Straightliner59

What a pretty little Deuce! Doesn't hurt that I have a thing for early Hemis, either. Excellent work, Jim!

Well, it's done! Except for better photos. I set everything up--tripod, backdrop--these look like soft-focus. I don't really like them, so I won't post a thread "Under Glass" until I get some that I am happy with. Also, I just noticed that the left side of the cowl isn't in place. I think I will try to find something black, to shoot it on. Your comments, critiques and questions are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Yeah, those things! Just the thought of one of those chains snapping is scary. It would definitely be a fun project!

You're making some excellent progress, Ian. Very nicely done. The tinwork looks great!

Did you happen to see Bernard Kron's thread on a '32 Ford he did, in bare metal? You might find some interesting ideas, there.

Since MPC had the contract for GM's promos, at that time, I wonder why AMT even made a Vega! I hear that! Which is the other part of my "out-loud wonderings"; I've been thinking about getting one of the Kammbacks to see if I can mate it with a stock hood and cowl from one of the MPC Vegas I have around here, to do a curbside Vega wagon. I totally understand this. When I started this dragster in 1997, I had a pretty clear vision of what I wanted it to be. I got the "bones" done, no problem. Then, when it came time to really start putting stuff together, I realized that was above my pay grade! Not so much out of frustration, but realization, it sat until November of 2022. Since, it's the only thing I have worked on. It's very true to my vision. It's easily my best work, to date. And, I have had a helluva good time getting it completed (which should be any day, now!). When I first started building, in 1972, I discovered very early on, that there was more in this for me, than just a way to pass time. I was all in, very quickly. From 1978 until 1982, I took a break, because I moved to the "big city", after living my life as a preacher's kid, in small town. It only stands to reason that I would devote those years, quite literally, to sex, drugs and rock and roll! After appeasing that curiosity, I realized that I needed to create, again, so, here I am! That's mostly what I build. I like the idea of incorporating cool aspects from different cars into one, while staying within the parameters of the time (including graphics that look like they belong in that time, and proper equipment), and the confines of the rules (given that I can find them!). And, yes, many of them were deathtraps! I built a replica of Dick Kraft's "The Bug" which is considered to be the first rail dragster. I've seen a photo of him driving the car with a skullcap helmet, goggles, and a t-shirt. Yikes! Anyway, I didn't intend to divert your thread. I am looking forward to following it!

Oh, yeah. I knew that's what you are doing. I guess I was just kind of wondering how anyone at AMT could have seen that as looking anything remotely like a funny car!?

AMT's FC body almost looks stock, except for the cutout for the scoop. It definitely doesn't look like a FC!

Main fuel line is installed. I also cut and heat-formed a pair of puke hoses. I think I like the orange! I don't have a wide variety of choices on hand, exactly! I have brown. I've begun work on the hat linkage, so that'll be next...

I always loved the 5-slots, too. ET was another big name, in them.

Freakin' SWEET! I actually have The Goodstuff's Wonderwagon body. I don't remember where I got it, or even how I ended up with it.

The rest of us use Steve's work for reference!?

Don Fahrni died in February of 2018. He was the best friend I ever had. I have a tribute to him, on my current (soon to be latest) project.

Hat is pinned and mounted. Throttle cable is in place, awaiting linkage. Fuel return lines are hooked up. Blower belt is installed. I need to finish and install the injector linkage for both sides of the hat. I also need to install the return spring, once that is completed. The hat restraint strap assembly needs to be made. The main fuel line needs to be cut and hooked up. I found some nice, soft orange wire insulation I think I may use for the puke tank hoses. We're definitely getting closer to glamour shots!

You can bet that when I did fall asleep, I was thinking about this thing!?

Thank you for sharing your wheel-turning techniques. I intend to do a set, one day. The thing that's held me back, so far, is all the numbers! I want to get a zero-able set of handwheels for my lathe, but haven't got to that, yet! The wheels look beauty, eh!

Plus, it just looks better, this way!?

The hat lines and fuel block are installed. Since I shot these, I was able to hang the barrel valve. I need to drill holes so that I can install a couple of pins, to secure the hat to the blower. At that point, the hat can be mounted, the fuel lines hooked up, and the throttle linkages fabricated and installed, but that'll have to wait until next time, 'cause I gotta get some sleep. Thanks for looking!

It's a very cool project, Ulf. Nice work, sir!

Agreed. I think the stuff looks great! It's not as easy to work with as metal braid, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper. I don't mind the extra time--I'm not running a race, here. The weave is definitely finer than any of the aftermarket stuff that's around--especially as small as this is, in diameter.

I was wondering the same thing!?

It's still cool. Sorry I called it wrong.

I snagged a Revell '67 Camaro on Ebay, shipped, for less than they typically list for! I've been watching out, for one. Now, I need a Hornet!?

In the midst of putting stuff together for the installation of the hat, I started messing around with a length of the braided fishing line that was lying on the workbench. The braid is very limp, once removed from the core, and is prone to fraying and collapse. Because of those factors, I hadn't really given much thought to attempting to replace the core with something of a different size, as I've often done with metal braid. I thought, "Eh? What the heck?" See the metal assembly with the fittings, that was to be the main fuel line into the barrel valve? That's getting replaced with something like the piece directly above it. Of course, I'll apply a tad more care, along with the paint, on the real piece. I inserted that one with old school telephone wire. The bottom length is "stock", the one in the center was inserted with some nichrome wire that was lying on the bench. My late friend Mark Brown repeatedly touted the virtues of braided fishing line, to me. I wasn't seeing it, until a couple of years ago, when I found this stuff at a Walmart. I knew, immediately, that this was what he was talking about. I think it looks better than any of the aftermarket braid I've seen, because of its fine fibers, and weave. This doesn't specifically concern the dragster, but I wanted to share it. Hey, I was excited about it!?

Thanks, much! I truly appreciate that. After all, isn't at least a part of modeling an illusion show??