DRIPTROIT 71

Awesome work!

Well I've started my next project. Back in the 80's, the company that my dad worked for rented a Cruiseliner from Ryder for a couple of weeks. It was painted just like the box art. I'm planning to build a replica from memory of course. In my research, though, I found some differences that I didn't realize. I knew that the grill was completely changed in the later models, but my subject had the old grill. I'm pretty sure that it didn't have the emblem in the grill though. Every picture of a 75 or 76 model that I find has the emblem. It appears that in 77 the headlight buckets were changed slightly. I could probably modify the kit to the later buckets if I need to. So here's my question. Does anyone know for sure if all 75 and 76 Cruisliners had the emblem in the grill? Also, did any of the later models (77 and newer) have headlight buckets like the kit? I planned this to be a simple relaxing build. I may just go with the emblem in the grill and be done. Any input would be appreciated.

Very cool looking project! Great work as usual! I like the idea of a junk truck. The opened up differential looks good! Looking forward to seeing more of this one!

I like the colors! Nice looking Mack! Great work!

Very cool build! I like it!! Nice work!! Make sure the driver has a gas card. It looks thirsty! Great job!

Thanks for the kind words Rick! Your work inspires me!

Thanks for the encouragement Kerry! Thanks Dennis!! Thanks Gator! Thanks for the help along the way too! Thanks Jarda!! Thanks So Much Mark!! Thanks Dave!

Thanks everyone! Thanks Brian! The tires were an Ebay find. They were listed as Clint Freeman tires. They do look similar to his tires, but all of his that I ever had or saw were soft rubber resin. These are hard cast resin.

Very Nice!!! I like the engine choice!

That's probably close to the model that I want to build. The company that my dad worked for in the late 70's and early 80's had one. It was powered by a gas v-8 (Ford I think), and had dual thrush mufflers on it. I hope to build a replica of that one.

Wow!! I don't think the real thing looks that good! I would say excellent work, but that doen't seem to express how great this looks! Top Notch for sure!!!!

Thanks so much Chris! Thanks Warren! Thanks for the kind words Jacobus! Thanks so much Dave! Thanks Ken! Your builds have been an inspiration to me! I really like your style of building! Thanks for the compliment Ben! Thanks for the kind words Rick!

Looks sharp!!

Cut tractor pulling tires are cut so that there is a sharp leading edge for traction. Believe it or not they will pull better than uncut tires even in 3 1/2 mph stock tractor classes. They also don't turn into shovels like stock tires while spinning. High horsepower engines general make high horsepower at high rpm. They must spin the tires to achieve that. If their tires are performing like shovels they will dig holes. Holes are the last thing that you want in tractor pulling. Traction also depends on the soil of the track. Along with cut tires, tractor pullers move weight around and adjust air pressure, depending on the track to achieve the best traction. You also need to remember that there are weight classes and regulations in tractor pulling. A heavy tractor will less horsepower can move a lighter tractor with major horsepower. There is also the drag effect of the sled. The weight climbs to a point of being directly over the pan dragging against the ground. Drag will depend on the soil as well as the sled itself. A few years ago the local antique tractor pulling association welded angle iron under the pan that would actually dig in when the weight was over it. There is also the angle of the pull. This is why there are height regulations on the hitch. Pulling up on the sled decreases drag while increasing weight and traction on the rear tires. Tractor pulling is more than simply moving weight from one point to another. To those who are serious there is a lot of math and calculations. With that being said, most tractor pulling tractors would not be very efficient as a tow vehicle around the shop, and the average piece of equipment would not be efficient (meeting all regulations) in tractor pulling.

The truck looks to be a late 40's Mack I believe. I think Kerry is right about the front engine and drive set up. Would make a cool project to build!

I've always wanted to see a real good snow.

Thanks Jedd! I thought that I would never finish. Thanks for the kind words Tom! Thanks Russell, I've never seen belt drive in scale before and have only saw it once in person, so I thought that I would give it a try.

Thanks for the kind words Kerry! Thanks Jim! Thanks Dave! Thanks for the compliments Pat! Thanks Anton!

Pat, I think I'm going to have to make a trip to Canada for fabrication classes. I like to keep going back to look at your shop. Excellent work!!

I thought that I had commented on this one. Great work!! Looks Great!!

Excellent Detail Work!!!

Incredible! I like old school Nascar. Great work!!

I really like this project!! I have a soft spot for the 66/67 Satellites and Belvederes. I had two 66 hardtop Satellites and one 67 Belvedere parts car. All three of them had 14" tires on them from the factory. Of course, none of them were Hemis. Awesome Work so far!!!

Looks Awesome!!! I really like the color!! Great Work!!!

Great Work!! I like the colors!!