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Friday Night, Fernandina Beach, Florida

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When visiting Amelia Island the days are filled with possibilities. For the Friday night we opted for the duPont Registry Live at the Fernandina Beach airport. Only minutes after arrival we had the chance to have a chat with publisher Thomas L. duPont which meeting brought us both new fame in the Fernandina Observer. The party took place in two hangars with symphathetic yet slightly over-high-heeled personnel, but aside that and the gorgeous foods the brass racing car Nr.2 was the central highlight. Over the years we have seen many american race cars. Yet this one beats all others in detailing and perfection.

The 1912 Racing Special is the creation of a lifelong nuthead who set out to commemorate the 1912 racing season when 600 cubics were max , the haytime of happy thunderbirds. As a basis he took a light but very strong 1912  129" wheelbasis chassis. The concept was to stay as close as possible to what was in use back then. Many of you will recognise the 10 litre 4 cylinder T-head. However this groundpounding lump has been tuned and balanced so well that if you hear its soft thumping idle you would think it's a two litre with twin balancer shafts.

Check the dashboard with twin readings for mechanic & driver from left to right:  RIDING MECHANIC SIDE: air pressure gauge for gas tank, oil pressure gauge, above: amp meter. LARGE CENTRAL  Ever Ready rev-counter and  Joseph W. Jones 100 mph speedometer. Above these two: Joseph W. Jones clock.  DRIVER SIDE: left: oil pressure gauge, right: engine temperature, above: auto altimeter. Just below the dashboard on the floor: Bosach contact including foot emergency engine stop.  Located in the floor board: engine fuel primer pump, Bosch horn button, spark advance & retard, Bosch magneto switch, engine hand throttle control.

Now you may fear a 'plate of spaghetti' on the firewall side of the dash. Wrong, check it out; mastership in detailing. The firewall is not hammered into shape but machined from solid alloy. Likewise the spring hangers are machined & forged specifically for this car.  In fact we only give your the superficial cosmetics. Even more can be told which is more than skindeep and a guided tour around and under the car would prove to be more than worthwhile. Too bad for that reason Nr. 2 didn't make it to the showfield this time. Well there are more Concours to come. More tours to be made. And more people who will enjoy this moving sculpture of racing art. 


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