I dropped my truck off at the garage for its annual inspection and noticed Mike had some old tin out back. Two 1947 - 50 Chevy pickups, but big! Dual wheels and flat decks, possibly two ton trucks. Nestled between them was a 20's truck sans deck, body etc. The only thing there was the radiator, hood, side covers and front cowl. The doors, windshield and cab were gone. It looked like the thing below except the frame was not shortened, it was pretty long and had dual wheels out back.
Mike said the antique dealer across the street bought all three somewhere and dropped a bunch of old engines and trannies in his lap also. The big green truck is not for sale but the others are.
As I was leaving the antique dealer was across the street loading up his truck so I hollered over. He wants $1500 for the Bug. I have to look to see if it's a flat four or V-8. Wally's desire for a Woody got me thinking in that direction, but I really don't need another project.
I believe I could live with a Model T Speedster though ....
Dan
Speedster.
I have a 1921 Dodge doodlebug that I inherited from my parents. It's been sitting in the garage for years as I am not even sure how to start it. It has a crank in front (of course), the throttle and spark advance are on the column and three pedals on the floor. Actually I am more concerned on how to shut it off IF I get it running!!
Investigation tell me that it's probably one of these. Model AA truck. The huge steel wheels are the same, wheelbase is about right. I'm not seeing highway speeds here. 
Not fair. You can't mention Doodlebug, Model T Speedster and Woody in the same post without making my head explode.
Feedyurhed wrote:
I have a 1921 Dodge doodlebug that I inherited from my parents. It's been sitting in the garage for years as I am not even sure how to start it. It has a crank in front (of course), the throttle and spark advance are on the column and three pedals on the floor. Actually I am more concerned on how to shut it off IF I get it running!!
Does it have two transmissions in series?
There was a Doodle bug, dual trans, correct engine and frame...on CL last week here in CT. Don't remember the price, but it wasn't that much. Worth a search--time consuming--if you're looking..
A cut down car/truck,usually with dual transmissions to achieve lower gearing. Often used as a tractor.
96DXCivic wrote:
What is a doodlebug?
Model Ts were a dime a dozen in a time when money was short, thus dreative intuitiveness ensued.
I prefer Speedsters. Look! Someone makes a kit!
Doodlebugs were most often made from Model A's or similar vehicles. I'm not sure if you can mate two Model T transmissions and, if you did, the shifting would get a little tricky.
http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/doodlebugs/
Rootlieb Model T Speedster kit:
I plan to build one or the other before too long. I'll have to search for that Doodlebug on CT Craigslist.
Once upon a time my sister dated a guy that raced these things. He said they used to cut the crank, spin it 90 or 180 degrees and weld it back together; essentially making the four cylinder into two really big ones!
Dan
new hampshire craigslist > for sale / wanted > antiques
please flag with care:
1928 Model A FireTruck Doodlebug Rare (Lempster)
Date: 2010-10-24, 7:47AM EDT
Reply to: sale-qjxmr-2022636128@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
$750.00 as is or $1000.00 to watch me start it!!!!!!
Original Zenith Cast Iron Carb.
Good radiator
Model T Worm Gear Rear End.
Call with questions 603-863-8801
PostingID: 2022636128
Yeah, the pictured doodlebug in the first post is a Model A. They have a conventional transmission and controls, as compared to a Model T, so they're a lot easier to drive. They still had mechanical brakes, so an upgrade to hydraulics off a later Ford is a good idea.
I love Speedsters btw. This is me being another enabler. 
Ladies and Germs, we have a weiner!
OK, here's the deal:
Antique guy pulled three trucks and a Torino out of a barn. $2500 for the black & white truck, green one's not for sale, the silliness I've been looking at is $1500 but he'll take $1200. It's a Model AA one ton, flat four with a 2-speed rear end. 45 mph tops?
Mike, the guy with the garage pulled a Torino with 19 miles on it! Sorry, 19 miles.
The farmer bought it in 1975 and drove it home.
No, not for sale.
The guy also picked up two if these, this one he's asking $2500.
96DXCivic wrote:
What is a doodlebug?
Doodlebug tractor is the colloquial name for a home-made tractor made in the United States during World War II when production tractors were in short supply. The Doodlebug of the 1940s was usually based on a 1920s or 1930s era Ford automobile which was then modified either by the complete removal or alteration of some of the vehicle body
I was thinking about this on the ride home from work this evening; if someone really likes cutting and welding, what about using an old grain truck as a driveline and frame source, then drop on whatever bodywork is desired?
My father has a Chevrolet C60 grain truck with a high/low rear axle and a four speed manual trans powered by a 350. The thing will climb a wall with that gearing, and I'm sure it can take a lot more power if that's an interest. Straight front axle, dual rear (his has a helper dummy axle in front of the real one) and everything is pretty simple. The driveline would be great for a build-up, I think, and if someone wanted to cut and rebuild one of these things with a 30's style to it that could be an option.
Only problem is how high up the thing sits...
One of the keys to an effective Doodlebug was mating two transmissions together; Put both into Reverse and you end up with a stump pulling low forward gear.
Is it wrong to think how to turn a semi modern truck into a doodlebug, or something similar?
IMHO his prices are crack fueled. or antique dealer "this stuff is old so it is worth a ton to the right sucker" fueled. around here one of those big chevy trucks in that condition is $1000 tops - running and driving and sometimes even with a flatbed included.
Pics of the 19-mile Torino?
914Driver wrote:
... the silliness I've been looking at is $1500 but he'll take $1200. It's a Model AA one ton, flat four with a 2-speed rear end. 45 mph tops?
Sounds Challenge-friendly to me!
