Straightliner59

The front wheels are finished (as with the rears, they'll get some weathering, in the form of dust, and probably a wash). I made the dust caps with aluminum from a dollar store knitting needle. The stuff machines, beautifully! It's perfect for small parts. I mixed some paint, using One-Shot. I call it "Purple People Eater", because I wanted something similar to the Minnesota Vikings' purple. Their defense, right abut the time this car would have raced was called essentially that, so...Thanks for looking!

Almost undoubtedly!? Thank you, kindly, David! I've been putting them on a few of my projects, recently. I went ahead and printed a sheet with Summers Bros., Mark Williams and Strange axle tags. I enjoy adding little stuff like that, to add interest to my models. There's something about me, with these old Monogram kits!? I always have a great time, with them. I can never leave them alone, either! I really like the parts pack Firestones, on the front, too. The lettering is nicely subtle. They look right, on the car, too. Thanks for following along, and for your comments!

Nice save, Andy! I'm sure it's just how you'd fix a real one. I would be interested in the source of the sanding equipment, as well.

Thanks, David! I finished up the rear wheels and mounted the slicks to them. I printed Summers Brothers axle tags on white decal paper. I punched them out with a short piece of 3/32" brass tubing that I sharpened the end on, then mashed it to an oblong/elliptical shape. A couple of taps with a small hammer cut them right out. I switched the previous set of front tires out for a set of Firestone Supremes from an AMT parts pack. I'm not all that happy with the color of the rear wheels, but, without starting them over, or building a new set...meh, I wouldn't call it a deal-breaker. I'll be working on the fronts, next. Thanks for looking!

I decided that I have enough Goodyear and M&H slicks, so I went with something different. I like it! I installed and painted the bolts for the shocks, too.

Thanks, Ace!? Thank you, Bob. I appreciate it! I keep skipping around to different parts of the project, but, I really want to get the chassis ready for, and painted, and the wheels on. So far, everything just builds right up, from there!

I think those look fantastic! You're correct--those need to be, or at least mimic, wicker. Admirable work, sir!

Showed up, here, today!

Thank you, David! I am kind of leaning toward using the grille. If not, I am considering adding some perforated aluminum sheet I have, behind the kit grille surround. Glad you like "Shinkicker"! Like I said, it seemed fitting!?

All the kits in that series are beautiful! I did a lumber truck from the stake bed.

Here is the "Shinkicker" decal, with the overlay, and installed on the spoiler (I couldn't help myself!).

I'm glad to see you back, my friend. Especially after your health "scare"! I've re-discovered one way, at least! Thank you, Ian!

The important thing is to get well! Glad all went according to plan. We can wait on any updates, for sure!

Here's some of the stuff I have been working on: I found a grille from the Monogram '55 Chevy Street Machine (the black kit), and started milling the back side, to open it up. Still haven't decided if I will use it, or not, but, if so, it needs to be open! Finished up the brakes. I made the lug nuts using .060" hex stock (maybe a little large, but, the .040" looks too small). I bored it to accept .025" rod. I'm pretty happy with the results! I'm going to print some Summers Brothers tags for the axle ends. Also seen are the rear shocks, in both unpainted and painted states. These were really quick and easy to do, and will work perfectly for this project. Finally, I printed and painted the lettering for the spoiler. It's named after a Rory Gallagher song, and i thought it was fitting, given the way the thing sticks out, low, like it does. I should get it trimmed up and applied, tonight... Comments, questions and critiques are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

I'll have to see if I can fix that! Thanks for the heads-up. Glad to help!

Beautiful work, getting that front end down, Roger! The grille looks great, too. May have to find one of those, for mine, as well.

Here it is. It should be there, but, just in case:

The aforementioned magnesium wheels...

Since I originally started this six years ago, and Snake liked it, I would be more than happy to share it in a "Bring Out Your Dead" tribute thread. I've been back working on it for a couyple of months, now, but, if you'd allow it...Here's our interaction about it:

Hi, David. Those HRM wheels are really nice! I have a set for mine, as well. When I first started messing around with my Chaparral, I was looking for wheels, and found some old Cox slot car wheels that would have worked, decently, that were actual magnesium! Keep it rolling! It's looking good!

Thank you for your kind words, sir! I think the technique works well for the engine-turning. Next, I'll try it with a smaller dowel. I'm really happy with the new axle! I still need to solder on some shock mounts.

Thanks so kindly, Pierre! I think I'll save the actual working steering box for the dragster. Not sure I would be able to reach the wheel, in this one!? I'm pretty happy with the new axle. I failed to mention that I shaped the ends of the steering arms by tapping a small pin punch with a ball peen, while the brass rod was resting on an anvil. I little filing cleaned the ends right up. I then drilled them with a .6mm carbide bit. Today, I moved my clamping setup to the mill, and prepped a new piece of aluminum flashing for engine-turning. I used the same tool (3/32" dowel, wrapped with fine steel wool, and superglued in place). The mill works much better, due to the fact that I can run it at lower RPM. I now have a new spoiler! I plan to try it with the previously-mentioned toothpick, with the steel wool, before I dismantle the fixture. The pattern is still slightly larger than ideal, but it is uniform, and it looks beautiful! Comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Thanks, Ace! I like it much better than the first one!

I got the new front axle made. Once I installed the steering arms, I put the spindles in the mill vise, and drilled through the arms. Now, the kingpin holds them in place! I soldered tiny washers to the axle shafts, on either side of the spindle body, to secure those. This axle is narrower, and everything looks better! It operates very smoothly, too! Here it is, sitting back on the wheels. Your comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Nice work, David! You got that body nice and smooth, too. This really is a neat kit. Of course, I have a thing for these old Mnogram kits!