Straightliner59

That 1/32 scale '34 was the first model I built, when I got the bug, again, in 1982 (I only too five years off!). It was the Dukes Of Hazzard version. I still have it in my display case!

Thanks, Bill. I had forgotten that. I have an old HP Books publication titled "Indy Car" that covers the history, up to that point (probably mid-'80s) that covers most of the major technical and mechanical changes. That was my best reference when I built this Kurtis Kraft kit. It has a four-link. Like I said, I had forgotten that, specifically, but I remember being surprised, several times, at how early some stuff was incorporated/developed in Indy cars, that didn't really come around, commonly, until much later. I don't know what it is, with me, and these old Monogram kits. I just love 'em! Thanks, Dave! Thanks for commenting, gentlemen!

I think I will make it!

It's coming together, relatively stress-free! Thanks, Steve. I got the wheels painted, and used them to support the car, to get a look at how it rides. I may try to tone the wheels down, a little. At any rate, they will get a wash, and probably a bit of Rub N Buff, as well as valve stems, front and rear. I don't seem to have a set of knock-offs, so, I may attempt to make a set, using the mill--I have already turned a length of aluminum rod to diameter and bored it. Trying, now, to decide how to go about milling and parting them off, given that I don't have a slitting saw, yet.

I have paint on the rear wheels. I made a new mold for the front wheels, because I wasn't happy with the results I was getting with the first one. Glad I did that! They are much better, now. The radius rods have been painted and mounted. I still need to add nuts to the rear radius rods attachment pins. I am feeling pretty confident, about getting this thing done by the deadline!

The radius rods are mounted. I painted them with Testors' Stainless Steel Buffing Metalizer. Before I mounted the rear pair, I was looking at the tires, compared with the car. I'm sure it's been done, but lowering this thing could make for a mean looking little hot rod!

It IS the L-88. You are correct. I guess I wasn't sure! ?

That's kind of what I was thinking. Which begs the question: What the heck did I do with the one in mine?! I'll have to dig through my parts boxes, I guess. I'm sure that's something I wouldn't have got rid of.

As I recall, there were a few MPC kits, back in the '70s that had LT-1 hood "scoops" that were molded as separate items. Am I all wet, here? I'm asking, because I want to do one of my Vega promos as a Motion Performance-inspired car. Does anyone do a resin one? Obviously, I could cut one from one of Revell's Corvettes, but, I would rather not. Thanks for any help!

Thank you, Bill. Man, it is so much easier to get reference material, nowadays! I remember getting excited to find a little 2"X3" photo that I hadn't seen before in a book or magazine. Thanks for looking!

Try this one: http://www.plateshack.com/

My relatively humble collection.

A lot of the US Bicentennial plates were cool. I grew up in Montana, and their '76 plates are my favorite. I am sure Acme used to have them, but, you're right, they aren't there, anymore.

I love all the little things you do with your work. I'm always checking out your threads, for ideas to steal! ?

Radius rods progress! Once they are permanently installed, I can finish up the details in the lower "half", at which point, I can begin working on the seat and cockpit coaming. I will use white glue/water infused parchment paper for all the leather surfaces, and a whole lot of piping to hide the seams. Fortunately, there is a lot of piping on a real one, too.

Thank you, Steve. These roadsters were pretty dang cool! I just need to clean up, and paint the radius rods, then, they can be installed.

Stunning work. Absolutely gorgeous!

This entire fuel system is scratch built, from the pump, to the manifold, to the stacks and injectors.

Feels like I am rolling, here! I got the rear radius rods almost built, and have the seat cushions made. I will likely cover them with parchment paper, although, I am considering another option. I also cast new front wheels. The rear axle is solidly in place. I hope to have the rest of the suspension mounted by the end of next weekend.

Thank you, Nigel. It was actually something with the seat, and the cockpit , and the multi-piece body, and the way it assembles. I just had one of those head slapping moments, and voila! The project is back on the bench! I just got the idea for the grill, yesterday, and tried that, and it was a quick finish, to that!

I am unabashedly beginning another WIP thread! This model was begun at least twenty years ago (are we noticing a theme, here? ?), and has been revived by the BOYD thread. Many of my projects tend to sit from time to time, while I fiddle around with some new idea for another project, or, an epiphany on an old project strikes me, which brings it back to the front of the bench. In this case, we have the latter. This model was loosely inspired by the Belanger Special, which (obviously) is a full-sized Indy car. So, why start with the ancient Monogram Midget? First, it's an old Monogram kit! I have some kind of affinity for these things, despite their shortcomings. Second, it's a Kurtis Kraft, so it has the proper, general look. Finally, it's box scale, and larger enough than 1/24 scale, that the size difference works in our favor. I don't recall what I used to lengthen the belly pan. I added a few details to the engine, and covered the inside of the belly pan with tooling aluminum. I will use a pink eraser to dull its shine, some before final assembly. I rebuilt the steering, so that it's poseable. I added some plastic rod and half-round to represent chassis tubing. The seat base is bent from tooling aluminum, as well. When I took the latest photos, this morning, I noticed that the front tires and wheels had begun a parasitic relationship, so I sent them on their way. I wasn't happy with the tires, anyway. Fortunately, I had recently made a mold of the front wheels. They are from the Heller BMW 328, and I like them, in this place. Unfortunately, that means that the rear tire/wheel assemblies had to come apart, so that the paint can be stripped from the wheels, because whatever can of paint I used on this set of wheels, is loooooonnnnngg gone! In the process of removing the wheels from the (plastic) tires, one of the tires was broken. In a drawer full of old tires that I'd set aside, specifically because they were unique, and thought they would likely be useful, one day, I found a complete set of black plastic, two-piece Indy car tires! I had to chuck them in the lathe, and open them up, a bit, so that the wheels will fit. The fact that they will need to be repainted opens up color options. Since I opened the project back up, last night, I made the seat back from .005" Evergreen sheet, for backing, and .125" half-round, for the padding. The padding will get some reshaping, to make it look more natural. I also made the grille from expanded metal mesh from a grease splatted screen, formed using a doming block and die. As I get further along, I plan to use actual gold leaf, for some of the graphics. Most likely, that will be the numbers. Questions, comments and critiques are always welcome! Thanks for looking!

That went better than expected! I used expanded metal mesh, from a cheap spatter screen and a doming block, to make the grille. The seat back is .005" styrene sheet, and .125" Evergreen half-round, for the padding. It will receive some shaping, before being covered.

Alrighty, then! It's Monogram's ancient Midget kit, adjusted to more resemble a "big car", inspired by the Belanger Special. You can just call it Midget/Indy Car. I want to switch, because I was looking at some photos of old Indy cars, and the solution to one of my dilemmas suddenly came to light!

There's some great stuff about that from Tom Jobe, talking about how they arrived at their setup. I think I have it here, somewhere.I'll post it, if I can find it, if you're interested.

Mr. Snake, sir. I would like to request permission to swap horses, right here, in midstream. I've had this sitting around for about 20 years, and it's a lot closer than the Pete is, and, I would really like to see it through!