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Im fascinated with these guys who are building and racing Model A’s as hill climbers. I live in Alaska so it’s not something my eyes have ever seen. Do they race against other Model A’s only? Is it time trial? Where do they do them? If anyone has any experience with it I’d love to hear about it.
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I think Bob (carolinamudwalker) does this stuff once a year...he'll chime in
I think it varies with the club......prolly with the As it is all As
I was involved with the VSCCA years ago and it was all the marques that belonged to the club, and it was timed -
I have been do it for many years. It is a timed event up a hill. More like a drag race up a incline, one car at a time. Who gets to the end the quickest wins. They have servile classes. stock, modified, speedster flat head, speedster overhead, plus more. You have to use a Model A engine, plus lots more rules.Comment
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Thanks George. I’d like to see a race one day. I bought an engine from engine builder Ron Kelly, he does this type of racing. Talking to him about it briefly is what peaked my interest. This is a corner of our hobby that doesn’t get much attention from the mainstream crowd which is unfortunate because after the war many of our returning young men pursued hill climbing as a means of recreation.Comment
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Before TV, hill climbs and racing were a way for a car manufacturer to promote their products.
If they won, they would get a good write-up and hence a lot of PRComment
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Ron Kelley with his truck and his hill climbing speedster:You do not have permission to view this gallery.
This gallery has 2 photos.Alaskan A's
Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska
Model A Ford Club of America
Model A Restorers Club
Antique Automobile Club of America
Mullins Owners ClubComment
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We Hold an annual hill climb and as it looked like the most recent one might be the last, I thought that I'd better enter my speedster in the event .It has an open prop shaft and the radius arms have to resist the rotational forces of the diff. Despite 10,000 miles over some very rugged roads (or perhaps because of?) when I dropped the clutch on the start line the car did some very strange things with the brakes coming on then off again and some strange noises almost like tyre squeal each time I changed gear.
Unfortunately the fingers at the end of the radius arms, (later type) where they bolt to the backing plate had broken/cracked, and that was the end of my competitive efforts. The radius arms had been seam welded, but after repairing the breaks a strengthening plate was added too.
Ideally an arm should be bolted to the centre of the diff and extend forwards to the cross member, designed to stop the diff rotating, but my fuel tank is under the floor at the rear and has a tunnel over the prop shaft and this precludes fitting an arm from the centre of the diff. The only photo taken is of me waiting in line for the first practice run.You do not have permission to view this gallery.
This gallery has 1 photos.Last edited by wensum; 12-15-2017, 11:28 PM.Comment
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Those are great looking cars Wensum.Comment
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Thanks Curly, Our branch of the New Zealand Vintage Car Club tends to attract/cater for British & European cars. The cars behind my Model A are: Jaguar engined Bugatti Type 35, A Sunbeam 20.9, a Riley 9 tourer and a BucklerOriginally posted by Curly View PostComment
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That blue car behind yours (Type 35?) is just stunning!
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Yes, the Bugatti is a genuine type 35 and a historic racing car in NZ raced by Ron Roycroft and with a Jaguar motor, still competitive in the '50's. His son, Terry now competes in it and used the original Bugatti motor for a few years, but it was too valuable and fragile, so he converted it back to the Jaguar engine for reliability and to be more competitiveOriginally posted by Curly View PostLast edited by wensum; 12-16-2017, 04:25 AM.Comment
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by KansasRickWhen I got my 28 Roadster, the engine was locked up and required a rebuild. I was unprepared to intelligently answer many of the questions my rebuilder asked me about what I wanted him to do. He started asking about shaving the fly wheel explaining the benefits, then on to a different, newer clutch that would be easier to push....I opted for most all of the changes he recommended. He was a well established...07-11-2020, 12:57 AM -
by Denis4x4As an old hot rodder, I never consider a car is ever finished. To that point, here are the modifications that I've made to the A engine in my roadster over a 26 year period.
The engine in my avatar was built in May of 1931 and rebuilt in August of 1992. At the 2015 Speedster Reunion, this engine in my Zipper roadster registered 60HP @ 3500 RPM's at the rear wheels. It's been in and...05-08-2018, 11:33 AM -
What I am about to say, may either bring the gnashing of teeth or absolute, side-splitting hilarity, to the Model T purists. And come to think of it, the Model T modifiers as well.
Personally, I prefer the Model T in its pure form. However every so often, I have a stroke of genius. Or maybe I just have a stroke?
I realize, Model Ts have been re-powered by many different types of engines....04-20-2019, 04:36 PM -
by copgibI just want to give everyone an update of my goal to have a good running Model A. When I first bought my car it had a seized engine. The seller was a friend of my brother and when he found out the engine was seized, he offered me another one or my money back. My brother told me his friend stated that engine had been rebuilt, so I took that engine instead of my money back. At one time the car motor...04-18-2021, 08:15 PM -
by Jim BrierleyThe Speedster Reunion will be held again in Lincoln, NE. Go to http://www.museumofamericanspeed.com/ for details. This is an event all Model A and T speedster guys need to attend!02-28-2021, 05:21 PM -
by BudPOver the weekend I was gifted with a "Model A Handbook" produced by the editors of Hot Rod Magazine in 1963. The first chapter is entitled, "The Model A's Curious Beginning." Here is some interesting information and a picture found in that first chapter.
-First Model A built in 1903 at a cost of $30,000 and sold for $750. It had a 2 cylinder engine and a single chain...11-11-2020, 10:53 AM -
by Terry, NJThis is not for the old timers who know and have experience with these things, but for the new comers who have some machines and the know how to use them and want/need a little more hp under the hood to keep up with traffic, First, The head! The 5.5 heads coming from Snyders are an excellent first step. Even the 6.0 seems to be ok. For a little over $300 this should be the first consideration. Next,...10-16-2018, 10:34 AM -
by dmdeatonOn my way to Tennessee for work yesterday I stopped by and met Charlie. He is in my backyard here in Cincinnati. Since I have the roadster now I have the hankering to build a motor and put some period speed in it. I am keeping the roadster stock and going to look for a project car to put this motor in. Anyone on here play with speed parts?...10-24-2017, 09:25 PM -
by HoogahOver the past couple of weeks, I've been involved in preparations for a clearing sale on a farm that belonged to two bachelor brothers. The last of the brothers passed away about 18 months ago. Both were well into their 80s when they died. What is unique about these blokes is that they farmed in some kind of time warp for almost all of their lives.- Their daily transport ("going to town"
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This gallery has 10 photos.01-19-2019, 06:55 AM -
by Ray Horton"If the driveline on the A is properly restored to factory specs (keep in mind I'm not talking Judging Standards but Ford original specs for fit) it is a VERY reliable car."
This was a comment from a knowledgeable professional restorer, Kevin in NJ, and though I have heard similar comments before, this one caught my attention for the distinction drawn between Judging Standards...12-27-2017, 09:39 PM
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