1915 van Blerck Vintage racer. This is a true one-off masterpiece using a massive 200hp plus 17 litre ( yes, seventeen litre ) Thead sixcylinder engine that was built in 1915 by van Blerck , a famous Marine engine builder in Michigan who built hi-performance engines for the wooden Hacker craft raceboats of the rich and famous. In fact , research shows that his company's Marine engines cost more than the Duesenberg's engines at the time ! The massive engine fires it's gas using three sparkplugs per cylinder , and the pistons have to be the size of a two pound coffeecan ! The thundering sound it makes is as special as the engine and the car itself. The pre- 1920's chaindriven Firetruck chassis has been expertly modified by the car's famous California craftsman and builder Gary Wales to accept discbrakes and even hidden Powersteering , which helps stop and turn the huhe 38" front and 40" rear tires. The shifter to the indestructible 3 speed transmission is attached to the exterior , and the great looking exhaust hangs off the passengerside looking like a missile ready to be fired. It spits out sparks and shoots out flames periodacally and makes the windows shake just idling in front of your home. The 19 foot long sleek race car body is complimented by a beautiful dash full of gold dials and period swiches and there's lots of brass parts under the hood as well as on the outside of the car, including a huge period spotlight. The carburator is located on the outside on the ( RH ) driversside and is wrapped with copperlines coming in and out for cooling. The sheer size of this racer is definately impressive too : 214" Length , 74" ( over 6ft. ) Tall , and with a wheelbase of 163 " ! I have personally spent considerable time and money recently to perfect the mechanicals on this beautiful machine , and now you can " drive over a house " if you want to. Surely , you will have no lack of torque and you will easily be able to achieve over 100 mph. if you have the guts to.. Just imagine the dropped jaws of your fellow Higway users as you roar past them , wearing your leather cap and goggles while you overlook the brass windshield and brass bird hood ornament at the end of the superlong hood in front of you ; it does'nt get much better than that ! This is truly a unique oppurtunity to aqquire a " Jay Leno type of toy " and a funfactor of 10 is guaranteed.. Now as far as the value ; it's hard to determine for a car like this . I can prove to you that a - welll known in classic car circles - Texas millionaire paid $288K for it in 2009 However , I was able to purchase it for much less, and so can you.. Currently considering offers under $200 K ( yeah I know , so is ten grand , but that just may buy the wheels ) Call me , I'm motivated !