Startin from Scratch OT Kinda

I am wondering if anyone in the group has tried building a car from scratch. Say like a 1901 Packard or some such runabout.

I have been thinking that I might try such an undertaking such as building my own runabout. I figure I could mig weld up the frame and use jig welded front kingpins like some go carts use and used a derailer type open transmission with a belt tensioner instead of a clutch.

I would use a live rear axle so that I could fit it with disc brakes after all you do have to stop once in a while.

I am not sure what I would use for an engine but the local small engine shop has vintage Brigs and Stratton and a couple Clintons that would work or I could even use a Fairbanks-Morse. I have always loved the sound of those old Fairbanks.

I am thinking that the whole rig would weigh less then five hundred pounds.

So has anyone done it?

Reply to
Studebaker Kid
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Henry Ford did it, around 1896 See what trouble it brought him ... Jeff

"Studebaker Kid" wrote...

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Reply to
Jeff Rice

You could just buy a go cart, Yerf Dog, or if you want to be cool with the antique go cart set, a King Midget....they were nothing but glorified go carts anyway... Studebaker George

Reply to
Studebaker George

Yerf dogs supposedly cant be made road legal and that is not the style that I am after. Down at the local Ag museum they have two runabouts that they have made and they look like a horseless buggy. If I could chase down some early 1900 paperwork on an early auto I could lisence it. It would be a cool parts runner and real cheep on gas. Tiller steering would be an easy set up and since I also have a Gibson I aready am getting a stronger right arm from steering it.

Reply to
Studebaker Kid

i have a 1950 popular science book called "how to take care of your car". it has a 6 page article on how to build your own midget car. it uses a small air cooled engine and seats one person.it is a thorough article - a lot of advice and pointers. homer

Reply to
homer

i have a 1950 popular science book called "how to take care of your car". it has a 6 page article on how to build your own midget car. it uses a small air cooled engine and seats one person.it is a thorough article - a lot of advice and pointers. homer

Reply to
homer

Check these books out if you want to build a car or gocart (with kisk) from scratch:

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001&storeId001&productId019&langId=-1 NOTE!: These are on the Haynes Company UK website. I have both of them and have seen a car built from the plans in the first manual, but not up close. The car was being built and offered for sale by someone up in Saskatoon and he had some extensive pictures. Looked quite cool too. Now if I could only find a cheep motorcycle...

"homer" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@38g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

Reply to
D.J.

Well I am getting some pictures so I can have an idea in my head. I found a site that had Flanders, Packars and Studebaker-Garford and even Studebaker electric Runabouts.

IT looks like it should be fairly simple to do especially since they did not have front brakes.

The garage is almost picked up and the loft is done except for two vent motors so now I can get my toys done faster. I have always wanted a Runabout for chasing around town. Now that I have the look I want I suspect that I should contact the title company to see about a 1902-

1911 title.
Reply to
Studebaker Kid

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