Straightliner59

The steering is coming together. I am very happy with the struts! I used a hammer, some punches, and some brass wire to make the steering arms. I had to make a new tool, to form smaller boots for the rack and pinion. One major drawback to this technique is that it can be difficult to remove the heat shrink, once it's shrunk--Duh! Way to go, buck-o! I think it may be better to just turn plastic tubing to the boot shape, and use that. Anyway, it's coming along. The struts need some cleanup, yet. As always, comments, questions and critiques are welcomed. Thanks for looking!

I would incorporate the Land Speed vehicles into the drag racing forum, as they're much more similar to those, than Indy or Trans Am cars.

I'm working on the steering, and brakes. I found these disc setups that are (I think) from Monogram Pro Stockers. I milled the remains of the rotor from the calipers, so they'd fit the turned rotors I made. I then used some .005" brass sheet to make the brackets that mount the calipers. I've drilled a small hole in the floor pan to create an attachment point for the rack and pinion. The flattened and curved brass rod is the beginning of a steering arm. Well, it's progress. Thanks for looking!

I'd go with any of the AMT kits mentioned, above. Especially the Double Dragster, because it's a gold mine!

This will be cool! I've gone bonkers, on some old Monogram kits, but I didn't center-hinge the hood. I probably would, now, but, I built mine 30-odd years ago. I'll be watching, for sure!

After seeing yours, I made one, too. Great little tool, Greg!

I did one. But, acording to a guy who used to frequent these forums, and seemed to have been involved for a long time, in racing, it's scaled more like a '50s sprint car. So, that's what I went with. It was a lot of fun! It was also my first time punching louvers. Here's the WIP thread:

At least you won't have to worry about the finish! That's the main reason I like metal. I really like this project, Ismael. I haven't watched an Indy Car race in many years, but, this early stuff is very, very cool!

Thank you, Trevor! It's similar to one of Porsche's greens. It does look very "avocado"!😅

Thanks,Greg! I appreciate that. I really enjoy working with metal.

I got started on the front suspension. Since I want poseable front wheels, I had to decide the best way to make that happen. I decided the best bet would be to drill out the half-moon shaped holes on the tops of the inner fenders, so that 1/16" tubing could fit through them, then drill out the cups where the struts fit into the A-arms. That would allow the 1/16" tubing center of the new struts to remain in place, and rotate. The axles are 1/16" and 3/32" brass tube. I bored out some brass rod I had on hand to make the larger pars of the struts. The spindles are set at -3 degrees camber, just like specs I found somewhere, here: https://www.pelicanparts.com/Porsche/index-SC.htm?srsltid=AfmBOoo7m0vfkYHGgknPJ77WJpVgffBUBcLOMWiEIcMXA7QE5kmvsVAP There's a lot of really good stuff there! I also finished the brake rotors for all four corners. Next up, I'll be cleaning up the A-arms and figuring out the rest of the steering. Thanks for looking!

Thanks, Bill. I do agree with sentiments above, that they could be better defined, they're easier than cleaning up molded kit parts! More fun, too!

Thank you, Jim! I appreciate your kind words.

Awesome build of an icon! I can almost imagine my soles melting to the floor.

Beautiful! The finishes look just right.

It is a bit different, for sure! Thanks, Ian! I don't recall a Nova. Before this came into my world, I was really leaning toward getting back on my Warren, Coburn& Miller inspired dragster. Hoping to keep this a short detour!

I don't have any idea how I missed this! That engine is...I'm speechless. It's amazing, my friend! I still have to check out the rest of this project. I just had to say that!

Well, if you're anything like I am, once the chassis is scratchbuilt, it's all-in! That's where all the fun stuff is, anyway! You're off to a good start!

I'm over in the regular cars section. I'm building a Porsche 914 for my neighbor across the hall. He did me a huge favor, so I asked him what his favorite car is, and that's what he said, so, here we are!🙂 It's coming along pretty decently, so far.

This is very cool! This really was a nicely built model. I believe it's about to get even better. I've developed a thing for these old Indy cars, over the years. I'm looking forward to watching this come together. I would suggest aluminum sheet for the windscreen. Especially now that you have a pattern. The best part of that is, once it's formed, it stays that way!

I got the rear suspension built and installed. I still have some nut and bolt detail to add, and some touchup, to that. I applied semi-gloss clear to the chassis pan, then brushed the bottom, and wheel wells with a mixture of pastels, then shot it, again. I also got one brake rotor turned. I'll do the other, after I eat, some time. I'm not disappointed! Thanks for looking!

No, but if you have some Graphite!

I did these, with it. I just pushed my thumbnail into the heat shrink, while it was still warm.

It's looking fantastic, Ian! Nice work with the harness. Chassis is beautiful, on the wheels. Looks just like it ought to!

I was thinking the same. I just used what I had on hand. I still think they look better than molded plastic.