1911 FIAT S74 CORSA
A typical racing giant of its era, the S74 was powered by a 14 litre four cylinder engine. Curb weight was 2755 lbs and a top speed of just over 100MPH was claimed.
The S74 was raced with great success both in Europe and America.
I selected the S74 as my Edwardian because I have long been fascinated by FIAT and Torino in general but especially because of its prodigious bonnet. On the inspiration car this was to house the massive engine but in my case I saw it being useful for expedition gear. The sump (fake sump) was originally sized to fit my camping tent with zero waste but as things evolved it was lined with insulating foam and became a very effective ice chest. Bar service shelves were concocted to quickly transform the open bonnet into morning espresso or afternoon Negroni service. An overlong build gallery follows. It is all about the joy of the build for me. I hope the pictures and captions serve as inspiration but if the reader is less interested, they can be easily skipped over.
The FIAT project started with the wheels. Reproduction 18″ Harley rims (of admittedly second rate quality but an even lower price) were married with laminated marine plywood spokes cut on a CNC router and generic yard kart hubs. 3.50 tires were fitted and run at very low psi. The car has front suspension but on the squishy fat tires, it feels like it does in the back as well.
BUILD GALLERY
Marine plywood
Rims
Layer 1
Layer 3
Clamps, lots of clamps
Set of wheels
Valve extension needs to be added
Frame contorted into shape
Massing studies are hard to resist
Working out drive, flipped to other side later
Anglgear steering
Our best friend, the cutoff wheel
Front frame drops
Strip clamped for welding
Dialing in engine placement
Steering gets real
Oh dear, electronics
Finished frame weighs in at 40lbs
El Greco’s version of a frame
There must be a better tool for this?
Complete frame
The moment I realized how big it would be
The business
Pedal set evolving
Classic semi-elliptic front suspension
Kiwi rules require a parking brake
This is mine
Everything seems to be working
Symmetric belt to jack shaft
Options for slow and slower
Main brake
Rolling chassis, one of the build milestones
DeDion style steering (my DeDion) – later revised
Shit’s getting real
Seat established
Mock-ups of seat back and gas tank
Gas tank first
Seat back is DiBond with Tap Plastics edge bead
Inspiration for later
Metal replaces cardboard
Improved steering, key slot milled in king pin bolt
And closer
Car goes outside
I like this shot
There is a motor hiding in there
The elephant in the loading dock
Note: Headlight has changed sides
Splash guards are veg-tan thick leather donated by a friend
Radiator screen is HomeDepot mesh wrapped on a rod frame
Battery secured
Bonnet straps in leftover veg-tan
Damper fitted, looks cool and works
Steering wheel string was patinated with espresso
Electrics, USB cell phone charger seemed essential
Tail lights
Headlight, lurid color but very effective
Bright aluminum needed to go
Skinny like a tractor
So skinny
Seat flips forward and “gas tank” flips back for engine access
Fun with gold leaf
Bar service
Ready for Tieton
.
SPECIFICATONS:
Engine: Honda GX240 with electric start, untouched, remains governed, stock intake, stock exhaust
Drive train: Comet symmetric, 7″ driven, jack shaft to reduction sprocket on to choice of two final drive sprockets
Brakes: 8″ Comet disk, rod actuated and 5″ drum parking brake, also rod actuated
No cables or hydraulics were used on this car; throttle is also rod actuated
Frame: 1″ x 3″ x 0.083″ wall steel, 16″ wide at front, 22″ wide at rear
Wheels: 18″ x 2.15 steel rims with marine plywood spokes; 3.50 Golden Boy tires
Wheel base: 75.75″
Tracks: Front 39.5″, rear 34″
Length: 104″
Heights: Scuttle 40″, steering wheel 47.5″, seat cushion 27.5″
Widths: Radiator 14.5″, seat 27.5″
Weight: 410 lbs with gas but before bar service
Ice capacity: three bags, three days survival in 90° +/- ambient
Accessories: USB charger, 12V power point, high/low/ring headlight, tail lights
TIETON GALLERY
By Johnny Dumfries