'40s Style Dodge Brothers Roadster (f/k/a "Floor-shift transmissions")

[David Conwill]

I started a thread on this topic over in the truck section, but haven't come up with all the info I need yet. I hope it's ok if I cross post over here:
 

Hi Folks,
 
As I stated in my introduction, I’m in the planning stages of a ‘40s-style hop up based on a Dodge Brothers roadster and using 90%+ period MoPar content.  After missing out on a complete engine / trans setup from a ‘38 Dodge passenger car, I’ve started thinking about other sources for a floor-shift 3-speed for this project.
 

1938 Dodge engine and trans
 
I was already planning to use the steering box, column, and wheel from a Job Rated truck, and it occurred to me that these vehicles used floor-shift boxes as well.  
 

1942 Dodge truck floor shifter
 
Were the ‘39-‘47 truck three-speeds related to the ‘37-‘38 passenger-car boxes?  How do the ratios compare?  Can you swap parts around?
 
Any help is appreciated!
 
Regards,
 
Dave

Edited May 22, 2015 by David Conwill

[1952B3b23]

Sounds like a cool idea. Can you post pics of the DB roadster? I don't have an exact answer to your questions. although it shouldn't be to difficult to find a 3 speed floor shift from a dodge or Plymouth. This should bolt right up to a 218 or 201 ci flathead. Provided of course that you have the bell housing and the other necessary parts. I would keep looking around online for engine and Trans packages. Check the classifieds section on here, Craigslist, eBay, and the HAMB forum. Good luck.

-Chris

[deathbound]

I believe some '39 Plymouth's had floor shift also.

[timkingsbury]

I started a thread on this topic over in the truck section, but haven't come up with all the info I need yet. I hope it's ok if I cross post over here:

 

Hi David,  the truck tranny's are related, but not what you will be looking for. You will be likely for a "hop up" project be looking for a 1938-39  borg warner R7  3 speed overdrive transmission. I will drop you a note on some options for you.

Edited May 20, 2015 by timkingsbury

[1952B3b23]

I believe some '39 Plymouth's had floor shift also.

Yup that's right. The P7 models had floor shift, P8s had column shift.

-Chris

[David Conwill]

Sounds like a cool idea. Can you post pics of the DB roadster?

 

Chris,

 

I’m starting from scratch on this, but my plan is to dig up a ‘15-‘22 roadster body and mate it with the cowl of a ‘23-‘26 roadster or touring for a body that looks like this:

 

 

 

The engine plan is to get a pre-war 218 block and stroke it with a 230 crank and rods (though I have a friend who is trying to talk me into a DeSoto / Chrysler six with an F-head).  I’m taking inspiration from pre-war Ford hotrods, but using all MoPar pieces and some hop-up goodies from Edgy Speed Shop.  I want the whole works to look like it rolled off the lake bed at Muroc in 1942.

 

-Dave

[Don Coatney]

Forum member John Burke (who has sense passed) did something like that a few years back. However he built his own frame and used a Ford bucket.

 

[1952B3b23]

Chris,

I’m starting from scratch on this, but my plan is to dig up a ‘15-‘22 roadster body and mate it with the cowl of a ‘23-‘26 roadster or touring for a body that looks like this:

The engine plan is to get a pre-war 218 block and stroke it with a 230 crank and rods (though I have a friend who is trying to talk me into a DeSoto / Chrysler six with an F-head). I’m taking inspiration from pre-war Ford hotrods, but using all MoPar pieces and some hop-up goodies from Edgy Speed Shop. I want the whole works to look like it rolled off the lake bed at Muroc in 1942.

-Dave

That's awesome man. I'll be following along I really like this idea.

-Chris

[deathbound]

Check out this thread:http://p15-d24.com/topic/34976-flathead-powered-t-bucket/

[wayfarer]

Check out this thread:http://p15-d24.com/topic/34976-flathead-powered-t-bucket/

Chop is still active here...wonder what became of the project..?

[David Conwill]

Chop is still active here...wonder what became of the project..?

 

He must be a good guy.  I see he also drives a Falcon!

[David Conwill]

Given that there was some interest in this project, I thought I’d show off a couple drawings a good friend of mine, Clayton Paddison, worked up for me last night.  This is an excellent representation of what I have in mind for this build.  The only deviation from what’s shown here is that I’m planning to run eight quarter-elliptical springs like a Miller race car instead of the stock parallel leaves.  Front axle will be '38 PlyDo tube, and the rear axle from a similar-era MoPar - hopefully with a 3.54 gear ratio.

 

 

Oh, and I plan on '37 MoPar bullet taillamps and no Motometer.

Edited May 22, 2015 by David Conwill

[1952B3b23]

Looks awesome I'm excited to see this come about. Your friend did a great job on the drawing. Have you gotten any leads on finding the body?

-Chris

[wayfarer]

The ¼-elliptic arrangement should be interesting.

[David Conwill]

The ¼-elliptic arrangement should be interesting.

 

I heard a fellow refer to the arrangement as an "eight springer".  Here's the 1931 Miller V16 Speedster as an example:

 

 

Looks awesome I'm excited to see this come about. Your friend did a great job on the drawing. Have you gotten any leads on finding the body?

-Chris

 

Not yet, but I'm fairly confident I can find one once I really start looking (no room yet).  They're probably the second-most-common roadsters from the era simply by virtue of their all-steel bodies.  The wood-framed bodies of their competition fell apart, but the steel bodies stayed together and survived.

[Don Coatney]

If I had one of these it would have to have the Offenhauser engine.

 

[deathbound]

If you start(ed) a build thread on the HAMB, post the link, I'd like to follow along there also.

[David Conwill]

If you start(ed) a build thread on the HAMB, post the link, I'd like to follow along there also.

 

I probably will start one once I have a body.  Not much to see until that point.

[ledfootslim]

This is going to be so cool! These are my favorite kind of cars. I'm working on one powered by a slant six that will be pretty similar, with some sixties parts. Best of luck and can't wait to see how it turns out!

[greg g]

ditch the rear bodywork and make a "speedster"  Cowl, seats, gas tank. couple spare tires.

[David Conwill]

A speedster would be another cool direction. Maybe with DB disc wheels and a Fast Four engine. A little earlier flavor than I'm shooting for. My inspiration is Ed Iskenderian's pre-war roadster, but scaled up to the DB body.

I'm contemplating the potential for expanding my search to include a '23-'26 touring car and fabricating a "turtletank" exterior fuel tank modeled on the 1915-'21 roadster turtledeck to replace the rear half of the body.

[David Conwill]

As a slight update, I was able to gain access to some better Dodge Brothers historical resources and learned that the body I actually need to find is a second-series ’22 or ’23 roadster body.

 

 

Wish me luck!

[countrytravler]

Bump

[David Conwill]

Alas, this one is on indefinite hold. I still love the concept, but fate has handed me Model T and '31 Chevrolet parts, so I'm on to other projects for the time being.

[moose]

David, how about this one?  '17 DB Roadster on a '27 chassis.  5 main D series 4 cylinder.