1916 Crane-Simplex Torpedo Runabout (Project)

Car returning from the paint shop.

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1916 Crane-Simplex Torpedo Runabout DSC01211 Only the light yellow color on the body and the green fenders were repainted. The green body and frame were kept in their original condition.

Only the light yellow color on the body and the green fenders were repainted. The green body and frame were kept in their original condition.

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As she arrived and in need of some tender loving care.

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Pressure washing is the first step taken.

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Many years of accumulated grease and grime are removed.

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Engine compartment after degreasing.

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1916 Crane-Simplex Torpedo Runabout DSC00498 Outside view of newly fabricated windshield. This was a very difficult fabrication due to the double angle sweep.

Outside view of newly fabricated windshield. This was a very difficult fabrication due to the double angle sweep.

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Front view of car showing "sexy" new windshield.

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1916 Crane-Simplex Torpedo Runabout DSC00932 Our machine shop took on the job of designing and producing the very elegant slant V-shaped windshield shown here. We were also lucky to acquire a headlight...

Our machine shop took on the job of designing and producing the very elegant slant V-shaped windshield shown here. We were also lucky to acquire a headlight matching Vesta drum sidelight which we attached to the new windshield.

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View of interior dash and the new windshield.

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Dick working on dash.

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The original seat had to be covered with new leather.

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New upholstery on front seat and original door panels.

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Thanks to Hemmings Motor News, we located a correct rear tire (double) spare carrier.

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Rear view of recently acquired rear spare tire carrier.

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1916 Crane-Simplex Torpedo Runabout DSC00939 I was able to find the correct rear spare tire carrier seen here from a west coast collector. His twenty year collection of Crane-Simplex parts HAD to be...

I was able to find the correct rear spare tire carrier seen here from a west coast collector. His twenty year collection of Crane-Simplex parts HAD to be bought. There were so many parts in his collection that we are now planning a second Crane-Simplex project.

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1916 Crane-Simplex Torpedo Runabout DSC00925 The gas cap was missing when the car arrived. Thanks to my good friend and well known collector and brass era enthusiast, Charlie LeMaitre, I was able to borrow...

The gas cap was missing when the car arrived. Thanks to my good friend and well known collector and brass era enthusiast, Charlie LeMaitre, I was able to borrow the cap from his car and reproduce it.

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1916 Crane-Simplex Torpedo Runabout DSC00943 The engine was completely restored at the RM machine shop in Canada. Check out the beautiful detail work that was done.

The engine was completely restored at the RM machine shop in Canada. Check out the beautiful detail work that was done.

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Left side view of rebuilt engine compartment.

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1916 Crane-Simplex Torpedo Runabout DSC00962 The finished car now resides at the Shappy garage and is ready for show. It has been invited to be shown at the 2007 Concours d'Elegance show that will be held...

The finished car now resides at the Shappy garage and is ready for show. It has been invited to be shown at the 2007 Concours d'Elegance show that will be held at Newport, Rhode Island next summer.

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