AmericanMuscleFan

Thanks Daniel! The milling machine is my favorite tool and I'm always amazed at what you can do with it, despite its price, it's the best investment I've made. Francis

Thanks Edgar! I could have used the same method as you, but I thought it was worth a try with the milling machine. The biggest challenge I faced was holding the floor pan in place without damaging it and getting the perfect alignment. Francis

The stance is perfect Ian, this thing looks mean! ?

You bet! I love them too! ?

Hello guys, As planned, I spent time on the bench over the weekend working on the floor pan and made frame rail connectors for the Demon. I don't know why I never thought of doing this before, yet I don't know how many pictures in magazines or on the web I have seen where these were installed under Mopars of this generation. I find that it adds a lot to the drag racing soul that I want to implement in this project. I proceeded in the same way as many pictures I found on the internet where the floor had been cut and the rails were welded all around in order to reinforce the structure of the car. You will understand when you see the way I did it that I had to do this operation before doing the transmission tunnel which would have caused me problems to mount the floor pan on my milling machine. I really like them and I consider them a success considering it's a first for me. I am now working on the transmission tunnel and the firewall, this will probably be the subject of my next update. Your comments are welcome. Francis Flooring on the milling table for the operation, I made the cuts the same width as the styrene pieces to avoid unsightly gaps. I added flat strips where they meet the rear frame rails to simulate reinforcement plates. From a different angle.

Well Roger, despite the problem with the decals I'm glad to see that you are continuing the build of the Hornet because it's really a rare and interesting subject.

Great job as usual Daniel ! Good trick but I didn't know about aluminum armature wire, do you find any advantages (besides price?) to using this material instead of K&S or Albion aluminum tubes? With all due respect, I don't want to answer Ian's question about the resistance welder for you, but for me, one of the main advantages is the fact that you can weld small parts close together without the adjacent welds coming apart from the heat generated by a soldering iron or torch. The price of the unit and accessories is a disadvantage unless you are patient and wait to find a bargain on an online auction like I did.

Superb build Claude! I know it's always a great pleasure to get your hands on a rare kit sold at a model show, but it's even more satisfying when you can put it together and make a great representation of our vision. The funny cars have changed a lot over the years but despite their incredible gain in power I find that they have lost a lot of their personality and heritage from their original bodies. Every year, when I go to the NHRA in New England, some of these old FC's are on display at the start of the track and they attract a lot of attention from the fans which makes me think that I'm not the only one who likes them! Well played again my friend, the year is off to a good start and you are a big part of it! ?

Superb job Art! You do honor to your reputation of great modeler, excellent choice of color, beautiful details all around and impeccable quality of assembly. All that it is necessary to generate good discussions between enthusiasts during your next exhibition. I love it! ?

Thanks Roger! The work on the base is not especially exciting but unavoidable, I have high expectations for this project and I hope you will also like the next updates. Francis

WOW Steve!!! What an awesome project and my apologies by the way for being so late to the party. As others have mentioned, I really enjoy watching you work your magic on this precious Jo-Han kit. A wise modeler once told me one day that a kit, no matter what its market value, will be even more valuable when finished if it is assembled with care. I love your vision and I know that we are embarking on a project of great interest that will lead to another success story. The body is a good canvas, the chosen color is superb and your hands will do the rest, I'm in, my friend! ?

Huum! It's great Jason, it's promising. The rims fit perfectly with this little truck and the color is perfect! ?

Thanks Marcos, the best is yet to come and I intend to improve the techniques I used for the pickup. I still have a lot of work to do but every day spent tinkering with this thing is pure pleasure! I wish I had more free time but there are priorities in life, the hobby must remain a hobby. Francis

Nice work Daniel, your threads are always a source of smart building ideas and this one is no exception, the brackets are another good example! ?

WOW Claude! I just found your latest opus and you don't disappoint as usual. There is no limit to your imagination and your skills are at the level needed to create such incredible vehicles. I feel like I'm back in the sixties watching a car magazine where they make predictions about the cars of the future. I haven't seen any of your construction for a while but you give a great shot! You're going to have a lot of time to spend responding to all these well-deserved rave comments! As long as it doesn't keep you off the bench for too long, the fruits of your labor are the fuel that keep this hobby alive. Impressive my friend!!! ?

Thanks Ian, there is a material for every situation and Styrene is certainly one of the most versatile. When it is coated with paint, no one will be able to tell the difference except for the thickness which would be visible if the body is exposed separately. Francis Thanks Daniel, my father was a great carpenter (to follow up on Ian's comment about wood) and I saw him use this technique for making furniture when I was a kid. Our memory also keeps useful ones that follow us throughout our lives, sometimes we just need to adapt them and that's a bit the case here! Francis

Hello everyone, Enough about my appliance problems, it's time to spend a few hours on this build and get the project moving, there's a lot to do. I fine-tuned the wheel tubs to fit inside the body and installed the new rear frame rails on the floor pan. In addition, I have provided a specific space in the rear trunk for a fuel cell because the OEM gas tank will not be reinstalled. I drilled the holes in the frame for the leaf spring anchors and more improvements will be made as I go through the build. I also replaced the front cross frame piece and all the rest of the front frame section will be replaced later with custom ones. I plan to integrate frame rail connectors and that will probably be the next step in this build. See you later with more progress, Francis The trunk floor has been redone and the wheel tubs have been adjusted to fit the interior of the body. The back frame rails are installed and I made a recess on the trunk floor for the fuel cell. I added several half round pieces to simulate embossing.

Nice job so far on the wheelie bars Ian! Your jig may be simple but you took the time to make one, something I need to take note of for my own build. I plan on doing a brass frame one of these days as I love this type of Top Sportsman car too much and this type of jig seems to be a must.

That's right Marcos and I forgot to mention that I use liquid glue like Tenax or Bondene but go easy on that stuff because it tends to distort the styrene when you put too much on. Note: Do not breathe the fumes because they are harmful and cause brain damage like the ones I have... ?

Great job Daniel! As Ian mentioned, most builders would have considered taking the next step, but your obsession with always wanting to do better (and you just did it again) is a pure pleasure to see. ?

Great work on the 4-Link Ron. Your solution for the rod ends is excellent and the pictures speak for themselves! ?

Thanks Marcos, I found that gluing two thinner sheets together helps keep the round shape instead of trying to use one thicker piece. Many dip the styrene piece in very hot water to soften it but I never got the results I wanted so I came to the layering technique. Francis

Thank you for your understanding and your appreciation of my work Joe! Yesterday, it was the water heater that started leaking on the floor. Fortunately, it's on the cement floor of the basement and there is no damage, but I still have a little more work to do... ? Francis

Great work Ian, I love your project my friend !

Your Fairmont looks great Anthony! ? I love the Pro Stocks from that time when the cars still looked like their original versions and all the Detroit manufacturers were represented!