R. Thorne

Wow, great stuff. That should keep me busy for a while. Thanks so much.

You are correct in your assumptions, I believe. The current rules in NHRA Stock Eliminator are not enforced nearly as strictly as they were when I started racing. Randy Lynn Shipp’s Firebird is an excellent example of “loose policing”. Thanks for your comments. They are always appreciated.

It certainly helps to post these WIP builds as I had not noticed the irregularities on the hood where I filled it with primer and thought I had done a good job. It will go in the 91% alcohol tanks for a redo, but in the meantime I discovered a hood in a 72 Nova kit I had purchased as a donor kit for a 1974 GTO model years ago. With some modifications, it should do the job and I will repair this hood for another Nova build.

Well, it is certainly a small world, right, Roger? Danny Ashley got Mike started on Q-Jets years ago and Mike still does them today. It looks like it’s gonna be a while before I can get any pics, so, if you can send me yours, that would be most helpful. I am specifically needing information on the roll bar or cage (6 point or full cage?) and color of interior. In the pics I have the bar looks to be a gray color. Otherwise, the traction bars and single or multi-leaf rear springs? Thank you for responding.

Sorry for delay. Thank you, gentlemen for your kind responses.

Starting a build of the car my friend (and fellow racer) races. I have known Mike since the mid 70’s and he claims I am responsible for getting him started in drag racing. Anyway, the first pic is the kit I am using as it seems a lot of people leave out that info. Began with mold line removal and reducing the clearance light sizes and some side and trunk emblems that are not on his car. Etched the whole car with a fine sanding stick as an experiment. Turned out ok, I guess. Primed with mr. Surface gray to show defects, then Tamiya white primer to help the orange paint stand out a bit more. Painted with 1 light coat then 1 medium heavy coat Tamiya orange then 1 medium heavy coat of Tamiya clear. There will be no sanding or polishing on this one.

Keep in mind that the marking on the tire sidewall on older tires does not necessarily mean the width of the tread (e.g. 6.70, 7.10, 7.60 are not tread widths). Also, “pie crust” or regular side walls were available in the 60’s in a 10 inch size. You might consider making a 10” out of a 9” tire by chucking it in a drill and sanding it out to .400” wide. You might be able to do this on some tires. I believe my 37 Chevy gasser came with 10” tires, but can’t be positive. The Stone, Woods, & Cook gasser definitely came with 10” tires as the photo shows. Your best bet in a kit would be gasser kits, although some would have wider tires. My photos should load shortly.

Many thanks for posting these excellent pics here and in the WIP section. A LOT of work and patience shown here. I had the privilege of watching these cars run in the 60’s. An outstanding representation of this car. I am surprised that there were no traction bars on this car, just the stock sway bar. Great job and keep ‘em coming.

You might consider sanding twigs or sticks. These are 1/8” wide.

Sure brings back a lot of memories doesn’t it? Couldn’t find the tail lights?

Thanks, guys. Encouragement is always appreciated.

This build was done as a possible bare bones competitor to the Moody & Jones 1937 Chevy Nationals winning car. I had built a (unfinished, as a lot of mine are) model of this car a few years ago. I knew Sam Jones (rip) in the seventies and hung out at his speed shop about 30 miles from me. Anyway, when I was 15 or so in 1962, I looked at a 1941 Plymouth coupe in a barnyard for sale for $50.00 and almost bought it to build for C/GS. I realized I couldn’t afford it and built a StockEliminator car (1953 Oldsmobile) instead. I put some 3 mm double sided tape on it to hold the hood on.

“Hooking up “ the driveshaft after arriving at the track. Will post some more finished pics in the “under glass” section. Also, the “rest of the story”.

Some scrap sprue from the kit, added about 1/4” to the driveshaft, some surfacer 500, let it dry overnight.

Tried out some double sided tape for the trunk handle. Works okay, easier than pinning, not as strong, of course. Put rear bumper on. Got to extend the driveshaft.

Engine is in, headers are on, Car In Tow on back window (as most cars back then were flat towed). As was my 1953 Olds stocker. Only 1 of my gelly roll pens worked. If I had a do over, I would have painted it on with white paint. Getting closer to the finish line.

Thanks, guys. Some accomplished today. Will post tomorrow.

Sure looks like them. Thank you. Much appreciated.

A trial fit and some reaming of the wheel backing plates.

After some paint, some .030” shims for the rear wheels, a tooth pick and GreenStuffWorld chrome for the lug nuts and center of the wheels.

Anybody know what brand and style these wheels are? Also, what model kit or aftermarket availability in 1/25 scale, of course?

Bent up a roll bar out of 2mm tubing. After some consideration, decided to go “bucks down” on the wheels. Scrounged up some steel wheels and backs to go with the whitewall slicks and front tires. Will paint them semi gloss black.

Again, great job and persistence. Thought you might like some motivation. From the Blast from the Past drag racing group.

Thanks, neighbor. It is a nice kit. A coating of floor wax applied, some less than average black back window marking, and mod podge on the windows. Now, a sneak peek at a future Stock Eliminator build (geez, I wish I could stay focused and finish more builds).