First Drive of 2022

[Chris Bamford]

On the road at 12:10 AM with Lady Michelle, but not for long... the outside air temperature was -29°C/-20°F with a wind-chill of probably -40°C/F.

But still... a great way to kick off another year of old car fun

Happy New Year to all!

[Petrah Phyre]

Model T goes brrrrrr.

[david_dewey]

So which was louder; the buzzing of the coils, or the chattering of you teeth?
Happy New Years!

[Norman Kling]

And I thought it was cold here! It has been in the 40's at night and sometimes makes it to 65 during the daytime. However if that picture is in Canada, I am surprised you can drive that speedster at night this time of year. Happy New Year, Norm

[John Codman]

I had planned to take the T out today, but I have inherited a bad cold (Is there such a thing as a good cold?) from the bride. I feel kinda lousy and have a nose that is doing it's impression of the Amazon River. Also a mild sore throat and a minor headache. I'll put the ride off for a couple of days.

[kansasplowboy]

You’re a brave soul Chris, but glad to see your classy wheels aren’t on a garage queen! What a cool lookin’ ride you have. I looked up your profile and got another shot of it. What is the apparatus on the drivers side front spring shackle? And what sort of friction shock setup is that, and is it only on one end of the axle? I’m putting the finishing touches on an open wheeled 26 RPU that has been lowered and am wondering if I will need some sort of friction shock on either or both ends. Thanks from western KS where the wind chill is a mild -15F at present.

[jab35]

Good for you, Chris and Lady Michelle! And good to see some people enjoying almost normal wintertime fun! It's ice fishing season here, but you have to bring your own ice. Happy New year, jb

[TWrenn]

Happy for you Chris, but with all do respect, you're nuts!! Well just teasing...hey, to each his own! My good friend Jim usually gets out on New Years day in his 26 with his special dog "Champ" but it started raining around noon, ots down to 40F, so don't know if he beat the rain or not. But rain usually doesn't stop him either. I woulda taken my Fordor out yesterday were it not for having 3 wheels at Stutzmans! Timing is everything.

[Chris Bamford]

...What is the apparatus on the drivers side front spring shackle? And what sort of friction shock setup is that, and is it only on one end of the axle?...

Randy, the front suspension is a sort of 'Poor Man's Panhard' setup, inspired by numerous Austin 7 Specials (what they call speedsters) in the UK.

The driver's shackle is locked from swinging side to side (to aid high-speed handling in corners), although the spring can rotate slightly on its eye bushing. The diagonal lock plates, one forward of the axle and one behind, have four bolts tying them together: spring perch; spring eye; through the axle web; and below the axle.

The passenger shackle is unchanged from stock, and vertical movement on this side is dampened by the single Hartford-style shock absorber.

Does it work? Probably some. The car does seem to corner well at speed, even on bumpy ground. I have a similar shackle-lock setup on the driver's side rear, but no friction shock on the rear axle.

Other speedster-related items in this photo: dropped front axle from Rootliebs (IIRC $125 in 1992), hydraulic front brakes (modified from 1966-ish Triumph Spitfire rear axle), and foot pegs for relaxed highway cruising.