Solved: GTE 289 - T Street Roadster by Rich Railton and Chuck Delu Race Cars

[gte4289]

Homemade or built by a company ?

By a very small builder

[oko94]

Powered by an American engine ?

[gte4289]

Powered by an American engine ?

No

[oko94]

Powered by a European engine ?

[gte4289]

Powered by a European engine ?

No

[gte4289]

Between 1980 and 1985 ?

Yes, sometime in the early 1980s

Update: My original source dated this vehicle to the early 1980s, however, I've just found a different source which dates it to the 1970s, and yet another source which states it was built in "either the late 1970s or early 1980s."

[oko94]

Powered by a Japanese engine ?

[gte4289]

Powered by a Japanese engine ?

Yes

[oko94]

Toyota engine ?

[gte4289]

Toyota engine ?

No

[oko94]

Honda engine ?

[gte4289]

Honda engine ?

Not Honda

[Oguerrerob]

Nissan?

[oko94]

Mitsubishi engine ?

[Djetset]

A Mazda rotary from memory.

[gte4289]

Nissan?

Mitsubishi engine ?

A Mazda rotary from memory.

Mazda rotary is correct

[oko94]

Can it be found online ?

[Djetset]

I know exactly the printed source of information for this car which I have at home, which frustratingly I am currently many miles and hours away from 

[gte4289]

Can it be found online ?

Yes

[gte4289]

I know exactly the printed source of information for this car which I have at home, which frustratingly I am currently many miles and hours away from 

[Oguerrerob]

AT Street Roadster design by Rich Railton and built by Phil Knight?

[gte4289]

AT Street Roadster design by Rich Railton and built by Phil Knight?

I have 15 or so photos of this car taken from all angles. After carefully comparing these photos to your drawings, I have no doubt that the drawings and puzzle car are related. I know the identity of the builder (not Phil Knight), but not the designer. Assuming the drawings are by Railton, then I think it's likely the car was based on his design.

As for the name, the current owner only refers to the car by a generic name, which includes the brand of the donor vehicle as well as the words 'Street' and 'Roadster.' I am not going to require anyone to recite the exact name the owner gives, but I do need the identities of the builder and donor vehicle. In light of the drawings you've introduced, I will lock the thread for you.

Locked for you to identify the donor vehicle and builder.

[Oguerrerob]

I've found a copy of a page of Custom & Rod Ideas Magazine, where they describe it.  T Street Roadster used a 1974 Mazda Rotary engine. The Fabricators (builders) are Dennis Craig, Pete Ogden & Chuck Delu of Chuck Delu Race Cars (CDRC) from Pleasent Hill, California, USA

[gte4289]

I've found a copy of a page of Custom & Rod Ideas Magazine, where they describe it.  T Street Roadster used a 1974 Mazda Rotary engine. The Fabricators (builders) are Dennis Craig, Pete Ogden & Chuck Delu of Chuck Delu Race Cars (CDRC) from Pleasent Hill, California, USA

That's it! I have it as: '1923 Ford T Street Roadster by Chuck Delu Race Cars' and the body is stamped as a build by Chuck Delu. (It's road registered as a 1923 Ford.) It still has it's 1974 Mazda rotary engine. It seems Phil Knight was the original owner who commissioned the build, then designed by Rich Railton and styled by Kenny Youngblood.

Great job!

[Oguerrerob]

Thanks!!