SIAM ARCHIVE

Posted on January 23, 2016 by LCH Restoration

Work is progressing on the SIAM. Goal today is to take SIAM to the Crosley National Meet in Wauson, OH in July 2016.

In the interim I wanted to load the SIAM archive files I have gotten from Don Suiter and others through Chuck Reupart back in 1991.

First are a set of pictures Don Suiter took when he bought the car in Wisconsin in 1997 I believe.

Don then sold the car to Mark Brinker in Texas and he sold it to me via E-Bay 2004. Later I will try to decipher a chronicle of owners of the car.

Siam E-bay Ad 2004

Chuck Reupert dug thru some of his old files and came up with many pictures of the car in action from late 50’s to early 60’s. More pictures at:

https://picasaweb.google.com/108136620309046715550/SIAMArchiveRacingPhotos

SIAM #33 Archive-1

Steve Hawxhurst in a letter to Jim Wisniewski back in 1964 details many of the particulars of the SIAM. (Must reading)

Steve Hawxhurst letter w-details on SIAM 1964

In 1997 Bill Mays, son of John Mays, designers of the Mays Fibersport body used on the SIAM, wrote to Mark Brinker and Harold Pace of some personal info he had on the SIAM. I have kept in touch with Sandi Fodi, Johns Mays daughter, about the SIAM and my other Fibersport car.

A unique piece of history are copies of checks used by the Purdue students that built the SIAM.

Purdue Univ checks etc for SIAM build

Some letters documenting ownership transfers and other info can be found at:

SIAM communication 1961-1997

Sales Brochure from Chuch Walser back in 1962-63 show he had the SIAM for sale in Chicago, IL. Look at the other cars he had for sale at the time, Jabro, Stanguellini, Lotus 18 etc. Kinda neat!

Clarke Walser Sales sheets-1

On a side note, H-Mod racing in the Mid-West in the 50’s and 60’s was very vibrant. I have added a copy of the Class H News, June 1959 for your reading pleasure.

Class H News June 1959

Allot of info now saved for all to share. Enjoy and look for more updates on the SIAM restoration progress in 2016.

Larry

Alert!! SIAM is back in the shop

Posted on December 25, 2015 by LCH Restoration

Picture as found in Dallas, TX

I have been longing to resume my restoration of the 1954 SIAM Crosley H-Mod. So I recovered it from its dry storage location and switched it with one of the Eldens.

First thing to do was redo the steering wheel assembly. As found, the steering box is the Crosley box with a long single rod from the box through the firewall to the steering wheel. The upper support of that rod was a 1 1/4″ tube with some wood bushes for the rod to ride in and the steering wheel was bolted on with a key and nut. That steering rod had been lengthened when built and was not straight. So as you turned the steering wheel the rod turned in an arc, binding on the wood bushes.

The fix was to cut out the bad section and ordered a modern steering coupling with a 36 spline rod, new rod and a quick disconnect for the steering wheel. The H-Mods are a small cockpit and fairly large steering wheel so I wanted a removable steering wheel to aid egress for my large butt. I retained the original steering wheel with adapters to the quick disconnect.

This makes me feel much more comfortable. Next is back to the engine in the engine stand and fire it back up and resuming all the other body work etc.

1954 Siam Blog

Posted on January 28, 2012 by LCH Restoration

Acquired the 1954 Siam in Dallas, TX in 2004. Car was complete with Crosley engine, Fiat Topolino Rear axle and maybe Triumph Standard 4 speed gear box.

This car was built by Purdue Engineering Students for a class project and raced until 1964. Built off a 3″ tube ladder frame and a Bill Mays Fiberglass body.