Straightliner59

I glued the floor to the chassis, and the *firewall, as well (*although not yet, in these photos). I turned a bullet-shaped fuel tank from a piece of an old wind chime. As you can see, I plan to mount it, vertically. I added a crossmember behind the first one. That will mount one of Detail Master's Moon tank brackets to carry the tank. I'll be working out the upper mount and its support, next. It will need to appear to be able to open, in order to release the tank, in the real world. I hope to incorporate a bracket for a similar, yet smaller tank for the overflow, into the support/bracketry for the fuel tank. I rummaged through a box of watch parts, and found a stem winder that looks just right, on top of the tank! I also need to drill the tank for the vent, and a pair of return lines. I really like this tank, and its positioning! Thanks for looking!

You're an amazing man, Dave! I'm sure we all greatly appreciate your efforts. It's now 12;24 AM, MDT, and things are hanging, again. I'm using Chrome, now. I'll check with Firefox. If it's any different, I'll add to this post. Thanks, again!

Very nice work on a very cool project! I love old, off-the-beaten-path kits. You're doing this one proud. Nice paintwork on the driver!

Stuff happens! ? Sometimes, it's even good! ? Thank you, sir! Thanks, James. I appreciate it! Earlier in the thread, I began to mill open the back of the grill from the Monogram '55 Chevy Street Machine kit. I got it all opened, except the ends, because I couldn't decide on a way to securely clamp the part to the table, so that I could mill open the ends (although that's maybe not entirely necessary). In the mean time, while rummaging through my "Big Drawer Of Sheet Metal And Screen Stuff", I ran across some perforated aluminum speaker grill that I had picked up off the floor at an insulation job we were doing. I knew it would be useful, some day. Now, 20-odd-years later, that day has arrived. I cleaned up the grill surround from the Badman kit, then cut out and trimmed a piece of the speaker grill to shape. I'll do some final curving to the grill, before installation. I had to tacky glue it in place, and stick the spoiler up there, just to see how it would look. I think it adds to the Altered look. What do you guys think? Thanks for looking!

I finally got the left side headers done! Yay! I'm not sure how I did it, but, somehow, when I got to the last pipe's installation, it was much too short! Hmm, and harumph! So, I made up a story about what weekend warriors might do, if one of their pipes got mashed, or bent. Instead of cutting it cleanly and welding a new end section on, I cemented on a new end, and used some old Floquil model RR lacquer to create a weld bead, by creating tiny dabs with the fast-drying paint (even better if you use some of the thicker stuff, on the bottom). My late friend Dave Abell used the technique to hard face a blade and a ripper for an AMT bulldozer (it was gorgeous, and was in the late running for Best Of Show at GSL, in 1990). I've been dabbling with it, here and there, ever since I saw his effort. I haven't come close to the delicacy of his work, but, I think I'll go with this. I'm not sure where I'll go, next, but it may involve the fuel tank, as I have something I want to try, with that, which while not unique, is not common, either. Questions and comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

I mostly wanted to note that there are free online converters. Yes, they are definitely the way to go!

SVG is for "scaleable vectored graphics". That means that the resolution is the same, no matter what size you make it. Lines stay lines, not lines of pixels.

I finally finished the left side headers. I didn't have time to get photos, yet, but will have some before I hit the sack, in the AM. Now, to figure what's next!

I've had decent results using online converters to SVG format. I use Blinggasm inkjet paper, which I really like, and it's less expensive than what the OP is using.

I don't have any idea how I missed this beauty, Pierre! The tow rig is great, too. Fantastic work, my friend. And, as always, your presentation is wonderful!

Thank you, kindly! I somehow screwed up something, doing the other side, but I think I can make it okay, anyway.? I need to get some flat white paint, dangit! Thanks, Tony! Trying to get them finished up!

Guided there by their GPS, undoubtedly!

Thanks, Roger! From a guy who knows cool drag cars, I'll take that

I finally got the right-side headers where I like them, and did a little weathering, to them. When I went to touch up the white, I discovered that I don't have any flat white. I ended up using some Humbrol gloss. I'm waiting on the flat coat to dry, then I will go over those spots with the pastels, again. About then, I realized that I hadn't left enough slack in the wiring to get it safely away from the header pipe, so, I snipped the wires, and slid a sheath of braided, weighted fishing line to represent heat resistant shielding. I couldn't find anything else that would fit, and look halfway right. It looks better, since I flowed some Vallejo dark grey wash into it, but I'm still not crazy about it. I'm really looking forward to starting the other side...unless I'm not! I am really happy with their positioning, though. Thanks for looking!

I don't need to tell you that I love and enjoy sheet metal work. That's beautiful!

Thanks for posting that article! It's always a bummer, when you find reference that shows you that all the reference you thought you had, was erroneous. That's what I'd do, at this point in a project--just go with it. It all looks great!

I'm sure it's been said, ad nauseum, but newer, better versions of a Maverick, AMX, and a Hornet, and a better '70 Chevelle would be great!

Thank you, David! They did work out, pretty nicely. Getting those bent and fitted was a matter of install, study alignment, remove, bend, install...I must have done it a hundred times! Startup can't happen until I build the injection setup!?

Thanks, Robert! I enjoy working with it. And, it has thousands of uses! Thanks, Bob! Thank you, Tim! I agree--problem-solving is one of the best parts about scratchbuilding. In a case like this project, you're only bound by what could have been. If it would have worked in the real world, it's fair game, here! We're not bound by the expense of custom machine work on a 1:1 scale! Of course, guys like you and I, who have Sherline equipment and accessories know that even that stuff isn't cheap! The part I like absolutely best, is that, as long as I have raw materials, I never have to be without a part that I need! Thanks for your comments, my friend!

That's looking great, Tim! Goofy, or not, I'll be keeping this one in the "note book". While I use a fair amount of fixtures, this made me realize that I don't explore them deeply, enough. That's some good thinkin', right there!?there!?

Thanks, David and Scott. I'll try to keep this thing moving along! I made header flanges, today. I used aluminum flashing that I had measured and folded over, then marked for drilling. Doubling the sheet, I got two for the price of one! I used files, sanding boards, and these Xuron photo-etch cutters to trim close work. I have really found them to be useful, for so many other tasks, involving thin sheet metal. I'll drill them for bolts, so I'm not just cementing them to the flat surface. I also need to remove the broken pipe, and replace it--hoping I can get it out, alone. That will make everything easier, to get it aligned with the existing pipes. I'm hoping to have the exhaust system finished in the next few days. Thanks for looking!

Excellent score! Those were designed by Tom West. He, of course was one of the major players in Aurora's Racing Scenes series. He also helped bring us the early-'80s MPC FCs.

Thank you, Bob! I got both sides bent and aligned (except the Tacky Glue allows them to sag, a bit). I think they should look pretty decent! I still need to trim the ends. I'll add some bracing, as well. Thanks for looking!

I've considered bare metal. I wouldn't do chrome--just not a fan, mostly. I really kind of want to do a VHT type paint...I think.?

I was working in a hobby wholesaler, when these came out. The two cases I bought never paid off!? I actually only bought a couple of kits. They're still pretty reasonable, on Ebay.