Studebaker-powered TROG build

[Blue Eyed Devil]

My car club is putting together a build to hopefully compete in the Rail Class at The Race Of Gentleman this year, so I figured I would start a build thread here for anyone who cares to follow along.

Per TROG rules the chassis must be Ford-based, so we are going with a highly modified Model A unit. At at this point we have completely broken it down, drilled and modified the rails to sit completely parallel the entire length (similar to a Model T), then narrowed it 8 inches to keep it as skinny as possible. This will be a single seat, center-steer setup.

The Studebaker Champion six will be a perfect fit, and isn’t physically much larger than the Ford 4 cylinder. It will be sitting just ahead of the chassis centerline to keep the weight distributed as evenly as possible. This should help with traction on the loose sand with skinny tires.

So here’s our mock-up with the engine/trans in the chassis. Lots of work to go, but so far we’re having a blast!

 

[forbigpicture]

Sounds and looks like fun !!!!! I'll be following....

[P[P[P[P

 

[Torchie]

Sounds and looks like fun !!!!! I'll be following....

[P[P[P[P

^^^^^ Me Too ^^^^
Keep posting.
[P [P [P
Torchie

 

[kenny c]

Me three.[P[P[P

 

[Tripper]

Toooo koool... I'm in!!! [dr

Where will the driver sit... haha!!! [ddd

BoB

 

[DozerII]

Me as well. [P[P

 

[smallfoot]

Hey cool! [P

 

[animal]

That looks like a fun project! I just wish the race itself wasn't so danged far away.

 

[ratadixshun44]

this'll be fun[cl[P[P[P[P[P
















su

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Where will the driver sit... haha!!! [ddd

Between the transmission and the rear differential, slingshot style.

This is the seat setup, a Korean War-era Weber.

The seatbelt is from the same time frame. Made by FoMoCo for aircraft use.

 

[BlueNorther]

please get them old belts re-webbed.

 

[ratadixshun44]

I agree

 

[ratadixshun44]

https://youtu.be/HxnLDXyFHxU -hey B Norther check this out maybe an idea or 2 for your TROG racer[cl[[dr

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

I have been in contact directly with Mel Stultz who organizes the event (and gives the final yay or nay on entries and all of their components), and he is pretty jazzed about what we have planned. Of course we will be working closely with him to ensure all parts/modifications etc. will continue to adhere to the race guidelines & preferences.

Our next club meeting/thrash session is this weekend, so we'll hopefully continue making forward progress. We were invited by the International Studebaker Drivers Club to display the racer at their yearly event, which is in September. That's a month ahead of our hard deadline, so we are really trying to have the car at least physically complete there. That will give us a month to fine tune, work out the bugs and make some local beach runs. Can't wait to blast this overgrown go-kart across some sand! [dr

 

[skull]

[P[P[P[cl[cl[cl

Later

 

[ratadixshun44]

Be glad to see this all come together,,,, Wish the races warn't so far away. I'm in the middle of the country..btw more pics

 

[Torchie]

[cl
Its been amazing to watch how big this event has become.
Some tried to tie an Early Customs only show to it but I don't think it took off beyond the first try.
[P [P [P

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

[cl
Its been amazing to watch how big this event has become.
Some tried to tie an Early Customs only show to it but I don't think it took off beyond the first try.
[P [P [P

It actually did take off. It's called "Customs By The Sea", and it is a sight all it's own on Sunday. Pre-'52 cars built in pre-'52 style only.

The Friday "Night of the Troglodytes" chopper show draws quite a crowd as well...

 

[Torchie]

Good to know. I haven’t seen anything posted about it on the custom car sights since the first one. There was a bit of disscussion in regards to the pre 52 cut off date lol
Somebody’s always going to complain lol
Torchie

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Good to know. I haven’t seen anything posted about it on the custom car sights since the first one. There was a bit of disscussion in regards to the pre 52 cut off date lol
Somebody’s always going to complain lol
Torchie

It's still sponsored by KustomRama. I don't really get into the custom side of things like I do with hot rods, but it definitely pulls 'em in.

As far as the cutoff date, you're right. Someone is always going to complain about anything someone else does, and oddly enough the loudest voices come through keyboards. I don't particularly agree with some decisions they have made in the past but the fact is it's THEIR gig. They're obviously doing something right, or people wouldn't be complaining. Haha.