Straightliner59

Well, after about a month of "idle" time, due to a slip/fall on some black ice, which made it too uncomfortable to sit anywhere but the recliner, I was finally able to get some work done on this thing, in the past three or four days. I cut out the molded in boards from the kit's floor, then cut a sheet of .005" Evergreen sheet, to create a flange (visible in the photos of the prototype) to support these strips of basswood. They are a tad narrow, but of the proper thickness, and, I think they look okay. Now, to figure out exactly how to deal with the slat I had to cut for the shifter. I also made new trans crossmember plates that now incorporate the bracket for the radius rods. Also visible are those radius rods. Questions, comments and critiques are always welcome!

I got this for $40, shipping included. I've been wanting one, for a while. It's all there. Some of it's (obviously) painted, but, other than that, it's in fine shape! I didn't see the penciled notation on the box lid, before I got it. I happen to have Hot Rod Magazine's Yearbook #11. I opened it up, and there's a great article on this car! That was convenient! These photos are from the auction...

I'm out. I have just finally been back to the workbench, for a few hours, over the last couple of days. I fell on black ice (the real deal--that concrete looked perfectly dry!) the day before Thanksgiving, and haven't been able to use the shop, or the computer, without pain, since. Enough about that. I did get a couple of little things done on the Model A, yesterday and today, so, I'm on the rebound. The paint mishaps with the Firebird took it from about a day from finished to, "To hell with it! It can sit a few more years!" ? Seriously, though, I'll throw back in, for the next round. It's sitting right in front of me, on the bench, so, one of these days, I will figure out a lazy way to deal with the paint, and finish it up, and call it good.

Thank you, Bill. I appreciate that! The only difference I see between these and the originals is that these are 1/8" longer. They're great for kingpins!

Thank you, Alan! I've loved them, since they were introduced. Here is a link to the build thread, if you'd like to see what I did, with it:

I built this '75 from a promo. I have a couple more of those, and a Street Spyder, and the AMT kit, which really looks "off", to me. The first Monza I ever built was a then brand new'75 annual.

This is how I would do it. Who am I kidding? I would most likely rebuild the whole the whole suspension, but, that's just me! Given your desire and circumstance, David's suggestion is how I would do it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Lot-3-Packs-Northeastern-Scale-Models-Nails-023-x-1-4-023-x-3-8/183900463201?hash=item2ad1526061:g:GJUAAOSw-DJdO80G

Nice one, Tom!

That sounds about like what I think will work, for what I want to try/ I'm looking to kind of flow it into the joints on my four banger. There are a couple that need filling, and some I'm hoping to do some tiny fillets. I think it may work better than super glue, although I'm not sure why I think that! ? Thanks, Chris! Thanks, Steve! That's definitely heavier than I can use, for this. I am sure the thicker viscosity has plenty of uses, though, as well.

I am curious about its viscosity. Is it water think, or heavier? Thanks, folks!

It wasn't too difficult, Ray. I do want to try another one with some details that will require the mill. Give me a day, or two, to find my source on those nails/pins. I had some I had bought twenty five or so years back, and was getting low enough that I decided to look for more. I finally found some a few months ago. I saved the packaging, just need to find it!

Well, hell, man. Thanks!

Having finished two projects that averaged about 20 years old, in the last two years, I guess you know my position! ?

I added a few more details to the engine. Since the solenoid/switch cover is stamped, I carved one out of some .060" Evergreen and embossed some tooling aluminum over it. I made and mounted the water pump mount, and added the little bosses on the lower block sides, that the oil pan bolts thread into. Turned a crank pulley, but, I am unsure of the size of the pulley, so I eyeballed it. Questions, comments and critiques are always welcome!

And I heard it that the wire was fed through the now hollow drill bit, and tied, at both ends! It's gotta' be urban legend--it has all the elements.

Like I said--there isn't much left of all that angle stock. One motor...mounted! Complete with real rubber biscuits!

I had to do a little reshaping on the block, where it meets the pan rail. I installed the tubing that makes the space for the crankshaft too far out, over the pan. The flathead four has a flange cast to the block, that the pan bolts to, rather than the pan's flange overlapping the block. I got that mostly fixed, less a little more rounding-off. The beginnings of the front engine mount are in place. When I am done with it, there won't be much left of that angle stock! I carved the water outlet from .125"X.156" Evergreen strip. I need to find something I can flow into all these gaps. I am wondering if maybe Mr. Surfacer, applied with a fine brush would work. I'm asking, because I don't have any, and am wondering if it's worth the investment. Also attached is a photo of the block, before I cut the flange.

A read through the rules says I will be good! It says no parts newer than 1953. The rear brakes are about 1950, and those are the newest parts I can think of, on the car. Thanks, Tom! I can get my real hot rod, and a TROG racer, all at once. I want it to be streetable, too, so I will need headlights. I'll put tape on the lenses, because I think that looks cool. I'll do it like I did on my Aluma Coupe.

Excellent, Bernard! I am looking forward to watching this one come back to life! Thanks for your kind words, re: my junior fueler. I will probably get some wet sanding done on the Firebird, this weekend (if I don't get lost in the Model A!). Would love to have it off the bench, and in the display case.

Thanks, David. Glad you're enjoying the thread. I am, indeed using the truck wheels with the baby moons on the rear. Once I made the "moons" from tooling aluminum, I knew that's what I would use. They just looked too good! Thanks, so much, Tom! You know, I was worried that I might be illegal, as a TROG racer, but, at a glance, my equipment all might be old enough. Thanks for the link! When I get home from work, I will have a more in-depth look at your album, because I might be able to whack two project birds with one rock!

It's on the wheels! I've included a shot of the new trunk lid. I think next up will be the front motor mount.

Thank you, JC. She's coming along!!

I do. I work nights, so, when I am off, I maintain my regular schedule. My schedule is fairly similar to your.

I've got a few more things done. I got the trunk lid cemented into place. The spindles are built. If I can get the front axle remounted before I go to bed, I can get it on the wheels! Always a big step! As always, questionsm comments and critiques are welcome.