Straightliner59

That's a nice Hemi, in the 300. Good call!

As always, a huge step. It looks good, Ian! Awesome!

Got this from Burbank's. These guys are awesome! They ship quickly, and their rates are excellent. Can't say enough, about them.

Looks great! Keep up the nice work!

Thanks, man! I got some more work done to the brakes. I mounted the rotors. The dark center is based on a Strange catalog photo I found--this looks pretty much just like it! The "braided" lines are stranded bead wire. I'm working on the rest of the fittings. I should have these done in a couple of sessions. Then, I'll see what mischief I can get up to, next. As you can see, I didn't bother with doing proper "anchors", for the belts. They will never be seen, once the tail, body and floor are installed, so I could see no reason to spend that time, when it could be better spent, elsewhere on the project. Questions and comments are always welcome. Thanks for looking!

Thank you, Dennis! Very much appreciated!

This is just beautiful, Andy. I think the stance is good, and those wire wheels are gorgeus!

It's often been referred to as "the original tunnel ram".

I drill them completely out and replace the buckets with some made using a punch to cut a circle of tooling aluminum, and a doming block, to curve it. Lenses generally come from my parts boxes. I used a method similar to Greg's to make a set of rectangular lenses for a Monza.

For most anything but body-colored items, I prefer to use a dark grey (my old favorite was Pactra Hot Rod Primer, now, I use a Krylon Chalky Finish color, which is very similar to Hot Rod Primer). By using something slightly lighter, it's easy to enhance textures with black washes, which don't show up on black paint! I have an article from my old StraightLineModeler website that Frank Kokosza wrote about doing black finishes. I'll see if I can convert the html to images, and share it here!

Found 'em!

Yes, I like this one, much better, too. Thank you, Ian! Thank you, Francis! I am planning to do "panels" in the copper color, and may try some artistic tricks, over it. Over the next few weeks/months, as I work on other stuff, I'll experiment with ideas on scrap material.

I thought I had a few more color shots, with the body off. If I run across them, I'll post them, here. It's one of my favorites! I plan to build an "inspired by" one day with an AMT '41. In fact, it's kind of started on.

I made a new brake fluid reservoir, and installed it, and the master cylinder. The new reservoir is made from a white plastic coat hanger. The original part was too opaque, for my taste, and the coat hanger provides a more translucent look. It's hard to believe I'm doing some finish work on this thing! I think I've decided on a color. It's a mixture of Humbrol Brass, and Humbrol #55 which is a kind of bright copper colour. It will be paired with black. It really goes well with the wheels, too. As always, questions, critiques and comments are welcome. Thanks for looking!

I still have my eyes on a few other pinvises. You, know--because you never know how many you might need, at any given moment. ? Same can, and should be, said for drill bits. The Ertl promo box is full, end-to-end with those plastic cases of ten carbide bits. Now that I see these photos, I might have a problem! Of course, it's only a problem, if you care! ?

Thank you, sir! I'll probably poke and prod them a little more, but, they don't look too bad!

To quote Wayne and Garth, "Schwwwwinnng!"

I appreciate that, greatly!

Your best bet will be to duplicate the prototype--at least as much as possible. I know you'll figure it out, and we will all be amazed with the results!?

As it should have! I took one of the old Harley Maistos apart a few years ago, and never did anything with it. When I get back to it (I have to finish my dragster, first), I'll be looking at yours for ideas and some guidance. It's super cool.

Harness installed! I usually use wine bottle foil to make my belts. The slots on Detail Master's harness sets are super-narrow, and persnickety. This time, I used strips of foil, cut from a disposable aluminum baking sheet. They fit through the slots, much easier, and don't look any differently. The Simpson decals came from a Slixx sheet. Viewing the photos, I can see some touchup that needs doing. Thanks for looking!

What a fantastic project! I love everything about it! Beautiful work, Paul.

Thank you, Charlie! I truly admire your accomplishments with the mill, especially. It's encouraging to have read you say that you're not an engineer or a math genius--that gives me some hope!?

That looks excellent, my friend! Indeed, thinning the panels is necessary. I have seen different articles of the different methods of hanging doors, so that they operate properly (swing out, vs. tuck into the fenders). I am looking forward to seeing your hinges. I know they'll be superb!