No doubt about it, some machinist are true artists. Even just trying to comprehend
the time and tenacity a project like this would involve is overwhelming!
Anybody who has any sense of the dedication to a job done to the highest level
of perfection, who sees beauty in such purism of craftsmanship, who can appreciate
the dedication and love of a person for such an impeccable job, who can relate to
the ability of a single person to do what Lou has done after years of dedication,
certainly must applaud Mr. Louis Chenot for having accomplished such a task.
Check Out This Remarkable Engineering Beauty. Enjoy! :)
This is a miniature functioning replica 1932 Duesenberg by Louis Chenot.
No, it's not a real full-size Duesenberg, but rather a beautifully constructed 35"
long working model made in 1/6 scale.
Louis Chenot has spent over six years building this incredibly detailed
1932 SJ Duesenberg LaGrande dual-cowl phaeton. Not only does it look good,
but the engine runs, the lights work, the top mechanism functions and the
transmission and driveline are complete. Lou started his research on this
project over fifty years ago with the purchase of a book and through the
following years collected many drawings and studied a number of Duesenbergs
while they were being restored, taking photos and recording dimensions.
Here's a shot of the finished car from the side on its specially made display table.
The model weighs about 60 pounds. Lou's 40 year career was spent as a mechanical
engineer. In the 1960's he spent 7 years restoring a vintage 1930 Cadillac
convertible that was on the show circuit for years, but now he prefers to work on
smaller projects in the comfort of his home shop.
The bodywork is all metal, not fiberglass. Here is the car in Lou's shop before
the brass coachwork was primed or painted. Lou is not adverse to remaking a part
that doesn't meet his standards. He started over on the especially difficult
brass radiator shell nine times.
Here is the engine removed from the model and sitting on its test stand. The
transmission is in the foreground. Most running models are built at larger scales
like 1/3 or 1/4. Working in the smaller 1/6 scale magnifies the problems caused
by miniaturizing certain parts. Further complicating the prospect of building a
running engine at that size is the fact that fuel molecules and electricity don't
scale. It is very difficult to get tiny carburetors and little spark plugs to work
like the big ones.
Inside the straight eight engine are all the correct parts custom machined to scale
from steel, cast iron and aluminum. Here we see the block and crankshaft at the top.
Arrayed below the block are the cast iron cylinder sleeves, pistons, wrist pins and
assembled connecting rods.
Even though there would be no way to tell once it is all assembled, the cylinder
head shows that Lou didn't cheat. The engine has 4 valves per cylinder - 32 total -
just like the real one.
Here is the head (before painting) with the camshafts in place - there are 16 lobes
on each shaft. (The apparent curve of the upper shaft is caused by the camera's
wide angle lens.)
The gears inside the differential will never be seen by anyone, but Lou cut them as
actual hypoid gears like the real one rather than machining simpler bevel gears.
This is the dashboard and interior with the body primed but not yet painted. Note
the detailed instruments and engine-turned finish on the dash.
The complicated convertible top mechanism is shown in the lowered position before the canvas top material was installed.
Louis Chenot (Left) and Joe Martin (Right) inspect progress on the chassis and
engine at the NAMES show in Detroit in 2007.
There are craftsman, and then there are guys like Louis Chenot who was named "Craftsman
of the Decade" for his amazing work with this scratch built 1/6th scale 1932
Duesenberg SJ that actually runs.
Ponder these numbers: It took Louis six years to build, with over 15,000 hours
invested to make every single hand-built detail 100% accurate and completely
functional. The car has over 6,000 parts (966 just in the wheels and over 300
in the head, for example), and almost every part was built from raw materials
like brass, wood and stainless steel. The supercharged motor runs on propane
from it's fuel tank, through the fuel pumps, and into it's twin carburetor set
up, turning 4100 rpm. Even the starter motor works. The clutch operates and
the transmission shifts through all 3 gears and reverse.
Lou was presented with a special Lifetime Achievement award by
the Craftsmanship Museum in 2009. The model was nearing completion but the engine had not yet run. Now that the engine runs and the model is completed, Lou has been selected as the foundation's "Metalworking Craftsman of the Year." The award includes an engraved award medallion and a check for $2000.00. Lou is the 15th person to receive this coveted annual award.
Because it is likely that this could well be the finest running model car ever built
in this small a scale, Lou's was named "Craftsman of the Decade." Your title is well deserved, Mr.
Chenot.
For those of you who Want More FUN - Visit The Shangy Fun List! Variety is the
spice of life! The Shangy Fun List is an ezine packed full of Poems, Inspirational and
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