MTFCA Forum

Hi all,

What racer was this?

Thanks
Andre
Belgium

That’s a fine looking machine! Does the exhaust out the left tell us it has an overhead valve head?

Yes Rob - most likely a RAJO - one of the more common d.s. exhaust.

Probably not a RAJO as there is only 2 pipes coming out the hood...? Maybe a Roof 16 valve with the 8 into 2 manifolds...?

You're more observant than me Kevin - but then again, I'm partial !

I was going to suggest that it could be an Akron... then I noticed the 2 pipes. I guess I’m a bit partial too...

I tried googling "Bilhistorisk Tidsskrift" looking for a translation or nationality, but again I seem to have completely stumped Mr google.

I did wonder if the car could be a European Speedster? Perhaps even one of Charles Montier's racing cars. I don't offhand recognize this one, but he did build several during the model T era. And this one does have some similarities to a couple others.

I was originally thinking this was a European built car... but it appears to have a standard (not English) front axle, Laurel front lowering brackets, and Universal wire wheels. I seem to remember the Montier cars having unique chassis mods, including his own O/H conversion. I’ll have to go back and look at some pics...

Andre,

Great looking car! Based on how nice the paint, wheels, etc. look in the photo, I would guess the photo was taken when the car was first created or shortly after that. It is still very glossy paint and extremely clean. I would think after it had been raced a lot -- it would look much more worn and probably dented some.

I may or may not have had a little better luck than Wayne with Google. I did a Google translate of the words "Bilhistorisk Tidsskrift" and with Danish selected it gave me "Car History Journal." That combined with the 68/1981 leads me to think the photo may have been published in a "Car History Journal" in 1981 and was volume number 68 or issue number 68. That may be the wrong language but at the moment I'm thinking it may have been published in such a magazine?

Note that style of hand crank for the engine was used from mid-1914ish to mid-1922ish on USA production. "IF" the builder purchased a new chassis rather than starting with a used chassis -- that could be a clue for dating the car. With the money they spent for the overhead cylinder, custom body, beautiful paint, and wire wheels -- this appears to be an expensive build and not a "budget" build car.

Note that Ford USA supplied the engines and many parts to most of Europe (Not Britian). And yes, Demark did use the English drop frame parts but they did not come out until January 1924 (ref page 230 "The English Model T Ford" Riley, Lilleker, Tuckett).

Again, for USA production the headllights had a clear glass lens until late 1920 (ref page 320 "Model T Ford" by McCalley).

And of course the low black radiator was introduced 1917 and continued until it was replaced with the high radiator in the 1924 USA production (started as early mid calendar year 1923 in the USA).

Big "IF" -- "IF" they purchased a new chassis to do the build and "IF" the chassis was USA supplied (or USA parts) then I would think the car was assembled 1917-late 1920.

Again, great looking car.

Respectfully speculating,

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Also, the sign on the back of the car might or might not be a lead to follow up. If you can see what it says, please let us know.

Respectfully requested,

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