Author Topic: Solved -PJ425- Four Cylinder Club of America Race Car Project 1952 (Read 1011 times)

Paul Jaray · « **on:** October 25, 2011, 01:24:48 PM »

READ CAREFULLY:

Try to identify this car.
If you want to play fair, find the answer the old fashioned way.
If you want to cheat, you can easily find it via Google Image Search, 1st page.
If you are dumb, here's the answer: - FCCA -, (right click and copy to read it.)

it's a game, if you like to play it go on!

(BTW: if you know the car, don't be afraid to answer immediately!

)

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2011, 03:34:10 AM »

Experts?

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2011, 04:37:17 AM »

Pros?

woodinsight · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2011, 04:56:11 AM »

North American?

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #4 on:** November 05, 2011, 05:21:07 AM »

woodinsight · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2011, 11:52:01 AM »

Based on a Crosley?

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2011, 01:55:06 PM »

Nope...

woodinsight · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2011, 04:27:45 PM »

Perhaps a Lou Brero special prior to his Jaguar and Ferrari cars?

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2011, 05:47:49 PM »

Nope...this is quite hard, unless you follow a certain link in a well known site...
The key to find it may be its engine.

Carnut · « **Reply #9 on:** November 09, 2011, 04:54:45 AM »

RHD; based on a British car?

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2011, 05:04:05 AM »

It's not clear where the chassis cames from, but the engine is British.

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #11 on:** November 09, 2011, 05:14:40 AM »

Front-drive?

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #12 on:** November 09, 2011, 05:31:48 AM »

Quote from: Otto Puzzell on November 09, 2011, 05:14:40 AM

Front-drive?

It's not reported in my source, this pic may reveal it's not.

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #13 on:** November 09, 2011, 06:00:42 AM »

Jowett drivetrain?

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #14 on:** November 09, 2011, 06:03:46 AM »

Not that...quite ordinary.

Carnut · « **Reply #15 on:** November 09, 2011, 07:19:53 AM »

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #16 on:** November 09, 2011, 07:21:26 AM »

Austin 7's are pretty ordinary

woodinsight · « **Reply #17 on:** November 09, 2011, 07:46:11 AM »

Quote from: Otto Puzzell on November 09, 2011, 07:21:26 AM

Austin 7's are pretty ordinary

Except this one!

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #18 on:** November 09, 2011, 12:29:35 PM »

Not a Seven, but Austin it is!

Quote from: woodinsight on November 09, 2011, 07:46:11 AM

Quote from: Otto Puzzell on November 09, 2011, 07:21:26 AM
Austin 7's are pretty ordinary
Except this one!

Very nice!

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #19 on:** November 13, 2011, 08:37:02 AM »

An A40 then

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #20 on:** November 13, 2011, 08:42:59 AM »

Exactly!
This can lead you to the solution...

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #21 on:** November 13, 2011, 08:59:48 AM »

The number of Austin-based specials is staggering!

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #22 on:** November 13, 2011, 09:03:57 AM »

and here's a clue:
This car was born as a project, and the engine was donated for this project...the engine couldn't be bigger.

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #23 on:** November 13, 2011, 09:27:06 AM »

Add "donated" to the search string, and voila!

Quote

Sometime early in the Glendale (4 cylinder Club of America) Chapter’s history, the decision was made to build a race car. It is unknown where the chassis came from, but the February 1952 issue of Exhaust Notes included news of progress being made on the project. Reference in that issue was made to purchasing a car for $100. At that point, welding was being done on the frame to add strengthening and to allow for repositioning the engine two feet further back than the stock position. Work on the rear springs was initiated. At that point, the plans called for modifying a stock Austin A40 Devon engine. Funds were raised via raffles, the sale of spare parts, and donations.

The March 1952 issue of Exhaust Notes reported that Austin of England had offered a free Austin A40 Sports engine for the project. This was enthusiastically accepted and the Devon engine was later listed for sale in the Exhaust Notes classified ads. The report also noted that club member Bill Friedauer donated an “Allard type” aluminum body for the car, weighing a mere 40 pounds. Club member Chuck Smith donated a race tire. The March issue also reported netting $28.00 from a raffle, bringing the race car fund up to $96.00. Modified rear springs were now on the car and the front springs were sent out to be cut down and de-tempered.

The June 1952 issue of Exhaust Notes reported more progress. The major news was the decision not to use the aluminum body offered by Bill Friedauer, but instead to have club member and design engineer Mel White design a fiberglass body. Interestingly, the photographs (below) of the car appear to show a sheet metal body, at least at the front. The September 1952 issue of Exhaust Notes reported on the presentation of the engine at the July meeting. What subsequently happened to the race car? Little is known. It was entered, but subsequently withdrawn from one or two races.

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #24 on:** November 13, 2011, 09:43:47 AM »

Perfect!
Nothing more on that car, I'm afraid.
Well done Otto, point for you!

News:

Author Topic: Solved -PJ425- Four Cylinder Club of America Race Car Project 1952 (Read 1011 times)