1904 Speedster Bitsa - Alta

[Paul H]

Looking forward to the next updates!

I reckon that the small capacity Austin six is a much cooler option than the postwar Morris Minor lump. A bit more unusual, and less easy to identify too.

[devilishdesigner]

Sept 3, 2022 18:08:45 GMT Paul H said:

Looking forward to the next updates!

I reckon that the small capacity Austin six is a much cooler option than the postwar Morris Minor lump. A bit more unusual, and less easy to identify too.

More obscure and harder to identify was definitely part of the temptation. I've been asking around in Austin groups for additional information on it/to lock down whether it is the 1.5 or 1.7L and even they are struggling. The other benefit is like the low light motor it is relatively low profile compared with some of the big American 4 cylinder motors I had tried, so will sit better with my intended bonnet line.

[devilishdesigner]

I had the pleasure of attending a pre-1905 drive today about an hour from home. Aside from making it incredibly obvious to me how overkill my choice of chassis is, it was an amazing opportunity to see first hand how cars of this era are put together, and to see them running

Can't wait to have the $$ available to get some motor mounts made so that I can crack in with my chassis in earnest.






























Thanks

[PhilA]

You figure, your era there were little more than overgrown horse drawn carts.

[devilishdesigner]

The things that follow you home

This came up on Ebay recently, close to the right proportions for the body and at a price I couldn't say no to. Came with some beautiful restored and original parts too.

Rover 9/20

[rob]

What size tyres are on that? I need a set of wings for a car I'm doing. They look about the right size so could be on the list of ones to look out for.

[horrido]

Wow!

[devilishdesigner]

Exciting times, got the body sitting on a rolling chassis for the first time in maybe 60 years. As you can see the body is definitely shorter than the original:









Squeezed it into the shed and set about testing the proportions. Frame is as close to perfect width as I could ask for. I had been wondering what to do with the rear kick-up - it is good for ride height but doesn't fit with the original flat floor on the body. Thankfully by the time the body was in the right spot for the engine and pedals it sits just about infront of the kick. I believe the Austin 6 is very similar length to this little 1L, so body should sit about where it is now. Thinking quarter elliptic rear springs mounted on repositioned original spring hangers. I will be able to make a very simple 90 degree bracket to mate the Austin engine mounts to the Rover originals, a rear mount will have to be fabricated from scratch, but that's ok. I'd like to work out a clever way of fitting the big wooden wheels I have to the Rover hubs to blend eras. Excited to see it together and be able to sit in it for the first time on a chassis.

[devilishdesigner]

Because I can't leave well enough alone I popped back out to the shed tonight, popped the lovely original 4 cylinder motor out, and swapped it for my Austin 6.

To be honest I'm not sure if it was the right call. Aside from the engine mounting style I don't feel the Rover engine has much visual character. On the other hand it provided great proportion. The Austin 6 has more character, but I think it is a little too long for the body proportions now that I see it in situ. It will come up a bit when mounted, but is very close to mounted position. Just clears most things. I'll sit on the idea for a week or so, but I have a feeling that the little Rover will be going back in. Perhaps in time I can make a nice little cast alloy rocker cover to make it feel like an aftermarket OHV conversion and add some charm.

Thoughts?

[PhilA]

It's supposed to go fast.
Take up the extra chassis with engine compartment.

[RetroWarwicK]

Crank the steering column lower and get those seats down on the chassis frame

[devilishdesigner]

Oct 29, 2022 14:51:49 GMT PhilA said:

It's supposed to go fast.
Take up the extra chassis with engine compartment.

Fast is relative. This body initially sat with a single cylinder motor. The Rover is capable of 60mph, impressive from a 1itre motor from the 20s. The Austin is a 1.7L that can probably travel at 60mph rather than just reach it. I am concerned that I won't be able to get a pre ww1 looking bonnet over the Austin due to length and width relative to the body, but am not certain, will have to give it some thought.

[devilishdesigner]

Oct 29, 2022 19:23:11 GMT RetroWarwicK said:

Crank the steering column lower and get those seats down on the chassis frame

I am considering channeling it, but if I do that it will be a phase 2 with a replica of the body.

[devilishdesigner]

Oct 28, 2022 17:42:03 GMT rob said:

What size tyres are on that? I need a set of wings for a car I'm doing. They look about the right size so could be on the list of ones to look out for.

They've got 19" motorcycle tyres wedged on, which seems about the rim diameter at the bead

[rob]

Perfect, thanks. That's the sort of size I'm after.

Nov 1, 2022 7:41:28 GMT devilishdesigner said:

Oct 28, 2022 17:42:03 GMT rob said:

What size tyres are on that? I need a set of wings for a car I'm doing. They look about the right size so could be on the list of ones to look out for.

They've got 19" motorcycle tyres wedged on, which seems about the rim diameter at the bead

[devilishdesigner]

Slipped the Rover 4 cylinder back into the frame after much deliberation. It may be smaller and slower, but the width and length just suit the proportion of the body so much better and allow for a Renault/coal scuttle style bonnet, which I have a soft spot for and is a style not miles off the original.

[devilishdesigner]

I've pulled the original rear springs off and am considering using them as quarter elliptics. I have considered mounting one across the body Ford style, but they are too wide. Might still go down that route. I have the quarter elliptics from the Overland chassis but they are so rough I don't know if I want to use them. Running a couple of bars forward to repositioned original spring mounts,then a Ford style single spring sideways tucked under the back of the body just behind the rear axle could look good if I can find a suitable length/strength spring...

In the meantime I bought this photo from eBay a month or so back. It is of an unknown car, but the body proportions are the closest I have ever seen in a period photo, so I had to grab it for reference. I'm pretty sure that it is on the same chassis and running the same motor that mine once would have. It makes me happy about the wheels I have for the car, the intended bonnet length and the positioning of axles, but does give me pause about the steering column angle, method of rear springing. It fascinates me that the rear guard is notched around the seat as the interaction between the parts looks like such an afterthought.

[PhilA]

That one in the photo might be the same chassis but the running gear is different and it's definitely a bit of a bitsa too.

10 spoke, 5 lug wheels up front, 12 spoke rears. Looks like the wheels are larger than designed for, hence the incursion of the body into the mudguard.

The positioning of the steering column is bizarre, the arm being in such a low position compared to the rest of the underpinnings- feels either small manufacturer or slightly later homebrew from older affordable parts?

Phil

[glenanderson]

Nov 12, 2022 11:41:24 GMT PhilA said:

That one in the photo might be the same chassis but the running gear is different and it's definitely a bit of a bitsa too.

10 spoke, 5 lug wheels up front, 12 spoke rears. Looks like the wheels are larger than designed for, hence the incursion of the body into the mudguard.

The positioning of the steering column is bizarre, the arm being in such a low position compared to the rest of the underpinnings- feels either small manufacturer or slightly later homebrew from older affordable parts?

Phil

I’d put money on that being a 1920s built home made special. 

[devilishdesigner]

If it is that would be sort of fascinating. 2 home builts from opposite sides of the world with such similarities. The wheels look of similar size to my eye, perhaps the extra 2 spokes are just to take the braking and drive loads that only the back axle bears?

Nov 12, 2022 12:30:11 GMT glenanderson said:

Nov 12, 2022 11:41:24 GMT PhilA said:

That one in the photo might be the same chassis but the running gear is different and it's definitely a bit of a bitsa too.

10 spoke, 5 lug wheels up front, 12 spoke rears. Looks like the wheels are larger than designed for, hence the incursion of the body into the mudguard.

The positioning of the steering column is bizarre, the arm being in such a low position compared to the rest of the underpinnings- feels either small manufacturer or slightly later homebrew from older affordable parts?

Phil

I’d put money on that being a 1920s built home made special.