arick

I need a break from chassis and engine stuff so started some body modifications on the deuce. I used styrene, to be followed with some smear, to fill door hinge, door handle and tail light holes. I also used styrene to build up the reveal around the interior tub. The Duval windshield is mocked up in preparation for minor cowl modifications.

The TDR chassis and IFS kit are good pieces but they do come with some minor issues. The IFS kit that I am useing is nicely designed and includes steering arms but it does not include a rack and pinion. Fortunatly, TDR does have an aftermarket rack and pinion kit. Its a bit bulky and not a "bolt on" for their IFS, but with some modification, it can be made to work. For this application, I'll be useing a rear steer version. This will require modifications to the chassis front cross member in order to mount the rack. I have discussed my concerns about the IFS/R&P with Don from TDR. He assures me they are aware of the problem and that in time, it will be fixed. To their credit, these guys listen to customer comments.

For clarification purposes, this thread is not meant to promote "just" a 34 Ford. In fact, from the private chatter thats going around, I think the feeling is that a Pro Mod style car is probably a lot more popular to many of us. Whatever the case, comments and questions have value and we have two very talented members in Dave and MF who are looking for our feedback, so speak up. We can't expect these guys to project the cost of something new until there is a decision as to what is going to be produced. I agree with Dave's comment above.......its all about how seriously you take your model building.

Yup, here you go........woodythx138@mlode.com

Syd What I do is hang the RP parts on a piece of thread. Use a pair of tweezers to hold the part steady while applying the CA glue with a brush. If you use the quick dry CA and keep moving the parts on the thread you'll have no problems with the thread sticking to the holes.

Dave, could you please post a couple of early photos of the body buck and also describe the medium you are working with. Guys, what you see here is a perfect example of what it takes to create a new body. Its a bit of a process, but it can be done.

The Madd Fabricator and I, and hopefully some other investors, are looking at the possibility of bringing an 8th scale 34 Ford to the market. Now, before you jump all over this, its not a simple feat. The Madd Fabricator already has a solid rep for producing high quality 8th scale bodies in fibreglass so if this project proceeds, the quality, in terms accuracy and finish are a given. Here's what needs to happen. An accurate master pattern has to be made, and from there the fibreglass molds would be made. So, if anyone is interested in makeing a master pattern, or who would be interested in helping to pay a pattern maker, please contact MF privatly at "rdzandnz@chriscakes.com" for more information. This is a private venture so please forward "business" questions to MF off site.

Thanks Rick! I'm mocking up a trunk and rear wheel tubs so should be an update soon.

This is another project that I haven't worked on for a while. I'll be honest, I'm kind of tired of the overdone Deuce so I'm trying to make this one a bit different, in particular in that it will be powered by a Jaguar engine. Anyway, the mock up continues and its now to the point where I can put it on wheels and tires. I'm really happy with the real steel wire wheels from Chris Garcia.

Ya, I know, before y'all jump all over me...........I forgot to mock up the blower in the previous photos, so here it is. Now I know why it was running so rough............

Today I mocked up some mounts and have the engine and trans sitting where I want them. I also opened up the floor to accomodate the bellhousing and trans. Everythings roughed in but its getting the "look" that I'm after.

Rather than go with a 426 as originally planned, I'm going to build a 392 Hemi blower motor. I've mocked it up to make sure everything fits. Now I can build some engine and trans mounts and get it sitting in the chassis so I can finish the firewall and floor.

I'm building a blown TDR Hemi and it will be backed by a Lenco trans from Dave. In between will be an original and very rare bell housing from George Zurowski. George was known as the "father" of the 8th scale aftermarket and the first one to offer an 8th scale Hemi. It came in several configurations with an optional Lenco two speed with reverser and the bellhousing you see here. I got to know George well and I pride myself in having several of his original parts. Interestingly, George's bellhousing is an almost perfect fit to the TDR block so its kind of an interesting combination of new and historical technology. As soon as I button up all three pieces, I'll fab an engine plate for the front and an engine/trans mount for the rear.

Its been a while since I've posted anything on my 8th scale pro street Willys. For those of you that are new here, this build is based on a TDR pro street chassis and a MF Willys coupe body. The chassis is an excellent piece but it will need some modifications, depending on how the model is being built. In my case, I'm going the pro street route so I've added a basic roll cage thats typical of a street car. I constructed the roll cage using styrene tube and aftermarket bends. Its smoothed and primered but not yet secured to the chassis. The floor and firewall are made from styrene sheet. The firewall is attached to the roll cage while the floor is in the mock up stage and still has to be opened up for the transmission/driveshaft tunnel. The body sits very nicely on the chassis. Note the mocked in front and rear support tubes that run from the firewall to the front of the chassis and from the rear of the roll cage to the rear of the chassis. Next up is mocking up an engine plate that will mount the blown Hemi to the front of the chassis and a cross member to mount the rear of the engine and the Lenco trans.

Many of us can't get to the shows that are posted on this forum. Those of you that do attend, and take such great photos to share with the rest of us deserve a big thanks. THANKS GUYS!!!

Very nice, I like it. I'm with the others, give us more details. I'm artularly interested in how you bent styrene tube and molded the sheet.

Tom......I'm away until month end but when I return I'll post some photos of the Willys.

I can speak to the quality of the MF bodies. I've been purchasing them for over ten years. My first was a 32 three window and my most recent purchases have been Willys coupes and a T turtle deck. I'm also in line for one of the Anglia's. MF bodies are accurate, strong and most importantly, they are even thickness throughout.

How about a report from someone who attended the Toledo NNL. I'm particularly interested in the state of "large scale" at the bigger shows. In addition to the folks at TDR, is anyone else getting into the large scale aftermarket? Any comments from the TDR booth? Thanks!!!

Mark, have you considered sectioning (vertically and horizontally) an 8th scale deuce grill and grill shell?

The roadster looks good and I sure hope that all the work thats gone into it pays off. Having had a good look at the recent photo's, something grabbed my attention.......I notice that the front suspension has a sway bar and rack and pinion steering. This is good. I've got two models (Willys coupe and Deuce) on the bench and am useing the TDR IFS kit on both of them. This is an excellent kit, but it does not come with a sway bar or rack and pinion steering. TDR does have a R&P accessory kit, but its difficult to adapt it to the IFS kit. I know that the IFS kit is already popular with the Deuce crowd. It will become even more popular when the new MF and Cuda bodies are put on the TDR chassis. So, how about it TDR, would you PLEASE re-engineer the current IFS to include a sway bar and R&P steering?

Looking good Steve, and welcome to the forum.

Think about it guys, TDR is giving us what no other model maker has ever done. This is not another re-issue "Big" kit, this is all new to the market stuff that comes from a few guys who want to make a difference in our modelling world. Let me also say this, is absolute accuracy really that important when building a model of this size or is the fact that this kind of stuff is now being made available whats really important? I'm a hot rod guy, and I personally have no interest in a kit like this. Whats important is that with this kit, TDR has shown us that the door to a whole new world of "gee, I sure wish somebody would build a........" is finally opening. In this case, someone at TDR wanted a Cobra and they built it. The next kit could be a 40 Ford, a 56 Chev or a.......that some of us want. The fact that these guys have gone out on a limb with this kit is exciting and it shows us that there is finally going to be some new stuff on the market. By the way, these are my personal thoughts, I'm no longer associated with TDR. a 56 Chev

Hey Dave Do the chassis shops really use elastic bands???? Just kidding of course. Thanks for shareing your work with the rest of us. Truely enspiring!

I like it too! Guess I better get back to my projects.