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Friday Night, Fernandina Beach, Florida
When visiting Amelia Island the days are filled with possibilities. For the Friday night we opted for the duPont Registry Live at the Fernandina Beach airport. Only minutes after arrival we had the chance to have a chat with publisher Thomas L. duPont, owner of two(!) Du Pont automobiles. The short meeting brought us both new fame in the Fernandina Observer. The party took place in two hangars with symphathetic yet slightly over-high-heeled personnel, but aside that and the gorgeous foods the brass racing car Nr.2 was the central highlight. Over the years we have seen many american race cars. Yet this one beats all others in detailing and perfection.
The 1912 Racing Special is the creation of a lifelong nuthead who set out to commemorate the 1912 racing season when 600 cubics were max , the haytime of happy thunderbirds. As a basis he took a light but very strong 1912 129" wheelbasis chassis. The concept was to stay as close as possible to what was in use back then. Many of you will recognise the 10 litre 4 cylinder T-head. However this groundpounding lump has been tuned and balanced so well that if you hear its soft thumping idle you would think it's a two litre with twin balancer shafts.
Check the dashboard with twin readings for mechanic & driver from left to right: RIDING MECHANIC SIDE: air pressure gauge for gas tank, oil pressure gauge, above: amp meter. LARGE CENTRAL Ever Ready rev-counter and Joseph W. Jones 100 mph speedometer. Above these two: Joseph W. Jones clock. DRIVER SIDE: left: oil pressure gauge, right: engine temperature, above: auto altimeter. Just below the dashboard on the floor: Bosach contact including foot emergency engine stop. Located in the floor board: engine fuel primer pump, Bosch horn button, spark advance & retard, Bosch magneto switch, engine hand throttle control.
Now you may fear a 'plate of spaghetti' on the firewall side of the dash. Wrong, check it out; mastership in detailing. The firewall is not hammered into shape but machined from solid alloy. Likewise the spring hangers are machined & forged specifically for this car. In fact we only give your the superficial cosmetics. Even more can be told which is more than skindeep and a guided tour around and under the car would prove to be more than worthwhile. Too bad for that reason Nr. 2 didn't make it to the showfield this time. Well there are more Concours to come. More tours to be made. And more people who will enjoy this moving sculpture of racing art.
Publiziert:
Donnerstag März 19th, 2015
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Unbekannt
02 April 2015, 06:45
Comment text: The preceeding comments regarding this masterpiece of rolling art are now worthy of some serious reflection. Many of the comments were generated by people who viewed the car thru the fog of second hand pictures on their computer screen, but in fact never viewed the car in real life. I personally inspected the car in total before, during and after the duPont party.. Sixty years in the hobby tells me that one would require several hours to view and explore all details both externally and within. I applaud Ben and his comments should be taken to heart by all true enthusiasts. The enormous effort that was required to create this exemplary piece of automotive art cannot be calculated or quantified. Obviously Ben has a "masters eye" and a "depth of field" for the subject that says volumes about his work. This car will clearly stand the "test of time" and it will be enjoyed and studied in detail for many years to come. I only wish that I had been able to speak with the builder in person. I am sure he could have pointed out and taught me many things that went into this masterpiece Trevor Martin
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william hearne
23 März 2015, 18:06
[quote name="Ben Lake"]Gentleman let me say first off it has been interesting reading all of the comments and I appreciate and understand the views from both sides but I feel I should weigh in and clarify a few things. First off this car was not built to be a "Concours" car and was never meant to be anything other than what it is, one man's dream & another man's vision of how to execute that dream of what someone could have built given the time and resources during that period of time. This car was not built by some high end restoration shop but in my shop in my backyard with the help of a few key people who I am proud to call my friends and greatly appreciate their contributions. It was built with the intent that if you woke up one morning and said to the wife load your things we are going to Seattle you would not have to think twice as to the reliability of the car. Every part of this car was addressed from the engine (too much to go into), transaxle, front & rear axles (i.e. modern bearings & seals), electrical, right down to the plugs between the seats to plug your heated motorcycle suits into for those cold winter days and the provision for removable headlights which probably very few even noticed were there. The car was completely finished then we put probably 3 hours driving on it to be sure we hadn't missed any details before disassembly and doing all the final finishing, other than tweaking the carb we have not had to do anything to the car since firing it up and setting the timing on the dual ignition systems, it has run flawlessly. I hope someday those of you who have not had the chance to see the car in person will be able to do so and have the opportunity to see first hand the effort put into this car by all.
Thanks again for all the comments.
The Builder.[/quote]
Well said Ben. The car is a real credit to you. You have my admiration. William Hearne.
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Thanks again for all the comments.
The Builder.[/quote]
Well said Ben. The car is a real credit to you. You have my admiration. William Hearne.
Unbekannt
23 März 2015, 01:05
Gentleman let me say first off it has been interesting reading all of the comments and I appreciate and understand the views from both sides but I feel I should weigh in and clarify a few things. First off this car was not built to be a "Concours" car and was never meant to be anything other than what it is, one man's dream & another man's vision of how to execute that dream of what someone could have built given the time and resources during that period of time. This car was not built by some high end restoration shop but in my shop in my backyard with the help of a few key people who I am proud to call my friends and greatly appreciate their contributions. It was built with the intent that if you woke up one morning and said to the wife load your things we are going to Seattle you would not have to think twice as to the reliability of the car. Every part of this car was addressed from the engine (too much to go into), transaxle, front & rear axles (i.e. modern bearings & seals), electrical, right down to the plugs between the seats to plug your heated motorcycle suits into for those cold winter days and the provision for removable headlights which probably very few even noticed were there. The car was completely finished then we put probably 3 hours driving on it to be sure we hadn't missed any details before disassembly and doing all the final finishing, other than tweaking the carb we have not had to do anything to the car since firing it up and setting the timing on the dual ignition systems, it has run flawlessly. I hope someday those of you who have not had the chance to see the car in person will be able to do so and have the opportunity to see first hand the effort put into this car by all.
Thanks again for all the comments.
The Builder.
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Thanks again for all the comments.
The Builder.
Peter
22 März 2015, 16:05
Hello again,
I accept the implied rebuff by Peter Webber. However, I thought that I could not be more careful in my comments when I specifically referred to 'Paint and polish'! I too have looked at photos, the printed page and, also, been fortunate to be able to look at fairly 'untouched' or 'unrestored' cars (mainly 'Vintage' not 'Veteran') in the early 1960's. I would definitely go along with his comments concerning exactness, fit and finish but only in so far as what was achievable then in terms of engineering standards of finish which would have been very 'fit for the job' particularly when applied to a competition car.Thinking on, it would have been much better if I had seen the actual car before making a judgement as photographs, particularly reproduced ones, are not good indicators of the true state of things.
Regards, Peter.
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I accept the implied rebuff by Peter Webber. However, I thought that I could not be more careful in my comments when I specifically referred to 'Paint and polish'! I too have looked at photos, the printed page and, also, been fortunate to be able to look at fairly 'untouched' or 'unrestored' cars (mainly 'Vintage' not 'Veteran') in the early 1960's. I would definitely go along with his comments concerning exactness, fit and finish but only in so far as what was achievable then in terms of engineering standards of finish which would have been very 'fit for the job' particularly when applied to a competition car.Thinking on, it would have been much better if I had seen the actual car before making a judgement as photographs, particularly reproduced ones, are not good indicators of the true state of things.
Regards, Peter.
Unbekannt
21 März 2015, 18:58
I would like to refer all of the avid readers of this fine web site to the following publication. THE STAR AND THE LAUREL The Centennial History of Daimler, Mercedes and Benz 1886-1986 by Beverly Rae Kimes page 88 to be specific. Clearly 112 years ago in 1903,race cars were being built with exactness ,impeccable fit and finish as evidenced by this historical photograph. This evidence cuts very deep into Peters observation regarding early race cars being finished in a rudimentary fashion As with the Benz race car pictured, the superb quality will always shine thru long after the finish is gone Peter J. Weber
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Peter
21 März 2015, 12:54
I have though for some time before I felt able to express my views on this car.
I have read all the comments made so far and looked at all the pictures. So, without a doubt we have a 'tour de force' in terms of production values and, in that respect, it does its maker great credit, but do we have anything else? Having built a few cars myself I do know the effort that has gone into producing this one but, try as I might, I cannot warm to it. It is a bit like a cat-walk model, a fashion statement, for me it has no soul though, perhaps, time will allow it to develop one.
I also find, in terms of what should represent an 'Historic' car, that the idea of it being a 'Concours' car is a difficult one. In what class? Replica? Tribute car? Special? Perhaps a new 'Class' is required.
I would also query the accuracy of some of the 'period' detail. In 1912 a racing car was built to race, not to 'Concours' and the finish in terms of paint and polish was quite rudimentary. Also, if something was machined, that is how it would have been presented on the finished car. It could be cleaned-up but they would have hardly bothered to do more than linish or file-out any bad marks. No-one would ever consider polishing after assembly!
I accept that I do have a 'thing' about over-restoration or presentation. (Bugattis' spring to mind! How many people have seen a really original one since the 60's?). Perhaps after it has been driven (a lot) and dented/dirtied/scratched/worn a bit I would feel differently.
This is not the first time that I have felt this way about a 're-creation'
Regards, Peter Maguire.
editor: knowing the builder I can add that he built to perfection -both in view of function and cosmetics- yes for sure also for show purpose, but also out of racing tradition/habit which he performed in earlier life. Having said that, like you mention as well... adding a few weekends of serious rallying, Indy and/or Goodwood would make it look even better.
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I have read all the comments made so far and looked at all the pictures. So, without a doubt we have a 'tour de force' in terms of production values and, in that respect, it does its maker great credit, but do we have anything else? Having built a few cars myself I do know the effort that has gone into producing this one but, try as I might, I cannot warm to it. It is a bit like a cat-walk model, a fashion statement, for me it has no soul though, perhaps, time will allow it to develop one.
I also find, in terms of what should represent an 'Historic' car, that the idea of it being a 'Concours' car is a difficult one. In what class? Replica? Tribute car? Special? Perhaps a new 'Class' is required.
I would also query the accuracy of some of the 'period' detail. In 1912 a racing car was built to race, not to 'Concours' and the finish in terms of paint and polish was quite rudimentary. Also, if something was machined, that is how it would have been presented on the finished car. It could be cleaned-up but they would have hardly bothered to do more than linish or file-out any bad marks. No-one would ever consider polishing after assembly!
I accept that I do have a 'thing' about over-restoration or presentation. (Bugattis' spring to mind! How many people have seen a really original one since the 60's?). Perhaps after it has been driven (a lot) and dented/dirtied/scratched/worn a bit I would feel differently.
This is not the first time that I have felt this way about a 're-creation'
Regards, Peter Maguire.
editor: knowing the builder I can add that he built to perfection -both in view of function and cosmetics- yes for sure also for show purpose, but also out of racing tradition/habit which he performed in earlier life. Having said that, like you mention as well... adding a few weekends of serious rallying, Indy and/or Goodwood would make it look even better.
Unbekannt
21 März 2015, 00:23
I remember this car when it was just an idea many years ago, and it's a pleasure to finally see it in action. Though I played only a very small part, polishing some of the brass, I have seen the owner overcome the immense obstacles that always creep up when doing a one-off such as this. Almost every area had to be redesigned or rethought multiple times before settling on final execution and I just don't think it could have come out any better. Over the decades I have seen many attempts to do such a project, and there are always glaring flaws or compromises in the end that spoil the whole. No. 2 brings me back to the black & white photo era I used to read about when I was a little kid in the '50s, places like Sheepshead Bay, Ormond beach, Indy, etc. I've been promised a ride, so I'll be around to collect soon!
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Unbekannt
21 März 2015, 00:16
This was wonderful to see this Special last Friday Nite at the Dupont Regisy kick off party. I enjoy Brass period Veteran Cars and have Amelia is the very best sporty car concours event in the country. I spent more than an hour walking around this car. The paint is flawless and the littlist details were done. I hope to see this car during the daylight but its wonderful. Thank you Leno
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Unbekannt
20 März 2015, 23:34
I made it to the cocktail party of Dupont Registry. Drink and food were wonderful. I did enjoy seeing this car. I have owned such a car and this Car was built to a much higher level . To a Veteran or Brass period car builder this may be my favorite and it was a great evening I spent an hour walking around and hats off to its builder . I saw this car at the Winter Park Concours last fall. The sound of the motor is wonderful and hope see this car at a Future Concours . It is period correct and hope your readers might see it at future concours . Thank you Leno
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Unbekannt
20 März 2015, 20:15
I was fortunate to attend the DuPont kick off party for Amelia.The party was a hoot and a must attend event if you go to the Amelia weekend.The #2 Race Car was far and away better in real life than a picture can capture.The proportions,fit,finish,engineering and period details were over the top. I spoke briefly with the owner and he related that the car was fully prepared for cross country (USA) touring as well as speed events at the drop of a hat without issue.I f the car can do that flawlessly I would think that it would go very well in the dirt if one ever wanted to do that... Peter J. Weber
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william hearne
20 März 2015, 17:13
Having created a much later monoposto racing car myself I would like to say that this Veteran racer is a real credit to the builder. Such cars bring out both the best and worst in [some] folks when commenting on them. Well done !
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Unbekannt
20 März 2015, 14:07
In fact, I made it all the way through hoping for information regarding power and drive-ability on rough roads, a bit like one might expect in a review of a 1912 racing car.
editor: the engine has run less than 2 hours now. I was in the mechanic seat for a short run and can only say that it catapults you away
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editor: the engine has run less than 2 hours now. I was in the mechanic seat for a short run and can only say that it catapults you away
Unbekannt
20 März 2015, 11:17
A fantastic looking car! Obviously a labor of love for the owner.
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Unbekannt
20 März 2015, 09:12
A magnificent undertaking from a really great guy...a fellow nut head! The result is worth all his efforts over many years. When in number 3 coming out to play?
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Unbekannt
20 März 2015, 05:44
I guess that's a 2014-15 racing special to an old design, not a real 1912 car at all
Editor: congratulations Peter, you indeed made it to the first line of the second paragraph. Well done.
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Editor: congratulations Peter, you indeed made it to the first line of the second paragraph. Well done.