Lizard Racing

Here are some pix of the progress of my mystery motor corvette. I used the AMT '63 Corvette as a basis, as it has the big-block engine. Sources of information are the Hot Rod article and the video from corvetteonline.com. The chassis: note the flat panels in place of the stock floor and the heavy front sway bar. The engine: the M/T cars had the extra breathers on the valve covers and magneto ignition. From the front, note the window retaining clips and half of the blower scoop on the hood. This one is what I had, although not totally correct. At the rear, note the removed gas filler cover and the empty panels for the removed tail lights. As you can see, there are a lot of details to take care of.

Since the car as featured in hot Rod has been a local B/P racer, there have been a number of changes from the original M/T. Most notable for us is the bumpers, which were removed. Don't forget to scratch-build the heave front sway bar. I will try to post some on the workbench photos today of what I have so far.

I also have a Mystery Motor Vette in assembly. The issue of Hot Rod was a valuable resource. Just remember the car featured has been changed from its original configuration. The M/T cars had bumpers, fake louvers on the hood and cut away wheel openings. There is a U-Tube video which provides some close details like the metal clips to hold the windows in. Which car do you plan to build, the #3 or #4?

Nice series of cars. Any plans for more?

I was raised in a "Chevrolet family." Although I have owned other makes, I still prefer Chevys. I will not allow Fords in my collection.

A great classic hot rod!

I have found a Tamiya Spray-Work Painting Stand Set (item 74522) works great. It is a big enough platform and includes a spring holder to do entire bodies. The platform rotates, so no handling of the work is needed. There are also smaller spring clips to hold smaller parts.

You've got a good start. I think this kit has about the best 'Vette chassis i have built. Certainly better than the AMT '63-'70 "piggy bank" cars.

I saw an interesting display in the museum at Robbins AFB. It was a cutaway mockup of a B-17. What impressed me was how SMALL it was on the inside. I like the cutaway idea above.

The IMC Chaparral 2E and the AMT (?) Porsche 907L. I made my own racecars out of these and now they are gone.

I kinda like the painted bumpers.

My grandson just finished his first project, a Revell Impala police car snapper. He's a Leggo veteran, so the instructions and assembly were familiar.

Great detailing! I remember an old TV show from the early '60s about a sheriff in Arizona with a car just like that.

I started on a '63 Corvette featured in the December issue of Hot Rod magazine. Here is what I have so far: I cut out the floors in the chassis, just like they did on the 1:1. I fabricated the heavy sway bar on the front. The engine is out of the box except for the fabricated magneto and detailed carb. I used an interior from an original '64 (no molded-in seats), blanked the instruments and fabricated the 50 gal tank and the roll cage. I have been building '63 Vettes since 1963, so I have some parts left over. There is a good video on UTUBE where the current owner talks about the car.

My daughter sent me a P-51 history book and the Revell 1:48 kit. I bought myself a Grumpy's Toy Chevy nova and a snapper Humvee for my grandson.

At last!!! A legitimate excuse to buy chocolate donuts!

Good start! I have one in line for build. I built one in the '70s and it's a good kit.

Whatever gives me the fever. I have eight kits on the shelf, then Hot Rod had a cover story on 1963 Mystery Motor Corvettes, so I bought (yet) another '63 'Vette and moved it to the head of the line.

I bought a tube of Testors plastic cement for my grandson to use. He's using superglue his parents have and learning about sticking his fingers together.

Looks great! Especially the Stovebolt six engine.

When is the best time to remove masking when doing a two-tone color scheme? I have waited until the paint is completely dry, but there is a slight ridge at the edge of the tape.

The first car I remember was a '54 Chevy 2-door. I would stand behind the front seat until one day my mom clipped some Bozo who was pulling out of a parking space. I went forward and my head made a dent in the metal dash.

I too recently moved into an apartment from a house. Right now I use a large moving box as a spray booth on the balcony. The box helps contain the overspray. I then close the box for a while, then move the parts indoors to finish drying. Needless to say, I don't do very exotic paint jobs.

The May/June issue of Vintage Motorsport magazine has a good feature article on this car. I saw this car at the IMS Museum.

The latest issue of Hot Rod magazine has given me the fever to build a model of the 427 Mystery motor Corvette featured. I'm starting with the AMT '63 'Vette, since it already comes with a big-block. Any ideas on where to get decals?