Straightliner59

I've got the runners farther along, and started piddling around with whether the configuration I'm considering, will work, satisfactorily. Getting a 45-degree bend in a 1/8" injector stack, I'm finding, ain't all that simple! Then, there's the whole "making it look acceptable" thing. That ring clamp has made it a bit easier to hold on to those little elbows. I use it more frequently than I ever imagined I might, when I bought it. Anyway... Just for fun, too! Thanks for looking!

I've begun working on the upper engine components. The mag will be a Cirello Frankenstein-type magneto. Also seen are the beginnings of the Hilborn manifold. The runners will be cut to length, and cleaned up, then angled, like those in the photo. Lots of shaping left to do with the mag, as well. Comment freely. Thanks for looking!

It's nice to know I might have picked up a worthwhile thing or two, over the last five decades!😃 You're most welcome, and, thank you for saying that. I appreciate it! You mentioned masking off the interior for paint, to apply the embossing powder. I just brush it in--it creates a bit thicker coat that stays wet long enough to get the powder dumped in, and distributed. That's how I did this Monza. I noticed the photos you posted are of a Division V racer out of Colorado. I build most of mine as "High And Mighty" cars!

I had forgotten that Garlits' tach was a Dixco. When I went to research for the tach, The stars and stripes one I found was a Sun tach, sold by Moon, so I copied that one. I wish I had seen this one, first!

If they're there, they need to be there!😄 Or, something like that! Nice work, David!

Great idea! I really enjoy doing projects inspired by actual cars, but, not replicas. It's always fun to search out proper-vintage speed equipment, and pull touches together from different sources of inspiration. I'll be keeping an eye on this!

I think this worked out, fairly well! I wish the black ink was working. I think the face would have looked better. Just a couple of details to add, now! Thanks for looking!

I am happy to see you back, Francis! Thank you for your kind words. I am pretty happy with the interior! Once I get that tach mounted, I think it'll be done. I think I am going to machine an aluminum base, to mount it. It's so tiny, I haven't had much luck, soldering it, because there's no good way to hold it or mount it. Off to the mill, it'll go! Thanks for stopping by!

Francis, my friend, it is wonderful to know you're finally able to get back to the workbench! Stellar work on the bumper, sir. Looking forward...?

I build mostly vintage race cars, most of which are drag racers. I've only built two replicas. One, a scratchbuilt replica of Dick Kraft's "The Bug", which is acknowledged to be the very first "rail dragster". That model has been in Garlits' museum for over 30 years, now. Through modeling, I have met many of the people who were most influential in the sport of drag racing. C.J. Hart even invited me into his motor home, once, so I could show him "The Bug". He bounced it, in tech, the first time Kraft showed up with it, at Santa Ana drag strip, which, interestingly enough, is now John Wayne Airport, in Burbank! The other was the Cook and Bedwell dragster, from Monogram's "Slingshot" kit. I build what I am most interested in, in a moment. I build mostly stuff that's been inspired by something I've seen, somewhere, and I'll incorporate what I think are cool, little touches from other cars. I've built cars, trucks, planes and armor, over the years, and weathered couple of N-Scale rail cars, and painted a handful of figures. I think building a variety of subjects makes us better modelers, as there are techniques that are used more heavily, on some subjects, than others--weathering on armor, for instance. I always greatly admired Russ Schwenkler's paint work, especially on the interiors of his cars, because he incorporated the highlighting and shading techniques that figure painters use, on his seats, etc. As many have said, previously; When I have completed a project, I always know more about something, than I did going in! Research is a big part of the fun!

I'm with you, Bill! I use anything black. I like Krylon, especially. They make semi-gloss and semi-flat, flat black, and ultra-flat black. I just like to have a large variety of paints, because there are so many variances in sheens, and depth of "color" on real vehicles. For gloss black, I've had excellent results using the old Walmart "Color Place" spray. I started using that, because of Snake's recommendation. I painted the black on the body of my Nostalgia Top Fueler, using it. They've since switched their cheap line to another name. I haven't tried it, yet, so can't comment on its performance.

Thanks, David! I'm hoping to get it mounted, in the next day, or so.

No worries here, then, either!?

Thanks, Topher. We're now friends on FB. Just a warning-- I might cuss a bit, or a lot, on my own page!?

It's looking great, Jim! Looking forward to the paint! That, right there is what caused me to start scratchbuilding so much stuff--I figured that, even if it wasn't always easier, or faster, it was always a lot more interesting!?

Well, here you go, David! And, thank you! I've been working on it a couple of days, now. Not 100% with the face, but, I guess I'll live with it, since it won't be highly visible, anyway. I used a thin strip of orange sign vinyl, to make the redline needle. The adjustment knob goes through the lens and metal face and into the body of the tach. I made the stars and stripes, and the face on my cheap Canon printer. I wanted to do the face in black, but that wasn't printing, so I opted for dark blue. Next, I'll make the stand, and drill the dash top for that and the wiring. I may try to use a punch, or a bit of tubing to see if I can get the aluminum cap on the rear to conform a bit better. Otherwise, I'm pretty dang happy with it. Sorry the photos are blurry--this ain't very big! Comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Very nice work, Niko! That tach drive is definitely unique!

I use, and would recommend a like-colored paint, to apply the embossing powder. It's easier to handle than any kind of adhesive, and it goes on thin! It's looking really nice, Ron!

Tachometer parts. I'm still working on the graphics (face, etc.). I plan/hope ? to file the upper part of the aluminum faceplate to be thinner, still. That plate will also get the adjusting screw. Still a bunch more work that nobody will ever notice, but it's fun! Thanks for looking!

Thanks, DW. It's in progress, currently! I have to design some decals, for it.

Thanks, David! I was just happy when I figured out how to split it in a straight line! ?

I think it's a Wayne cross-flow head(?). Although the twelve plugs would have me wondering. It looks like part #85 is supposed to be a chunk of plastic! ? Sorry, sometimes I can't help myself.

I decided that I needed to do something with that sharp leading edge of the dash top. I thought about different colors (red, grey, black), and decided on red, to go with the other little accents. I found a suitably-diametered, insulated wire, and clamped it into my bench vise. I then laid a flexible steel straightedge down the middle of the gap between the jaws, and slit the insulation with a scalpel. That allowed me to cut a reasonably straight line. I then slid it into place, and superglued it. I then decided that the top of the dash shouldn't be shiny aluminum, because that could cause glare that would interfere with visibility of the christmas tree. I cut a small section of black sign vinyl to cover that. Finally, I gently re-formed the dash top to better fit the top of the dash panel. I'm pretty happy with it! I need to build a tachometer, as well. I'm leaning toward a Moon tach, because it'll be somewhat unique. More on that, later! Also, I cut plug wires. I used some old MSC orange plug wire, and some grey insulation, to make the boots. I dipped the wire in Vallejo Dark Grey Wash, to tone it down, some. I'll get those installed, before too long. Thanks to everyone for your comments. They're always appreciated. Thanks for looking!

Shepard Payne was always known as a great dioramist. I seriously don't think his work was anywhere near what yours is. Always a joy to see your work!

What a nice vignette! It looks great!