having established the level of wear in these parts we are setting about making replacements drawing being the first step the last image is the outline of my drawing over the scanned part just to make sure I have no obvious errors. the strange thing is that the two smaller holes near the middle are 16mm apart and 3mm off centre from the two bigger ones, all the other dimensions are imperial, no idea why
Not a Doble but steam related and very cool. Being sold next month by Bonhams. Jim Crank is the author of the Doble book FYI.
https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/32353/preview-lot/6130036/1977-steamin-demon-steam-streamliner-chassis-no-sd-1/
In the early 70's the world's Land Speed Record for steam -powered vehicles was 127.656mph. It was over 70 years old, having been set by "The Rocket", a product of the Stanley Motor Carriage Company, the latest of several companies organized by the Stanley brothers, F.E. and F.O. "The Rocket" set its record on the tidal sands of Ormond Beach, Florida in 1906 and was, at the time, the absolute top speed record for self-propelled vehicles. "The Rocket" returned to Ormond Beach in 1907. With the same driver, Fred Marriott, behind the steering wheel it crashed at over 150mph destroying both "The Rocket" and Fred Marriott.
Interest in steam cars faded rapidly as the practicality of gasoline cars increased and the record set by "The Rocket" stood for over 70 years. It stood because it was ignored, at least until rising again in the 1960's with newfound interest in steam propulsion spurred by emissions reduction, then by a gasoline shortage. One of its earliest and most effective proponents was Bill Lear, serial inventor and entrepreneur. Lear's trail of inventions and innovations started with radios (Magnavox), expanded to aviation (practical jet aircraft autopilot and the famed Learjet) and branched off into stereo tape (the Lear Jet 8-track cassette player). Bill Lear, it seems, never met a problem he didn't think he could solve.
Although Lear proposed an exotic "deltic" layout multi-cylinder steam engined race car for Indianapolis it never appeared. More importantly, Lear proposed a steam-powered urban bus with ingenious steam generation and a tiny, 60,000rpm turbine that made over 200hp. Prototyped and demonstrated, the Lear Steam Bus project stalled over fuel economy and cost considerations and the company wound down. The concept and components, however, remained and the bus power system components were purchased by Jim Crank. It became the basis for the 1977 Steamin' Demon Streamliner.
As I progress with the new cylinders I realise that that Donald Rumsfeld was right ! " because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don't know we don't know."
In simpler terms:
Known knowns: Things we are aware of and understand.
Known unknowns: Things we are aware that we do not know or that are uncertain.
Unknown unknowns: Things we are completely unaware of and do not even consider."
There are three different crankshafts with three different strokes of valve travel, this in turn means that there are ( at least three) different cylinder castings with the grooves which the liner ports have to line up with in different places, several different liners with different port positions and widths and on top of that multiple different valves all with different admission and exhaust characteristics......and no real records of what goes with what.... more sleepless nights
I was asked to share these pictures and video, even though not completely Doble related, it was thought interesting. As some of you who follow me on Face Book may know, my wife and I have been building a copy of a frank Lloyd Wright house here on the Isle of Man over the last few years, there is a basement garage under the house big enough for around 6 cars which, we had decided would serve as workshop and storage for building materials until the main house was totally finished and then would be emptied and would be the final area to finish. With the pending arrival of a number of very beautiful and valuable Dobles into my care we decided that we must accelerate the garage area ahead of our planed schedule, the subterranean lift was the biggest item and although I had thought I would make it in our own factory, we are very busy and after much soul searching we eventually realised that we had to buy from China, this decision did not sit well with me politically or morally, however I sent some drawings, they promised to make it within 30 days ( which they did) and for $28k I could not match this and to be fair I am very pleased with the result. In a couple of months you should see a Doble or two on it
Spotted this land cruiser today. Tasteful lift and suspension. Pretty clever small trailer system. Seems like a really practical way to transport gear. Certainly better than overpacking and overloading the roof rack. Frees up a lot more cargo space. Thinking about trying to build one of these or find one at a reasonable price.
A rare Rudge-Whitworth Canoe Sidecar from the 1920s. Produced between 1925 and 1927, this unusual accessory was designed to transport a 14-foot canoe alongside a motorcycle.
Had a great week at the Rolls Royce Owners Club National event in Palm Springs. Great city, wonderful weather, and a fun program. There were 150 cars in the field. I didn’t take many photos, but here are a few……..enjoy.
What’s more frightening? The Lucas ignition module or the bare, twisted together wires leading to it. I think we’ll get this one in and out asap, while the shop is still standing.
Known for his love of automobiles, Clark Gable had a taste for rare and luxurious machines. Over the years, his collection featured marques like Duesenberg, Packard, Cadillac, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz. Among his most notable cars were three Mercedes 300 models: a 300 SL Gullwing, a 300 SL Roadster, and a 300 SC. The 300 SC was especially prized by Gable, who was famously reluctant to let anyone else get behind the wheel.
When I was in HS my dad had this exact car that he had bought as a parts car for my Mom's XK140 not realizing that most of the parts don't interchange. As a freshman in HS i dreamed of fixing it up and using it as my HS car. Except my dad's car was not quite as "nice" as this one. These are FANTASTIC cars to drive and parts are still readily available. They were intended for the American market and a lot were sold here. This was is practically free at 15k. 😂
https://app.rumbleseat.com/admin/marketplace/listing/2700869