Hot Rod model car builders who also own or build 1/1 scale hot rods...let's start a list...

[Dennis Lacy]

On 3/24/2021 at 6:54 AM, tim boyd said:

Dennis...I'm loving that '32 pickup.....looks so way over on the far end of the Traditional Hot Rod movement.  And so interesting that its stablemate is a Fox Series 5.0!  That one was always a favorite of mine....if we are ever able to get together, I'll tell you one of my Ford war stories on the LX 5.0....

Best....TIM

Thanks, Tim! I love it too. It's like a family member. I also love the 5.0 Mustang's. Quite possibly the best bang-for-the-buck cars ever produced. They were inexpensive to begin with, hauled butt stock (for the time) and have seen a seemingly endless performance parts aftermarket that's also generally very reasonably priced. I'd bet with your career at Ford you have plenty of interesting stories. I'd love to hear them some time if we're ever lucky enough to cross paths.

Speaking of LX 5.0's... I had one of those, too! This '88 was my daily driver for 14 years. I bought it in March of 1999 for $1400 when I was 19 years old. It was a freshly painted roller (brand new color for '99 called Atlantic Blue) and by June I scrounged up an engine and trans for it and had it on the road. At it's evolution peak it was good for 320hp and 335tq to the wheels on a Dynojet and would run the 1/4 mile at 112mph. The ET's were terrible on regular 17" tires with the first 3 gears being a slip & slide. Dragstrip wasn't my thing much anyhow as the car was set up for corner carving. This car would absolutely murder those smug GM LS1 F-Body and Corvette owners. It was also good enough to take down a stock 2003 Terminator Cobra and the first year 2001 385hp ZO6 Vette's. Good times...

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi!

What an instructive thread! Thanks to Tim Boyd for starting it.

It appears, indeed, that many among us are "gear heads", with metal as well as styrene. Who's to complain, really. 

I've spend my professionnaI life in the media and built numerous rods for myself, but since retiring, I do build 1/1 cars, mostly rods and Pro-Touring. Here are a few. Some are based on commercially available fiberglass bodies, some (like the dark grey primered car) are totally scratchbuild bodies and frame, from the ground up. To be able to do those, you need very committed patrons, of course. These days, the full-frame IFS/IRS chassis for 70's muscle cars are "in vogue", and guys in their 40's are pining for them. So, here we come. 

Life is short: might as well do something fun!

CT 

[gtx6970]

Ive built models off and on since about the age of 6 or 7 .

Ive owned all kinds of Mopar muscle from wing cars to Convertibles and a few Hemi cars. Sold my last one about 15 years ago.

Ive built several cars for other people over the past 12-15 years So I have been pretty much 'car less ' of our own for a while

 

But got the itch BAD about 2 or 3 years back to get back into vintage Mopar Muscle. But felt a project was of zero interest.

 

SO,,,,last fall I finally made a deal and pulled the trigger on my current car. 1966 Satellite , Hemi auto. In MY dream color combination of black with red interior.

Im planning to retire here soon so am hoping to get back to building the smaller scale .......just right now to much fun with the 1/1 hotrod

 

[Bills72sj]

I have been a gearhead all my life. My Dad drag raced a 34 Plymouth coupe with a 33 Hemi and zoomies. In grade school I knew virtually every make an model of car from the mid 50's to the mid 70's by sight. I built models as a kid well into my teens. I have owned a few classic Grand Prixs from 1982 on including my current ride a 1972 SJ with a 455 TH400 12 bolt posi. Having a family and raising kids precluded me from owning a whole fleet of 1:1's so I dived back into the hobby about 20 years ago. I now build in scale what I would like to have if I were to win the lottery. Here are my first my best and my last Grand Prixs.

[tim boyd]

Wow guys....some truly drool-worthy machinery in your posts! 

Two more names to add to the list....

Scale Auto publisher Gary Schmidt....he did build models occasionally (here I'm thinking of his very tasty Phantom 1936 Ford Pickup), and he had quite a collection of 1/1 scale cars, mostly old Fords, and most famously, his 1970 Boss 429 that he bought second-hand that same year (he traded his new Torino Cobra even with a southeast gentleman who may have been a bootlegger), which he still had and had recently returned to 100% factory stock before he passed away. 

Second was the long-time columnist for Scale Auto who did the semi-monthly racing column; his name escapes me at the moment, but he also had a 1/1 scale lakes modified T, in cream with burgundy scallops, that enjoyed several photos in street rod event coverage in a number of different mags.  That car was a real looker....

TIM  

[alan barton]

Ahh, you beat me to him - that would be Drew Hierwater!  Great writer, great model builder, and a sweet ride!

Cheers

Alan

[tim boyd]

1 hour ago, alan barton said:

Ahh, you beat me to him - that would be Drew Hierwater!  Great writer, great model builder, and a sweet ride!

Cheers

Alan

Correctamundo!   Thanks Alan....TIM

[casassa]

Tim has seen pix of my '36 Pontiac before, but most of you probably haven't. Pontiac OHC 6 under the hood.  I've owned it for 50 years; the Dupont lacquer on it is 45 years old. 

[Claude Thibodeau]

On 3/29/2021 at 9:22 PM, casassa said:

Tim has seen pix of my '36 Pontiac before, but most of you probably haven't. Pontiac OHC 6 under the hood.  I've owned it for 50 years; the Dupont lacquer on it is 45 years old. 

Hi Jim!

Having painted countless cars, vans, choppers and whatnot in the 60's an 70's with Dupont LUCITE, and even some Duco  lacquer (HOK urethnane was still just a dream back then), I can attest to the resilience of that fantastic paint.

Your Poncho looks great, and what a great hue! Bravo!

CT 

[blunc]

I don't know if Mark Jones (Scale Master) has been mentioned yet, I don't know if he's built old hot rods but he's posted photos of his camaro here, I'm envious of the engineering he's done to it.

Seeing his scale work here and in person is amazing.

[RSchnell]

Finally had some time to read the whole thread. Lots of nice stuff posted!  I owned a restoration shop for 15 yrs doing mostly original restorations on everything from Model T's to Corvettes but can appreciate the work that goes into rods & customs. I grew up in the old car hobby and it's interesting to see fads & designs come & go.  A lot of talent on this forum!

[Daddyfink]

My old School 1972 Datsun build is almost done

[junkyardjeff]

A  wagon version was my first Jap car engine change,took it out of a 4 door and put it in a wagon with no metric tools.

[Daddyfink]

5 hours ago, junkyardjeff said:

A  wagon version was my first Jap car engine change,took it out of a 4 door and put it in a wagon with no metric tools.

No Metric? You are a brave soul! 😄

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

16 hours ago, Daddyfink said:

My old School 1972 Datsun build is almost done...

Love that 510. Flares look absolutely perfect.

[afx]

17 hours ago, Daddyfink said:

My old School 1972 Datsun build is almost done

 

Very nice Jesse.

[Daddyfink]

3 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Love that 510. Flares look absolutely perfect.

 

1 hour ago, afx said:

Very nice Jesse.

 

Thank you! 

[junkyardjeff]

18 hours ago, Daddyfink said:

No Metric? You are a brave soul! 😄

 

Did not know any better,it was back in 1979.

[Impalow]

On 4/5/2021 at 5:33 PM, Daddyfink said:

My old School 1972 Datsun build is almost done

Man, that is a beautiful 510!  Outstanding work!  Ive been helping my dad get his together, he has had this shell bouncing around for over 20years... he wants to drive it on his 70th Birthday in September, so we have a ways to go.. but should happen.

On 3/27/2021 at 9:53 PM, Claude Thibodeau said:

Hi!

What an instructive thread! Thanks to Tim Boyd for starting it.

It appears, indeed, that many among us are "gear heads", with metal as well as styrene. Who's to complain, really. 

I've spend my professionnaI life in the media and built numerous rods for myself, but since retiring, I do build 1/1 cars, mostly rods and Pro-Touring. Here are a few. Some are based on commercially available fiberglass bodies, some (like the dark grey primered car) are totally scratchbuild bodies and frame, from the ground up. To be able to do those, you need very committed patrons, of course. These days, the full-frame IFS/IRS chassis for 70's muscle cars are "in vogue", and guys in their 40's are pining for them. So, here we come. 

Life is short: might as well do something fun!

CT

Awesome Stuff Claude!    Ive been a fan of your scale work, and had no clue you dabbled in 1:1 scale stuff!  

I agree thank you @tim boyd so cool to see the 1:1 work of some of my favorite builders.

 

I have a few 1:1 builds with my most recent being this one that scored me a Top 40 at last years SEMA* - Battle of the Builders and a Top 10 in the Sport Compact Category. (*2020 was a Virtual SEMA)

Here is an article about it from Holley = https://www.holley.com/blog/post/this_ls-swapped_1973_datsun_240z_is_the_epitome_of_show_and_go/

I also have this old thing that I bought in 1997, when I was 17... and have owned for 24 years now. Lots of work over the years, interior, air suspension, power brakes, power steering, etc.

 

[Daddyfink]

1 hour ago, Impalow said:

Man, that is a beautiful 510!  Outstanding work!  Ive been helping my dad get his together, he has had this shell bouncing around for over 20years... he wants to drive it on his 70th Birthday in September, so we have a ways to go.. but should happen.

Awesome Stuff Claude!    Ive been a fan of your scale work, and had no clue you dabbled in 1:1 scale stuff!  

I agree thank you @tim boyd so cool to see the 1:1 work of some of my favorite builders.

 

I have a few 1:1 builds with my most recent being this one that scored me a Top 40 at last years SEMA* - Battle of the Builders and a Top 10 in the Sport Compact Category. (*2020 was a Virtual SEMA)

Here is an article about it from Holley = https://www.holley.com/blog/post/this_ls-swapped_1973_datsun_240z_is_the_epitome_of_show_and_go/

 

 

Thanks! And congrats on your projects! That 510 looks like it is coming along nicely! My 510 was pretty much in that shape when I got it. I've owned the 510 since 1997 and finally got around to building it a few years ago. Hopefully I will figure out my electrical issues with the ecu and get it running soon, and then finish the darn thing! 

I need to hear this thing run! 

 

 

[Claude Thibodeau]

12 minutes ago, Daddyfink said:

Thanks! And congrats on your projects! That 510 looks like it is coming along nicely! My 510 was pretty much in that shape when I got it. I've owned the 510 since 1997 and finally got around to building it a few years ago. Hopefully I will figure out my electrical issues with the ecu and get it running soon, and then finish the darn thing! 

I need to hear this thing run! 

 

 

Hi Eric!

Thank you for the kind words. 

I have an extensive collection of SAE, Model cars, Plastic Fanatic an else... The Contest Annual are always on my coffee table, and I must say that I'm always very impressed by many of your featured creations in scale, as they are true "works of art". And now, I can feast on your 1/1 vehicles. 

Who could ask for more? 

Bravo!

CT 

[Claude Thibodeau]

1 hour ago, Impalow said:

Man, that is a beautiful 510!  Outstanding work!  Ive been helping my dad get his together, he has had this shell bouncing around for over 20years... he wants to drive it on his 70th Birthday in September, so we have a ways to go.. but should happen.

Awesome Stuff Claude!    Ive been a fan of your scale work, and had no clue you dabbled in 1:1 scale stuff!  

I agree thank you @tim boyd so cool to see the 1:1 work of some of my favorite builders.

 

I have a few 1:1 builds with my most recent being this one that scored me a Top 40 at last years SEMA* - Battle of the Builders and a Top 10 in the Sport Compact Category. (*2020 was a Virtual SEMA)

Here is an article about it from Holley = https://www.holley.com/blog/post/this_ls-swapped_1973_datsun_240z_is_the_epitome_of_show_and_go/

I also have this old thing that I bought in 1997, when I was 17... and have owned for 24 years now. Lots of work over the years, interior, air suspension, power brakes, power steering, etc.

 

Oooops... It appears I wrote my comment under the wrong entry. Sorry, but I know Eric will ultimately see it anyways...

CT 

[Paul Payne]

Two modelers who have passed are Bud the Kat Anderson and Jocko Johnson. I don’t know if Bud owned any rods but he drove the Hairy Canary custom Thunderbird while working for AMT. Jocko was an amazing fabricator who built incredibly painted models and was involved with countless auto projects. 

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

15 minutes ago, Paul Payne said:

Two modelers who have passed are Bud the Kat Anderson and Jocko Johnson. I don’t know if Bud owned any rods but he drove the Hairy Canary custom Thunderbird while working for AMT. Jocko was an amazing fabricator who built incredibly painted models and was involved with countless auto projects. 

Jocko's streamliner is in Ocala at Don Garlits' Museum of Drag Racing. It's worth a visit! -RRR

 

[eastown]

A couple pics.  The 46 and 54 wagon I still own. The 39 Pontiac I wish I never sold. All built at home.

Thanks Bob