1949 Bentley Boattail Speedster

[Sam_Fear]

I agree with Flipper, no running boards. Speedsters didn't have boards.

But most boattail speedsters had the tank behind the rear axle. Or a rock shield clear out to the ends of the fenders and tail that hid the axle and such.

Of course, as always, it's your build.

I like the last lights. Simple.

 

[Unkl Ian]

 

[PA41]

Looks like an antique Locost Lotus.. hum--Maybe my next build--A JDM turbocharged Banger in a boattail locost style chassis--a 300 hp MC on 4 wheels..

Thanks UI--Ya know the story behind it?

PA41

 

[PA41]

One of my favorite speedsters--34 Packard -- made 4 or 5. It's got running boards, where most don't. I've been taking many cues from it and the MB in my avitar. It has the least Axle covers/gravel guards of any speedster I've found. But Gravel guards would improve the look--I'll check my hood collection and see if I can come up with something easy to fill in that space.

I ordered the cateye MC taillights $45 shipped for 2, so it wont break the bank. I'm not over $1500 out of pocket so far on this project--it helps if you have a runing chasis as a doner and years of collected up junk and goodies like the skirts.

Did 'no braner' stuff today--Finished off the drivers door chop down/cap welding and cut a spot off the rear fender that's been aggravating me, and made up another patch piece and welded it in. There was a puckered up spot where I welded 2 of the hammered fender pieces together that jumped out at me every time I looked at the fender, so I just bit the bullit, cut the seam out and hammered some more tin and fixed it--OK--Made it better--it's still a little lumpy and looks like a Tire pach, but at least it doesn't just JUMP out at me.... If you don't have to THINK, lifes easy. 'Been there done that' on all tasks today, so I just coasted.. Thinkin is hard for old people--thats why I do as little as possible.

Good day--last of 4 off in a row! Back to the grind tomorrow.

PA41

 

[Sam_Fear]

I still wouldn't go with boards - too stuffy for fun speedster. They look good, but they kinda take away the speedster look. Either way it'll look good though.

 

[PA41]

I've been working some on the front of the rear fender situation, and think I'll set the panel behind the door post like it was on the Benteley 4 door stock and make an adapter plate on the top of the doorskin to the boattail edge.

The front edge of the rear fender only covers about 20% of the wheel as it constantly covers less as it travels forward on the wheel well, See Pics of Bentley and RR to see what the rear does as it merges with the rear door, and the fender front edge pic.. It starts getting real 'squished' and the method like I did the rear of the fender didn't look right on the front of the fender. To really do it right I'll need to hammer both sides of the front half of each fender--Big job that I'll save for later --Maybe.

That approach to the panel will also help the abrupt angle right after the door that doesn't look good. See Pic. The adapter panel from the door skin to the tail will be the 'make or break' on that area--we'll see if it works out.. Stuff you have to put up with because it wasn't built to be a Speedster..

Thanks for all the ideas and input on this project--it makes it more enjoyable to get to talk to people that are interested in the idea. I tell the people at work about what I'm doing and show pics, but I think they are just being polite to the boss--like how I do them with their hunting and fishing stories.

PA41

 

[hotrod preacher]

keep at it, & keep it fun.....it'll all work out in the end.......[cl

 

[PA41]

The ebay lights mounted vertical and frenched into the fenders would be nice. ..... or maybe bottom half frenched / top half hooded.

or maybe something more hidden. french bigger round lights really deep into the rear fenders and make grills or louverd covers that keep the shape of the fenders. If painted body color, they really wouldn't show up until the lights are on.

No running boards. Round the lower front side of the fender and maybe make a shinny stone gaurd. I will try and find pics of what I'm talking about.

Is this a Bentley?

Here is one with a more dramatic rounding of the fender.

Good ideas Flip, thanks for the input--the frenching cateyes sounds cool. I ordered a couple.

I believe that top pic is a heavily modified Bentley. Especially the front clip and fenders, but the peak on the front goes all the way sharp, and the top signal light is not molded in like stock, but Still a Bentley base--maybe prewar?

I like the paint scheme on the bottom pic with fenders a different color than the body. Also like the swoosh paint line on the side. I might try that with different shades of primer--gray/black.. Or maybe something like this pic.

PA41

 

[Flipper_1938]

Lots of cool prewar stuff in this clip. If you get bored, skip to the 5:00 mark. Cool noises to go along with the cool looks.

You MUST turn the volume way up when you get to the 7:00 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7F6nNLdfHU&feature=related

 

[BigIrish]

I tell the people at work about what I'm doing and show pics, but I think they are just being polite to the boss--like how I do them with their hunting and fishing stories.

PA41

HA!! No kidding. I don't even attempt to explain to my co-workers what I have going on in my garage. They'd probably think I was deranged.

Most of my friends have no idea either. I could tell them my Model A is a '44 Delorean and they would buy it. Oh well...

 

[Flipper_1938]

I'm in the same boat. Not many people you can carry on a real conversation with about some of the way out there builds.

 

[rainman]

Or in this case Flipper the same boat-tail.

 

[PA41]

I'm interested in what kind of reception I'll recieve with this car in the public-like on a cruize or at the burger joint hangouts.. It might be a little 'beyond the pale' and into the weird... I won't be suprized to find it not accepted well. I don't think there are many car sites that would allow this build thread.

I've never seen one for real, and I'm pretty much obsessed with cars. Have built maybe 50 to some degree, owned hundreds and seen maybe millions? But never a boat tail car. Maybe close like the Buick Rivvy, or the 66 Vette was kinda one, and I had a 59 Vette as a kid that had a unique tail--sortta boattailish?

I'm interested in them for their racing history, for the Exotic ultra performing streamliner that is/was the Mormon Meteor the ultimate boattail, for the art and sculpture of it, the art of 'form following function'. Theres a little bit 'conspicious consumption' in the auburn that strikes me as pleasantly decadent (their $5000 pricetag in the depression was like $500K today) 'Sunny Afternoon' stuff.. The boattail has an image, and a statement, thats a fuzzy, but interesting piece of the culture..

Then there's the 'weird'--I'm a big fan of unusual..

Its kind of an adventure.. Car building is fun on all sorts of levels.

Anyone aware of any other 'modern' boattails or boattail influence.?

PA41

 

[Flipper_1938]

I'm interested in what kind of reception I'll recieve with this car in the public-like on a cruize or at the burger joint hangouts

If the car continues in the direction that it is going, it will be accepted just fine. People like cool stuff even if it doesn't neatly fit into categories. The fact that it is a steel car helps. People realize that the build is the result of your errort (more so than putting together a kit car).

Art is art.

 

[jfg455]

you will just tire from the "what is it?" and "oh thats a cord" type questions. Although it is fun to sit off to the side and listen to the comments. I built a Buell into a hardtail chopper back in 98 before it was mainstream to do so. Before a rally I crashed it and tore the rear brake pedal off of it. I put it in the show even though it was flat black and people spent more time trying to figure out how the guy built the "sportster" with both brakes running off of the front brake master cylinder! I gave up telling people that I didnt do that and how did I run the rear brake with no line going to it! Oh well. it was interesting none the less.

 

[Sam_Fear]

you will just tire from the "what is it?" and "oh thats a cord" type questions. Although it is fun to sit off to the side and listen to the comments. ...

Yeah, just act like your one of the crowd and make stuff up about what you think it is. "It's one of 7 cars made for the actors of the Wizard of Oz, designed by Frank Loyd Wright's son...." "It originally had a push button manual transmission..." "It's a depression era Yugo - they were a very prestigious car at one time."

Even better, swear up and down it's a 49 Buick - just like your Dads!

 

[Flipper_1938]

Yeah, just act like your one of the crowd and make stuff up about what you think it is. "It's one of 7 cars made for the actors of the Wizard of Oz, designed by Frank Loyd Wright's son...." "It originally had a push button manual transmission..." "It's a depression era Yugo - they were a very prestigious car at one time."

Even better, swear up and down it's a 49 Buick - just like your Dads!

My dad has that same disease at car shows.... f u l l o s h i t i t i s

 

[PA41]

BIs "44 Delorean" got me grinning...

Lieing is just so much FUN!!! Reality is a drag!!--Like the deal where the Guy from Nigeria isn't really gonna give me a Bazillion dollars.. (NO it's NOT TRUE!). That SUCKS! I want to live in the world where people give me money And where I drive a 44 Delorean..

I've sat 30-40 feet away from my Rat T at shows and listened and watched--It's a kick what people come up with.. Theres often a self appointed expert with a big dose of BS-itus that gives 'tours' of the car and does that Sam thing--"Wizard of Oz car"

Sometimes it worries me that so many people are living a fantasy, but I go in the kitchen and pat JaLo on the butt and ask her whats for supper, and she replies "burgers-Batman-burgers" then things get better.... (If they can do it--so can I)

PA41

 

[rainman]

You may not get exactly the response you're looking fo from everyone, but I'll guarantee you will get a lot of attention!!! Gonna be unique.

 

[Sam_Fear]

And if anybody comments negative about parts of it not looking right or such, just seriously reply "Well, that's where the tank/hose/nozzle/etc. for the flame thrower is going to be." That aught to shut them up!