38 replies to this topic

[matthijsgrit]

I found a resin kit of the Sniper. Originally built by Troy Trapanier, it is a 1950's Plymouth Savoy, but then HEAVILY customized.
I wonder if anyone knows what donor kit to use?
I already have the Dodge Sidewinder concept to give up drivetrain, engine and trans, wheels, exhaust, etc.
Possibliy I can use the frame.
Is there a specific donor kit for the chassis and interior?

Anyone built this resin kit?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Matthijs
The Netherlands

[jeffs396]

It's more than likely based on the AMT '58 Belvedere or '57 300, those would probably be good choices?

I've got the '58 here if you'd like wheelbase and/or width measurements.

Also have the AMT 'slammers' 57/58 kit here that it could be based off of...

[Steve Milberry]

I believe it was based off one of the mid '50's JoHan plymouth promos,, '55 perhaps since it's be close to the real car which was built from a '53 IIRC,

The '57/'78 Plymouth is a completely different body but you could probably adapt the frame if you like.

Personally, since it was a completely custom frame/chassis I'd go with the Art Morrison frame and suspension from the AMT Wagonrod.

[MAGNUM4342]

I'm not up on all the abbreviations. If you don't mind my asking, what is an R&R Sniper?

[Steve Milberry]

BTW, if you don't have a chassis and interior with the kit, it isn't complete or possibly a copy from someone else. The R+R Sniper comes with those parts [although not great and I suspect the chassis under the 1/1 car looks nothing like the one provided.

[Steve Milberry]

I'm not up on all the abbreviations. If you don't mind my asking, what is an R&R Sniper?

R+R is a resin company that makes a lot of not so great but workable kits.

The Sniper is a custom built by Troy Trepanier and designed by Chip Foose.

[jeffs396]

R+R is a resin company that makes a lot of not so great but workable kits.

The Sniper is a custom built by Troy Trepanier and designed by Chip Foose.

Wow, Foose must have been going thru a bad phase when he designed that

[Steve Milberry]

Wow, Foose must have been going thru a bad phase when he designed that

I don't think it looks too bad concidering what he started with. Those early '50's Plymouths were no beauty queens. A guy on my street ownes one. [not this one though]

Edited by Steve Milberry, 23 June 2012 - 12:23 PM.

[Fat Brian]

Wow, Foose must have been going thru a bad phase when he designed that

Are you kidding, that thing is awesome. The resin kit looks like poo poo though.

[Art Anderson]

It's done from a 1954 Plymouth Belvedere HT I believe, which was a longer car than the low-end Savoy that year.

Art

[Foxer]

I had to look this one up since I had a '50 Plymouth .. but I see it's a '54. A very nice job and will be great to see one built.

Did come on this page that shows the frame.

[Steven Zimmerman]

This body was mastered by Terry kinnear, who now is proprietor of Machined Aluminium Specialties; you might contact him for info. Considering what he was given to work with, he did a pretty good job....'Z'

[Michigan Madman]

Wow, Foose must have been going thru a bad phase when he designed that

No... Foose still had some degree of talent when he designed this... this was long before he started throwing his own wheels on two-tone, mirrorless GM midsize cars for TV.

The 1:1 Sniper was built with a Viper drivetrain and suspensions- Troy had some buddies at Chrysler and managed to get an R&D mule that was slated to be crushed.

[jeffs396]

I'll be the first to admit that Foose has LOTS of talent (even though his style gets a bit boring after awhile), but his motto is something to the effect "I take the ugly out"

This was a monumental task with a car like they started with for Sniper

[matthijsgrit]

I got the kit from Terry...
I don't Wanda doubt him, but he talked about a 53 Ford Victoria (?) as donor?

I agree the chassis in the kit won't resemble the real car's one...
But maybe I should just concentrate on the looks and not to create an exact replica (which isn't my goal).

Thanks for all your input!

MG

[Ace-Garageguy]

My somewhat educated guess is that the Moebius '55 Chrysler 300 chassis would be the closest-to-accurate doner. In '57, Mopar went to torsion-bar front suspension. Both the AMT '57 300C and the AMT Plymouth '58 Belvedere have torsion bars, and the chassis are close to identical other than wheelbase. I don't have the Moebius kit in stock, but it has the coil-spring front suspension and chassis design that would be a good across-the-model-line representation for all the '53-'56 Mopars.

[Steve Milberry]

My somewhat educated guess is that the Moebius '55 Chrysler 300 chassis would be the closest-to-accurate doner. In '57, Mopar went to torsion-bar front suspension. Both the AMT '57 300C and the AMT Plymouth '58 Belvedere have torsion bars, and the chassis are close to identical other than wheelbase. I don't have the Moebius kit in stock, but it has the coil-spring front suspension and chassis design that would be a good across-the-model-line representation for all the '53-'56 Mopars.

Maybe if you're building a stock Plymouth but this is a very heavily modified custom.

A stock chassis from any '50's car wouldn't be anywhere near close to accurate for this one.

[matthijsgrit]

Thanks all!

Since Sniper was just losely based on the Savoy, there was a square tube chassis.
That is why I will try the Sidewinder's chassis first... I think... Depends on dimensions.

But first I'll have to receive kit... I'm REALLY looking forward to that!

Edited by matthijsgrit, 24 June 2012 - 04:56 AM.

[Drago]

I got the kit from Terry...
I don't Wanda doubt him, but he talked about a 53 Ford Victoria (?) as donor?

I agree the chassis in the kit won't resemble the real car's one...
But maybe I should just concentrate on the looks and not to create an exact replica (which isn't my goal).

Thanks for all your input!

MG

I also have this transkit resin and my intention is to replicate the real car. I would suggest you make the chassis by scratchbuilding it, but reading your message, I would say trust on the "father of the child" and use the '53 Ford.

Unlike everyone, I love this car. I just do not like the black cover inside the wheels.

Edited by Drago, 24 June 2012 - 05:24 AM.

[Michigan Madman]

Maybe if you're building a stock Plymouth but this is a very heavily modified custom.

A stock chassis from any '50's car wouldn't be anywhere near close to accurate for this one.

I suppose it would depend on how accurate you wanted the chassis to be. If I remember, the Sniper's actual chassis was all custom fabbed, with the Viper components added to it. But, I'm thinking I'd just leave the hood sealed and use the provided chassis if I were building it. But I'd love to see somebody build this as a blow-by-blow replica with full detail!