I want a Brass Era speedster.
Photography Credit: Chris Tropea
Riding in the passenger seat of a brass-era race car was possibly the coolest and most terrifying car experience I’ve ever had.
Before this, my weirdest car experience came in a Messerschmitt, a microcar that’s more scooter than car. I thought that would be the most dangerous-feeling thing I would ever ride in. Turns out I was wrong.
[Driving Microcars: Equal parts fun and scary?]
Recently, Tim Suddard and I took a trip up to Savanah, Georgia, to do a photo and video shoot for a story about two prewar race cars: an E-M-F from 1911 and a Chalmers from 1908.
When we were getting ready to wrap up the shoot, Tim asked me, “Do you want to ride in one of these?” After a little hesitancy, I said yes, and I’m glad I did. When will I ever get the chance to do that again?
The moment I stepped into the Chalmers, I was transported back to 1911. You don’t sit in one of these cars so much as you sit on it. One of the first things you notice is that getting into the seat requires climbing over the hot, open header that sits directly next to you on the floorboard.
Once in the seat, which more closely resembles a bench, I noticed another thing: You are completely exposed, sitting up high with nothing to keep you in place.
I was instructed to hold onto the back of the driver’s seat, just as the ride-in mechanics did back when these cars were raced.
Then we headed off to take a loop around what is left of the Hutchinson Island race track. While now surrounded by a golf course, this track was built in the ’90s in the hopes of hosting an IndyCar event. It didn’t pan out, and now the track sits unused as a stretch of public roadway.
Once underway, I finally realized just how crazy the people who raced these cars must have been. While we got nowhere close to the speeds that the cars are capable of, even at 35 mph I felt like we were going 50.
The sound of the four-cylinder engine’s exhaust right next to me, the whine of the gears, and the wind in my face was an experience I will never forget.
A little way down the track, I remembered what the mechanic that joined us that day told me about these engines having an open valvetrain as oil started sprinkling onto my face. Track debris was also being kicked up from the skinny, tall tires. I realized quickly why drivers are wearing goggles in those old photos. This just enhanced the experience for me, though.
And as the driver reached over to shift into another gear, the second car on our shoot came up alongside us, and the cacophony of the two cars surrounded me. It was unlike any experience I have ever had with cars.
Most cars I’ve been in have been designed with safety of the driver and passenger in mind, and this car seemed to completely forgo safety in the effort of going fast and winning races.
Now I can’t help but think about what it must have been like in the early 1900s to see these cars racing in person or, better yet, to be part of the race.
What was it like to actually drive these cars? Keep an eye on a future issue of Classic Motorsports.
I want a Brass Era speedster.
I kinda wanna MAKE a brass-era speedster.
Maybe we need a Brass Era Speedster class at the next Challenge.
Woody (Forum Supportum) said:Maybe we need a Brass Era Speedster class at the next Challenge.
In reply to GIRTHQUAKE :
5. 145 section width tire, max.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
6. Obviously, only carburation, though you can use more than an updraft.
7. Mechanical fuel pumps are acceptable?
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
But they have to be on 22"+ rims.
8. No safety gear other than leather helmet, gloves, and goggles allowed.
9. Drum (or more primitive) Brakes ONLY
10. Bonus points for hand crank starter.
In reply to Apexcarver :
11. If you're injured by said starter, you get free refills for the period of the race 
Do ya'll think they have to be all generator on 6 volt? Or would we allow modern alternators?
I don't think alt vs. generator, fuel pump type, etc should make a difference, since neither really changes the driver experience or the aesthetic.
For sure, no fenders. Just so nobody shows up with an ACVW, which meets the letter of the rules here but definitely not the spirit.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
I think generally banning any engine newer than 1960 may be necessary, as an LS might squeak by the pushrod rule... Certainly makes it interesting to figure out a build.
I mean, nothing later than 1950 would be great, but likely hard to do in budget
Although I admit to loving me some of this...
In reply to Apexcarver :
No V engines unless the design is from before 1950? That would allow Flathead Fords (which would be cool) but also more "modern" inline engines like.... um... how about a Ford 170 six with a gaggle of SU carbs brazed to the intake manifold?
I'm not a good passenger in any kind of car, let alone a brass era racer where one is completely exposed. No tanks!!
Pete. (l33t FS) said:In reply to Apexcarver :
No V engines unless the design is from before 1950? That would allow Flathead Fords (which would be cool) but also more "modern" inline engines like.... um... how about a Ford 170 six with a gaggle of SU carbs brazed to the intake manifold?
How about a straight 8 Buick Roadmaster? ( era 1931 ) With a gaggle of SU's?
In reply to msterbeau :
Don't ride in a MG T series then. Cut away doors, ( you can reach down and touch the pavement) fold down windshield. Wire wheels up to 19" high.!
Pete. (l33t FS) said:I don't think alt vs. generator, fuel pump type, etc should make a difference, since neither really changes the driver experience or the aesthetic.
For sure, no fenders. Just so nobody shows up with an ACVW, which meets the letter of the rules here but definitely not the spirit.
MG's had electric fuel pumps in the 1940's and maybe earlier.
Really wouldn't want to take the fenders off. Since dad paid $300 for it back in 1962, there is quite a budget left for performance stuff 
GIRTHQUAKE said:Woody (Forum Supportum) said:Maybe we need a Brass Era Speedster class at the next Challenge.
- Only pushrod engines.
- Only manual transmissions.
- Only leafspring suspensions or period-correct systems.
- Seat has to look like a Presidential barcalounger
I got all that , except #4 in the 85 corvette thing I have been running the past two years...
frenchyd said:In reply to msterbeau :
Don't ride in a MG T series then. Cut away doors, ( you can reach down and touch the pavement) fold down windshield. Wire wheels up to 19" high.!
Are those the ones where the transmission comes up through the floor?
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
?
I hope I'm answering your question. Yes it's a floor shift 4 speed . The transmission is up by your feet and the lever is on an extension back by your elbow. So if you drop your hand off the steering wheel it lands on the shift lever.
Is that what you are asking?
frenchyd said:In reply to msterbeau :
Don't ride in a MG T series then. Cut away doors, ( you can reach down and touch the pavement) fold down windshield. Wire wheels up to 19" high.!
Those aren't too bad. You sit way up high in a brass era car. Put me at the wheel and I'll be ok with it. Maybe.
In reply to msterbeau :
Well you'll get a real thrill driving a MGTC Even a really carefully maintained one will have you swerving all over the road. . Really quick steering, and the steering box, well loose Is normal. That and bump steer. Straight axle and leaf springs Equals excitement.
Oh and they are all right hand drive. Which is really exciting in traffic.
Of course after reading this thread and reigniting my desire for a speedster this pops up on facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/938847623826902/?media_id=0&ref=share_attachment
Of course when I am trying to get rid of as many projects and vehicles as I can.
In reply to EvanB :
It’s a sign.
Few of them out there cheep
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/228122196285044/?mibextid=dXMIcH
In reply to johndej :
That's... Alarmingly close to me... I have been interested in doing some kind of project like that...
Nope... Not gonna do it right now...
Look up The Ragtime Racers on the web or Facebook. That's our group. We meet up 4 or 5 times a year at tracks like Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Laguna Seca and others. The main rule is that the cars have to be pre-1920. It's a total blast and really popular with the crowd. By the way, that's me in the number 10 above, a 1908 Chalmers-Detroit Model 30 factory racer
You rode on asphalt. Just to add to the thrill, most of the brass era driving and racing was on dirt and mud.
This site is full of the most heinously enabling people I've ever met in my life.
I don't have time for a brass-era anything right now.
Still gonna look, though.
This needs to become unofficial SCCA class as well. Steampunkwood. I want there to be a cold weather, dry, TSD rally as I'd purchase a tweed jacket to wear. And I'd finally have something for Coatesville Grand Prix and The Distinguished Race of Gentlemen.
Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:I want there to be a cold weather, dry, TSD rally as I'd purchase a tweed jacket to wear.
That is me every time I would drive a 450SL or other 107 chassis Mercedes. (It is 107, right? Short wheelbase 2 seater things?)
Gotta have the hat and string back gloves, as well.
The speedster in the video speaks to me. I don't think I would put a rotary in it but the aesthetic speaks to me on a deep level.
Motorcycle tires is a genius move.
Apexcarver said:In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
I think generally banning any engine newer than 1960 may be necessary, as an LS might squeak by the pushrod rule... Certainly makes it interesting to figure out a build.
I mean, nothing later than 1950 would be great, but likely hard to do in budget
Although I admit to loving me some of this...
There are plenty of 1950's and earlier motors. Actually do we want engines made in 1950 or earlier or designs made pre 1950?
For example the XPAG engine in MGT series was designed pre WW2 but used up to 1955.
If we shift just a little and say 1955 that's when the Chevy small block came out. It was still available in 1997. Not exactly the feeling we're seeking.
Some Triumph's were based on tractor design from that era as well. Straight 8 Buicks were built in the 1930' s until 1953 Same with the Flathead ford 32-53
Wire wheels should be mandatory. Or at least highly encouraged. Manual transmission. Bonus points for hand crank.
TIL that 450SLs are not that expensive and 380SLs are not cheaper enough to suffer with.
How hard is it to find high quality 205/70R14 tires?
I race lemons on 205/70R14s for two years. They are not good. Our best results were generic all seasons, shaved to 3/32" and inflated to 45° hot.
I have an extra running and driving Model T for sale that could easily become a speedster.
MGT series had brass radiators. ( the grill shell also was brass but chrome plated. ).
Since the XPAG engine in them was 54 horsepower it's not massively more powerful than a Ford Model A
Most had wire wheels ( or optional ) with hand crank and folding windshield.
If you've ever ridden in one the ride is exciting at speeds you won't get a speeding ticket. You can reach down and touch the pavement with the door closed.
buzzboy said:I race lemons on 205/70R14s for two years. They are not good. Our best results were generic all seasons, shaved to 3/32" and inflated to 45° hot.
I love blowing the minds of people who show up for track days in all season clad daily drivers by explaining that they're going to want their tire pressures north of 38, and often well into the 40s of PSI.
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