Chassis stripped bare, sandblasted, Magnaflux checked for cracks. Painted with acid etch primer, then three coats of single stage polyurethane. New main spring leaves made front and rear. All other spring leaves sandblasted, checked, powder coated, greased between leaves upon reassembly. All new spring eye and shackle bushings made in 660 bearing bronze. All new shackle pins made, drilled and cross drilled for greasing to bushings. Modern grease fittings installed throughout. Transaxle stripped down, all bearings and seals replaced. Crown wheel and pinion backlash set. Axle shafts Magnafluxed. Modern oil seals adapted throughout. New drive chains. Engine, stripped completely. New main bearings made, block line bored. Crankshaft polished and Magnafluxed. Connecting rod bearings re-bored and shimmed to correct clearances. Cylinders bored and new Arias pistons and rings fitted. All new valves, valve springs, hardened valve seats installed. Complete engine balanced. Clutch completely rebuilt, all new friction linings. Front axle stripped, sandblasted, Magnafluxed for cracks. Custom backing plate adapters fabricated to fit front brakes from Ford 400 truck. New front and rear wheel bearings. Drums machined down to fit wood spoke wheels, attached same as rear. Adapters are bolted to the original LaFrance front hubs. Correct split rims obtained, sandblasted, checked for true, powder coated. Spokes stripped of old paint, checked for rot, all solid, varnished. Wheels balanced after mounting tires. Drives at 70 MPH solid with no shake. New friction linings installed on inner and outer rear brakes. Rear brake drums machined true. Custom fuel filtering system designed and installed, dual selective Racor filters. Fuel system continuously circulates to prevent vapor lock. Custom 55 gallon fuel tank fabricated and installed in rear seat area in addition to original 20 gallon tank which was boiled out and repainted. Distributor with mechanical tachometer drive fitted. Radiator boiled out and pressure tested. Highest quality silicone water hoses used throughout. Marine style hose clamps used throughout. Water pump rebuilt, new shaft machined for it to replace the worn and pitted original. New shaft coupling made to replace worn one. Starter and generator rebuilt, new brushes, bearings. Custom roll bar fabricated to fit. Custom battery and lockable tool box fabricated and fitted behind front seats. Front seats custom built and upholstered in leather. Custom dash fabricated and covered in same leather as seats. New cross rods for brake bell cranks made. All new pivot pins made for rear brake mechanism. Brake bell crank holes that were worn oval TIG welded up and re drilled round to remove slack. Ford truck single master cylinder bored and sleeved in bronze and fitted under floor to operate hydraulic front brakes in conjunction with mechanical rears. Every part of chassis , suspension, engine, transaxle, etc. cleaned and inspected for wear, rectified if necessary, and powder coated or painted. Grade 8 bolts and nuts used throughout. Over 2,100 hours went into the overhauling of the chassis, engine, transaxle, etc. Runs and drive very strong, very fast, and stops very well now that truck front brakes have been installed. Very professional conversion to front brakes. Pictures speak to the high quality of all the work done to the car.
1917 American Lafrance For Sale
Laferriere Classic Cars -Tom Laferriere, Owner
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Smithfield, Rhode Island, 02917
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This was built for the Peking to Paris race and
never competed. Be the first to Rally it!
