Straightliner59

It's gorgeous!

A couple of hours ago, a very nice, unbuilt, complete Johan Shirley Shahan AMX went up on Ebay for $65 OBO. I made sure that baby didn't stay there for long!

Oh, yeah! This will be cool. I was just reading an article in an old Drag Racing Magazine (Petersen) about that event. Was always glad that was Eddie!

Inspired by @CabDriver's T-Bucket, I decided I wanted one, too! Last week, when I was frustrated and discouraged by the paint on the cowl of my dragster, I started scrounging through my parts, and came up with enough to do this. The seat is sanded down from a Model a tub. The floor will be wood. It'll sit a tad higher, in back (but, not much!). I'm not 100% on the wheels, yet, but not dead-set against them, either. Flattie is the venerable Monogram V-8 with tri-carbs. I'll remove the molded-in manifolds, and replace them with headers. It won't be a rat, but it will wear a matte finish.

I love that you are doing this! It's something I've been attempting/doing for many years, now--I'm still nowhere near as good as I'd like to be. In fact, I'm pretty lousy, at it! But, t's interested me since I first attended some IPMS meeting and shows, back in the early '80s, and seeing it on armor and aircraft models, and on figures. Later on, in Russ Schwenkler's work. Russ was using it overall, but, it was in his interiors, that it really caught my eye. I would contend that it adds a lot of visual interest, when it's done properly. Excellent work, with the body, Jim! I'm diggin' the chassis work, too!

A lot of Revell stuff is spiking in price--I think it's the stuff that ended up in China. Thinking is that we won't see them again, at least anytime, soon. Revell's Sox and Martin 'Cuda typically goes for more than the Johan kit, now. The '67 Camaros and '67 Charger are both pretty high, too. The Charger can be found, relatively reasonably priced, but the Camaros rarely go for less than about $80. I've been watching them, hoping to find a relative bargain, on either. I'm not in any huge hurry, so there's that, on my side.

Wonderful fabrication, Andy. Isn't it great, not to be afraid of working metal?? It opens up an entire world of possibilities. For future reference, you might want to look into "Silver Screenz". I used them for the screens on this Corvette (which I'll get back to, once the dragster's done). They're made for certain recreational pipes, but the wire is very fine and the weave fairly open, allowing excellent visibility of the lights, behind. Although I may or may not frequent a dispensary, now and again, I found these, online, looking for screens for this car.

Not a lot to show. Stripping the cowl took a little of the wind from my sails, so I kind of took a break. I started striping the tail Saturday. Once the corners are dried on the last panel, I can tape the straight lines, and finish it up. Then, I will repaint the cowl. Then, I can let the long cure timer begin. I've also been fiddling with the headers, but, mostly just shortening the pipes I'd originally made. There's a lot to do, before those are finished. I also need to install fire suppression, which will consist of a knob next to the driver's right knee, to actuate it, and the lines and nozzles (once I figure out exactly where they go). Best I can gather, so far is two nozzles ahead of the headers, pointed at the engine, and two in the cockpit, one pointed toward the driver. I figure the bottles would be installed in the tail, which won't be coming off, therefore, they will only exist in the viewer's mind's eye. The lines will be represented by .010" braided beading wire. Anyway, even little progress is better than congress (they are opposites, right?!)? Your comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

It's in several topics.

Thanks, Jason! I knew Ted Struse fairly well.

Although, good ol' sodium bicarbonate still makes a pretty decent antacid!

Does anyone make decals for this car? Or maybe a better photo?!?

You have some really nice work, going on, here!

Beautiful dash.

I started striping. I got these done, excluding some touchup. The cowl is bathing in lacquer thinner, at this moment, so I will fiddle with another aspect, until I decide that I'm ready to repaint the cowl, or red-outline the tail. Minor setback--at least it's easy to strip paint from aluminum!

Beautiful work! Love the finishes, and the details.

Most of the time I actually go to a hobby shop, it's for supplies. I usually come out with a handful of stock! You can never have too much of that stuff!?

Okay. I just had to!

It's just the best!

K&S makes it in a line called "Special Shapes" it has its own rack at the hobby shop. They also make 1/32" brass tube, in that line. I have been buying it, for years, whenever I see it, so I haven't done a Google search for a source to buy it, because there's a couple of local shops here, that have it. It's available, for sure.

Thanks, Ian! It worked out as good as I could have hoped. I just need to let it cure a few days, and figure out the striping. I like how the orange goes from very subtle to reflective, depending on light. Thank you, Marcos. You're well on your way! Wanting to, is the biggest part of it, I think. Here are all the body panels, painted...

It looks great, Marcos. I love the paint scheme! Nice work, my friend!

I got some more paint work done. I still have the cowl and tail left to finish. Hoping for later, today. Once they're done, I'll let them sit and cure for a while, before I clear coat them. The One-Shot I used for the stippling takes some time, as it's meant to flow out. I got out the can of Kool Crimson, too, and practiced my hand-striping. I think I like the look too much, not to try it. Even if it's "controlled chaos"--a little wider, here, a little shaky, there. Nothing radical, just not perfect, because I have zero idea, as to how I'd pull that off! Although, since most of the lnes are straight, I could tape them, and freehand the curves. I guess I'll figure something out! Questions and comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

That's exactly what I did. Good call!