191 replies to this topic

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Gotta' say I may have gone a little overboard with this frame because I still have more fabbing and sanding to do (I really hate sanding)....but what the heck, even though a cartoon car it's all part of modeling and being compulsive obsesssive, anal retentive or whatever........anyway, at least for me, it's all good for the soul.

I'll let the pics speak for themselves.......

Edited by GrandpaMcGurk, 23 April 2012 - 04:08 PM.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Here we go again with more fabrication and a couple of pics......other than the QC rear and brake backing plates this entire frame is from scratch.
Now that I know the Hemi will shoehorn in I'm buttoning up the floor pan, I'll add a handful of rivets (just for giggles, 'cause once I get it all sanded down and bones in there...none of it will show)...oh, well...I'll know it's there.



Fuel cell, hold down straps & battery box mocked up, ready for sanding and final fitting...did I mention I hate sanding? Still have to narrow the rear axle and add either traction bars and a pan-hard bar or 4 link it.
I'm thinking Brooklyn bridge traction bars would be way cool...ya think?

Edited by GrandpaMcGurk, 26 April 2012 - 10:56 AM.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

BTW, Jim...this one is going to be way shiny.

[crazyjim]

Yeah, Don. You know how I feel about SHINY

[Bartster]

Way Cool, Don! Yeah, sanding sux. But look at your results. Outstanding. Love the traction bar idea. A little more European flavor.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

I switched over from gray primer to red oxide....this allows me to "color sand"......as I do the finish sanding the high spots will show up gray and the low spots will remain red. That's a trick I learned when I was working on full size stuff.
Other than light sanding the bottom of the fuel cell is done.



The engine supports and pads are installed.....



The bottom of the trans tunnel still needs to be sanded but I have to wait for the 2 part filler to cure. I only use 2-part filler as it doesn't shrink and leave ghost lines like the no mix tube stuff does later on.
The battery box is ready for paint and the lump on the other side will be an electric fuel pump.

Edited by GrandpaMcGurk, 27 April 2012 - 02:21 PM.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Top of the floor pan needs a little touch up and I'll spray some texture on it.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

The quick change rear has been narrowed (a lot)! The axle tubes will be painted yep, you guessed it...yellow.



Here's a mock-up. Now that's a serious kick-up.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Now for some eye candy....I did a scotch tape mock up so that I could get an overall idea of what this puppy will look like.
I'm going to have to cut a few vertebrae from bones spine to get him a bit lower in the Fiat.

Edited by GrandpaMcGurk, 28 April 2012 - 02:39 AM.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Here's a couple more.

[cobraman]

Coming along very nicely.

[Bartster]

Well, you've had a productive day. So does fixing Bones' spine qualify as plastic surgery? Everything's looking great, Don!

[crazyjim]

Great progress, Don.

[Dr. Cranky]

Pure EYECANDY, my friend. Keep it going. This thing is charming all the way through, lots of personality, and the cigar, well, that's an inspired touch.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Many thanks guys......
Doc, you're making me blush and feel all warm & fuzzy.

A pal of mine from another site mentioned 1/4 elliptic springs for the front and to keep it goofy, that hadn't crossed my mind.
It sounded like a challenge to me...and I love a challenge.

He was absolutely right about keeping it goofy and given the nature of the build I scratched my head....scratched my butt (in that order), sat on the back porch with the Kentucky Gentleman for a spell and did a few quick cocktail napkin sketches.

I'm not going into chapter & verse trying to explain them but look 'em over....there's everything from friction shocks, torsion bars, leaf springs to coil overs.......but they all put the axle above the frame rails and behind the grille. Any of them will still leave me room for a dinky radiator & keep the front end in the dirt.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Here's a an update on the Zonker.......
Rear drum brakes, brake lines and upper shock mounts are are in, oil pan,some yeller paint on the frame and so on. Next up.....shocks, panhard bar and humongous slicks with wide whites.....it just never ends, seems like every time I finish one bit...I need something else.....no matter, it's all fun and it keeps me at home where the old woman can keep an eye on me.

[bryan_m]

wow! that is wild!!

bryan

[Brizio]

Pretty cool!!!

[Ira]

LOVE THE YELLOW!!!

Perfect...

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Thanks guys......it's a lot of yellow for sure. Made some shocks from scrap tubing.