FASTBACK340

I've been busy, but I have more disgusting, hacked up cars to show you. But first…... As in almost any shop that expects happy customers and repeat business, yes we have several "sit down's" to talk-out the customers vision. And yes, we make recommendations. This is an actual C51 (I believe that was the code….) `69 Camaro Pace Car replica. My Boss spoke with the owner several times about his plan, but the customer signs the checks and we build. This car is making us ALL cringe….. 502 fuel injected big block, automatic overdrive, 4 wheel disc's, suspension, custom gauges, etc….. We also got the engine mounted in the Lincoln and added the big brakes And just to show we're not out to ruin every car on the road by making them safer & more reliable with better fuel economy, here's a testament to restoration insanity. This is that 440-6Bbl. `Cuda I mentioned in a previously post. The undercarriage is nicer that most cars top-side. And BTW: This was a back-halved drag car when found complete with multi-point cage and wheel tubs and my shop brought her back. Take a deep breath gang…. there's millions of Mustangs and Camaro's out there. If one get's dragged off the scrap-pile and get's Hot Rodded, so what? The Camaro Pace car I agree on, it should have been brought back. But then again, the guy who owns the car (and pays the bills……) get's what he wants. Even if it's the culinary equivalent of dipping your Tuna sandwich in Grape Jelly.

Point taken, as things can go to extremes (Wheel size on DONKS…. spoiler size in Imports…… Most rust and garbage welded onto a Rat Rod…..) but listen to yourself. Step back and read what you posted about tire/wheel size. That's what the Greasers said when everyone was bolting Cragers on their cars in the 60's with the tires sticking out way past the fenders. Think THOSE "proportions" looked "right"? I grew up in the era of Hush Thrush mufflers, Gabriel Hi-Jackers, and L-60's on 10" Cragers. Those things handled like a shopping cart! Think the de-cambered Import look is twitchy at speed? Try driving at speed with the tail end of your Chevelle extended to the limit ripping out the upper shock mounts. That's OK….. Todays kids will be talking about Old School resto-mods as him & his buddies are changing the Dilithuim Crystals in his illegally modified G'vernment issued transportation module in the future….

I'm with you Bill. If I was building my Barracuda today it would be a 6.1 Hemi with a Tremec 5 or 6 speed….. 25+ MPG, cruise all day, A/C, P/S, etc…. Don't get me wrong, I love my car the way it is with 3 carbs and manual steering and brakes. It's a muscle car. If I was building it today, it would be a long-distance cruiser. 4:10's and no A/C are rough for long trips. I'm not a kid anymore!

Notice the `50 Olds in the background of the Cougar? No torque thrusts on that. It's not a resto-mod either. It's a kick-your-butt Hot Rod. I just realized, This Sonny Byrant 600+ cube big block is fuel injected…..

GTO has Torques, The Cougar Bullit wheels, the Lincoln stock. What, everything should have Cragers? THE "cop-out" muscle cars wheels….

BTW: I went to a show this past July in Hicksville, Long Island. If the were 300 cars, it seemed line 180 were Mustangs. Out of them about 75 were Red. The only way to stand out in a crowd like that is to set your car on fire. Maybe…. I've gotten to the point where I can appreciate a correct restoration. We have a customer with a V code `70 `Cuda that wanted his turn signal switch replaced because the one in the car was from a different year and the part number tag on the harness was visible under the dash. We also had to replace ONE bumperette bolt because the marking on the head was different from the other 3 (correct) bolts. The incorrect bolt had 3 evenly spaced slashes with an L inside a circle that was a HAIR LARGER in diameter than the others….side by side you would notice it. Again, a different year bolt found it's way on, and he noticed it. Never mind the templates to reproduce undercarriagemarkings when it was restored ….. All versions have their place in the hobby. Variety is key.

Funny how one group of enthusiasts will support building rusty BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH out of booger-welded junk, yet some people will question 4 wheel discs and a Tremec 5 speed in an old GTO. "Back in the day" ( I think it was a Tuesday….) we would yank out a small eight and install the biggest engine we could find. That was Hot Rodding, back in the day. Well, it's TODAY and when a customer walks into my shop, usually they don't want finicky multi-carb intakes and solid lifters and points. They want a reliable-as-gravity cruiser. That's why we do so many LS3 swaps and 4 wheel discs. Here's a `65 Lincoln getting LS3, Air Ride, and big disc's all around. Ever drive a stock `69 GTO with drum brakes and a torquey V-8? This puppy rolls like a a Lexus with a complete CPP suspension, Wilwood 4 wheel discs, and a Tremec 5 speed behind the mildly warmed over 400. And this…. THIS. This is just plain sexy…..

Really? http://www.classicindustries.com/product/mopar/parts/mn1970.html

I sent an e-mail 4 days ago inquiring about parts. Does he always take a while to respond?

Everyone missed the obvious ones. The `55 Chevy when it get's wrecked in American Graffiti, and the Challenger morphing into a Camaro in the original Vanishing Point ending crash. Never mind the Nomad on Home Improvement turing into a 210 wagon as Tim drops the I beam drops across the center of the car…..

I like the hydraulic-operated roof insert…. never seen that before.

That's why you use thin fiberglas matting. Shear and tension strength, besides bonding. That left front corner has broken several times more than likely from a twist-load. I would coat the ENTIRE inside of that nose with fiberglas matting. No offense, but tissue paper I never heard of, nor would I have gone through the trouble of using for strength. _________________________________________________________________________ Tony passed more than 10 years ago (Rich correct me) but what he could do with plastic was amazing… I'm fortunate to have met the man, learned from him, and experienced his work.

Yeah, George and Shawn were the favorites of mine. The minute, trivial details Trosley would add were always entertaining. Sometimes you really had to look for them…..

I typed 7, but yes those are the 8 spoke wheels I need. Thanks for the info on what kit they're in. And I'll drop Bandit a line. Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate the help!

The set I found has 14 holes, I need 7. I know their out there somewhere. My problem now is glass…..

That is absolutely beautiful. I looked at the build sequence posted on your album. Really nice work you did there!

Be careful and use a brushless motor to avoid the risk of spark-ignition of paint fumes. ​With that said, as mentioned many good sources of info all over the web. I bought a Harbor Fright unit years ago and it's OK, but a bit small. I use a dryer vent set-up mounted to a wooden plank I slip in a window to vent. When airbrushing the amount of overspray and fumes (even the "hot" stuff….) is minimal anyway.

Thanks Mark. I figured there was a year-specific reason. I tried to navigate Bandit's site. I got a headache….. Is it me, or are there more dead than working links? I'll contact Modelhaus later today….. As for the wheels, I found a set of the R-M wheels but there's too many holes. I have until April 1st. to get this one in a display case. <sigh…..> This is a bad build season for me.

If I may offer some suggestions for applying BMF without ruining your paint? What I do is run the risk of making a mistake when it doesn't matter. I re-scribe all my panel lines, PLUS I scribe around my trim too. This way there's a neat little channel for your blade to follow after paint. Here you can see the deepened window trim and trunk/tail light trim looking down on the L/R quarter of my Barracuda I also do the vent windows and rocker trim….. After airbrushing on color, you can see how deep the trim separation is, as it should be. After all, it IS a separate piece! Pre-scribing has the advantage that if you DO slip-up, it's much easier to fix before paint. Once that pre-scribe groove is in place, the foiling is actually pretty easy…... Great topic Rich, and hopefully less intimidating for some. ________________________________________________________________________________________ BTW: I use Marco Cruz's panel highlight method on my panel lines AND BMF areas. There should be a slight shadow visible in there too. These are the details that are barely recognizable on their own, but add to the finished product.

I just wanted to make sure the contours will be OK. I can handle the resin and the actual opening. I just don't have the means ( or desire….) to start vacuum forming "glass". I had looked at a few 1:1 reference sites and saw the aftermarket windshields fitting 60-65 too. Just wanted to make sure. For $3.50 I'll roll the dice. Thanks for replying! Now about those wheels and tires…..

I did a build of my `68 Barracuda last winter. Do a search for threads titled My Metal Mistress I know…. it looks "blue" in photos The actual color, which is a %$#@# to photograph correctly. _____________________________________________________________________________ BTW: Take the body, trim, and most of the interior and throw away the rest….. use a Revell Dart (after shortening the chassis) and you'll have a really nice basis for an nice Barracuda. The AMT Duster has a nice small block, or you can go the Ross Gibson route like I did. Harts Parts makes those hood scoops, but the slightly longer B body version. Keith Marks sell beautiful Barracuda decals for all the trim and emblems. You can find him through his FOTKI album under his name. Good luck with your project and please post pictures. I kinda like those old Mopars…..

1) Will a windshield from a `63 Falcon fit a `61? Modelhaus offers a replacement glass set for a `63 Falcon and I need "glass" for a resin `61 I picked up….. 2) What kit has these wheels? I need a scale set in 15" X 6" and 15" X 10"…… with tires for those rears. See where I'm going with this? Any help would be appreciated!

No more costly than other resin engines on the market. Don't know what I'd jam it in, but possession is key. That would look insane in a stretched belly tanker. ------------------------------------------------------- After a GOOGLE search, or a T bucket…….

X2…..

Tim…Tim….Tim…….. I've mentioned this in the past during the Hemi-Cuda intro, I'll say it again now. Must be tough sitting on good news! An epic release drops, and your posts are so matter-of-fact about waiting on the official intro to talk about it. I wonder how far into the future does your crystal ball go? All kidding aside, me & Tim have been cyber-pals for a long time and I truly appreciate his drive and dedication to the hobby. Thanks for being there for all of us!