'37 Chevy Salt Flats Coupe - Bonneville or Bust!

[Bernard Kron]

Early 60’s style ’37 Chevy Salt Lake Coupe

(More picture below)

I started building car models again after a very long hiatus in the Fall of 2007. As a result I had no parts stash at all. A new modeling friend on the Model Cars Magazine board, Don Banes, took pity on me the following spring and sent me a care package. I have promised myself that I’ll build as many models as I can from what he sent me. I’ve built two cars so far from what he sent me, this one and an early 60’s bare bones FED with Nailhead power completed last fall. I should be able to get at least 3-4 more models out what he sent me! Amazingly generous of him, I thought at the time. But I was to learn that such generosity is typical of our wonderful hobby.

In any case, this is a “tribute†build for Don. The “DB Automotive†is for Don Banes. The idea behind the build was to imagine what an East Coast gasser from the early 60’s would be like if the owners converted it to run at Bonneville. Thanx Don, I hope you like it!

The class and period are largely determined by the original kit. It was important that I use as much of the kit as possible - a kind of Modified Out-Of-The-Box build. And yet I wanted it to be something different than the kit. The decal scheme is sort of a greeting card to Don.

The tires were given to me by Raul Perez. He sanded them to look like lakes tires. The hub caps are Moon discs from The Parts Box in Australia. Other than that the large main decals are home made and the little sponsor decals are from various Slixx Nostalgia Drags sheets. The chassis has been lowered approx. 6 scale inches front and rear. The kit manifolds have been slightly reworked to allow for the lowered ride height. All the trim and drip rails have been removed. The window glass is Plastruct fluorescent yellow sheet. The paint is Tamiya T-56 Bright Orange over Duplicolor white primer. The white panels are the primer sealed under 4 coats of Duplicolor clear. The break lines between the two colors are set off in Pactra gold trim tape.

The Workbench W.I.P. can be found here" http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19747

Thanx for lookin’

Edited April 23, 2009 by gbk1

[FORDSVTPARTS]

Very nice build!

[Foxer]

The "look" of this build is nothing short of fantastic. Shows what paying attention to details does.

[CB]

NO BELLY PAN??? What gives B?

Just kidding Bernard! Wow! what a postem up!! I'd never have guessed you

built this if'n you didn't sign yer name to it. Totally awesome build, paint, decals

and photography . Can't be waitin' to see what you come up with next

[Dennis Lacy]

Awesome build, B. I was getting ready to write a reply to the build thread then noticed it was over here too! The '37 Chevy's are good looking cars, even better looking when done with good taste and you nailed this one. The color scheme and graphics are really sweet. In my trips to El Mirage to watch the SCTA races I've seen several '37 Coupes in full fenders running with very similar treatment to the body - ie. smoothed over.

I'm sure your friend Don will be very flattered (I would be!).

[Bernard Kron]

Thanx for the kind comments, everyone. For me modeling is all about capturing the vibe so I’m pleased that this build “connectsâ€.

... I'd never have guessed you built this if'n you didn't sign yer name to it. ...

Thanx John! Right about now the learning curve is very steep, but in a good way. So you never know what I might do next! … Seems like every build has at least 2-3 things that are new to me, at least this time around. But I’m really enjoying the ride! This is my first full-fendered completion – everything else done up to now was either fenderless or had little cycle fenders. But I’m still building decidedly Old School and in a relatively “realist†mode (yeah, yeah, then there was the Tube Rat…).

…The '37 Chevy's are good looking cars, even better looking when done with good taste … In my trips to El Mirage to watch the SCTA races I've seen several '37 Coupes in full fenders running with very similar treatment to the body – i.e. smoothed over.

Thanx for the props, Dennis. This just seemed like the natural thing to do to this quintessential Streamline body. Plus I get to keep the headlights for another build down the road! Too bad I used the stock front semi-elliptics – I was really tempted to convert the thing to a transverse leaf front end and squirrel them away for a pre-war lakes modified. But the East Coast gasser dudes running this car hadn’t done it, so I didn’t either!

[Chuck Most]

She's a mean lookin' one, for sure!

[Bernard Kron]

She's a mean lookin' one, for sure!

Thanx Chuck (I think)... It's those massive Streamline fenders and the hunkered down stance from 6 inches of lowering that creates the effect. Even though there's a fair amount of air between the bodywork and the ground, the center cross-members are very close to the ground to clear that big mill and tranny... I also had to lift the exhaust header tips a bit for the same reason. The original kit is set up for a high-nosed gasser.

Edited April 25, 2009 by gbk1

[Don Banes]

Early 60’s style ’37 Chevy Salt Lake Coupe

(More picture below)

I started building car models again after a very long hiatus in the Fall of 2007. As a result I had no parts stash at all. A new modeling friend on the Model Cars Magazine board, Don Banes, took pity on me the following spring and sent me a care package. I have promised myself that I’ll build as many models as I can from what he sent me. I’ve built two cars so far from what he sent me, this one and an early 60’s bare bones FED with Nailhead power completed last fall. I should be able to get at least 3-4 more models out what he sent me! Amazingly generous of him, I thought at the time. But I was to learn that such generosity is typical of our wonderful hobby.

In any case, this is a “tribute†build for Don. The “DB Automotive†is for Don Banes. The idea behind the build was to imagine what an East Coast gasser from the early 60’s would be like if the owners converted it to run at Bonneville. Thanx Don, I hope you like it!

The class and period are largely determined by the original kit. It was important that I use as much of the kit as possible - a kind of Modified Out-Of-The-Box build. And yet I wanted it to be something different than the kit. The decal scheme is sort of a greeting card to Don.

The tires were given to me by Raul Perez. He sanded them to look like lakes tires. The hub caps are Moon discs from The Parts Box in Australia. Other than that the large main decals are home made and the little sponsor decals are from various Slixx Nostalgia Drags sheets. The chassis has been lowered approx. 6 scale inches front and rear. The kit manifolds have been slightly reworked to allow for the lowered ride height. All the trim and drip rails have been removed. The window glass is Plastruct fluorescent yellow sheet. The paint is Tamiya T-56 Bright Orange over Duplicolor white primer. The white panels are the primer sealed under 4 coats of Duplicolor clear. The break lines between the two colors are set off in Pactra gold trim tape.

The Workbench W.I.P. can be found here" http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19747

Thanx for lookin’

Wow! I'm flattered, and that build is perfect!

I sent you that "stuff" so you'd have a foundation for a project or two, and I figured you'd get some use out of most of it!

Keep pluggin' away, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the parts pack items. Thanks for the tribute build! I'm really not worthy, but I am humbled by your spiffy build up of the '37 Chevy kit!

Edited April 26, 2009 by Don Banes

[Bernard Kron]

...I sent you that "stuff" so you'd have a foundation for a project or two, and I figured you'd get some use out of most of it!...

Thanx Don! Right back at ya, man!

The Lady Luck '34 5-window and the Care Package were pivotal at the time. Not only did the CP give me the parts I needed (to build the Nailhead digger I had going) but both were just what I needed for the inspiration to Keep On Buildin'. More to come for sure! The camaraderie and generosity in our hobby is awesome and drives all of us to greater self expression and excellence with every build, I'm sure.

B.

Edited April 27, 2009 by gbk1

[Don Banes]

At some point, you jut might get another package of "stuff". My wife and I are on a search for another home. Presently, we live in Philadelphia. And I mean IN Philadelphia. We live in a very urban area, located in a neighborhood that's still more than good after twenty years. However, it's time for us to go. We need a bigger place for all of our accumulated (keeper) stuff, and we'd like some grennery (grass and trees) My "keeper" stuff is way too much, and I think you'll be getting some more likely model car candidates/donor kits/stuff to keep you building. Do you have room? If not, make some (or find some).

I'll keep you posted. We went out this morning and looked at seven properties in the state of Delaware (not that far away). Two are official candidates, and the others are something to chuckle about. House hunting is always good for a few laughs. Those of you that have done it a few times know exactly what I'm talking about.

[Bernard Kron]

At some point, you jut might get another package of "stuff". My wife and I are on a search for another home. … Do you have room? If not, make some (or find some).

I'll keep you posted…

As we all know too well, “stuff†is always welcome, no matter how “stuffed†we all are already!. For myself things are still pretty primitive as the pics below will show. The “workbench†is the family room table and a tool box full of paints, tools, adhesives, brushes, etc., etc. The “paintbooth†is the garden shed where the dehydrator has been exiled to avoid stinking up the house. And the stash of kits, which seems to be growing steadily, especially when I go to model shows, is in the laundry/utility room. But by the time you find just the right house I’ll have boxed up most my collection of over 1100 vinyl LP’s and converted a corner of my office/studio into an official workbench, and, other than the dehydrator, everything will be consolidated in one space. Still no room for a paint booth, though…

So fire away, Mr. Banes, even though I’m only about 50% of the way through what you sent me already! But anything I can do to make your’s a successful transition to a wonderful new home, well… So keep on laughin’ and lookin’ ‘til you find the perfect one. There’s probably no better time to trade houses after 20 years in the same one, I would think. Good luck! And thanx!!!

My state-of-the-art modeling workbench.

My state-of-the-art painting facility. (Typically sunny and warm spring day in the Pacific Northwest ensures optimum results)

My massive model stash conveniently located for whenever the creative whim strikes me.

Future modeling space.

[RodBurNeR]

you already know I like it, added to favorites days ago! nice work!

[Raul_Perez]

My state-of-the-art modeling workbench.

Bernard,

I like this build a lot!! It looks like a real screamer!! Very cool execution on one of my favorite themes; salt flat racers!!

Now, where did this '49 Ford come from and what do you have planned for it?

Later,

[Foxer]

one more kit and that pile is coming down! .. same goes for all those albums..

[Bernard Kron]

one more kit and that pile is coming down! .. same goes for all those albums..

You got that right! I'd better get going on setting up my workspace up so I can buy more kits!!!

[Bernard Kron]

Now, where did this '49 Ford come from and what do you have planned for it?

My LHS, a mild custom and here's the workbench link: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19876

[Raul_Perez]

My LHS, a mild custom and here's the workbench link: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19876

All you need now is a third one to build as a salt flat racer to go with your '37 Chevy!!

Later,