Race of Gentlemen presents... California Drag Racing 2023 Build Thread

[Ulf]

Wow, I really like all the details.
Now I have a couple of weeks at home and hope to get some bench time with my coupe.

[Calb56]

10 hours ago, Ulf said:

Wow, I really like all the details.
Now I have a couple of weeks at home and hope to get some bench time with my coupe.

I'm looking forward to seeing your coupe. I've had some setbacks but starting back on my 29 4 banger. I was hoping to get two builds done for this but I'll at least have one. I'm happy to see the results and interest so far.

[Calb56]

On 5/14/2023 at 2:08 PM, 53gmc said:

Heres one i just finished thats more west coast style 

This looks great! I love it. 

[Dennis Lacy]

There’s some really cool stuff going on in this group build! I counted myself in months ago and have been so dang busy since that I haven’t been able to dig in. I also had a helluva time deciding what I wanted to build! Finally, this past weekend I was looking at a stalled project and got inspired to repurpose it for TROG. 

My entry is going to be this chopped, full fender 1934 5-window powered by an early Chrysler with a healthy set-back, La Salle trans and quick change rear. 

This project was originally slated to be blown Altered period correct for about 1963. I had a really good start then got distracted, lost interest, etc. It will now be back-dated to about 1955 by removing the 6-71 supercharger in favor of 6 Stromberg 2-barrels on the intake from Revell’s Hydro Hemi (thanks for the intake @Kit Karson) and ditching the pie crust slicks and little Pirelli front runners for tall & skinny bias ply tires on early Ford steelies (Revell 29 Roadster / 30 Coupe). Below is how the project previously looked.

This is based on an AMT 1934 5-Window kit with a Drag City Casting chopped body. The entire floor and molded cross members were cut away with the detailed center “X” added from a Revell 1940 Ford, bashed together quick change axle, front cross member flattened with Revell 29 Roadster / 30 Coupe dropped axle and a Revell Miss Deal Hemi engine / trans.

I had also modified the body by cutting out the trunk lid, adding in a ledge and modifying the louvered lid from a Revell 32 5-Window to fit. I also grafted some louvers into the tail pan leaving room between for a car club plaque. Also seen is the hood top that was going to be used with the blower which also had some louvers grafted in.

That’s where I’m at. I pretty much have a complete plan in my head for how to fill in all the gaps. More to come in the near future. ?

 

[Calb56]

2 hours ago, Dennis Lacy said:

There’s some really cool stuff going on in this group build! I counted myself in months ago and have been so dang busy since that I haven’t been able to dig in. I also had a helluva time deciding what I wanted to build! Finally, this past weekend I was looking at a stalled project and got inspired to repurpose it for TROG. 

My entry is going to be this chopped, full fender 1934 5-window powered by an early Chrysler with a healthy set-back, La Salle trans and quick change rear. 

This project was originally slated to be blown Altered period correct for about 1963. I had a really good start then got distracted, lost interest, etc. It will now be back-dated to about 1955 by removing the 6-71 supercharger in favor of 6 Stromberg 2-barrels on the intake from Revell’s Hydro Hemi (thanks for the intake @Kit Karson) and ditching the pie crust slicks and little Pirelli front runners for tall & skinny bias ply tires on early Ford steelies (Revell 29 Roadster / 30 Coupe). Below is how the project previously looked.

This is based on an AMT 1934 5-Window kit with a Drag City Casting chopped body. The entire floor and molded cross members were cut away with the detailed center “X” added from a Revell 1940 Ford, bashed together quick change axle, front cross member flattened with Revell 29 Roadster / 30 Coupe dropped axle and a Revell Miss Deal Hemi engine / trans.

I had also modified the body by cutting out the trunk lid, adding in a ledge and modifying the louvered lid from a Revell 32 5-Window to fit. I also grafted some louvers into the tail pan leaving room between for a car club plaque. Also seen is the hood top that was going to be used with the blower which also had some louvers grafted in.

That’s where I’m at. I pretty much have a complete plan in my head for how to fill in all the gaps. More to come in the near future. ?

 

Glad to see you finally jumping in. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the results.

[Calb56]

2 hours ago, Dennis Lacy said:

 

 @Kit Karson) 

The entire floor and molded cross members were cut away with the detailed center “X” added from a Revell 1940 Ford

 

 

Someone really needs to cast or 3D print those Revell 40 Ford cross members...

[Calb56]

Doesn't look like much...but I've been working on it and redoing the suspension. 

This is totally not going to be "streetable".

[Dennis Lacy]

32 minutes ago, Calb56 said:

Someone really needs to cast or 3D print those Revell 40 Ford cross members...

Or have 20 donor kits on hand like some of us nut jobs do… ?‍♂️ ?

Edited May 23, 2023 by Dennis Lacy

[Kit Karson]

Who'd a thunk?  Having a deep junk yard stashed out back would come to be a thing.  Actually, been trading kits for more parts that are getting scarce! -KK

[Kit Karson]

 

ABSOLUTELY

[Calb56]

2 hours ago, Dennis Lacy said:

Or have 20 donor kits on hand like some of us nut jobs do… ?‍♂️ ?

I do miss having several hundred kits and multiples to pull from...

[Straightliner59]

9 hours ago, Dennis Lacy said:

Below is how the project previously looked.

But, I like it, that way!? No doubt it's going to be killer!

[Dennis Lacy]

9 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

But, I like it, that way!? No doubt it's going to be killer!

I mean, yeah, it did look pretty sweet! ??

[Bernard Kron]

On 5/14/2023 at 9:41 AM, Ulf said:

 

20 hours ago, Dennis Lacy said:

Now there's a couple of wicked looking '34s on their way! Looking forward to more, more, more!

 

[Ulf]

1 hour ago, Bernard Kron said:

 

 

oops, I really have a lot to learn from that build and Kit Karson's 33 coupe project.
I haven't spent many hours in hot rod garages in the last 25 years and it shows so I really appreciate having other projects to look at every now and then

Edited May 24, 2023 by Ulf
Spelling

[tim boyd]

On 5/23/2023 at 4:14 PM, Dennis Lacy said:

There’s some really cool stuff going on in this group build! I counted myself in months ago and have been so dang busy since that I haven’t been able to dig in. I also had a helluva time deciding what I wanted to build! Finally, this past weekend I was looking at a stalled project and got inspired to repurpose it for TROG. 

My entry is going to be this chopped, full fender 1934 5-window powered by an early Chrysler with a healthy set-back, La Salle trans and quick change rear. 

This project was originally slated to be blown Altered period correct for about 1963. I had a really good start then got distracted, lost interest, etc. It will now be back-dated to about 1955 by removing the 6-71 supercharger in favor of 6 Stromberg 2-barrels on the intake from Revell’s Hydro Hemi (thanks for the intake @Kit Karson) and ditching the pie crust slicks and little Pirelli front runners for tall & skinny bias ply tires on early Ford steelies (Revell 29 Roadster / 30 Coupe). Below is how the project previously looked.

This is based on an AMT 1934 5-Window kit with a Drag City Casting chopped body. The entire floor and molded cross members were cut away with the detailed center “X” added from a Revell 1940 Ford, bashed together quick change axle, front cross member flattened with Revell 29 Roadster / 30 Coupe dropped axle and a Revell Miss Deal Hemi engine / trans.

I had also modified the body by cutting out the trunk lid, adding in a ledge and modifying the louvered lid from a Revell 32 5-Window to fit. I also grafted some louvers into the tail pan leaving room between for a car club plaque. Also seen is the hood top that was going to be used with the blower which also had some louvers grafted in.

That’s where I’m at. I pretty much have a complete plan in my head for how to fill in all the gaps. More to come in the near future. ?

 

Dennis....looking oh so tasty!  Your attention to detail...man, those engine mounts!  Great to see this one moving forward....especially those progress photos that you posted later on in this thread...TB

[tim boyd]

On 5/23/2023 at 7:24 PM, Calb56 said:

Doesn't look like much...but I've been working on it and redoing the suspension. 

This is totally not going to be "streetable".

Charles...that is some of the most realistic "patina" I've evers seen on a styrene body.  Best of luck with the progress to come....TIM 

[tim boyd]

On 5/21/2023 at 12:44 AM, Bernard Kron said:

Here are the final photos of my T.R.o.G. Deuce 3-window, driven to Flabob, headlights taped up, raced and driven home:

 

Quote

 

Bernard.....congrats on finishing this one up.  Especially like the engine components you chose and the louvered truck lid.  

Guys, I finally had the pleasure of meeting Bernard in person at the GSL this month.  In my mind i had him pegged, based primarily on his build style, as one of what I think of as the third generation of hot rod model car builders, maybe in his late twenties to mid-thirties.  Surprise on me!  Bernard is actually older than I am (and I'm pretty old myself these days).  So cool to see how broadly our hobby embraces different age groups and talents. 

Anyway, Bernard, so cool to finally meet you and keep up your great enthusiasm for and contributions to our mutual hobby!   TIM 

[tim boyd]

On 2/19/2023 at 6:48 AM, Ulf said:

Maybe I'm too old for this, but I'm up and running.
 

Iron Maiden ?? no, it will be spot welds.

Usually the goal is to get a nice body to paint, this time the goal is the opposite and it's just as difficult actually.
 

Guys....this is a master study in how to chop one of the most difficult bodies out there....the '34 5W Coupe. 

Ulf....great work and have enjoyed seeing this one progress forward...big congrat from this corner....TIM 

[Calb56]

4 hours ago, tim boyd said:

Charles...that is some of the most realistic "patina" I've evers seen on a styrene body.  Best of luck with the progress to come....TIM 

Tim,

That means a lot coming from you. I remember seeing your articles in SAE when I last was around doing models, back in the day of Model Car List and Straightline Modeler... but when I get this finished, it'll be my first completed model since I was a kid. 

[Calb56]

Had to scratch the hinges on the doors after sanding them off by accident. 

Hope the body is close...

[Ace-Garageguy]

14 hours ago, Calb56 said:

Had to scratch the hinges on the doors after sanding them off by accident...

Oops.

I really like the contrast between the heavy rust on the body and not so much on the decklid. Looks like somebody made a new decklid skin, punched louvers in it, and then forgot to primer it...or just wanted to let it rust. It looks like just a couple of weeks of rust on fresh steel. Pretty cool effect.

[Calb56]

8 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Oops.

I really like the contrast between the heavy rust on the body and not so much on the decklid. Looks like somebody made a new decklid skin, punched louvers in it, and then forgot to primer it...or just wanted to let it rust. It looks like just a couple of weeks of rust on fresh steel. Pretty cool effect.

Thanks. I'm trying. 

[Mr. Metallic]

Nothing since June 1st? I'm in a very prolonged slump right now, but it's was nice seeing all these vintage hot rods being built. lets get back to it fellas!

[Modelbuilder Mark]

I have reached a pause in my build pending a response from the TROG organization. I am wanting to have it with no front brakes, like some old drag cars of the past would run, but not sure that would be OK with TROG. There is nothing in the rules that I can find about it. That is the last thing I need to sort on the chassis.