RancheroSteve

Your post caught my eye, because my wife once worked at a Czech restaurant called "The Heart of Europe". Welcome!

Yes, it is an early version of the "third brake light" we've all come to know. According to the instructions, this was a feature on the Grand Sport. Of course, I read the instructions only after I had carefully sanded it off (thinking it was some kind of mold tab) and so I had to re-do it with a piece of aluminum tubing and a drop of metallic red paint.

Engine successfully fitted into the chassis and the headers attached. I had to re-work the steering box a little. It's a tight fit in there, just like the real thing. Oil lines will get hooked up later.

To my eyes, it appears that all the aftermarket/resin Cheetahs (Mini Exotics, Modelhaus, and HRM) were based off the Cox slotcar/static body. The Cox bodies of that time - Cheetah, Lotus 40, Chaparral, etc. - were really well done.

Facel Vega HK500 Tatra T87 and 603 another vote for the Volvo P1800 1960 Hillman Minx (because it was my first car) all kinds of sports racing and F1 cars from the 50s and 60s - but I took your question to be more about production road cars?

Very cool idea and execution. I like your choice of engine, too!

Same here - I've done it, but never with the intent to grandstand or show off, but to answer a question or illustrate a point if possible - so I hope it comes off that way. I try to do it sparingly and be sensitive about it. I'd listen if someone tells me otherwise.

Yes - the Grand Sport has side pipes.

Some progress: the engine is finished! Mostly out of the bow with a few tweaks. I wired the distributor and added some plug boots. Made a bypass hose for the water pump. There is a fuel block and lines included in the kit but that part isn't mentioned in the instructions. Looked like it would be a tough fit anyway, so I made my own. Headers are also from HRM - supposedly they fit better that the kit items. Right side header is just temporarily pinned on. Next, I'll try to drop this into the chassis and report back soon. Fuel and oil lines will get hooked up later.

Getting back to Von Dutch's creations - I've mentioned it before, but I'd still like to try building a scale replica of this one day:

Yes, it's Mr. Surfacer primer with a light coat of wax. I was going for that DP90 look.

A relatively quick one for me (only about seven months, but then I've usually got about four or five builds going at once). It's kind of a departure from my usual builds, so at times I felt like I was in unfamiliar territory design-wise, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Thanks for looking - questions, comments, criticisms welcome.

I made a few details: exhaust tips, license plates, wiper posts - and put it all together. Calling it done. Working up an "Under Glass" post now.

After a few unsuccessful attempts, I think I have a coat of Alclad on the rear bumper that I can live with: Not too far to go now - I should be finishing this one up soon.

Understood! Keep up the fine work - I'm really enjoying following your projects.

I've been using the one from Micro-Mark for a few years with pretty good results. It's a bit of an initial investment, but with some practice you can make stuff you couldn't get otherwise. http://www.micromark.com/micro-mark-pro-etch-photo-etch-system,8346.html I made the grille for this Falcon: As well as various mechanical parts: There are a few threads on this board discussing making "home made" p/e parts. I believe this is the one I'm thinking of: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/51578-micromarks-photo-etch-kit/?page=1

Challenging - yes, but I think it could be done with a "home" photo-etch kit.

Looking good so far! The thing on the lower right is the pump for the dry sump system. It should have a bunch of braided hoses running in and out of it, to the oil pan, filter, oil cooler, etc. Do a Google Image search for "nascar dry sump system" to get some ideas.

As far as I know: Bare steel block; aluminum heads, water pump, and intake manifold.

Thanks for asking. I'm always got a few models going at once, so progress may seem slow. I've been working on the engine for the Grand Sport - I should have something to show pretty soon!

Yep, exactly. Essentially an evolution of what they started with the Boss 302. Those AMT NASCAR kits don't seem to get a lot of love, but most of the parts - including the engines - are pretty well done.

Yes, I have every intention of being there - it just gets more & more enjoyable for me.

There are a few dead links (the thread is about 7 years old), but If you've got few hours to waste: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/64-65-comets-old-drag-cars-lets-see-pictures.335534/ And a video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-dO-UPe7uo

Oh yeah, for sure! From what I've seen so far the Moebius Comet will be many orders of magnitude better than the disappointment that was the Trumpeter Falcons & Rancheros. If we rivet count, it's only because we care!

That brace from the Trumpeter Falcon doesn't look bad, but that firewall doesn't resemble any Falcon/Comet part I've ever seen. Don't get me started . . .