Straightliner59

That's a real beauty! Love the wheels and tires! Great work!

No doubt!

Very nice, to finally have a good model of such an iconic, if not hugely common engine.

I got the body back on, and fitting correctly, again, after installing the steering box/shaft/arm assembly. Never found the issue, I could see that none of it was interfering with the panels, so...Anyway, i did a bit more shaping on the windscreen, and it now fits perfectly! It's being held in place in these photos, only by pressure from the brake handle (which will have to be tweaked, a tad--no biggie). I'm going to attempt to get the seat finished and installed, tonight, and tie up the rest of the loose ends toward mounting the body, permanently. Questions and comments welcome and appreciated! Thanks for having a gander!

I am going to have to pick up one of those kits. That engine does look great. No more need to cobble together parts from 15 kits to build a decent one!

Quick update on the digger: For some reason, after I installed the steering box/shaft assembly, the body decided it didn't want to fit like it had, up to that point. I couldn't find anything that was interfering with it, so, I kept moving it forward and backward, until I found the sweet spot. I hope it's easier, when I am ready to permanently mount the body. I got the seat covered with kitchen parchment and got a coat of paint on it (no photos, yet, but, I may get it installed, later on tonight). I also did a bit more hammering on the windscreen. It, and the cowl fit so nicely together, that, in these photos, only pressure is holding the cowl down, and the only thing holding the windscreen, is the pressure the brake handle/know is applying against it, and the cowl! That works! A couple of shots of the progress...

Very nice! Looking killer!

Well, obviously, we're not going to be spraying chrome from a can, anytime soon!

It is VERY forgiving! Good point about using a Q-tip to avoid contamination--that's what I'll be doing, from now on.

Well, I guess if I won, I wouldn't have to worry about a daily driver, so, I'd maybe go for this one, and go hang out at nostalgia drag race events.

Let me guess. A Corvette!

Microscale Super Decal Film (I think that's what it's called) should fix the problem, as well. You can just swab it on with a big brush, and it'll lay down virtually invisibly. It's great stuff!

Thank you, Ray. Not to worry. Although I would like to make the deadline, unless it meets my satisfaction, it won't move forward. I don't generally mention all the things I've done two or three times, just so they're acceptable to me. If I hadn't, it might be done, already, but I wouldn't be happy with it!

I keep pushin' on! Gonna' give 'er a helluva go!

Thanks, Mike. I got the steering box installed. I swapped out the old one, because I liked this one better, so, I had to rebuild the mount, itself. The new steering box required moving the mounting arm, so, I have a little touch up to do, there. There's a decent view of many of the other cockpit details, along with the steering box. The butterfly isn't properly home, yet. I also decided to add a helmet bar to the cage--it just looked too dangerous. If I make it by the end of the month, it will be pretty amazing, if I don't, it's not for a lack of trying! Thanks for looking!

A nice flat-nosed Vega (with a good chassis, etc.), and/or a Cosworth Vega would be cool.

I agree. The Krylon is beautiful! It's what I used to paint this fuel tank, years ago, and it still looks great! I used it on the valve covers and clutch can for this project, too. Photos don't do it justice.

Very nice! That is freakin' cool!

Headers on, and it still fits. Always a good thing! Excellent work, JC!

Looking good, Bernard! I would agree with the above, regarding the 904 wheels. You should be able to make those work, and they're nice wheels, too. Keep up the great work, sir!

Super glue, and a product that RC aircraft modelers use, called epoxy *microballoons works great. I apply the super glue to the area needing work, then sprinkle the *EMBs over it. It sets and cures quickly, allowing you to move ahead with your work. Don Fahrni used this method. I would say that, if it's good enough for Don, it's good enough for anyone!

Mind blowing work, Tim! Enjoying following this project, immensely.

Hahaha! You are too kind, sir! So, another update...I got the control cables installed. The throttle cable had to be pieced "together", meeting at the firewall, as the clutch can flange covered the hole I drilled, where the cable needed to go through. Got it so it looks like it's all one part, and, it will be fairly obscured by the body, in the end, anyway. This update has something of a tutorial, as I made four zip-ties, to secure the fuel shutoff and throttle cables. It's not a complex technique, and the results are worth the effort. After all, what looks more like a nylon tie, than a tie made of nylon? To begin, I selected some Clover House .015" black monofilament. Railroaders use it to simulate power lines, etc., I understand. I cut a length of about a foot. After the cables were in place along their respective chassis tubes, I used a lighter to heat the end of the line, until it began to melt, creating a little ball about .030". At that point, while the nylon was still molten, I mashed it between my thumb and forefinger. It's been suggested to try flat-jawed pliers, but, I can't control the "mash" as well, that way. I now have a flat spot on the end of the line. I used a sharp scriber to poke a hole through the now flattened end of the monofilament (henceforth, "mono"). Next I fed the mono through the chassis, looping it around the frame tube and the actuating cable. Finally, I located it where I wanted it to "live", snugged it down, firmly, and hit it with a tiny drop of super glue. I held it taut for a few seconds, to let it set, then, snipped off the rest of the line, to use on the second tie. I am considering ways to flatten the mono, so it looks more prototypical--perhaps a pair of rollers, to pull it through. Anyway, i digress. I hope that this makes sense, with the photos. Questions and comments always welcome!

The best reason to go to Salt Lake is for the camaraderie. There are plenty of folks who don't even take anything, just go, to hang out. It's a blast! I won't make it, this year, but, I am going to do everything I can, to make it to the finale, whether or not I have anything I feel I can compete with.

That's what I get for not previewing the pics. The files indicated PHR 65. Problem is, magazine lead times were 4-6 months. DUH! I just went and looked in the folder--I guess it's a good thing I didn't accidentally get one of the Corvair pics!