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TQ Midget Project
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stuchamp



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 546
Location: Iowa, USA

PostPosted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:45 am    Post subject: TQ Midget Project Reply with quote

I've had this TQ midget since 2003 and finally decided that it was time to get serious about getting it finished. I got some motivation from my 3 year granddaughter who wants to take "her midget" to the car shows along with our '57 Chevy wagon.

Here's a link to Rick's "Classic Wheels" site that gives a description of the TQ.
http://www.classic-wheels.co.uk/midget_race_car1.htm

While the car has a newer frame and body work, it is an exact replica of the TQ's that were raced in the 50's and early 60's here. The running gear, including the engine, trans, & rear axle are from a 1949-52 Crosley. The front spindles and the modified Ross steering gear are also from a Crosley.

Some parts of the car have been redone differently since we last updated the build on the Classic Wheels site. The starter, flywheel, and clutch have been eliminated with a direct drive setup in its place. This involved building a rear engine plate that is also the lower firewall, welded to a small housing that bolts to trans. Other parts have been located and bought the last couple years including the correct Fageol dual carb setup and just this week a new set of Firestone vintage dirt track tires.









New Firestone 500x12 dirt tires from Speedway Motors.


I'll post more photos as the build goes along.
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stuchamp



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 546
Location: Iowa, USA

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bit of an update on the TQ.
Didn't want Rick thinking I'd been slacking off too much this summer. Wink

Doesn't look like much yet, but a lot of little things have been done.
Steering gear was modified to fit the sprint car style pitman arm. Pitman shaft end from a '40 Dodge truck was welded to the Roth shaft.
Decided on using a different brake lever than the one I had made earlier.
Rick might recognize this lever, also from the old '40 Dodge. Just removed the button and ratchet and it was like it was made for the TQ.


Front friction shock brackets tacked on. Same type shock will be used on the rear. Currently in the process of making a pattern for the rear.


Exhaust being mocked up for bracket patterns. Old fiberglass racing seat installed. A new aluminum seat will be built as the old seat is a little too warped.


Throttle pedal being positioned so carb intake measurements can be made.


A few more small pieces need to be made and tacked on to the frame. Once everything is in place, the car will be completely assembled to make sure we didn't forget to do something. Then it can be taken apart and fully welded. Hopefully the frame and suspension will be painted and reassembled in the next month or so.
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buzzy bee



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 3382
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

I had missed this thread until today, and blimy it looks interesting!

So you say they used to race them, on what kind of track?

I do like the shape of the back end.

Cheers

Dave
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stuchamp



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 546
Location: Iowa, USA

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi BB

TQ's were raced on both dirt and paved ovals, usually 1/8 to 3/8 mile in length. They were also raced indoors at arenas and hippodromes.
Now days, they are displayed and run in exhibition races at vintage meets.
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Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Coming along nicely eh Smile
R
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buzzy bee



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 3382
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

I like oval racing myself, there are a few simmilar scaled down calsses over here, legends and rebels, rebels being contact. They do some vintage races, where the race cars from the past, and would love to see them running these round an oval. Do you have any pics of them in their hey day so to say?

Cheers

Dave
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scott_budds



Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 175
Location: Norwich

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 3:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you know I saw the first pic and thought it was a pedal car!!!!

That looks so small...but with a huge(relative to its size) engine!!

Arial atom of its day??!!

Buddsy
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Im looking for an Elan plus 2 for my next resto project...if you see one think of me please!!
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scott_budds



Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 175
Location: Norwich

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 3:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok so I got a question?

Where do your legs go???!!! Do you have to hang them out over the side!! Laughing

Buddsy
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stuchamp



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 546
Location: Iowa, USA

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This might answer some questions.

Scroll down to the TQ section.
http://www.antiqueautoracing.com/members.htm

and
http://www.vintagetqmidgets.com/TQ_s_from_the_past.html
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stuchamp



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 546
Location: Iowa, USA

PostPosted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 6:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Guess its been over a year already since I last posted an update. Not much has been done in that time but was able to get a couple things done this past week.

Radiator has been installed.


New drag link was also installed and we finally have a steerable car.


I built intake runners to extend and elevate the carbs over the exhaust header. I even managed to get the correct angle and length. Very Happy
I might redo these in aluminum later on.



Four new wheels to go with the new Firestone race tires.


And the "Boss" (4 year old granddaughter) checking the fit. It's going to be a few more years until she can reach the go pedal but she is getting anxious to show off "her car".


Hopefully the next update will be in a few weeks instead of months or years.
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buzzy bee



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 3382
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There's the motivation then, for it to be ready, for her, when she can reach the pedals!

Great, cheers for the update!
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Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have you had it running yet with that exhaust system?? bet it'd sound good in the garage Smile

R
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Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's a really impressive piece of work! It also looks like a really scary thing to drive. Have you got any performance figures for TQs of this spec?

Peter Very Happy
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Nic Jarman



Joined: 05 Oct 2008
Posts: 1031
Location: Stoke by Clare, Suffolk

PostPosted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had forgotten about this thread, thanks for the update. I think everybody should have a TQ Midget, they look like way too much fun. No clutch and a gearbox, thats gonna make gear changes a little tricky. How many gears does it have? What is the hand pump on the left side? Very Happy
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Once under way the lack of a clutch does take some skill in gear changing and starting off with no starter motor is also challenging. It will be light to push but then you've got to get into the seat whilst it revs away with no flywheel. The weight of the car is the flywheel. All very exciting!

Peter
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