roadhawg Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 As far as I'm concerned, the late Buck Simmons of Baldwin GA was the best dirt late model driver in history. His first win was in 1960 at the age of 15. His last win was in 2009 at the age of 64. Between those two, he had 1022 other main even wins....yes, that's right, 1024 feature wins in a 50 year career. He is in both the National Dirt Racing Hall Of Fame, and the Georgia Auto Racing Hall Of Fame. He won just about everything there was to win on dirt at one time or another, and was one of my all time racing heroes. I've decided to build a few of Buck's most famous rides, starting with the black (Buck's trademark colors were black and gold) "Jig-A-Lo" Camaro, owned by Billy Thomas. Buck drove this car from 1979-1981, when he picked up his first NDRA National championship. This car also won the very last race at the historic Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta. I built the model up from an AMT Nascar chassis...totally inaccurate for a dirt late model, I know, but since this is meant as a curbside model it worked out just fine. I did have to build a new upper roll cage to match the body, and lower the suspension slightly. I also had to make a new rear frame section and fuel cell, along with the interior "tin". The actual body is one of Jackie Sims' vacuform Camaro bodies, my first time working with one...a little tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it works out good. The wheels are some I cast myself and had chromed, but I'm not sure if I like them or not...this is one case where Alclad might have been a better choice, to look more like polished aluminum. Paint is plain ol' Model Master black, decals are my own. I have a few more of Buck's rides in the planning stages, but since this was probably my favorite, it's the first. Thanks for lookin'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Tommy that is very implessive. That looks very authentic. Great work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrecker388 Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 That is way too cool. Great job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbowser Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Very nice clean work. Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2 Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 I'm digg'n you DLM, Tommy. Very well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadhawg Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 Thanks, guys! Glad you like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagercr Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Tommy, nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nacho Z Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Tommy, you know from TMM that I am a life long member of the "roadhawg fan club" . It is because of builds like this. You have talent my friend. Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darbo Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Very nice build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Foxx Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 A great looking build - awesome , gotta love the dirt cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helix Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Nice build Tommy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Tommy, another incredible build. You are one of the most talented builders I know. You should be in the pages of SA or MCM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Svendsen Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Impressive build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Jules Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 i know nothing about this type of sport, and i hear about gassers and other stuff that i have no real interest in, but i do like looking at models, esp very nice done ones. picking up info as i go along to keep in the back of my (tiny) brain. Any fotos of the interior, like foot pedals etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagedragfan Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 great looking dirt car Tommy, really nice work!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Outstanding build........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadhawg Posted March 26, 2013 Author Share Posted March 26, 2013 Thanks again for the kind words, everyone. i know nothing about this type of sport, and i hear about gassers and other stuff that i have no real interest in, but i do like looking at models, esp very nice done ones. picking up info as i go along to keep in the back of my (tiny) brain. Any fotos of the interior, like foot pedals etc? Here is a picture with the body removed, and you can obviously see the curbside nature of this build. The interior is very simple, but so were the real cars so there's really not much to see. I used an AMT Nascar kit, and the entire roll cage and seat are moved back as far as possible. The shifter/pedals/seat/etc are from the Nascar kit, but I did add simple seat belts made from tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Viking Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 AWESOME! Great build. Very clean looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Very nice dirt Camaro Tommy! Your dirt track builds always impress! Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Laski Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Great model, Tommy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheaton79chris Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Awesome one right there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadhawg Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 Thanks again, everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catpack68 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 looks great tommy!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimKustom Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Nice job, love this style of car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrKerry Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Oh that's sweet!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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