by Snake45

[Greg Myers]

[Ace-Garageguy]

Interesting that you put up the Super 7, Greg. Of all the cars I've ever owned, that's the one I'm still in love with (though she's long gone) and sometimes even dream about.

My current 1:1 hot-rod project is kindof a big ol' American-iron take on the 7 idea.

Here's the one I think is the best looking of all the cars in this loose "group" ( ), the Stovebolt Special, a heavily modified Alta F2 car with a smallblock Chevy running three twos.

Edited October 12, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[chunkypeanutbutter]

I've got a Tamiya Super Seven I robbed a bunch of stuff from. Now it's going to become a Caterham Seven with square headlights.

[DonW]

Here's the one I think is the best looking of all the cars in this loose "group" ( ), the Stovebolt Special, a heavily modified Alta F2 car with a smallblock Chevy running three twos.

The Stovebolt Special is now owned and competed by Simon Taylor, racing driver and now editor of Classic and Sportscar magazine. He hillclimbs and sprints it regularly, and drives it on the road. It is well fettled and now looks like this:

It's worth a Google, there's a few videos of it in action up there. Still running three twos on that Chevy!

Edited October 13, 2014 by DonW

[Pete J.]

Just guessing but I would say it is a group C land speed record car from the "C" preceding the number and the flat aluminum wheel covers.