Hemi Powered SPEEDSTAR in the HOUSE!

[Erik W. Treves]

Got the Beta car in the garage to update it to the production body and glass.... this thing is a beast!!! stay tuned!

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=158702&d=1639672089

[65 Cobra Dude]

We’ll be watching! ��

Henry

[GoDadGo]

Erik,

Do you think that windshield wipers will be on the list of upgrades for that car?
Many states require them so I was wondering if it was on your list for update options.

Thanks-N-Advance!

Steve

[FF33rod]

Erik,

Do you think that windshield wipers will be on the list of upgrades for that car?
Many states require them so I was wondering if it was on your list for update options.

Thanks-N-Advance!

Steve

Hey Steve
Wipers aren't even an option on the regular hotrod. However, Dan Ruth has a package he's put together, some have used mighty wiper, and there's a universal brand (can't remember off the top of my head) that works really well. Some put them in the cowl and some put them above the windshield.

For the Speedstar, it will be interesting to see if the final cowl design has changed to something more like the hot rod. From the pic above the hood is coming right up to the windshield and with the roof slammed there is questionable room above the windshield.

Steve

[GoDadGo]

Hey Steve
Wipers aren't even an option on the regular hotrod. However, Dan Ruth has a package he's put together, some have used mighty wiper, and there's a universal brand (can't remember off the top of my head) that works really well. Some put them in the cowl and some put them above the windshield.

For the Speedstar, it will be interesting to see if the final cowl design has changed to something more like the hot rod. From the pic above the hood is coming right up to the windshield and with the roof slammed there is questionable room above the windshield.

Steve

Thanks Steve,

My friend Dave just completed a 33 Hot Rod and had to install a 2-speed electric wiper to get the car to pass.
It was a marine unit that clamped on the top of the window frame which was removed shortly after the inspection was completed.
When he has to do the Annual Safety Inspection (A.S.I.), he plans to reinstall the sucker and then put it away until the following year.

Thanks Again!

[Brastic]

Oh wow. Keep us posted.

[David Hodgkins]

That is a beautiful body shape. I am surprised that more Speedstars aren't being built.

I'll be following along on this one!

:)

[Jeff Kleiner]

I’m a big fan of the Speedstar and have been working hard to convince Nancy that she likes it too ;) When I worked the FFR display at the Street Rod Nationals this summer it generated a lot of interest and positive comments from the crowd.

Jeff

[narly1]

I have always been a fan of the Rat's Glass/Alloway roadster design and was very excited to learn that FFR was carrying on the platform with their advanced frame design underneath it all.

If only FFR would do a roadster version like the 33HR!

[narly1]

For the Speedstar, it will be interesting to see if the final cowl design has changed to something more like the hot rod. From the pic above the hood is coming right up to the windshield and with the roof slammed there is questionable room above the windshield.

Steve

Perhaps it might be possible to mount the wiper motor right into the hood?

Earl

[Jeff Kleiner]

Perhaps it might be possible to mount the wiper motor right into the hood?

Earl

The hood hinges from the front. Theoretically I think the wipers could be mounted to the cowl that is under the rear edge of the hood and the hood could be cut out to clear the shafts. Me? I’d use Rain-X :)

Jeff

[Erik W. Treves]

the only "issue" with wipers +cowl is that there isn't a cowl on the speedstar - notice how the hood goes all the way to the windshield vs the HR that stops well short. So indeed you would need to hack up the hood to accommodate the wipers.

[RoadRacer]

The hood hinges from the front. Theoretically I think the wipers could be mounted to the cowl that is under the rear edge of the hood and the hood could be cut out to clear the shafts. Me? I’d use Rain-X :)

Jeff

Aquapel FTW! I had a temporary wiper for the reg (in the end no one looked or cared, FWIW), and haven't missed them since. Aquapel works well enough to drive my 33 in thunderstorms

[theidlemind]

Hey Chief,
My SpeedStar is on order, June 2022 delivery.
5.7 Hemi and a TKO.
Can you answer a question about the oil pan?
FF recommends an aftermarket road race pan, will a rear sump not work?
Is it a ground clearance issue?

Also, what is the ground clearance under the grille?
Speedbump issues?
Great looking car!!

Thanks Much!!

[Erik W. Treves]

The speed bump question or answer is - it really depends - how low will you run your car? how big a speed bump? - at the book height this the where the grill lands - it basically has the same ground clearance as the 33 HR.

As far as the pan - it is a clearance issue - the pan they recommend put the pan even with the frame rail...

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=158757&d=1639755601

must be fall :) but you can just see the pan here:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=158758&d=1639755601

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=158759&d=1639755601

[Erik W. Treves]

Work, before WORK this morning - just need to pull the doors off - and off to paint the panels we have and wait for the production body -

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=158760&d=1639756372

[narly1]

My thinking was that the motor, arm and blade would all lift away with the hood, with the wiring running all the way to the front and back again.

[Erik W. Treves]

My thinking was that the motor, arm and blade would all lift away with the hood, with the wiring running all the way to the front and back again.

you would need to make "pockets" in the cowl - and then a channel for motor and drive cable? not saying it's impossible but I think it would be a "mess" and make the hood pretty heavy?

might be better to "slot" the hood? ANyway - just thinking out loud - I have no intention of attempting anything like this on this one :)

[Nigel Allen]

Hi Erik,

I didnt know that Factory Five did push bikes....

Cheers, Nigel.

[narly1]

you would need to make "pockets" in the cowl - and then a channel for motor and drive cable? not saying it's impossible but I think it would be a "mess" and make the hood pretty heavy?

might be better to "slot" the hood? ANyway - just thinking out loud - I have no intention of attempting anything like this on this one :)

Erik,

I don't disagree with your assessment.

Or perhaps mount the motor into the window frame/headliner I guess. But as mentioned previously there's not a lot of room for that. And it would look like crap in a roadster version.

Earl

[33fromSD]

Mounted my wiper with the motor shaft coming through the cowl and winshield frame, turned out great, also works great. Barely notice there is a wiper there.

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Jim

[narly1]

Mounted my wiper with the motor shaft coming through the cowl and winshield frame, turned out great, also works great. Barely notice there is a wiper there.

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Jim

The difference though with the Speedstar is that the hood comes all the way back to the base of the windshield. It's one of the design elements that gives it it's smooth look.

Earl

[Jeff Kleiner]

Frankly, adding wipers to a Speedstar would be difficult but even more than that is that aesthetically it would border on criminal. And that’s all I have to say about that ;)

Jeff

[33fromSD]

The difference though with the Speedstar is that the hood comes all the way back to the base of the windshield. It's one of the design elements that gives it it's smooth look.

Earl

Ah, wasn't aware of that

Jim

[narly1]

All the more reason why I'm hoping for a roadster version. Clamp an el cheapo wiper arm/motor to the top of the windshield frame for the safety inspection then toss it. :)

Almost every interpretation of the original Speedstar design I've seen has been as a roadster, a few with soft tops.

[JimLev]

Drill a hole thru the windshield and mount one of those manual wipers if you have to have one to pass inspection. Then remove it and put a plug on the hole.
That’s what I’m doing on my 33, but using a single speed motor mounted inside the top part of the roof. We need a wiper to pass inspection.

[narly1]

Drill a hole thru the windshield and mount one of those manual wipers if you have to have one to pass inspection. Then remove it and put a plug on the hole.
That’s what I’m doing on my 33, but using a single speed motor mounted inside the top part of the roof. We need a wiper to pass inspection.

The concern is that the chopped roofline of the Speedstar leaves little room for a wiper motor.

Earl

[JimLev]

Something like this......
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Hand-Crank-Manual-Windshield-Wiper,2301.html

[narly1]

Keep those updates coming when you can Erik.

Thanks,

Earl

[Erik W. Treves]

First few parts coming out of the paint booth - still needs cut and buff....lol....

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=160085&d=1642019000

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=160086&d=1642019000

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=160087&d=1642019000

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=160088&d=1642019000

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=160089&d=1642019000

[theidlemind]

[QUOTE=Erik W. Treves;479793]First few parts coming out of the paint booth - still needs cut and buff....lol....
It looks to me like you've got a bunch of mirrors laying around your shop.........
That depth!

[theidlemind]

Progress pictures?

Also, Is the Hemi AC compressor on there?
Will it fit? The Factory Five Hemi fitment .pdf doesn't mention that.

Thanks!

[Erik W. Treves]

The main body is going into primer hopefully next week - really just waiting on that. There are no side windows or AC in the car. I did take the Grill up to western Tennessee to get chromed so that is was a step backwards... should start going back together some time by the end of the month.

[pbrew]

Hey
I’m building a 33, 6.4 Hemi , TKX 5 speed with A/C, using Restomod AC system. I have the Road race pan so it will above the frame, I went with CVF serpentine system with compressor on right and Alternator on left. I have not received the Hemi install kit yet? I picked up my kit November. Waiting on a lot of parts, Good to see some Hemi builds!!
Pat

[Erik W. Treves]

Quick update - the single picture does quite cover how much work it takes to get the body prep'd to take a black gloss paint job - but it is nice to see all the main areas covered and the filler finally laid in nice and smooth....now to let it sit in the sun for a bit....

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=163467&d=1646573153

[j33ptj]

I take it that the body and roof are one piece?

Just curious....

[Erik W. Treves]

yes

[Erik W. Treves]

Well it has taken another month to get to this point - getting the body laser straight to accept the black paint was a critical step!! But after about 5 rounds of blocking - lost track - I think we finally got there... my painter also bonded the entire dash section into the body and smoothed it out so it's one continuous piece! The interior is also already finished and painted as are the interior jams ... all gloss black.....

Here we are yesterday at around noon:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165371&d=1649768967

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165372&d=1649768967

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165373&d=1649768967

and then around 11pm last night right out of the paint booth

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165370&d=1649768967

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165369&d=1649768967

[Salty Chief 35]

Wow!!! We’ll done

[Erik W. Treves]

Start re-assembly today... got to shop around 9am this morning and put a good 8 hours into the car today - the painters were still buffing parts but we figured out how to get keep out of each others way... this is just the first pass with the cut and buff - no polish yet.... It should be pretty sicko when done...

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165519&d=1650062859

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165520&d=1650062859

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165521&d=1650062859

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165522&d=1650062859

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165523&d=1650062859

[Erik W. Treves]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165524&d=1650062890

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165525&d=1650062890

[johnnybgoode]

Very cool! I even like the look minus the engine panels, classic hot rod, great stance.

It's really going to scoot with the 392. My GC SRT will do 4.4 0-60 all day long and it 5000+ lbs. Great motor.

I think FFR has a winner with this one. Here's my 37 FYI, gotta love hot rods. Scott

[Brastic]

That much power in that light weight of a car takes some serious steel balls to drive fast. I mean check out the picture above. He has to use a jack stand for them...

[Ltngdrvr]

@Erik W. Treves Can you tell me the tire sizes on this car?
Can't find anything on the Factory Five site giving the particulars.

[Erik W. Treves]

I am a little delinquent on an update - busy weekend and all - took the Daytona autox'ing so got distracted - the Speedstar is "basically" done - we have a few tweaks to left to do on the hood that we need to work through, but nothing that we can't work through on the final fit.... I was mainly wanting to get this thing out in the sun... it was still kinda dirty from the final assy and still needs final cut and polish - which was done yesterday I think ... but I digress - I have been waiting for the grill to be ready from the chrome shop for a while now - I dropped it off on 4 Feb and after multiple rounds and weeks of call next week to call tomorrow or the next day, I made the command decision to tell them I was on my way up Friday and it better be ready. They promised 8 weeks and we were well beyond than... I wouldn't be so aggressive normally but they are 3 hours away - so basically 7 hours round trip (all day). and actually it was up there to drop it off then up there to pick it up.... anyway - left Friday mid morning and got back around dinner time grill in hand! 9am Sat we put it all together in about 4 and half hours and pushed it out.... It's actually hard to take pictures of the car as the auto focus get lost a bit in the paint. I think a few of the pictures are a little fuzzy because of this - I figured out how to offset the focus point after the first few. Anyway - yes it's that good... painter did a ridiculously good job... lots of hours to get it this slick. The rims still need to be changed out as well - so this isn't the final grad picture - I think we will need to wait for open house for that :) sorry. Anyway - here ya go....

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165974&d=1651058049

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165969&d=1651058013

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165970&d=1651058013

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https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165973&d=1651058013

[Erik W. Treves]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165975&d=1651058049

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165976&d=1651058049

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165977&d=1651058049

[j33ptj]

Permission request to drool further. sir!

Awesome looking, that shape really does it for me!

[Al_C]

I love the look of an open-wheel car, but I have to wonder just how much road crap the front tires will sling onto the body sides. Do you have plans for front fenders of any kind or will you leave it this way? If no fenders, how would you protect the body on anything longer than around the block?

[FF33rod]

Regarding the shape, has anything really changed other than the roof profile? Looks like the same grill, same chassis,...

As someone running bike fenders, you are constantly touching up paint on the doors. Had to put PPF on the front of the rear fenders. Consider the full fender option with full running boards if you want a high end paint job that you don't wan to have to constantly touch up...

Steve

[Ltngdrvr]

Regarding the shape, has anything really changed other than the roof profile? Looks like the same grill, same chassis,...

As someone running bike fenders, you are constantly touching up paint on the doors. Had to put PPF on the front of the rear fenders. Consider the full fender option with full running boards if you want a high end paint job that you don't wan to have to constantly touch up...

Steve

No full fender option on the order list for the Speedstar.
I would bet the ones from the Hot Rod wouldn't fit either.
Besides the cab top, the hood, cowl and front side panels are completely different than the 33 Hot Rod.

[Erik W. Treves]

All done - my part anyway - all polished up and moving Northward... The camera was really having a hard time with paint so I had to focus on the ground or wheels... it's pretty nice - my guys did an awesome job!

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=166294&d=1651805994

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=166295&d=1651805994

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=166296&d=1651805994

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=166297&d=1651805994

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=166298&d=1651805994

[Erik W. Treves]

the bike fenders will fit on the Speedstar. AS far as how bad the it would be to run it without fenders - not sure, my only exposure to this was on the Hot Rod Power tour and we ran all week well over 1000 miles and no issues at all.... I guess it depends.

here is one with the bike fenders in gel

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=166299&d=1651806946

[David Hodgkins]

Beautiful. I wonder what the headroom is like for us big boys?

Sure is a pretty car. you did an excellent job Erik!

:)

[Jeff Kleiner]

Beautiful. I wonder what the headroom is like for us big boys?

Sure is a pretty car. you did an excellent job Erik!

:)

I’ve been in it and there’s lots of legroom but headroom might be a little low for you.

Jeff

[Erik W. Treves]

yeah - the new chassis for the hotrod is HUGE - but as Jeff mentions - the roof is chopped to get that long low look - my guess would be you would be tight "vertically" - maybe a "Hodgkins bubble" ? :) For me - I can barely drive it without putting the entire car cover in the seat so I can reach the pedals

[narly1]

I'm 6'3" with a 36" inseam. Picture a hard-boiled egg on stilts, LOL.

So this might actually be a good fit for me...

Earl

[cob427sc]

Paint and bodywork are reeeediculous! Can't imagine the effort to get the body that smooth. Wish I had the skill and determination to do that.

[j33ptj]

Hi Eric,...

What happened to the Speedstar? Any updates?

thanks
RJ

[Dgc333]

It is back at FFR with a flame job to match the 33 roadster in the show room.

173743

[narly1]

173743

A quick "Dave Smith Live" walkaround would make my weekend!

Earl

[shmelty]

It is back at FFR with a flame job to match the 33 roadster in the show room.

173743

Is that damage in front of the door or a reflection?

[Dgc333]

Must be a reflection, there was no damage when I was there taking pictures.

[jayguy]

Looks like a reflection, you can see it, the spot in the middle of the door, and the light reflection on the floor all kinda line up.

[shmelty]

Must be a reflection, there was no damage when I was there taking pictures.

Didn't have my glasses on lol!

[myjones]

Erik

Beautiful job or the Black Beast
Any updated pictures of it ?

I would love to see more details on the Hemi fitment as well since I still have a few things to
work out on my 7L Hemi 33

Thanks
Dale Berry
3rd Gen 426 six pack Hemi 33

[Dgc333]

The supplement that FFR has online for installing the hemi has the info you need for putting one in the 33. I hope to be dropping the 5.7 hemi between the frame rails on my Speedstar in the next month or so.