RancheroSteve

More progress: I re-painted the frame (more orange), painted the engine & trans, and installed it in the frame. I'll add all the remaining engine parts later, as it would have been difficult or impossible to get it in under the cowl framing if it had been fully assembled. I made a drive shaft and painted it and the rear end with Alclad. After a few adjustments to my rear suspension parts, everything fit together! Thanks for looking.

Indeed they do - thanks for the tip, Mike! I was planning on using the Parts Pack wheels (which I have), but I still need to decide what to do about the 4/5 bolt issue. I suspect I'll end up "re-drilling" as needed.

Good to have you here, Paul - you make some excellent kits! I used your McLaren M6 to build this McLeagle:

I should qualify this by saying that I'm one of those people who's "intimately familiar", i.e. a few bloody knuckles over the years. So I'd say it depends how much of a stickler for accuracy you want to be - if you're dropping a V8 in I suspect you're not going for factory stock. The Mustang is close, the new Comet should be closer, the Fairlane is acceptable, I'm not familiar with the Cougar kit so I can't really say. So perhaps go with what fits best and what you can get your hands on. Here's a detailed history of the platform: http://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-fords-falcon-platform-from-falcon-to-versailles-in-18-different-wheelbase-lengthtrack-width-variations/

Maybe jumping the gun a little here, but since we've already started talking about the A/FX version - yes, there were different valve covers over the years, some plain, other had the 427 "Bird" logo. Like it's been said, looks like the blue oval logo came a little later. Keep in mind also that during this period, the A/FX and match race cars were in constant evolution - different suspension set-ups (a-arm, straight axle), wheelbases, and engine set-backs. The restored Nicholson car (which I suspect Moebius is basing their version on) was up for sale in 2013 - lots of good photos here: https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0513-154193/1965-mercury-comet-427-sohc-afx-super-cyclone

Thanks for the interest, guys. I've made a little more progress. Most of the rear suspension was broken, missing, or melted from too much glue, so I am am doing a low-buck scratch build of what's needed. I made some coil-overs from pen springs, three different diameters of aluminum tubing, and straight pins. Suspension links were made from 1/16" aluminum tubing. I was able to save the center section of the rear end, and made new axle tubes and ends. I added a bracket for the Panhard bar (which I'll make later). The brackets for the four link came from the front end of an old Monogram "Snake" funny car that's in my junkyard. Most of this (except part of the coil-overs) won't be seen on the finished model, so I'll be holding it all together with pins, rather than fancy bolts.

Clone, indeed! Looks like you got all the stuff - big & small - exactly right. Fantastic!

Nice work there, Tom - and a good idea to build two versions of the XR-6. I realize I'm going to be putting some detail into the chassis that won't be visible once the body is on (and I can't really think of a way to make it prototypically removable), but at least I'll have photos.

Alright, I realize it's been a little while, but I got inspired to pick this one up again. The frame is now done (although I might change the color slightly) and the engine block is in primer: I made a firewall hoop with braces and a mount for the master cylinder. Also attached the rear suspension link mounts and the panhard bar mount to the chassis. Lots and lots of test fitting and working out ways of getting everything to fit and key in together - I added some locating pins to the belly pan so that the frame doesn't slide back and forth.

It's really starting to come to life, Phil! Makes sense that the header fit would be tight - I think the bumps on the engine cover (later opened up as scoops) were originally for clearance.

Hey all - Mark Gustavson asked me to post the following info about GSL-XXVI and the new slot car class: DEAR CONCOURS SLOT CAR BUILDER! You’re Invited! The Trustees of the GSL Championship Scale Vehicle Championship and Convention decided, two years ago, to recognize the growth of the “Concours” slot car builder by creating the Concours Slot Car Class – to recognize the great work that leading edge slot car builders are doing these days. We’ve watched the articles in Slot Car Magazine and we want to invite you to participate in the twenty-sixth GSL Championship – the world’s leading competitive venue for sophisticated scale vehicle builders. In Section A, below, you can learn about the famed GSL Championship. Please check out the rules of this new-for-2017 GSL Class, and please visit the GSL website at: http://www.gslchampionship.org/ In Section B, below, you can read the text of the new-for-2017 Concours Slot Car Class. If you have any questions, please contact GSL founder Mark S. Gustavson by dropping him an email at msgsl@xmission.com – be sure to put “GSL” in the subject matter. SECTION A. What is GSL? The GSL Championship was created in 1979 to provide an encouraging, objective, and an hospitable venue for sophisticated scale vehicle modelers, regardless of their interests, to compete where craftsmanship and technical innovation would be recognized and rewarded. As a reaction to other historic shows where certain building styles were favored and others discouraged by the judging preferences and selection of winners, and as a further reaction against competitions where personalities and public favor played significantly in the outcome, the GSL Championship was fashioned to provide a “safe harbor” to competitive builders interested in aggressive, quality building. Over the years, the antiseptic fairness of the GSL Championship has encouraged an ever- widening group of wonderful and very competitive scale vehicle builders to attend and be a part of the greatest scale vehicle contest ever created. As an outgrowth of that commitment to fairness, GSL competitors and attendees have developed a cheerful demeanor where friendships are made and renewed regularly, where it is safe to share ideas and techniques, and where each builder’s efforts are respected, and where everyone is challenged by the work they see. In fact, one of the several attractions of the Championship has always been the cheerful and cordial demeanor of the participants. The attendees and builders always share their techniques and thoughts about building better models, encouraged in no small part by judging impartiality and good humor that are hallmarks of the Championships. The Trustees of the International Model Car Builders’ Museum are pleased to announce that the Twenty-Sixth GSL Scale Vehicle Championship and Convention will be held Thursday, April 26 through Sunday, April 20, 2017. This 26th International Championship will be held at the Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel – this is the same excellent facility where we’ve presented GSL since 2009! GSL-XXVI will present the traditional range of competitive Classes, two days of seminars, a day of Museum tours, the Museum-benefit Auction, the famed Trade Show, four days of renewed friendships and shared experiences, and will end with the Awards Breakfast on Sunday morning, April 30. We will start the Championship and Convention on Thursday morning, April 26, 2017 with a general “welcome” opening session at 10:00 a.m. to hand out the Championship and Convention schedule, acquaint everyone with last-minute details and developments, and talk generally about the event. The Contest Hall will open for registering models to be entered in competition at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. Seminars will start at Noon, Thursday, and extend through Friday afternoon, April 28, 2017. Judging will start at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, during which time the Museum-Benefit Auction will be held. The Awards Breakfast will be held on Sunday morning, April 30. See you in April, 2017! SECTION B. Class Rules: Concours Slot Car Class! Concours Slot Car Class Rules: This Class is for any model of any four-wheeled vehicle, representing any make or vintage automobile or truck, or an automobile or truck design created by the entrant, outfitted with functional slot car features that would permit the model to be “driven” on a typical slot car “road course” or dragstrip track. The slot car may be two or four-wheel drive; the choice of motor(s) used to power the entry will not be considered during judging. The goal of this Class is for highly-detailed, slot car-based scale vehicles that exhibit authentic details for interior and exterior features, and mechanical detail, to the greatest degree possible. Entries will be judged on the quality of construction, and how closely the major and subtle elements of the entry approximate or match that of an authentic scale miniature of the subject matter. Additionally, the craftsmanship and quality of the slot car frame (including soldering and fabrication techniques and skill) and the running gear (power pickup, tires, wheels, and related functional components) will be evaluated. If there are two models vying for an award in this Class, where both are equally well-done from a functional standpoint, and one exhibits more convincing and authentic detailing, the more realistic model will receive the award. Documentation is encouraged but is not required. Qualifying Concours Slot Class entries are required to meet, at a minimum, the following conditions: 1. Four rolling tires that touch the surface when placed on a slot car track; 2. Full body work including clear windshield and other windows as required by the vehicle design, appropriate exterior chrome trim/bumpers (when the style of the model calls for the same), and a minimum of two headlights and taillights for all scale vehicles other than those built for a 1:1 scale competition venue where no such lights are required by applicable rules; 3. Display a full interior composed of a dashboard, a steering wheel, at least one seat. The builder may also, but is not required to, include a human figure which, if included, must be placed in a seat. Qualifying entries may use commercially-available frames, wheels, tires, and electric motors, and a kit-based body, but are not required to do so. Scatchbuilding is welcomed! CAUTION: Out-of-the-box, commercially- available/ assembled slot cars, bare frames, or “thingie” slot cars will not be permitted to compete in this Class. No group (or commissioned) assembly of components are permitted. Entrants may commission machined or photo etched parts as long as the entrant assembles the same. See you in April, 2017!

Replicas & Miniatures also sells a nice Weber carb and manifold combo - it might even be the same as the HRM piece.

Really coming along well, Phil! A worthwhile challenge. What did you use for the clear breather tubing?

Moving along very nicely, Phil! Take a look at this when you get a moment: http://autoweek.com/article/car-life/throttle-back-thursday-dan-gurney-gets-america-can-am-board-and-revolutionary

It's just a couple of coats of Testor's Stop Light Red Metallic on a piece of aluminum rod. That paint is usually pretty thick right out of the jar and easy to build up.

Nice build! The front disc brakes on my Ranchero came from a junkyard Granada - a well-known low budget swap for Falcons and Mustangs before the supply dwindled.

Another home run, John!

If anybody can pull this off, you can. Watching!

Another rattle can color that might be close is Dupli-Color #BGM0539 Light Blue Metallic, which I believe is a GM color. I used it (with a small amount of pearl clear top coat) on this: Of course, colors don't always translate perfectly in photos - I think it looks even closer in person. As for the drag car, this website (http://www.c-we.com/piranha/page5.htm) states: "The body was painted a fantastic, glistening lemon-gold that flowed into a bronz-tone lower body by Winfield."

And of course, Falfa's '55 is the same car that was used in "Two Lane Blacktop". One of the three anyway . . .

I think you hit on something here: most racing cars are works in progress and always changing, whereas a lot of the good reference photos that can be found (especially online) are of the restored cars, which are not only often "over restored" but upgraded with newer and safer technology. For example, I'm relatively certain that the McLaren didn't originally have those beautifully polished headers as seen in the photo earlier in this thread. The great racing photographer Pete Lyons authored a couple of books a few years back: "Can-Am" and "Can-Am Photo History" that are filled with vintage photos. Another good reference book is Karl Ludvigsen's "Can-Am Racing Cars" (photographers un-credited) that is predominantly engine and mechanical shots. Both books show the use of A/N fittings and braided hose during this period.

A good thought, but there's not really any need to. As I mentioned in my build thread, they're a pretty tight fit once they have some paint on them - I didn't even use any glue. The other possible reason against that idea is that they need to be painted before they're assembled (as the instructions advise) - I think it would be tough to get a decent finish on them once they're put together.

Looking pretty spectacular already!

Now that the Grand Sport is finished, it's time to begin another journey. This is the Heller/Humbrol Lotus 49B: Stuff inside the box is molded in red & black and looks like this: A pretty decent kit - especially for its day - of an iconic racing car, but I can already see a few areas that will require improvement. I obtained some better tires from Model Factory Hiro: And a new set of decals from Indycals: Issue #5 of Motor Racing Replica News should be helpful: I'll be getting started soon.

I was really hoping for that FIA Cobra - one of my favorite cars ever, as well as one that's never been kitted.