Straightliner59

I'm probably way late to the dance, with this, but, here's just about everything you might want to know about GM cars: https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/index.html

Here is one I took for an article I was doing on working with sheet metal to make dragster bodies. The other is a photo of the result. Note that the motor plate is still flat, while the "falloff" is curled.

The wheels look great! I discovered that, if I keep the surface of the sheet of aluminum that I am using to make the part I'm cutting flat against the cutting surface of the scissors (I use regular old Fiskar's), that it cuts, virtually distortion-free. I'm so convinced of its effectiveness, that I bought a pair of left-handed scissors, too. I figure they're basically my shears/snips, so I might as well set myself up to be able to cut on either side of a line, without distortion.

Excellent work, Mike! Your metalworking skills are readily apparent. Beautiful...

Believe it, or not, I totally get that!

I am planning (if I decide to pursue this) to use the kit's six banger. That's all that would be legal for a '63 Chevy II. MP was a cool class! My Chevelle will be MP, so, I think I'll stick with Stock, for this one.

They won't have done you any good, then! I'm thinking you need to build them! The convertible isn't an issue, since I have the coupe.

I guess I'm glad I picked one up, when they were around, in the shops! I would probably do a seventies version of said"high school hot rod", but either way, it's a cool idea. You could probably carve up a quick buck, in balsa wood, and heat form a rear window. I think that's what I'd try.

According to the 1975 rules (for which season this car would not be legal, since, at that time it was for cars '65 and newer--I'll have to look at earlier rules.), the car must sit level at a standstill, so, yep, that is probably correct. I read it as you could raise the car, for rear tire clearance only, and it must sit level, after that.

Just...WOW! Thankfully, I have one. Out of curiosity, I looked on Ebay, and didn't even find one. That suggests some rarity. I'm with you, I never cared for that era Monte Carlo, either. I've heard the Pontiac left more than a little, to be desired. Thanks for your input, Bill, and Alan. I can fix the ride height, and the package tray shouldn't be a problem, so, I think I might go ahead with this thing.

I love the Chaparrals! Nice job!

I like it! Makes me think "Super Gas".

Having done a search, and getting dragged into a worm hole--interesting, but, not too productive...I would appreciate advice from anyone who has completed one of Trumpeter's Novas. Are there any things in regard to building it that would be helpful to know beforehand? I think my next project might just be one of those, with the factory six, set up as a lower-class (obviously) stock drag racer. I'm interested in issues of fit, etc. Overall impressions? Thanks!

Thank you, Robert. Much appreciated.

Thank you, very much, Scott! I'm glad I was able to accomplish both of those items, and actually finish a model with those wheels and an aluminum body. Those and the injectors were all goal I wanted to accomplish--which, I guess is why it took me almost 19 years, to finish it. Glad you enjoyed the build! Thanks, John! It was a lot of work, but, I am very happy with the way it turned out.

Thanks, Tim! Working out exposure time. When I took them, they looked brighter. Got them on the computer, and they looked darker, with a yellowish cast. I'll get it figured out, and take some more. I'm glad you like it!

Very nice, Tim! Can't wait to see this all come together. Excellent stuff!

Thank you, JC! It's nice to have it finished!

Thanks, much, Geoff! Much appreciated! I have to use cheaters, for my eye, now! Enjoying your Chevy II project, and the Falcon tribute. Very cool stuff!

Thank you, Bernard! The chassis is actually the Ramchargers' chassis. This was begun with the idea of it being a quick, simple junior fueler. We all see how that worked out! At some point, Riceman told me that chassis was a hunk of garbage, and, how to fix it. I think at that point, I just put it aside, because I wasn't inclined to do that much work, to fix it, on a project that was intended to be a "quickie". By the time I'd decided to work on it, again, I had forgotten Roger's advice, and never did make the corrections. I only recall this, now, because I ran across the copy of his email, I'd printed out! I'd better not begin any more quick projects. I'm not sure I have another 19 years to finish it! But, I hope that I do! Thanks, Bob! I am very happy with it, having accomplished my two most important goals: 1) To have a completed dragster with an aluminum body, and 2) Those Enderle stacks. There have been only fairly lame attempts at them, either from kit manufacturers, or the aftermarket. Speed City's are the best, but they still aren't what I wanted. It's going to go right up on the top shelf of my display case! Thank you, again, for your kind words. Thank you, Mike! Your words are very much appreciated. This is exactly the kind of racer that interests me. And, you described precisely the kind of car/team I had in mind, when I set out to build it. Cars that are very clearly purpose built, built and campaigned by a group of "bucks-down" buddies, who just want to burn a little nitro, and see how quick and how fast they can go. I never thought about that--manifold bolts are an oft-overlooked item, aren't they? WB is 150", exactly. Thank you again, for your kind words,

I'm still undecided on whether to declare, or not. If I do, it will be with this project begun in 2001. The web cam pics are dated 08/10/2001:

Glamour shots. Comments/questions always welcome.

Not 100% sure how I feel about the blacked-out front fender "pods," but it's something I've wanted to try for a long time. I can always re-do them some other way later. I think they look cool! I would leave them as-is. Nice concept, Snake! Neat model. Got a project picked up for Round 4? Not yet. I need a couple of days to unwind. I do have options, though!

Geoff, keep up the fine work! This is going to be very cool--hell, it already is!

Agreed. Especially Raboesch's Super Styrene rod. It used to be marketed in the U.S., by Midwest Products, but, last time I bought it, I got it on Ebay from a place in the U.K.