If You Like Old Race Cars
04-28-2011, 02:09 AM
#1
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If You Like Old Race Cars
And I mean old. Almost a century old.
Rolled up to the garage at the track today (Thunderhill), and there's a really odd noise coming from the dyno guy next door. A few minutes later something really, really, really old rolls out. 1913 Peugeot, runner up at Indy 1914. 90MPH qualifier, maybe 10th-12th fastest overall with 1/2 the displacement.
First car to have: overhead valves, four valves/cylinder, dual overhead cams, penta combustion chamber, and overlap cam timing. Maybe the dry sump was a "first" also, but I forgot with all I was being told. Restoration at a shop in Corte Madera, I should know the name. Guy named Ivan is the co-owner?
~70HP out of 3.0L @~3K. Flat torque curve. Either this car or another like it ended up over at Miller's with a broken crank, and his engines were based on seeing this. Then when Offy (the Miller machinist?) bought all of Miller's equipment when he went bust in the depression, the Offy engine used/still used (?) is based on this thing.
The dry sump thing was pretty neat, too. A pump down low on the front, then 6 vial looking things and a drip system with a vernier device for the mains, etc. that the riding mechanic had to monitor. Also a hand pump on the gas tank to keep it pressurized for fuel feed. Pretty large Zenith updraft carb. And of course a magneto to spark the thing.
Everything was hand made. Only the axles and engine were left from the original, it having become a parts source for a single seater in the '30's. Went from Cunningham to the Collier collection. Didn't ask who owns it now. No welding, all blacksmith work to make the frame. That exhaust pipe is 4", was packed with sand from the roof where they held it while the guys with the torches heated it so they could make the bends. All from historic photos.
Ivan ran it at Milwaukee last year, but a piston seized during his run. The original pistons were steel, and had 2 6mm compression rings. No oil rings.
Not a Porsche, but pretty amazing what was rolling around out there 100 years ago.
Rolled up to the garage at the track today (Thunderhill), and there's a really odd noise coming from the dyno guy next door. A few minutes later something really, really, really old rolls out. 1913 Peugeot, runner up at Indy 1914. 90MPH qualifier, maybe 10th-12th fastest overall with 1/2 the displacement.
First car to have: overhead valves, four valves/cylinder, dual overhead cams, penta combustion chamber, and overlap cam timing. Maybe the dry sump was a "first" also, but I forgot with all I was being told. Restoration at a shop in Corte Madera, I should know the name. Guy named Ivan is the co-owner?
~70HP out of 3.0L @~3K. Flat torque curve. Either this car or another like it ended up over at Miller's with a broken crank, and his engines were based on seeing this. Then when Offy (the Miller machinist?) bought all of Miller's equipment when he went bust in the depression, the Offy engine used/still used (?) is based on this thing.
The dry sump thing was pretty neat, too. A pump down low on the front, then 6 vial looking things and a drip system with a vernier device for the mains, etc. that the riding mechanic had to monitor. Also a hand pump on the gas tank to keep it pressurized for fuel feed. Pretty large Zenith updraft carb. And of course a magneto to spark the thing.
Everything was hand made. Only the axles and engine were left from the original, it having become a parts source for a single seater in the '30's. Went from Cunningham to the Collier collection. Didn't ask who owns it now. No welding, all blacksmith work to make the frame. That exhaust pipe is 4", was packed with sand from the roof where they held it while the guys with the torches heated it so they could make the bends. All from historic photos.
Ivan ran it at Milwaukee last year, but a piston seized during his run. The original pistons were steel, and had 2 6mm compression rings. No oil rings.
Not a Porsche, but pretty amazing what was rolling around out there 100 years ago.
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04-28-2011, 10:43 AM
#8
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Ivan Zaremba. Great enthusiast and pretty ballsy shoe. Would have to be sitting that high up! 
That car is really cool! Such a pioneer in all things we take for granted now. Thanks for posting.
That car is really cool! Such a pioneer in all things we take for granted now. Thanks for posting.
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www.peterkrause.net
www.gofasternow.com
"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway
04-28-2011, 01:03 PM
#12
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The shop in Corta Madera is Phil Reilley & Company, very well know restoration shop specializing in very high end and rare automobiles. I have been to his shop, it is an amazing place.
www.philreillycompany.com
www.philreillycompany.com
04-28-2011, 02:05 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Awesome! I was at TH yesterday too and noticed a lineup of vintage race cars near the front when I went to get some gas halfway through the day. They had some epic machinery out there.. wish I had the time to come over and take pictures.
-mike
-mike
04-28-2011, 05:16 PM
#14
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Great find. Wonder what the aero is like on that beauty?
04-28-2011, 10:05 PM
#15
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