Straightliner59

It's coming along, beautifully, Ian. Yep! I still prefer the dragster headers!?

Thanks, Ken. Appreciate it!

A little more work done to the shift towers... I also got a set of Eduard belts to try out. I'll place some Simpson decals over the Sabelt tags.

I use plastic lids, like those from Pringles or coffee cans, nuts, etc...

Showed up in Colorado, today!

Got these Eduard photoetched belts to try out on the Vega. I'll put Simpson decals over the Sabelt tags.

Here are the shifter "towers". I shaped 1/16" aluminum tubing, then clamped them in the machine vise to drill them, and slot them using a Dremel circular saw blade. I'm surprised the blade didn't tear up the tubing, given its poor state! I have ten Gyros 120 tpi blades coming that are .005" thick. They should work, nicely. I also soldered some .008" brass wire, to make the t-pins that hold the actuator mechanisms in the towers. It will likely prove a tricky proposition, getting the actuators in place, and slipping the t-pins through them! As always, questions, comments and critiques are welcomed. Thanks, for looking!

I wish I had some photos, but, I didn't have a decent camera, at the time. I'm sure it involved some work, but they looked great!

Thank you, Ted! I'm getting the "towers" worked up, now. I found some photoetched linkage parts that will work beautifully for the shifter actuators. I used a Dremel circular saw blade in the mill to slot the towers, once I'd shaped them. I couldn't get them cut with a hand saw--it just tore up the tubing. Anyway, I hope to have some photos in the next few days. I'm happy that you've found some inspiration, here! I appreciate you saying so.

Not that I'm aware of. I've known a few guys who have "carved" their own, using files on kit slicks.

Yessir!

Thank you, Francis. The Lencos really do add some interest to the interior! I made some handles for the levers from small tubing. I am still figuring how I will make the "tower" for each gear case. You can edit the title by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner of the first post in your thread, then click "edit". There, you can update the thread title.

I love those Polyglas big 'n' littles!

And, done!

? No, it does not!

Thank you, sir. At some point, I'll toss the shifter in some acetone to loosen the superglue, so I can drill the rest of the holes, and generally clean it all up, before paint and final assembly.

Got some work done on the Lenco shifter unit. Still a bit of tweaking to do...

Because you raved about their Color Place Flat Black, I decided to try the gloss. I used it to undercoat the Alclad Chrome, on these wheels. It performed very well!

And everything he makes is worth the wait!

This is what it says on his site: UPDATE AUGUST 8, 2022 Sorry for the long periods between updates! Business has been great, and I really appreciate all my customers. I've had a rough patch recently (thanks, COVID) that has caused a little backlog on shipping out orders, but if you have an open order with me it will be shipping soon. I'll also be formally introducing several new items soon. I know I said that a few months ago, but this time I mean it.

Agreed about the Aluminum. I had two bottles of this stuff, one of them went bad. I've been using this one for the past five years, or so, now. There's about a third of it left. I also agree with your earlier statement about Pactra Steel. That was probably my favorite steel colored paint.

I'm nodding! ?

I love all this old paint talk. I have a drawer full of old tins of Humbrol, most of them are about forty years old. I went through them, a couple of years ago, and discarded any that had dried, or wouldn't mix. I also have these three "big" jars of Pactra. They are all still good. They're labeled at 25 cents. I got 'em even cheaper at 5/$1.00! I'm only posting these jars of Plasticote because the Aluminum and Brass were identical to Pactra's. The Aluminum here is still good, as is the Antique Gold. The Brass has left the building. ?

Excellent mag and drive, Ian. I don't ever recall seeing that tubing, either. What's the range of sizes?

I cut a slot in the hump, and made a reverser handle. I am still figuring how I will build the shifter "towers". Linkages should be pretty straightforward. I also did a new pair of slicks. I wasn't completely happy with the first set, regarding the finish. These are lettered with Slixx decals from a drag racing tire markings sheet. They still need to be "dusted up". ? I sprayed semi-flat black on the chassis plate. I'll cover the gas tank with the bottom of a fuel cell from a Johan RoadRunner/Superbird NASCAR kit. I need to add a lower "bar" for each side of the rear suspension, headers (partial) and build the wheelie bars. Then, I can finish the front wheel/tire assemblies, and put it on the wheels.\ As always, questions, critiques and comments are welcome. Thanks for looking!