curt raitz Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 This is a model of the restored Jim Miles Magic Muffler Fiat AA/Fuel Altered dragster. The original car had a fiberglassed 1948 Fiat Topolino body with a bored and stroked 331 Chrysler Hemi. Jim Miles built the car and acquired sponsorship from the Magic Muffler Shops in Southern California. In August 1965 at the Lions Drag Strip, as driver Gary Essman hit the throttle the bottom end of the engine exploded all over the track. A photographer captured the exact moment this happened. It seems that in the rush to get the car built, they forgot to torque the bottom end. Although it has Jim Miles noted as the driver on the car, he wasn't driving it at Lions Drag Strip that night. Jim had planned on driving the car, but after a bad accident in 1964 he he decided to stop driving. The restored car was done by Billy Corbett and Jim Miles. My inspiration to build a model of this car came about when I picked up a copy of the Winter 2015 "Elapsed Times" magazine. ​I scratch built the frame, modified the Fiat body in the AMT "Dual Dragster" kit, made my own wire wheels, decals and added numerous after market parts and pieces. ​thanx for looking'... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagercr Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Beautiful build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne swayze Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Great lookin' build! Nice job on the wire wheels. AA+ !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagedragcrazy Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 I'm glad to see someone do this car when I bought the magazine I though that would be awsome done in 1/25 and you didn't let me down beautiful job. I was hoping someone would make decals to do this car I hope your looking at this Darryl I know I'd be in for a set of them and I know your the guy to do them. Vince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Great detailed build.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funhouse1 Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 That's just fantastic, really nice build... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ed Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 You never disappoint Curt. Another Jewel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helix Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Most impressive Curt ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince Ital Mike Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Awesome!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro Neil Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Wicked Pissa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Twister Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 That is just sweet...........Nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LokisTyro Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Great looking build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Very nice work ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddyfink Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Super cool! I need to get me some decals for this car! I was told that the pics of the car from two different angles was due to a bet placed by two photogs as to who could take the better picture. The Magic car came up and they both took pics of it blowing up! One caught the engine with flames and the other with the crank on the ground being run over! Either way, they immortalized this car forever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixx Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 That's freekin cool man!!!!!!!! Awesome build!!!! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert Rollins Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 That's a great lookin model. Great skill on display here. However, if I was a drag racer, this car don't look safe and stable enough to tear down the track in. I guess it takes a little crazy. Then again all drag cars are guided missiles anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Great job. Super clean. When I saw the article I thought that there was plenty to work from. Which did you use for the chassis? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curt raitz Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 Great job. Super clean. When I saw the article I thought that there was plenty to work from. Which did you use for the chassis? Using the photographs in the article, from the internet and Street Rodder Journal I scratch built the chassis using plastruct rod. here's a couple photos of the chassis... It was fun... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iBorg Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Very nice. A couple of questions, I noticed what looks like burn marks on the tubing. Did you heat and smash the frame together? Also, are the decals going to be available? Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 bad55 stan Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Way cool,got to be the best Fiat ever... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curt raitz Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 Very nice. A couple of questions, I noticed what looks like burn marks on the tubing. Did you heat and smash the frame together? Also, are the decals going to be available? Mike Those "burn marks" is nothing but dirty Weldon #3 liquid glue. As you get near the bottom of the bottle the glue tends to get a little "muddy". I just do decals for myself, but I've got a friend with an Alps Printer who will print them for a small fee. I just need to get him the artwork. c'ya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedfreak Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 (edited) Phenomenal job Curt, really captures the look of a real car. I've never seen Blue Streaks look more at home. Edited April 9, 2015 by Speedfreak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGL Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Wow, your car looks more realistic than the one on the cover of the magazine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dyno Davo Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Wow, amazing workmanship Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Man Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Awesome, faithful, and well executed build!! And yes - one of the greatest drag race action photos of all time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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