10thumbs

Great info Dave, many thanks! What I've done is very similar to the Hot Heads deal you show here. I'll even add another layer of sheet to hide the blower mounting studs completely. I think my rendition will closely fit the earlier Donovan type of motor. Those other pics show very tall motors, amazing they stay together.

@Wayne, just above. What's that dude doing on the deck, behind the tower?

Thanks Dave. Lets go a bit further, OK? I've sorted out and modified a blower manifold with individual runners to the heads, its flat on top. The blower though, exactly as in the motor pics above, hangs over the the manifold on the sides. I've made an aluminum plate to compensate, allowing bolt holes for the blower housing. Is the base of the blower so wide, or is the part that hangs over the sides some kind of plate that goes between the manifold and blower base? I realize the blower housing is thick, and the actual area that makes air turbulence is more toward the inside, so that the actual "business area" of the blower is smaller, and would probably fit the smaller intake manifold. Am I right? In other words, what hangs over the sides is just metal, and nothing to do with air/fuel. Could you give some insight?

My older brother built navy ships, and sailing vessels. I don't remember my first car I built, but I do remember the AMT Double Dragster kit when it came out, I built the Fiat. I bought that kit from my own money that I'd earned! 2 bucks! The 1st good model was a 40 Ford, probably AMT. Dark blue paint that was brushed, it was a very good paint job. I remember too, adding springs from a ball point pen to let the rear axle bob a bit. I was hooked by then. Probably by then it was 1963, 12 years old. One model whooped me good, the Revell Orange Crate. I broke some of the long thin chrome steering parts while trying to remove them from the tree. i'd still like to do that kit.

That body is just screaming for a couple of wings, let's see 'em Joe.

Brian, great pic of your son! Looks like he's thinking.....hmmm, I think it would be cool to just turn the key..... Great pics guys!

Dave, I do have an actual question concerning the Donovan blower intake manifolds. I've seen pics where the manifold is not as raised as the one you show here, and the runners don't seem to go to each individual intake port. I'd like to give this raised and individual port deal a try, just am not sure when (year?) this type was available. As far as I can tell, the other type of manifold, the more closed and covered version, was somewhat raised as well, just not as open as the type you built. I have gathered though that both types have a clearly visible valley cover. Am I right? Could you offer some insight? Thanks too for posting such a fine build.

Yeah Joe, this car has some serious wings. Fantastic build Dave. What kind of voodoo did you apply to make a real car shrink like that? What scale is it? Have you fired it up yet?

I'd say a straight axle on a Mopar would only have been after the Hemis came out with Hilborn injection, and the Match race scene, starting late '65. Maybe Mr. Norm, or a car from this period. Darts and Barracudas, meaning '66 would be a good year for starting. The Ramchargers built a Dart from scratch, I'm sure it would've had a straight axle.

Well, going back to around 1963 in Britain, I guess you could make that choice, mod or rocker. Some Mods, not all, rode scooters, Rockers rode motorcycles. In '63 I was 12, and was in to drag racing. Nowadays, as an old motorcyclist, I'd rather think its just a lot of fun riding such a nimble fun machine, and really a smart way to ride very smoothly and quickly through congested, modern day big city traffic. Think about it the next time you have to sit through more than one traffic light. I never do. Actually I kind of liked the Mod style back in the day. Smartly dressed and aware of their presence, while the rockers seemed to outdo themselves in a trashy way of presenting their form of culture. I still to this day don't go outdoors without having applied my makeup.

No sweat Brian, when you have time and patience, new progress will come along automatically. I'll be looking for sure.

Richard this looks very good. The paint job is a hit, I have lots of respect for a clean paint job, and tri-color would be for me a nightmare. Very clean lines between the colors, you did good.

Hi Mark, First of all I think your topic would be better off in the "Questions Forum". You have a couple of good things going for you already. 1st, you have the body you want. 2nd, you know what tire you want to use, and the look you want to achieve, meaning the ride height. This is where you start when you scratch build a car. From here you go to work. So, mount the frame and chassis to the body as is. Next, from upside down, place the fat tire somehow on the frame and between the fenders, and mark where the tubs should be to fit the tire. You just have to eyeball the deal from underneath, and mark the frame how much material needs to hogged out. This will give you an idea of how to proceed when the frame bed has been cut out. You'll have to research this on the internet, its not rocket science. A back-half is standard procedure. All suspension details are available and since you're an experienced modeler, thus should not be a big problem. The biggest problem is actually taking the first step.

Thanks Clayton, man those scooters are beautifully restored. The red one and the nicked side still makes me grin.

I hear that! Just last month the wife and I went to a matinee (we don't go downtown anymore after dark!!!) and a young girl next to me wanted to keep checking the display. Man, its dark in a movie theater, and the display light up the whole place and I got real irritated and told her if she does it again that'll be the last time during this movie. She gets up and leaves, but sicks the "cinema police" on me. I was told to leave the theater! Nuff said. I really didn't want to talk about it, I have an "88 a day topic" running, and actually I feel so out of it sometimes that I wish the old days back. One phone in the hallway, when it rang the person was available, or they were not at home. Period. The wife has supplied us with 3 telephone numbers, 3 phones and a cell for me and a smartphone for herself. That makes 5 friggin numbers to call, yet most of of time I can't reach her when I try to call. That irks me.

Oh man! ....and they're actually being ridden! Wonderful. Even a guy that's not into 2 wheelers has to appreciate these rides. The last pic, the red one on the right. The new 2016 Vespa has a similar tail. Retro, and it's a beauty!

I'd rather be all of the above than someone like you.

I'd like to take a ride in that car. John, do you think he could build in another seat? Good stuff here.

That's a great poster, I used to have a collection of those on tin plates. They had a relief and were wonderfully painted, looked just like that one. One thing for sure is, seeing a pretty pink Vespa and a babe riding it, she has a skirt and high heels on....gotta love it. Better yet, in short, real short shorts....yep, they're back again! Wonderful.

.....whoooooooshhhhh. Vespas can get ahead of traffic. Just watch out when the cars catch up....

Hey Clayton, thanks man for posting the pic. The two in the back are fantastic! The silver one is a killer! Talking vintage 50's and I'll bet it really scoots too, it's gorgeous. The red on the left is a model that was never popular, they really missed it on this design. It is a street fighter though, check out the front fender right and the chrome strip....little rub-de-rub with something too close. Looks like the chrome ring around the headlight needs replacing too. He's had it apart recently. Still around these days, vintage early 80's. The front left is a sweetie for sure, fully dressed with lots of TLC. Not sure of the model though, maybe not even a Vespa, but a Lambretta. Valuable rides and very collectable. The seat is as comfortable as it looks. The back left scooter just kills me, I'd take that one in a heartbeat. The low mirror about ankle height is great by the way. A couple of folks are real proud of their rides, they should be.

Hi James, thanks for dropping by. I've had motorcycles in my younger years. About 15 years ago I realized that during the day when time is important and stuff has stuff to get done, that something has to change. A motorcycle was never a thought, they're not well accepted in Europe among car drivers. The wife says, "hey, look at that beautiful Vespa over there". Lets go Saturday and have a look. Soon I was hooked. The Vespa in Europe is cult. No other 2 wheeler has a higher status, and is positively viewed by young and old. While riding downtown, there were lots of opportunities to see how the pros ride these things. The pros, are young high school girls! They weave in and out of traffic, do slingshot starts as soon as the light turns green, split lanes, ride directly in front of stopped cars to switch lanes to get further up to the red light. All done with a smooth ease that's fun to watch. They taught me how to ride a cool scooter in the city. I never sit more than one light out, that's a waste of time. Motorcycles can't touch me, they're too big and not as nimble. My hot rod is quick too, but I don't like riding over 60mph on 2 small wheels, but I like getting there quick. Parking is no problem, anywhere. So, for city life on the road, the Vespa is my pride and joy.

F-35 taking the place of A-10 smells like politics and tons of cash. How they suppose an F-35 can fly so slow and fly such tight curves, come back to the enemy for another fly over in such a quick manner is beyond me. Its ridiculous. How many A-10's for the cost of one F-35? The AC 130 gunship is another beast.

Some funny stories guys, I was kind of figuring you might have a thing or two to grin about.

Hi James, I asked if any Vespa guys here on this topic from last month; I enjoy riding the silly thing.