AmericanMuscleFan

Great work Ismael, your project is obviously not from the same era as my usual builds but your methods and skills are evident, the detail work you have done so far on the engine is impressive, I really like what I see! 👌

Thanks Rich, The terminals may be a bit far-fetched as they say, but I've already tried to improve the realism of the photo-etched ones (which are also superb details), but I couldn't resist!😉 Glad to know you like them! Thanks Pierre, I see that you are not only a great modeler but also a friendly and talented man with a great imagination, it is reflected in what you do, your pen is not bad either as I can see! 😁 Thanks Brian, you know how it is, a lot of these things will barely be visible on the final product. That's kind of the reason for this WIP thread, I myself find things I didn't remember making when I look at one of my completed models after a while... 🙄 Thanks Robert, I would have needed to make a cut at the end so that the bolt could close the terminal (simulate...) but I didn't have a cutting tool thin enough. You have to know where to stop and my tool kit brought me back to reality! Thanks Bob, If you come back in a few weeks, I will hopefully be starting the long process of machining the powertrain. I can't wait to get started; it's one of my favorite parts of the project. 😊 Thanks again everyone, Francis

Thanks Trevor, I know (if I remember correctly) that you have a soft spot for machined parts. I hope to be able to start machining the engine block before the summer season arrives, the months fly by like weeks... 🙄 Francis

You can be proud Daniel this is a gorgeous build, you put so much love, care and dedication into this build, it's certainly one of you best achievements! I think you could have added a few more pictures of the engine bay view as you worked so hard and the engine looks absolutely beautiful. We all know that photos can't do justice to all this work, but the WIP thread will remain a reference for anyone who wants to see all the elbow grease you put into this project. Hats off to you, my friend! 🎩

Hello everyone, I've spent the last few days working on the battery tray and female terminals, this is a first for these and I'm quite happy with the result as the photo-etched ones are a bit too thin to say the least. I again used reference photos found on the web (model sold specially for this brand of battery) for the battery tray fabrication knowing that the tray must be secured (bolted) to the trunk floor to be legal for drag racing (no "J" rods allowed according to the NHRA rule book if I read correctly). The fuel cell remains to be fabricated as a significant part (before moving on to the engine), which is what I will do in the next few days that will be available to me for the hobby. Questions and comments are welcome if you have any. Francis The target (or something like that...) The base at early stage in the rotary table. I opened the bottom and drilled holes for the installation. The top support at early stage in the rotary table. The final part. I decided to not make the openings to keep it more rigid. Tailor made to fit the Optima battery I made last week. I added small bolts to simulate the bracket installation. One of the female terminal in the milling chuck. After a bit of finishing, I mocked up the clamping bolt and provided a hole to insert the cable. I think they will be more realistic than the photo-etched ones. One done, another to go. To give you an idea of the finished product.

I can't wait to see the final shots of this superb build. This one alone is already promising! 👍

Great work Tim, I know your original plan was to display the components separately from the body shell and these awesome titanium brackets confirm your intentions. It will be spectacular to say the least! Hope you will recover soon to continue to amaze us! 👌

This is not the end but the beginning of something else, beautiful things I am sure, you have accustomed us to that my friend! I will now go admire and comment on the fruit of your excellent work! 😊

Just a thought about the difficulty or small problems you encounter with the fitting of the parts, do not forget that the precision required is at the factor of 25x due to the 1/25 scale (I may have already mentioned it to you, I sometimes repeat myself...🙄). Like you, I am a detail freak and there is a price to pay for this but in the end, the satisfaction is great and you give us a great show during this time!

More great details you've added Brian, your long to-do list keeps our fun going! 😊

You're absolutely right Daniel, it looks like a race car 👍, on the street it would be a police magnet here on the other side of the border but I know it's more permissive on Uncle Sam's side! 😁 You're about to cross the finish line with this one but I'm sure you haven't said your last word, such nimble hands must be put to use!

You are the best with interiors Steve, they are always clean, well put together, whatever your color choices, it is always tasteful and out of the ordinary! 👌

Thanks Brian, I will have even smaller things and details to make when I get to the engine accessories. It's certain that including an element of everyday life (like my fingers 😁) helps to give a good idea of the real size of the finished product. By the way, there are artists on this forum who do much smaller things than me! 😉 Thanks Robert, I tried to keep them as thin as possible, but I think they will be sturdy enough to do the job. Thanks Rich, As with the Smarties, I saved the best for last. I hope to start machining the engine block soon. Come by from time to time. I hope to continue for a few more weeks before the nice weather forces me to close up shop... Thanks Tim, your comments are always very appreciated, and I hope that your latest mishap won't deprive us for too long of updates to the little gems you make. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, you have to give your body time to heal, your project will be waiting for you and so will we! 😉 Thanks again to everyone who took the time to visit and comment, your support is priceless! Francis

Very sad news about your recent bicep injury Tim, I have to say this isn't your best picture, at least it's not my favorite of all...! I hope, like all of us, that you recover soon and can quickly return to your normal activities. The titanium bracket you machined is fantastic as is the case for the Lenco, it is the work of a great master! 👌

Hello everyone, I haven't had much time at the workbench last weekend, but I was still able to make a few detail parts before venturing into more complex machining parts (the engine). To complete the cooling system I made a small overflow tank, I found this picture of a nice Moroso tank which I thought would make a good companion to the radiator. Also, I made an Optima battery, I used gray styrene from an old MPC kit and a piece of yellow styrene of the perfect color that also came from the leftovers of a kit for the fabrication, it saves me from painting and I think the color is rather realistic. I still have to make the battery tray and female terminals to complete the assembly. See you next week with more fabrication. Francis The target. I started by machining the neck on the lathe and then on the milling machine to machine the tank itself. I drilled holes for the mounting tabs. I made 45 degree bevel cuts on the corners to make them look more rounded. Not the most difficult part to make but I like it! I drilled a hole on the side like the target and on the neck for the hose that connects to the radiator (not visible in the photo, it's on the right side, sorry). The newest addition next to the radiator. I started the Optima battery by gluing together several flat pieces of gray styrene and half-round pieces salvaged from the frame that held parts from an old MPC kit. View from a different angle. The main body after some filing and sanding. You can see that my fingers get less dirty when sanding styrene than aluminum. 😁 In the milling vise to add some details on the base and making vertical grooves on the sides. I machined male terminals from aluminum, I had no lead...😁 Another fairly simple but rather fun piece to make.

Great project Charlie, it must be fun for you to come back to a Styrene body after all the hard work you did on all the brass panels of the Bugatti. The wheels look great by the way, if I remember correctly you mentioned 1/16 scale for your next project in another of your threads, is that the case?

It would be difficult to say otherwise! 😁 Amazing job Tim but you torture me a little...! As for media blasting, I'm looking forward to seeing how much abrasive it takes to treat a part the size of your Lenco?

Thanks Scott! Actually, I saw the Polara '69 2dr kit (3D printed) on eBay (there are 2 or 3 different sellers) and I was wondering what the rendering and overall quality of the product was. Keep us informed of your impressions, it's good to have feedback from those who have the real object in their hands. 👍 By the way, I like projects that are different from what is very common, your '62 International certainly makes it a rare bird! 😊

Very nice Scott, did you have to do a lot of sanding on the body before painting it? There are so many interesting projects that are 3D printed.

Superb job Sir, the weathering is spectacular and very convincing, the photos are easy to mistake for those of a real truck! 👍

It just makes the final product more beautiful, it really is superb and each word is well weighed, we can see the love you put into it, I take my hat off to you! 👍

No need to apologize Daniel, It doesn't work like that between friends! 😉

This is another superb piece Tim, you never disappoint my friend, everything is always so well planned and executed. I recently purchased (haven't received yet) a sandblasting kit, mostly out of curiosity but what I see convinces me to give it a try. I hadn't yet determined the type of transmission for my current project but you just put some wood in my stove. 😊 By the way, I just got up because I work nights this week and I feel like I'm still dreaming a little!

The wonder and demonstration of your great talent continues inside the cabin, there is not a part of this project that is safe from your expert hands, a pleasure to follow!

Thanks Charlie,it's mutual, I'm always amazed by your talent and your know-how, each time I visit your threads I delight in seeing everything you make! Getting old is a bit like good wine when your health and cognitive side are still there, I think this wonderful hobby can only help in this sense! Francis