Thanks Peter, thought so, just wanted confirmation. Cheers Mal

Further to my proposed speedster, will the 5 series radiator shell fit the 6 series radiator? I think I can find a 5 series shell and it is what was actually used on the Jesse Vincent speedster from the look of the photos.

Hey West, thanks for your comments. As 626 speedsters are very rare, I am a little surprised that we have not seen other comments from members of the forum. I am sure there are some of you out there who know a lot more about speedster numbers and production. As these were special order, I guess it is entirely possible that a RHD model was ordered. The local gossip goes that this chassis (car) was once owned by a Circus owner here in NZ and may have come over from Australia years ago. No way to verify this. I had hoped that someone might have access to factory records re RHD speedsters.

From the discussions here, it would seem that I have a couple of choices regarding engine. One, rebuild the original 1929 engine possibly fitting a custom manifold similar to Dan's with downdraft carb(s), or rebuild the 1936 engine and fit it, along with a 1936 gearbox, to the chassis with modified engine mounts. We have very strict VIN regulations in NZ so this would need full engineer certification, so going with the original engine may be the less complicated route. I have attached a couple of photos of the donor car with one showing the longer big 8 bonnet with door vents and the tourer (I think) cowl I will use to start building the body from the cowl back. Does anyone have a 1929 radiator cap? I just want the standard cap with the bail, not one with a mascot. Cheers Mal

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I have come across a 626 chassis that has sometimes been referred to locally as a speedster chassis. What is interesting about this chassis is that the engine mounts are spaced for the big 8 engine and there is no sign of the original holes for the mount for the standard 8 engine. If these holes have been welded, it cannot be seen. I thought that a 626 chassis with engine mounts for big engine must be a speedster chassis. However, one more curious note is that it is drilled for RHD, with no holes on left hand chassis rail for the steering gear. Is it possible that a 626 speedster chassis was made at the factory in RHD? Love to hear your thoughts on this. The chassis number is 238xxx which is in the normal 626 range. Cheers Mal

Tim, your comments about using a spacer instead of a head gasket are interesting. Can you explain more. What type of spacer would you use and what is the thickness difference between it and the normal head gasket? Mal

Hi Dan, that coupe body looks great lowered. I went to Youtube and watched your videos. Amazing to drive a car after it has sat for 45 years, isn't it? Looks like you were still using the original updraft carb. Once you get it sorted I assume you be running the 55 chevy dist and the twin Stromberg carbs with your straight exhaust manifold. Will you rebuild, or have you rebuilt the engine, and if so will you do it to standard or modify it? Cheers Mal

Hi Dan, what a great looking coupe. It looks a bit lowered. Have you fitted lowering blocks between axle and springs? This is what I plan to do to give a lower look to the speedster style body. Does your engine have the side mounted water pump? This coupe will have a great hot rod look. I am very keen to follow your build and see how your motors runs with the twin carbs and the straight exhaust manifold. Also it looks like you have a distributor with vacuum advance. What is that off? and does it work okay on this engine as you say you have had it running. Cheers Mal

Thanks for your comments, Peter. I agree with you as I have never expected to have a performance vehicle. It is mostly about the looks and the cruising, however, being able to fit a motor that 'looks' the same as original but with 40 more HP, with a lightweight body, should give the 626 a little more pep. I am mindful of poured bearings, my 1928 REO has them and I have drvien that car for over 20 years since rebuilding that motor and I cruise at 60mph with the overdrive. I agree that the early transmissions such as the 1929 can be tricky to change but I have a lot of experience with 'boxes without synchro. If I could fit a 120B tranmission that would be great as I have a couple spare and they shift very well. Could be a bit tricky fitting a 120 transmission to the 320 engine bell housing. Just looking at the possible combinations and also interested in other suggestions. Would love to find out more about the twin carb manifold. Cheers Mal

David, I plan to use the chassis and mechanicals of a 626 sedan with a tourer cowl and big 8 bonnet and built a simple speedster body styled on the Jesse Vincent speedster he used on the Proving Grounds. The cowl will be positioned further back on the chassis to allow for the longer bonnet and to give a seating position further back nearer the rear wheels to get the speedster aspect ratio better. This is to be more a show/fun car rather than a racer, so I do not intend to be revving it out. I plan to put an overdrive in which will lower the crusing RPM to around 2000. Currently with the 4.38 diff, tyre diameter of 32.5 inches, at 60mph she will be doing 2717 RPM. With the 0.72 OD engaged this will drop to 1956. This will give the speedster long legs for cruising.
I have been considering speedster/"hotrod" looks and like the inlet/exhaust manifold that Dan posted as I had considered making up a twin carb manifold. That is another reason why I have been considering a later series std 8 engine, as it may respond better to twin carbs etc. Before diving in boots and all, I wanted some opinions on the engine differences from the knowledgeable people on this forum. Tim has been very helpful in his explanation of the differences between 1929 and 1936. I have previously restored 3 other cars and have fitted an overdrive to my 1928 REO Wolverine with a boattail body and she can cruise at 55-60 mph all day with a 215 cubic inch 6 cylinder motor. Hence my reasoning that a 1929 Packard 320 cubic inch 8 cylinder motor with a lightweight body should cruise pretty well with an overdrive.
I have also fitted an overdrive to my 1936 120B convertible coupe and it is so smooth to drive at 60mph with the lower revs. Cheers Mal