The Magazine

After the Dodge "broke down.." (UPDATE III by the owner of the Riley tuned Model A)

Bob Apalsch reports from a pleasant sunny car event which looks far form arctic, despite the location of Fairbanks.  "the Alaska Midnight Sun Cruise"  is a well visited event with visitors coming in from remote places like the "the North Pole &  Pennsylvania". Oldest participating car from the area was a 1917 Model T that used to serve after the 1916 Dodge was wrecked on the Fairbanks to Valdez trail (click for the full history). It took three days to travel the 350 mile track one way...

Back to the present:  "Saturday there was the car show with 160 cars in attendance. A gentleman from Kodiak Island put his car on a ferry, landed on the mainland , then drove the rest of the way to Fairbanks (Fountainhead Museum). Alan Kelso from Pennsylvania was on hand to demonstrate how to fire, run and shut down the museum's 1910 model "R" Stanley Steamer. Dennis Gage of the Speed Channel's "My Classic Car" was in town filming an episode of his show. More attractive metal that came in was a supershiny  Stutz Speedster and a Riley tuned Model A Roadster. Who can explain about this "Riley" conversion?
( Bob, thanks a bunch for sending your report, we owe you the PreWarCar Reporters Cap)

Updates came in from Glemn Reynolds and Kit foster, both pointing us in the direction of the aftermarket  Model A head conversion kit (SecretsofSpeed.com).

Monday, 21 June 2010

A True Talbot Fan

Fifty years ago Lionel Burrell bought his first Vintage Talbot, a 10/23 Doctors Coupe. He bought this one, a 1926 10/23, in August 2009. It was last on the road 10 years ago. Engine was in boxes and needed rebuilding. This done, Lionel had to find a period carburetor fit and make all the controls, rebuild the starter motor, re-wire and restore all the wiring. After fitting a new battery and fuel lines the engine started first time. The front axle was bent and twisted along with a cracked front hub. This was sent to a specialist for repair. All the trim was cracked and torn and sent off to a local trimmer in Essex. Work has now started on the back end of the Talbot, rebuilding the dampers and welding the back wings. All the paint is in a bad way, it is also cracked and some time later the car will have to be painted again.

Sunday, 20 June 2010

Double Action at Brooklands

Spectators at the Brooklands Double Twelve Motoring Festival held during the weekend of June 5-6, had lots to be enthusiastic about as they witnessed the biggest competition event held at Brooklands since the original circuit closed in 1939. The main photo shows Mark Johnson in his Morgan Special going flat-out during the Speed Trials, although first place was won by Pete Candy in his 1936 Riley Special “Super Rat” (click main photo). The Double Twelve competition -in which car and driver had to excel in both complicated driving tests and the rigorous judging of a concours d’élégance- was won by Chris Jaques with his 1926 Bugatti Type 35 earning him the Double Twelve prize presented by Prince Michael of Kent.
(photos Karen Sutton, courtesy VSCC)

Saturday, 19 June 2010

What is it ? Quiz # 277

It's a very wellknown product that has been produced in large quantities. And most of you will have little problems to identify the large engine bits. Yet, as anyone can see, this powerplant is heavily modified in many ways.  We are interested if you can sum up the modifications, which are partly aftermarket, partly modern and partly homemade. And finally what is the idea behind all this? What is the purpose of these modifications? The engineer has invested 2 years plus a lifetime of experience to get this result and has most ambitious plans, as soon the engine is back in his well used car.  Just one more useless hint, which will probably only help you in skipping various options: this machine is made to serve a good cause. One last pic, what use have the filler caps on the left and top of the ignition box?

Now it is up to you to come up with the right answers in order to win the infamous PreWarCar T-shirt. Please send in before Monday June 21st to this mailbox. And be sure to check 'Read More' for the strict rules that are part of this vintage quiz.

Friday, 18 June 2010