Paul Wilson explains the Regal.
Paul Wilson on Video
In the pages of VeloceToday, Paul Wilson has written and photographed the design and construction of his two Alfa 6C 2500 Alfas and a B.A.T. recreation as a step-by-step process that works well with text and photos. But there is no better medium than a good video when presenting a single collector car on and off the road.
Unlike most car collector videos, this goes deep, as Wilson tells the tale of his 1913 Regal Underslung. From his idyllic farm, with the beautiful Shenandoah mountains in the background, Wilson perfectly defines the many attributes of the Regal and why it is so unusual. What makes this video different from most is Paul’s historical, design and mechanical knowledge, hands-on experience, and filmed and edited expertly by Derek Arnold.
The Regal, though an American car, was far ahead of the ubiquitous and appliance-like Model T, and Wilson shows us how the chassis (yes, come on, get under the car with me) placed the axle over the chassis creating a very low profile, accentuated by flying fenders and a well proportioned body with the driving position well to the rear. Says Paul, “It defined the sports car look which persisted for decades.”
In the manner of Sir Richard Attenborough, Wilson explains how he found out why the car was losing power when warm, and how he was able to remove the offending valves with the engine in situ.(a feature later found on the 1914 Indy Delage). He then explains the throttle and accelerator, and why there are both. He then demonstrates how to start the Regal, telling us exactly why the engine will backfire and break wrists if the spark is not retarded, (the engine actually turns over backwards) then starts the car on the crank and we see, hear and feel the Regal on the beautiful roads adjacent to his farm. Then, with a bit of help from a friend, Wilson raises the totally original top, showing how it is fastened in the front without the aid of a windshield.
There are plans afoot to have Paul on video demonstrating and explaining other cars in his significant collection. We certainly hope so!
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Information needed on Team Roosevelt
We recently received an email from long time Abarth Specialist Tony Berni, in Lodi, Italy, asking for help.
“We have been Abarth specialists for 45+ years and besides supplying parts we do restos and research. We currently have one of the Team Roosevelt cars in our shop and are expecting another in the Spring. Both are sister cars and ran in the Sebring 12hrs in 1959.
I’m hoping through VeloceToday we may get some feedback, and also because most of the “original” people involved are no longer with us and it’s a race against time to find their heirs or others who were connected. So, does anyone have any information about the following people?
ANN MCGEE
MICHAEL COSGROVE
SHERIDAN BRINDLEY
SCOTT CLARK
BILL CLARK
JOHANNA TALLBERG-CARDEN
CAELAN MANDIGO
DARRYL KENES
LUGANA ROSSI
CLIFF PRESLEY
MIKE GULETT
Contact Tony at bernimotori@yahoo.it
http://www.bernimotori.com/
Thank you, Paul. What an amazing vehicle. It lives with the right person.
There is decent evidence that, despite what John Norwood maintained, that the 1959 Team cars were sold by Roosevelt to Hershel Harkins of the Foreign Car Center in Asheville, NC. Hershel and FDR Jr. were high school room-mates and reportedly close friends.
Here’s the most known image as supplied by Bill Clark showing three of the team cars. https://mycarquest.com/2014/10/more-photos-of-a-team-roosevelt-fiat-abarth.html
From the name list above it’s clear that you’ve found this site.
J.W. Denton most certainly ended up with several of these cars – potentially all three shown in the picture and many more. In a December 10, 1963 letter to Al Cosentino he references having sold two new Abarths, five used Abarths (’59 Sebring Cars?) and seventeen hot sedans built from Rich Motors parts in the last year alone. Lots of other great characters as well, with much of the action centering on the Chimney Rock Hillclimb, which J.W. loved.
The trail from J.W. to future owners is hazy and his records were largely lost in about 2010 when the family sold the property where J.W.’s insurance business was housed.
Thanks Stephen and great to hear from you! For our readers, Stephen is one of the founders of VeloceToday, and without him we all would not be here!
Pete