AmericanMuscleFan

Thanks Ian! This is a small set of Swiss pattern needle files that I bought a long time ago at a local flea market but can be found easily on the internet. Several sizes are available but mines are about 4 in. long with 12 different shapes. Very useful traditional tools for old timers like me... ? Of course, I used them to finish the outside shapes of the letters because the openings were made with the end mill or the drill bit. Hope this helpful, Francis

The aluminum belly pan looks promising Daniel, it's the perfect material for that part, let your magic work!!! I like to see the oil pan protruding under the body, I think it gives a performance look to any vehicle! ?

Thanks Dave! Still a long way to go, more details to come sooner or later... Thank you all for your great patience!!! Francis

Thanks Claude! Good pun as you got me used to for a long time my friend! I would have had a lot more trouble if I had done the Canadian version "FARGO". Let say that I "dodged" the problem... ? Francis

Thanks for your generous comment my friend! You have no idea how important it is to have the support of people like you in this kind of long-term project! I'm building it for myself of course, but if the quality of what I'm doing is improving, it's because of you all! ? Francis

Thanks Daniel, I am very honored by your kind comment my friend, however I think this kind of detail seems harder to do than it actually is! It's more a work of patience than anything else! Francis

Thanks Marcos, I had been thinking about it for a long time but I didn't think I could do it. You should never despair, even if it doesn't work the first time, the effort is usually rewarded... ? Francis

Thanks Tim, luckily the letters are larger than today's standards, I'll have to think about 3D printing soon... I just stepped into the dark side but I'm back! ? Francis

Thanks Jim! This project is a great source of motivation but I think I've reached my limit... who knows? Francis

I really like your wheels Tim, they fit so well on this beautiful little body! ? Your subject already makes me want to think about my next project... I don't have to burn out but I love those good old Pro Stock! ?

Hello everyone, I haven't been generous lately with updates because bench time is pretty limited with the great season that's settled in. Since I made the hood, I had in mind to reproduce the DODGE lettering on it but I couldn't figure out how to do it. My first idea was to make them out of aluminum but since most of the finishing had to be done by hand, styrene turned out to be the best option. It took me a while but with a lot of elbow grease and patience, I think the final product is pretty acceptable. This lettering is very distinctive and it was not an option for me not to at least try to reproduce them. I hope you like them, I'll either use Bare Metal or I'll paint them with Molotow (or Alclad) at the very end. I will continue to work on the project during rainy or too hot and humid days by taking refuge in the basement where my workshop is installed. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Take care, Francis I started by making a rough drawing of the lettering on a piece of styrene. I used a 0.020" end mill and 0.013" drill bit for the first operations. I then separated each letter with a saw and finished the shape with a small file. Note the curvature on the back of the letter to fit the front shape of the hood. All letters almost finished. I glued the letters to the hood and will sand them down to make them look as close to the real ones as possible.

WOW!!! This is a very interesting project Ian, you have already proven yourself to be a very talented builder so I have no doubt you will succeed with this one. The pictures you have posted so far speak for themselves! ?

The comments can only be positive Daniel, this is great work on the whole steering and front suspension. I admire your resourcefulness my friend!!! ?

Thanks Dennis! Things have been slow lately, but I still hope to bring you some updates from time to time during the nice season. Francis

Thanks for the kind words Andrew! As for many builders I started out using simple tools like a small Dremel or a hand drill kit, machining came later after reading some articles by Angie Hiscano. This site is a great source of motivation for me, I'm here to learn and share and the great openness of this pioneer has done its job. I hope, in my own way, to perpetuate some of the wonder he brought to my favorite hobby! Thank you for that Angie Hiscano!!! For the GSL, don't be worried, I'm rather couch potato! ? Francis

It's called getting it right the first time Lorne! You have talent my friend, it is beautiful! The year 1964 is a good one for pickup trucks, I must have a weakness for that time... ?

A little longer than the other one but just a little more to love! The color is stunning and the construction work is masterful. What can I say, you got the business as we say in our part of the world. My hat is off to you my friend!!! Von einem fernen Bewunderer ?

This is great art my friend! Believe me, your hands are incredible and we have the proof with these pictures. Simply one of the best FED realizations I've ever seen. As others have already mentioned, it's as close to the real thing as you can get and that's an unmistakable mark of success! Delicious as you say so well!!! ?

Thanks Ian, things have been going very slowly lately but I have made some progress that I will complete shortly and will post pictures in the next few days. Sorry I don't have more to offer you for the moment, besides my work, I have to put my priorities on what can't wait, nature is in full explosion... Francis

Thanks Mike! I haven't made much progress lately, with spring chores unfortunately taking priority over my favorite hobby. I hope to be able to show you a few things sooner or later as the outdoor chores are going well with the warm temperatures of May. I hope to see you soon on the forum, your work is always inspiring my friend! Francis

Beautiful build Brian, despite the fact that it is an old '68 it will still provide years of good and loyal service to the next owner, it is obvious that it has been very well maintained! These old work horses are unstoppable!!! ?

Great work (as usual...) Daniel, an ingenious builder like you is never caught off guard! These little PC board bits are so handy and make very straight and precise holes, hard to do without them once you've mastered their strengths and weaknesses... I love the work you did on the direction so far, it's great art my friend! ?

Thanks Brian! Your work inspires me a lot and I must say that I bought my first big truck kit last week since I was a kid thanks to builders like you who never cease to impress me. It won't be for tomorrow but just another project for retirement when free time will be more abundant... ? Francis

Thanks for the compliment Dave! It's a bit embarrassing to say but despite my age (I'm still in my 50's) I'm a bit of a dinosaur, I don't have a smart phone (no cell phone actually...) so no good way to make videos. I'm not at that level in my hobby and I think that adding this part to my projects would only increase the time of realization which I must admit is already very long or slow... I am however quite open to explain how I made any part to anyone who asks for it. Francis

Nice ramp truck John! I'll have to build one of these someday.... This is the perfect base for a drag racing team project, I love it!!! ?