gonzo64nova

Thanks guys! Im taking some more pictures and playing around with Photoshop to create some "action" shots. Stay tuned!

I recently found this Monogram Cop-out kit at a swap meet for $10. I have always liked the look of the 70s nitro cars so I decided that I would try to create my own version of a car from that era. Enjoy the pictures and if you have any questions about how I did anything just ask. -Bill

What you have there Gary are traction bars for a leaf spring equipped vehicle . Commonly called slapper bars. They are bolted onto the bottom of the leaf spring and it replaces the bottom mounting plate of the stock leaf setup. These prevented spring wind-up on acceleration of the springs , in other words they prevented the spring from distorting and letting the rear end hop off the ground. There is a term called wheel-hop that is used to describe this action of the spring. The rubber snubber in the front contacts the spring eye and limits the up-ward movement of the leaf spring. The "u" on the front of the traction bar is inserted over the spring and is connected to the traction bar to prevent the front of the traction bar from hitting the ground on hard deceleration. This version was originally used in the 60s and are still used today, but these are quickly being replaced by Caltrac bars. Hope this clears things up. -Bill

Your funny car is outstanding! I love all the scratch built details.

James, the frame looks really good and the stance looks perfect. Two tone it then weather it, that would look very cool.

Blair, the rams look really good. When I looked at them it made me think a small collapsible radio antenna could be another way to build them, but yours look just like the real thing. -Bill

The side trim is a nice addition, are you planning a two tone paint scheme?

Joe,your version looks very close already. The running boards could be left off and the grille was just airbrushed on. If you need any more reference let me know. -Bill

Thats a great build! You've got all the details dead-on. Most altered builds have rear tires that are twice as wide as they actually used,yours look perfect. Are those rear tires the new Parts Pack tires?

Here it is Joe.

Richard, good job! ...weathered finishes are so much more interesting and creative. Shiny is for new cars that hav'nt been enjoyed yet LOL - Bill P.S. turn the air cleaner 180 degrees its backward.

Thanks Mike! and the rest of you for the comments. I am working on the interior and should have updates soon. - Bill

KYLE, I have some plans for a Racers Wedge style bed if that would do you any good. - Bill

That looks great.... it reminds me of a 1.1 body Terry Hall did a while back, Ill see if I can dig up the rendering I did for it. -Bill

Blair,the new bed looks cool, are you planning any storage boxes on the sides? I think a lightly weathered finish with some old school scallops work look killer. Looking forward to the finish.

Thanks! No thats included in the kit.

I really like where this is going. By the way do you have any plans for the Bantum body?

The scratchbuilding on the firewall and interior panels looks excellent. I also like the tilt nose. Perfect gasser!

I been slowly working on my 41 Chevy for the past two weeks ,just adding things as they popped into my head. The idea behind this build is the truck was dragged out of an old barn. The new owner wanted to redo everything but his wallet soon brought that idea to a halt.The new game plan is to put new running gear under it and drive it till he can afford to finish the paint and body work. The body has plenty of dents but the rot isnt too extreme, the wooden bed floor is usable as is and with the new wide whites, steelies and baby moons it has aliitle class.The new sun visor adds to the traditional style of the truck. The engine is a small block chevy from a Switchers kit ,that Ive added 6 R&M Stromberg carbs to with frog mouth scoops. The plug wires are already on but mostly hidden because I had to run them under the headers. To feed this thirsty beast 2 aluminum beer kegs will be mounted in the bed. The front suspension now consists of a relocated front axle to the top of the springs,while the rear got "c" notched and the srings were relocated higher also. More pics soon as progress contiues.

Nice shop truck,...looks like you found some ( or selling some) rusty gold at the swap meet.

I really like the aluminum panels in the engine compartment, good job! What did you use for a chassis, scratch built or a kit donor?

Mike, I just checked out your renderings.... nice stuff. Bill

Thanks for the compliments guys, Ill try and post more when I get a chance.

I created this about 3 years ago. Its just a pencil sketch on some textured stock with some white prisma color pencil highlights. It was alot of fun because it just started as a quick doodle and all I had to do was refine it a little to come up with this.

Nice job on the Scout. I know with weathering that its very easy to over do it but yours looks very natural and not over done.