Straightliner59

I like it, Ken! I could see a case for either set of wheels/tires. The '32s look good!

I appreciate it, my friend! I really enjoy doing tinwork!

Glad to help! It might be my favorite hobby shop, ever.

It's been a while, since I was there, but there were quite a few vendors, as I recall. Also--you have to go to Scale Model Supplies, in St. Paul, while you're in the area. You can thank me, later!?

Thanks, Dan! If it ends up like I imagine, it should be pretty cool!

I have been using the carbide printed circuit board bits. Harbor Freight carries an inexpensive set, but I have been buying re-sharpened ones on eBay, in lots. Often, I've found a box of fifty for under $20, shipped. I just pay attention to the size(s). If it looks like something I'll use, I buy it. I started buying them, like this, because it's easy to go through them, using them on the lathe and mill. It's kind of nice only having to keep one pin vise handy, with a 1/8" collet, too! I also have a small drawer full of HSS bits.

Thank you, kindly, David! I got a bit more done... I pinned the axles in place, again. I like the "sit". I may go a tad lower in the rear, since the shackles allow me three choices, and this is the highest. In the shot with the differential, you can see the subtle coloration provided by the pencil. It's also good along edges that may get paint rubbed off, for any number of reasons. Also shown are the beginning stages of the driveshaft tunnel. Thanks for looking!

Time for an update! I got the tank and spare tire well cut out. I used an old prepaid phone card to cover up the hole. They're nice and flexible, but slightly thicker than .005" Evergreen. I've been using them since the late '90s, when I was using them to make long distance calls. Very handy! I made the supports for the seat (which may be from one of the Monogram Pro Stock kits). It's a very similar seat to the Solar racing seat from the Johan Sox and Martin 'Cuda. I've begun work on the driveshaft tunnel. That's made from tooling aluminum, rather than flashing. I shot some paint on the third-member, as well as the springs, just because I wanted to feel like I was making progress. I made new shackles from brass strip, because the plastic ones kept breaking, due, largely to my carelessness. Here's a little tip I've just been doing over the last few years: on the differential, rather than painting the bolt heads, I just rubbed the point of a soft drawing pencil over them. It's a much more subtle effect, but it still gently highlights them. I likely wont bother doing anything more with the trunk floor area, other than the paint that goes on the chassis. The goal there, was to get rid of their appearance below the chassis. As always, questions, critiques and comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Thanks, David. I'm pretty excited, about the decals. Now, I need to find, or mix the purple, for the body. There's still plenty of work, to be done on it, first, anyway. Thanks for looking in and commenting!

Thank you, Roger! Glad to have you along! Glad you're finding inspiration, in it. Sorry you're having a rough time with the front end of the Stepp car. I'm sure you'll get it figured out!

It really is! It's better designed than the AMT kits of the day. I was working on one in 1975. I lengthened the frame, for some reason. It was painted two-toned, Pactra Blazing Red and Lightning Purple. I never did finish it.

By rule, it has to be 3" minimum, to 40" (I think) from the front of the car (bumper).

I just ran across my Johnny Lightning of this, along with Mike Morgan's badass Nova!

I really finally am getting into this project! A pretty fair amount's got accomplished, over the last days. I'll post more, once I'm home from work, tomorrow morning, so I can add some details to the descriptions. In the meantime, I did new decals with the more colorful leaf. Thanks for looking!

I've been watching for a good price on an MPC Mack DM 600. It didn't need to be an original--I just wanted the kit. Turned out the first one that came along at a price I liked was this original MPC release! It's one of my "comfort kits"--those kits that really take you back to your time as a neophyte modeler. It's missing the decals, but, I don't need them. It sure looks good sitting in the stash with one of my other "comfort kits"; An original Ertl Transtar. I bought it, even before Round 2 announced the redux.

That's one of those, "You can't afford not to buy it" deals. Nice catch!

Such a bummer, to hear of this. He was a great asset to this board. Seemed like a good guy, too. I finished at least a couple of projects because of the "Bring Out Your Dead" thread. He was always gracious, when I didn't finish, in time!

That's impressive work. That body support structure is the main reason I stick to dragsters!? Almost all my best drag racing friends are flopperheads. Most of the racers I've got to know best, over the years run FCs. I've always preferred dragsters. I think it's that they're just built for one thing. Funny cars were born out of showmanship, not the pure pursuit of speed and low ETs. I like funny cars, just fine, but, if I was a racer, it would be dragsters!

Thank you, kindly! I think I would like it for dragster front axles. The kit is less than $50, direct from Caswell! However, I'm also considering a right-angle tailstock, for my mill. I truly enjoy watching your work come together! You're a fine craftsman, my friend!

Well, it allowed me to cast two at a time. The Sharpie was to say, "This one, not so much!"? Right off the top of my head, I couldn't say, specifically. Just look for one that has good, defined posts for the insulation to fit into, and good detail around the perimeter. Maybe AMT's '66 Nova?

That's exactly what it is! I may still have some, here. Once I saw what it was, I went back to using Tamiya X-18, which has a virtually identical sheen.

Thank you, Francis! I am really looking forward to having the body painted, so that I can apply the decals. That's a way off, yet, as, so far, I have only re-scribed the passenger side door line. I'm really excited about the gold leaf, and the white lettering (Which could also be any other color, for that matter)! I made new "Plum Nutz" markings, in a new font that you may recognize! I need to get the size dialed-in, for the overlay. Then, there's the injection manifold. Since I can never just go with something basic, like a Hilborn, I'll be scratching a Weiand manifold, so that I can use the bent stacks, like Bruce Larson ran on his Chevelle. I'm finding that the stacks are going to be tricky, as well. Thankfully, I have a lot of experience scratchbuilding obscure induction systems!? I have a couple of other ideas I want to explore, as well--so, I hope you and others can get something useful, out of this, over its course.

You're really rolling, on this thing! Fine work, Ian!

Revell's engines from that era, are still among the best ever kitted. They might assemble, differently, but, they are gorgeous! Miss Deal is still my go-to for early hemis!

That worked out, very well! Did you use a kit, or just research, and buy your own supplies? Plating is something I've been somewhat interested in, for years. I'd be interested in your experience, with it--when you have the time!?