Ralph Henderson

Beeyootiful....!

So, when I started this thing, I told my self I wasn't gonna go nuts with minute details, I was just gonna build a model. well I'm still tryin to hold true to that, but if you're doing a "replica" you need to at least catch some high points. The pictures of the car from back in the 50's shows the doors were completely gutted, to the point of having semi jagged edges in the sheet metal. I tried to do that, but decided to go with just a door with the upholstery removed. Most of the interior details will be covered by the tonneau cover, so I'm not REAL concerned with the minutia, but I thought I'd try something new. (at least new to me) A couple shots of where I'm at on the interior.. not much is glued together yet, so there is still some gaps and such that will get filled..

Wow, that's a really cool trophy, and an even cooler model!

Hi Dave. Sacramento CA.

at this point, scratching it. here's a couple pics of 'rough draft'. using 3/32" aluminum for the stacks. it looks better with the stacks on. I have a couple other thoughts too, and any suggestions welcome.. and I may use the engine out of the new Revell 57 Ford. On this I grafted the bell housing and trans from the old tool revell parts pack 427.

Thanks for all the kind words. I have to say, it can get a little intimidating for a mere mortal as myself to post his work among all the stellar builds on this and other forums. But we all learn from each other, right?? I know I've learned a lot here. And it's given me the confidence to try new things. Thanks again. thought I'd show a couple more pics showing a bit better detail on what had to be done to get the 56 grille to fit in the 57. From the underside looking forward you can see where I lengthened the corners, (about 3/16") to match the height of the grille: next you can see how plastic much was removed to re-shape the nose. so far no filler, just liquid cement and styrene stock. the next shot showa what happens when you try to remove the bumperettes from the 57 grille assy Other nice thing about the 56 grille, is it actually has a lip that surrounds the recess in the sheet metal. Fits and looks a lot better. another shot to show the new bedding. Still a little filling to do, and I have to figure out the little spoilers on the ends under the headlights, but it's coming along. soon some shots of the engine mods, and suspension stuff.. found some springs to replace the block of plastic in the front end, and raised the spindle to lower the front end. plus a shot of the hilborn injection I'm trying to replicate..

I haven't been around for a while. I've been lurking off and on, but haven't been building much. Recently I got the bug, and decided to attack a project I've been thinking about since I saw the Hot Rod article back in the early 90's. So I figured I'd show what I've done, and hopefully, where I'm going First thing that has to go, is the AMT 57 Grille/Bumper Assembly. That looks an awful lot like the grille in the AMT 56, so. I took a pretty clean 1st issue 57 and started sanding and grinding and filling until I came up with this. I cut the sheet metal out of the engine compartment, and started work on the frame from the 56. As others have mentioned, the AMT 56 seems to sit high on the frame, a little too much frame shows beneath the rocker panels. the next few photos show how much I had to shorten the underhood and interior sheetmetal to get the frame tucked up inside the body like I think it should be. I also opened up the area behind the fenderwells for the outside the frame header routing. I also moved the front perches for the rear springs from the interior plate to the frame to make it easier to buildup the frame as an assembly A little preview of the rear rolling stock, those neat old AMT slot car tires-Firestone "Gum-Dipped" 9.00-9.50-15's More soon...Comments and suggestions welcome! (Anybody have an extra flat 57 hood??)....

only 6 days till the Big Show!!! Come join us if you can!

Come join us if yer around!!! Fun show, lotsa goodies at the swap meet, and good folks to hang around and BS with!!! 4th ANNUAL MODEL CAR SHOW and MODEL CAR SWAP MEET Presented by the SACRAMENTO VINTAGE AUTO MODELERS and THE KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS, Council 4991, September 24, 2010 9am - 4pm at St Lawrence Parish Hall 4325 Don Julio Blvd. in North Highlands Special Themes: California Cars and Dirt Track Midgets. Admission to The Show and the Swap meet is: $5.00 (Under 10 free). Swap Meet Tables are available: Email for table contract or more info at: sacvintageautomodelers@comcast.net or call Ralph Henderson at 344-8728

Thanks Ken! Just missing the wing.......the wheels are actually inserts I made to fit inside the wheels that came with the tires, the tires were 'ripcord' Flywheels, but didn't have the right centers.. If I can ever get a bit better with my machining, I'm going to cut some aluminum wheels, and make some real hubs...not quite there yet

Outstanding builds, Ken!!!!! I picked the sprint car body up at a swap meet here in nor-cal, can't find the origins, but looks like maybe tether car, or old r/c parts..

As you can probably understand by the following pics, I am REALLY interested in following your build!!!! Top one is a scratchbuilt 1/8 late 60's Northern California Super Modified, still some things to finish, but about 90% there. second is the beginning of a 1/8 60's sprintcar.....Lots of building and planning to go yet, but the fiberglass parts give a great place to start...

Amazing work!!! Yes, post away!! Love all the scratchbuilding around here!!!!!

Lyle, let me know what intake, and I'll look through my 1/8 stuff, I can probably take care of you.