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Desert Classics...1917 Paco Model 21 Track Style Speedster Bug Racer Body For Sale
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This 1917-era Paco Model 21 track-style Speedster bug racer is an extremely scarce all-original vintage racer body ready to be restored. Built by Peoria Accessory Company aka Paco Manufacturing Company of Galesburg, Illinois, these Paco bodies were designed to be installed on a stock Model T chassis and power train in about half a day.  Styled after the 1914 Peugeot L5 Indianapolis racer car, the Paco speedster featured a very similar long, streamlined torpedo body, 36" hood and 26" cowl with a total length of 132".  The low body construction and total cowl height of 25" let the race "cling to the road". There were louvered vents in the hood and body. The Model 21 track body featured staggered passenger seats with a passenger-side cut-out to give the driver "elbow room" and the passenger ease in getting in and out. The cowl was lower and set back 6" toward the steering wheel. The oak dash was inset under the cowl.  The steering column was lowered to accommodate the set-back cowl and and the leg room from cowl to seat back was 47". Parts were included in the kit to lower the steering column. The molded 20 gauge sheet metal body was assembled primarily using rivets and beaded seams featuring "Reinforced Steel Torpedo Construction". The floors and sills were oak and the seats were upholstered.  It featured a 15 gallon fuel tank and a 7 cubic foot rear luggage compartment. The body also had an air pump and fuel pressure feed system. The result, as advertised by Paco, was "Class, Distinctiveness, Beauty and SPEED". This Paco Model 21 body is the only known unrestored track-style Speedster body in existance. This is a body only with no hood, radiator, headlights, cowl, dash or deck lid. The remaining sheet metal is fairly solid. The body is rusted through and separated in the center on both sides. The lower edges of the body are rusted. The seat back and passenger cut out are all there and in fairly good shape. The windshield brackets and offset side-mounted top brackets are all there. The brake lever and body-mounted pivot are there. The right front of the cowl has major damage and the front cowl edges are cracked. There are dents, cuts and cracks in the rest of the body. The rear torpedo tail was tail-ended. About 12" of the tail was pushed in and covered with a patch. The pushed in sheet metal is still there behind the patch. There are add-on rear side brackets likely used for rear fenders and one of the left side brackets is gone. This body is going to take a major amount of work to restore it. Any serious Speedster bug knows the value of this extremely-scare Paco track racer body and will make the investment to restore this very special bug. Please call 406 318-0270 for details about this restorable classic project car.
For sale $11,000.


Paco Speedster Racer advertisement:"Own a lively, snappy looking PACO RACER. Modeled on French, streamline design. Fit any Ford chassis. Paco Bodies are patented. None others like them. Strong molded steel body, low they cling to the road. Comfortable seats and easy riding. Shipped complete with all attachments. Write today for 3-color circular with photographic reproductions of Paco Bodies. Get description & prices. "Write Today, PACO MFG. Co., Galesburg, Illinois Dept 9, Write Today"
1917 Paco Model 21 Track Style Speedster Bug Racer Body For Sale right front view
1917 Paco Model 21 Track Style Speedster Bug Racer Body For Sale left rear view
1917 Paco Model 21 Track Style Speedster Bug Racer Body For Sale front view
1917 Paco Model 21 Track Style Speedster Bug Racer Body For Sale rear view
1917 Paco Model 21 Track Style Speedster Bug Racer Body For Sale right side view fron Paco sales lierature
1917 Paco Model 21 Track Style Speedster Bug Racer Body For Sale left front view of a restored Paco Model 21 bug racer