Classic? Grassroots?? I Dunno...

A little of both, I guess.

So, my buddy asks me if I was off work this week. I tell him "yes.  Why?"

Well, it seems he found some Cragar Tru-Spokes for a silly-low price.  Problem was, they were just outside of Peoria (Washington, to be exact).  "Sure would have been nice if you found these 2 days ago" I tell him, as I had just gone down there on Saturday to pick up a set of 20" Dodge Ram spare wheels to use on my 2wd Ramcharger. (Glasford, to be exact)

But I love Road Trips, and I know he will compensate me well, and the little SW2 gets decent gas mileage.   But still... seems like a waste...  Better check CL and FB Marketplace.

Maybe I should have taken something bigger down there, but how was I to know what I would find-

It's a circa 1960(ish) Midwest Trackmaster.  Setup to take lefthand, righthand, or dual(!) engines.  

Had to find a Harbor Fright for a set of ratchet straps, but I can always use more. It looks racey, but it is heavier than heck.  Scrub brakes weren't really state-of-the-art for 1960, either.  But the frame is really cool and very well made, with great detail.


 
Rider sits real low in the frame.



Original gas tank.


Here is an ad for them BItD.  Seller had no idea who made it, and neither did I. I thought it might be a Percival, or another Kurtis designed cart, due to the column support-



They sure weren't that cheap, even in the base, single engine model.

 

I'm honestly not sure what I am going to do with it, but I will at least clean it up a bit, try to strip the red repaint off (It was one owner for 50 years, according to the guy selling it, who was a co-worker of the 50 year owner)  It probably should end up in the hands of someone who will restore it.

It should probably end up in the hands of someone who will hoon the snot out if it.

Fixed that last part for ya.

Seriously though, sweet score.

In reply to Robbie :

That's a tough call.

They are pretty uncommon, and when they pop up, they seem to be collectible. This one was at the Saratoga Auto Museum. 

Vintage go-kart prices make airplane seem cheap. I've seen that style gas tank go for 4 bills.

Should’ve grabbed a HF 212cc predator while there. It’s the basis for all ridiculous karting accidents. 

Trade it to me for some more wire wheels.  

Super cool.

In reply to Cooter :

You should have hit up TheJed before you went down, he probably could have used some more Mustang/Foxbody parts from up your way. 

In reply to Pete Gossett :

This was really a last minute kinda deal, and I was only down there lng enough to pick up the wheels, contact the cart seller, find a HF and an ATM without fees, load up the cart and BS with the seller (he is into antique gas pumps and traditional Hot Rods), and high tail it home.   But I will probably be out that way again soon, as this sort of thing seems to go in cycles for me.

BTW- my buddy who wanted the Tru-Spokes is as big into FoMoCo as I am MoPar (as you will see in my next reply) especially Fox Body, mostly Fairmonts, but he loves them all.   I'm not sure what parts TheJed is looking at/for, but I may be able to help in procuring or transport.

Patrick said:

Trade it to me for some more wire wheels.  

LoL.   I didn't need or want the Tru-Spokes, and my buddy only needed one set for a 7K actual mile '77 Thunderbird time capsule he scored a few months ago.  The car is pretty cool, but the rusty Appliance style chrome baskets were really killing the Super Fly vibe.

However, Have You Seen What Cragar Tru-Spokes Go For These Days?    That's close to what the last Trackmaster rolling chassis sold for on eBay.

Either way, it's a cool find. Thanks for sharing. 

In reply to Cooter :

Holy hell, the ones i have also have some awesome vintage bias ply tires on them, the kind that vintage hot rod guys run because they have no fear of explosions.  Now i have to get the ladder out and pull them from the rafters for eBay 

also, I wouldn’t call buying a 77 thunderbird “scoring” in any sense 

In reply to Patrick :

To each his own.

Check the backs of the wheels.  They tend to crack.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

Hey, I do what I can.   I used to think no one here would be really interested in the daily automotive idiocy I partake in.  But,after seeing some of the other posts, maybe I almost fit in... 

In reply to Cooter :

I mean, you showed up at my house in winter in a billion mile sprinter van for some $50 440 headers.  I consider that fitting in just fine around here

Cooter said:

Patrick said:

Trade it to me for some more wire wheels.  

LoL.   I didn't need or want the Tru-Spokes, and my buddy only needed one set for a 7K actual mile '77 Thunderbird time capsule he scored a few months ago.  The car is pretty cool, but the rusty Appliance style chrome baskets were really killing the Super Fly vibe.

 

However, Have You Seen What Cragar Tru-Spokes Go For These Days?    That's close to what the last Trackmaster rolling chassis sold for on eBay.

Holy berkeley, that’s delicious. Wheels are perfect. Just needs vogues.

In reply to poopshovel again :

Wait until you see it with the Tru Spokes...