RatRod

I'm almost finished with one of these, but it is more accurate than out of the box.... There is one major problem with the reissue kit, the tool makers didn't get part of the headers open, so every kit that was made has short shoted headers. I brought this problem up to Round 2, so they are trying to figure out what happened. Here's a breif history of this kit, and where it all began.... Chuck was correct in saying that the chassis, and engine block came from the 1963 issue of the Tognotti T kit. A mostly stock bodied full fendered T that had a small block chevy engine, Jag rear, and really nice diamond tuck-n-roll upholstery. In 1968 MPC used this chassis and fender assembly (this time with stock running boards) to create the Carl Casper Paddy Wagon. The problem here with this practise of "getting more miles" from a mold is the fact that the chassis is wrong for the paddy wagon with the Jag rear. The front axle is ok, but the paddy wagon used a Ford 9 inch w/ buggy spring. Another thing is they carried over the small block chevy block, but made to look like a big block Ford.... A year later in 1969 MPC used the same Tognotti T chassis (and sbc engine) to create Chuck Miller's Fire Truck. Now, about the only things correct to the 1:1 is the body, interior, and the American LaFrance grille shell. The rest of the carried over parts are all wrong, so building a true replica will take some effort. MPC later changed the rear wheels, added their wide slicks, and omitted the ladders to become the Outcast, this version was done twice with only decal changes. Here's a few pics of the real 1:1.... Here it is at Detroit earlier this year....

That body in the Stevens parts pack was meant to use with the double dragster Fiat chassis. The other chassis is for a custom "T" it has a pretty cool torsion bar front end.

John, John, John......Why do you keep building such great master pieces? This has got to be one of my very favorite bikes from you!!! (not like the rest were shabby....

Nice custom!!!

Another great looking Hotrod!!! The top is a nice touch, albeit a little bulky, but it still looks cool. You talked about the grille, but didn't show much of it......curious minds....

One word......FANTASTIC!!! I really like the the way that came out.

This whole build is utterly fantastic John!!! Your style, and speed are unbelievable.

Excellent so far John!!!

Your a machine John!!! Speaking of machines.....This one's going to be cool.

John....another awesome build man!!! I'm mixed on the "burnt" look on the front, but overall it's beautiful. I bet it looks great next to your Thunderflight....

That's about the nicest one of those kits I've seen built, love the engine!!! Makes a great "Billboard" too!!!

This thing is wild Wayne!!! Always like watching your work.

Thanks B!!!

WOW!!! Thanks a bunch guys, I was hesitant to post this one because of the cartoonish fashion, but glad I did.... The rest of the scratch built goodies include the fuel pump, adding thin sheet strips to make a finned timing cover, the two pot fuel injectors, the scoop, throttle linkage, and brake handle. I added the oversized fuel line, and small plug wires to keep the toon theme. There's no chrome parts in these kits, so everything is paint. Testors metalizers, a little Alclad, and lacquers. Once you start adding detail to this thing, it's hard to stop, because there's so much more you can do!!! As far as my pics go, I just use white diaper flannel as a background, along with three 100 watt Reveal bulbs in shades. I do edit my photos in Adobe photoshop, mainly cropping, brightness, and such. I guess I have figured how to set this camera up to shoot small stuff, 'cause I can't get a good pic of a person....

Yep Harry, I scratch built the front wheels from sheet plastic, then used clear sheet for the centers, and thin O-Rings for the tires.

Here's my second build in over 14 months, started this a couple years ago, lost interest, let it collect dust bunnies for quite awhile, then pulled it out and finished it. The Tom Daniel Roarin' Rail snap kit with several scratch built goodies (in cartoon fashion ) I gotta tell ya, this was a blast to do!!!

Very nice!!! Good to see people still building these. The paint looks great.

Very cool build of a great time with Project X on camera!!! This is by far the nicest scale version ever. You did good Dave, and the Elky is great too!!!

Excellent build Tim!!! One great truck in real life, and one great clone in scale. This truck, and it's history were featured in the Rodder's Journal a few issues ago.

Man, you were doing great stuff with the "mostly" box stock bikes too!!! More great stuff Luke.

Another beautiful bike Luke!!! You are a true artist with these bikes man.

Here's a few of my faves..... Fuel injected Cobra engine.. Ford flathead.. Another Ford Cobra motor in a Deuce coupe..

Wow, that's amazing to see that much detail in such a small package.... If anybody can pull it off successfully, your the man. Very cool Mark.

I have been suggesting to R/M for the last couple of years that back dating the above early hotrod kits to their original glory would be a huge success. We did get the Black Widow this year, and that was pretty big. There are actually less parts to bring most of these back than most realize, so it's kind of a no brainer. (at least to me..... )

Lyle, you old goat, you never cease to amaze me. Very nice to see you build something modern, and out of leftovers....