Thread: Speedway's 1927 roadster

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Until the kids leave home (shortly!), I can't just jump into street rodding, so I'm in the research stages now. I'd rather not buy somebody else's project, just because I hate the thought of how much I'd have to change around to make me happy (although I may warm to the idea later). So that means buying a fiberglass body with frame. Plenty of manufacturers out there (Amen!), but as a first car for me, I think cheaper is the way to go (OK, if I want to build my first car soon, cheaper is my only choice!)


I've been eyeballing Speedway's 1927 T roadster. I seem to be having trouble posting the link directly to the kit, so if you want to see what I'm talking about, go to the web site:
www.speedwaymotors.com and enter Part number 91691327 in the appropriate search.

I figure about $7000 including this kit would put me well on the way. I already have the 5.0 and tranny, and I'll do much of the assembly myself.

What I want to know is, who out there has worked with Speedway's '27 roadster, and what do you think of the kit?

Thanks for your time, and kudos to a great web site!

After that rosey picture let me give you something else to think about.

In general (meaning there are always exceptions, albeit rare), the cheaper the "kit" the lower the quality. That means it's going to take you either more $, or more time (which is the same as more $) to build a decent car.

Based on your own self-description I'm going to guess you're pretty new to building a rod from the ground up. That means that what I'm about to write will seem unbelievable to you. It's the truth, but if you haven't experienced it you'll be skeptical. You're doing what almost every "rookie", and some semi-experienced people, do. They sit down with a catalog and a legal size yellow tablet. They go through the catalogs, list out EVERYTHING they can think of. Some items you SWAG (scicentific wild ass guess), and come up with a number. You come up with a total similar to what you have there. Now for the tough to stomach part. Double that number and you'll be close. Don't believe me? Oh well!! Oh, you've probably also guesstimated how long it will take you. Triple that!

Now, you don't know me, but you did ask for input. I'm really not trying to discourage you. Rather, quite the opposite. Too many people have started a project like this without experience and end up with a pile of "stuff" in the garage that is neither a car, nor has any market value to others, or at least nothing near what it cost. If you don't have a buddy like Streets (well, not exactly like him anyway ) to help bail you out you'll get discouraged and quit on the project. Or you may actually find success in another way.

There are many people who don't agree with me, but I feel that the best way to get started in this hobby is to buy a finished, or near finished car. Find something you like first, don't compromise just for the sake of price. The ideal would be a car that's put together well, runs reliably, and just needs some finishing touches like paint and upholstery. You have to be a little patient and a good negotiator because the guys who have these kind of cars, at first, want to get all, or nearly all, of their money back. Ain't gonna happen. You need to wait them out as they learn the realities of the marketplace. And there's the problem with trying to build a "cheap" kit car. You end up with $12-14k in a car that you can only sell for $7k at best (unless you're one of the very few who really do possess extraordinary skill and artistic talent). Why? Because most rod buyers can tell it's a cheap car and put together by an amatuer. Or you can buy a "used" rod, especially if it's mostly like you want, update it with some better wheels, maybe some upholstery upgrades, and have a car you can later sell for something around what you've got in it. After you've "paid your dues" you'll have learned enough to be able to build a ground up car with a much greater chance of success.

You talk about needing time to get in position to play with rods. Great!!! Don't waste it. Go to every event you can. Look at cars that appeal to you. Ask the owners questions to learn the pros and cons. See what the market likes and doesn't like. Now you may be thinking "I don't care what others like, I want to build what I like". If you didn't have affordability issues that would be fine. Throw money away. But some day you're going to want to, or need to, sell the car and move on, either to another one, or something else. That's when your decisions come home to roost.

Now, I'll give you one personal example. Click the camera next to my name. Look for the dark red '32 roadster. When I bought that it had good paint, good upholstery, a new top, and ran well. However, it had a dated style. It was two toned with black, had knock off wire wheels, and sat too high. I bought it, painted the fenders, frame rails, and fuel tank to match the rest of the car. I lowered it, and changed the wheels and tires. Enjoyed the car for a couple seasons and sold it for something near what I had in it. And just to show it's not a fluke, I did the essentially the same thing with the '56 wagon pictured too. That doesn't make me a genius, just an average guy who's been down the road. I've actually got a couple friends who are way shrewder than me and make money doing similar things. Think about it.

Here's a picture of a Speedway 27, My friend has, He really didn't have that much trouble fitting it together.

Originally posted by Streets
Hey DUG,
With your 7 G's and 8G's more you could
OWN this car,
and all you'd have to do is bring it home,
put gas in it and wear DEPENDS
when ya drove it.. ..

Holy cow!!!!! Straight 6 or V-12? (Can't really tell from the angle of the pic)
At any rate, I'd have more money in Depends than gas with that thing.......

Originally posted by Streets

In this case.. Cheaper is NOT always the best way to go. I'd still look around at ALL the options on ALL the different body styles, call people and ask for all the specs on the body, and frame so you'll know if your going to fit in their projects before deciding on a T-Bucket, they are usually very uncontrollable on the highway anyway at speed. From personal experience I think Speedway Motor's sux..
as does their parts. .

Thanks for the input. I've been looking at things for a couple of years now, and originally looked at Down's '37 Ford. That's a car I still want to do, but I figure in the neighborhood of $14k just for the full body and rolling chassis. Ouch! That's when I looked around more and found Speedway's '27 (although I'm interested in the roadster instead of the T). I was hoping that since they've been around for 50 years, they may have a decent product albeit cheap. I agree -- cheaper isn't always the way to go. And from your experience, I'm pretty dismayed. I'll keep up my research, and go from there. Again, thanks!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Streets
[B] before deciding on a T-Bucket, they are usually very uncontrollable on the highway anyway at speed. I know, I have 2 now, and have owned 4 of em.

Is it because of the wheelbase, suspension, power-to-weight, or (d) all of the above? One thing that made the '27 roadster attractive is a longer wheelbase (113") and a bit more compartment room. I'm 5'8" so I'm not too worried about stuffing myself in there, but I did hope to drive whatever I come up with on more than a leisurely basis in the summer. "Uncontrollable" is NOT going to cut it!!!!!

Originally posted by Bob Parmenter
After that rosey picture let me give you something else to think about.

Thanks Bob, for some very sound advice. In weighing time vs. money, I figured I was richer in time than cash, so I wasn't too worried about that. And actually, I never gave how much time it'd take me to complete a car any thought. Ownership is 9/10ths of the law, and if I can at least get my hands on a tangible piece to "play with", I'd be happier. That should open the way to buying somebody else's project and changing things as you did. I just have to get over a psychological problem of being able to change something that functions ok as is and not feel like I'm wasting time & money (the "If it ain't broke don't screw with it" mentality). But then I'd probably end up with a "dated" car like yours was, or worse; having a bow-tie under the hood! (Had to get my jab in. Sorry!) I also need to not be darned particular at this time (another big stumbling block for me in this Hot Rod business). Yes, I am new to building a ground-up rod, but I have wrenched on a few cars. Believe it or not, I paid quite a bit of attention to what you wrote, and I DO believe every word you say!!! Some of what you said I have already seen to be true, and I appreciate your wisdom. I took the "rookie" experience to a new level: not only do I grab the catalog & make a list, I tab all the pages that have parts I'm interested in! My catalog looks like it has hair growing out of the top of the pages (ain't that SICK?) I actually wanted to do 2-3 cars, AND KEEP THEM!, but I bet that's a pretty unrealistic view. And my logic for the "cheap" car is to cut my teeth on that, gain experience, and learn from mistakes before I try this with a much more expensive piece. I did realize I'd probably not get my money back out of it come sale time, but I'm not sure I understood what kind of hit I'd actually take. Depends on the car and how it's done, I suppose. Rather than go on about my "plans," I'm going to print your note out and keep it as a remider. Bob, you're a good man, and I'm glad you took the time to write!!!

Since we're talking 27 T Roadsters here,may I ask my question? I want to build a Track T Roadster with an IFS, why do all the IFS kit makers stop their kits at 1928. Please take a look at the chassis kit on the Track T at www.ecoastcoolcars.com and give me your thoughts on this design. I am looking at a body kit that is stretched 5.5 inches with 2.5 inch wider doors, it fits mi 5' 11" very well. Thanks

I know nothing about the T-Kit from Speedway or other company's, But I do know a lot about Speedways products, after 32 years of circle racing Speedway was one of my main suppliers and never once did I have a problem with anything I got from em... I always wanted to build one of their track T's with one of my old Iron Duke midget motors