AmericanMuscleFan

Thanks for your kind words Dave! This thing has been on my workspace for so long that I feel like I'm not making a lot of progress... The last few miles are the hardest and I hope I don't get any bad surprises before I cross the finish line! I'm glad to know that my photos and explanations are of some interest, it takes a lot of my time but I'm honored that it is appreciated and highlighted. More pictures to come soon ! Thanks Daniel, You set the bar very high yourself, your work is an inspiration to everyone and I always find great tips in your posts! Your continued support is greatly appreciated my friend! Thanks Sergey! Most of the details of the Lenco shifter and the parachute deployment system will be quite hidden with all the elements in place (seats, roll bar) but I think it was worth doing it just for my personal satisfaction. The cockpit is rather small, fortunately the doors will be open to allow a better view during the shows. I had a lot of fun making the alternator and I'm honored that you like it, I put a lot of effort under the hood, it's often one of the major points of interest but I hope the whole model will be a success... ? Thanks to all of you, Francis

Fantastic job Charlie, the dash is very realistic and the rear suspension is simply work of art my friend !!! ? Winter doesn't want to end here in the north, it snows constantly and the temperatures are nothing like spring. Nevertheless, it's not a bad thing for modelers like me who live north of the border... ?

WOW, great job on the wing and brackets Daniel, this little thing is impressive my friend, you nailed every detail and the pictures speak for themselves! ? Thank you for the pictures of the process, they are very instructive and useful for anyone who would like to try to make one.

Thanks for your superlatives Charlie! I have to say that I am very happy with the color and the general comments about it. It's always hard to choose the best color for a particular subject (at least for me...), sometimes you have to compromise to get the best of both worlds. A light color brings out the details better than a dark color, and since I made a lot of parts, I wanted them to be as visible as possible. The assembly of the back part of the truck has started and I hope to show you some pictures soon, it looks promising... ?

Thanks Tim! I've lost count of the number of times I've changed my mind about the color choice for the truck during the build, but I eventually went back to my first choice to stay true to the spark that led to this project. It would be hard to say that the color is not showy but it has the advantage of bringing out the details but also the flaws... I can't believe that I started this pickup almost 4 years ago, I think in all modesty that my skills have improved since the beginning of this project. The motivation generated by the members and their projects on this forum only adds to the desire and ideas that are germinating in the back of my head... ? Francis Thanks Bob! I moved to the back of the truck and hope to bring you more details in the coming weeks. I hope you'll like what follows as well, my motivation is still present despite the number of hours that have been accumulating since the beginning of the project. At least the pile of parts I made is starting to produce something concrete... ? Francis

Very cool project Todd, the Warren Johnson pro stock was such a cool car, I always liked the stance and color of this drag car. It was still the good old days when cars looked like their original version... Welcome to the forum by the way!

Great build Claude, you have proven time and time again that the theory that nothing is lost everything is created (I may have already used this one...) !!! You start to empty my vocabulary but not my admiration, I hope your wife thinks so too... ? The choice of components also proves your motto "Fun with styrene", that's what I call delivering the goods... ? Is Kings Custom Body a fictitious name? In my opinion, this is a brand that fits you like a glove, my friend. By the way, I see that the green air valves are back... Bravo encore !

Perfect weathering and attention to detail, to be mistaken for the real thing! The patina can produce beautiful things!!! ?

Thanks Ian, I know I can do better so that leaves me room for improvement for my next build... ? Francis Thanks Trevor, I'm not totally satisfied but I'll let the truck live with its little flaws without constantly redoing what I don't like. Hopefully some of the details inside the cab will be barely visible at the very end. I hope that overall the truck will have a lot to offer to those who will take the time to look at it as a model built from scratch... ? Francis

Great work Ian, the FED's are in a class of their own and you are paying a beautiful tribute to this one, no surprise everything comes together with great precision my friend! I can't wait to see the rest! ?

I really like the project and the 3d technique discussed on this thread, this method offers almost infinite possibilities and the contribution of judicious advice from those more advanced in this field can only make this technique more attractive! As we often say, the important thing is to be different and obviously it is!!! Thank you for your good advice gentlemen! ?

Hello everyone, Sorry guys, I was supposed to post these pictures yesterday before I left for the night shift but I ran out of time. Before I moved on to assembling the bed I thought it was time to install the Lenco shifter inside the cabin, I knew I was in for a good challenge, using eyelash clamps to get all the components in place was something that had been bothering me since the first day I decided to make the cabin with the glued down floor in place. Let's just say that to a certain extent, I felt a bit like I was putting together a sailboat in a bottle... Before assembling the shifter, I decided to redo the levers because my first design was not correct and I was able to find a better reference to make them more realistic even if they won't be very visible once installed. I also installed the parachute release system, I included a picture of what I had taken as a model, the support will probably not be visible with the seats in place, to follow... The interior assembly is by far my least favorite part, I saved it for the end, usually we do the opposite and save the best for the end but in this context, I don't see how I could have done otherwise... I'm now going to focus on the back of the truck, I'll get back to you later with some pictures of my progress. See you later, Francis New shifter levers in progress. Almost finished... This shape is closer to the real ones. View from the driver side. View from the passenger side. The model I was inspired by.

Thanks Sir! Now imagine the size of my passport, the customs officer will need a magnifying glass... ? Thanks Ian! I'm going to be a bit of a killjoy but I'm pretty worried these days, our good old earth isn't doing well and it puts a lot of things in context... however, I'm quite happy to know that my humble work can put a smile on anyone's face! Thanks Tim, You yourself have inspired me a lot and I am still learning from your amazing skills, this is in my opinion one of the good reasons why this forum is so relevant, everyone finds something to learn no matter what their skill level. Your kind words are very much appreciated sir, your knowledge and persistence motivate me a lot!

I will have to renew my passport... ?

Don't go too fast my friend, I have to finish it before I think of exposing it... As for the commotion, considering the quality and diversity of the offer I can see on the site, I think our neighbors will be rather well served! Thank you by the way Claude, coming from an artist like you, it's all the more surprising, you yourself have caused your share of commotion in the last year! ? Francis

Thanks Ron! I agree, some colors, especially the lighter ones, are better choices to bring out the details and this lime green is also a "racing" color that is appropriate for this subject. A lot of these trucks were originally green and I think the shade I chose suits it pretty well without distorting it too much... Francis

WOW Ian !!! This is great art my friend, I don't see any hammer marks or stress on the aluminum. Did you use standard epoxy or special glue to join the different parts together? By the way, the oil filter color is a perfect match, not many people would have taken the time to do this! ?

Thanks Andrew, I like them a lot, the effect is quite great, it looks like an artist who made watercolors of them. It's amazing what you can do with these apps. ?

Thanks Scott ! Thanks Brad ! Thanks Trevor ! Thanks Jim ! Thanks Ian ! Thanks Andy ! Thanks JC ! Thanks Edgar ! Sorry for the long delay in answering you, my work has not allowed me to connect to the forum since Wednesday. I want to thank you all for your kind words and encouragement, you are helping in your own way to confirm my commitment to finish this project. I have probably mentioned it before but you are the fuel for my own tank, the motivation is always there but your comments can only keep it at its peak! Francis

WOW !!! This is absolutely gorgeous Brian, I think I should spend less time on my personal project and come check out the high quality work going on in the other categories.... I missed your whole thread but I can admire the finished product. ? Another success, there is something about your builds that make them so real, it must be called determination and talent!!! ?

Hello everyone, This is what I could call a milestone in the build, the engine compartment is 99% complete, I only have minor details to add but overall, I can say mission accomplished !!! Everything fit as planned and I can now move on to the bed and all the elements I made to fit in it. I don't know how many times I assembled and disassembled the bed before painting it so it should be fine... I don't have much comment to add to explain the pictures, I think that as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, I hope you'll like it, on my side I'm quite satisfied ! See you soon, Francis I still need to install the brake lines on the master cylinder and on the brake line lock selenoid. View from another angle, It gives you a good idea but in all modesty, I must say that it is even better in real life.

Thanks James, I put all this to work and the photos will follow shortly.

Thanks Claude! You are a true NHRA encyclopedia my friend... I'm going to have to redo my homework on my next project or keep you in my closet for your knowledge with every piece produced! Alright, I'll buy your silence and the burger will be on my arm. Actually I win on all counts, I go under the radar and eat a good burger in good company... ? Francis

WOW !!! Great replica Ron, the dash is superb and a perfect match of your real truck ! ?

I love the Coke can Daniel, it's cool... no it's hot... ? The wing is very nice and well made as are all the elements of this build! Your perseverance is paying off !!! ?