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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2013 => Topic started by: pnegyesi on November 06, 2012, 12:54:34 AM

Title: Solved: PN #399 -- John Jennison's first special from the 1920s
Post by: pnegyesi on November 06, 2012, 12:54:34 AM
Please identify this car for a point. Mechanical base, builder, year and place are necessary for a point
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on November 13, 2012, 10:57:11 AM
Experts?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: Manuel on November 14, 2012, 02:11:47 AM

It is based on the Model T Ford. There were many speedsters/racers made in the good old days, commercially [eg, Mercury] & in back yards. Using kits or bits and pieces from different Model Ts, other makes and even proper hi performance racing parts manufactured especially [by Riley, Miller, Winfield etc] for Model Ts.

Manuel in Oz
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on November 14, 2012, 02:22:04 AM
well, looking at the original photograph I don't think this was based on a Model T
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: Manuel on November 17, 2012, 09:56:56 PM

I may be wrong. But from what I see under the car, it looks like a T flywheel/clutch/gearbox housing.
And there appear to be T type front and rear wishbones.
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on November 22, 2012, 11:27:28 AM
Professionals?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on November 22, 2012, 07:51:37 PM
Made in USA?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on November 22, 2012, 08:11:39 PM
no
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on November 22, 2012, 09:51:32 PM
France?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: Manuel on November 22, 2012, 10:40:25 PM

Now that we are back. I was examining the pic again and the steering wheel appears to be from a Model T Ford as well.

Manuel in Oz
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on November 23, 2012, 12:19:03 AM
not from France.

Manuel, the car stands in front of a dealership of another brand. The builder worked at the dealership...
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: Manuel on November 23, 2012, 05:08:46 AM

Thanks Pnegyesi. I can't wait for someone to come up with the answer.
Is the pic really taken from a film negative [rather than a photo]?

Cheers,

Manuel in Oz

Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on November 23, 2012, 07:58:50 AM
Made in Australia?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on November 23, 2012, 07:59:59 AM
Yes, made in Australia. And this is a photo, I just added this effect to prevent GSI
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on November 23, 2012, 08:08:49 AM
Is it based on a US car?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on November 23, 2012, 09:19:38 AM
yes
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on November 23, 2012, 01:01:58 PM
Ford?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on November 23, 2012, 01:30:31 PM
as we discussed with Manuel, probably not
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on November 23, 2012, 01:33:27 PM
Quote from: pnegyesi on November 23, 2012, 01:30:31 PM
as we discussed with Manuel, probably not

Well, your contention was that it wasn't a Model T.  It looks like a Model T to me as well, but there are other models of Fords that are somewhat similar.

We'll try something else, although Manuel's mentioned it.  Is it a Mercury?

Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: Manuel on November 23, 2012, 03:05:41 PM

What is GSI?
It sounds a bit like Goods and Services tax to me :-)
Since it comes from Oz I am even more interested.

Manuel in Oz
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on November 23, 2012, 09:22:45 PM
Quote from: Manuel on November 23, 2012, 03:05:41 PM

What is GSI?
It sounds a bit like Goods and Services tax to me :-)
Since it comes from Oz I am even more interested.

Manuel in Oz

It's Google Search by Image.  He added the color so you can't use the GSI feature and do a "reverse lookup" of the image.


Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on November 23, 2012, 10:50:52 PM
Wild guess: 1920 Palm?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: Manuel on November 23, 2012, 11:29:57 PM
QuoteHave a look at this USA Model T speedster thread boys [any girls here?]. It does not have the answer but the speedster pics are good.

[link removed]

Manuel in Oz

Links are forbidden in this section. Please be careful Manuel and read the rules. Thanks.

Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on November 24, 2012, 12:26:59 AM
Back to the puzzle, not a 1920 Palm
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on November 26, 2012, 08:12:18 AM
Packard?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on November 26, 2012, 08:19:50 AM
not based on a Packard
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on December 06, 2012, 09:01:52 AM
deleted
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: Craig Gillingham on December 06, 2012, 05:18:45 PM
Was this an actual car that was sold in numbers, or a one off?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on December 06, 2012, 11:24:40 PM
Is it from a large company like GM?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on December 07, 2012, 08:07:21 AM
this was a one-off
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on December 07, 2012, 08:25:18 AM
Quote from: pnegyesi on December 07, 2012, 08:07:21 AM
this was a one-off

ok, but was the base donor a large company?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on December 07, 2012, 10:01:13 AM
a member of the GM family
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on December 07, 2012, 09:56:34 PM
Pontiac?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on December 07, 2012, 11:54:49 PM
no
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on December 23, 2012, 07:42:13 PM
Chevrolet?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on December 24, 2012, 12:43:07 AM
yes
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on December 24, 2012, 07:56:52 PM
Ames body?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on December 25, 2012, 02:08:41 AM
no, this was a one-off built by an Australian individual
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on December 26, 2012, 07:44:12 PM
I'm gonna have to leave this to Manuel or Craig cuz I'm slightly out of touch with historic one-offs from Down Under.   ;)
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on December 29, 2012, 12:47:48 AM
the info is available online
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: RayTheRat on December 29, 2012, 09:51:07 AM
Ok.  Since Manuel and Craig seem to be on holiday, I'll try to narrow it down by year. 

Was the base car (the Chevy) built between 1925 and 1930?
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on December 29, 2012, 12:26:52 PM
most probably yes
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: Manuel on December 31, 2012, 02:26:52 AM


Sorry boys. I am stumped on this one as well.
Tho the steering wheel and the bits I can see under the car scream Ford to me.

Happy New Year to all!!

Manuel in Oz
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on January 19, 2013, 01:45:37 AM
Clues: the man raced this car in the 1920s but never won a race. So he decided to try his hands on motorboats.
But in the 1930s he built at least one more car
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: Craig Gillingham on February 11, 2013, 06:52:41 PM
This car was built by John Jennison in Salisbury (A Northern suburb of Adelaide), in the late 20's. It's not clear when the photo was taken, from what I can figure out, after 1925.

Regarding what the car was based on, I think the answer that is required is Chevrolet. But, looking at the front on view of the car, that front axle and steering wheel are definitely from a Model T Ford, and by the look of it, the front cross member of the chassis as well; the car could have been made out of some Chev parts. That sump also looks T model, to me.
Title: Re: PN #399
Post by: pnegyesi on February 11, 2013, 11:47:31 PM
very well found! Congratulations and two points for you
Title: Re: Solved: PN #399 -- John Jennison's first special from the 1920s
Post by: Craig Gillingham on February 12, 2013, 12:00:39 AM
Thank you, it's very kind of you.
Title: Re: Solved: PN #399 -- John Jennison's first special from the 1920s
Post by: Manuel on February 12, 2013, 03:32:35 AM


Putting Chev steel disc wheels on T Fords was popular in the good old days as was putting OHV 4 cyl Chev/Olds heads on T blocks [which were side valve] to make them breathe and rev better.
There is not much info around on hi speed parts made in Aus/NZ. They were avail from overseas @ great cost. So some did take the plunge and make them here in very small numbers.

Manuel in Oz
Title: Re: Solved: PN #399 -- John Jennison's first special from the 1920s
Post by: RayTheRat on February 27, 2013, 07:26:15 PM
I'm with Manuel.  After seeing the front view, I'm about 99 percent positive that it's not a Chevy frame.  As far as I know, Chevrolet never used a transverse spring...they used twin longitudinal semi-eliptic springs going back to their inception in 1911.  It's one reason the Model T (and the Model A after it) was so popular as a platform for dirt-track jalopies.  With a transverse spring, you could use snubbers to limit the amount of body roll (an early version of the sway bar) which made 'em handle much better than the longitudinal-sprung cars.  And I still gotta agree that the oil pan/bellhousing/transmission looks identical to a Model T's.

The first attached photo shows a Frontenac-head Model T Ford Speedster under construction.  The transverse spring is evident, as is the very large-diameter bellhousing that is characteristics of a Model T.

The 2nd photo shows a Model T Speedster with the same "hallmark" bellhousing and disc wheels.

I'm not arguing for a point, just an accuracy thing.

Title: Re: Solved: PN #399 -- John Jennison's first special from the 1920s
Post by: pnegyesi on February 28, 2013, 12:51:36 AM
You may be right. My assumption was based on the fact that the car stands in front of a Chevy dealership
Title: Re: Solved: PN #399 -- John Jennison's first special from the 1920s
Post by: Manuel on February 28, 2013, 03:41:01 PM

Thanks Ray.

That OHC Fronty looks interesting. I would love to see/hear it running.

Cheers,

Manuel in Oz