FASTBACK340

And with the blizzard that's being predicted for Long Island I'll have plenty of bench time this week!

Yeah, you need the diodes for sure, but I haven't tested the tail light resistor needed. I had used prototype board for the initial one, but what a PIA it was to trim. I'm going with the hi-temp ABS and mounting the LED's directly to it. Infiniti does it that way on the FX-35 without issue. The tail lights on '68 Barracuda's are so small they need to be bright. These will fix that. The reverse lights suck too so I'm upgrading them too. Add in I'm upgrading to rear discs and a Corvette master cylinder, line loc, and H-4 headlights and it's all safety goodies this winter.

They are so awkward that they are cool. That `59 Olds is so stuck in my head…. I know I have a `59 Pontiac stashed somewhere with no windshield frame. Maybe, just maybe…..

To give you an idea of how long this has been sitting I named it 2K'tona. Unfortunately, if I finish it sometime this year it will only be 15 years behind schedule.

Yeah…. the `59 Buick on the pick-up is cool, but no-where near as cool as the unfinished Olds!

I've started to wander down that road myself and stalled…... Narrowed & pie-cut `69 Daytona with a rear mounted 12 cylinder overhead cam Hemi. And the engine

Did you start out with white or red LED bulbs? I'm using the white bulbs for the reverse lights and red for the tail lights. Also what size bulbs? My first test shot I made used 68 5mm bulbs that was like staring into the sun. Now I'm using 48 3mm bulbs for the tail lights. And are these combination brake/tail lights? If so, what dropping resistor size did you use on the tail light side? Just curious!

What I'm building fits inside the weather-proof assembly and will have bayonet base leads to plug into the factory sockets. The first prototype I built was way-over engineered. Calculating forward voltage times bulbs and milliamperes draw and wiring resistors. Instead I found pre-assembled LED bulbs with resistors already soldered and shrink-wrapped together. Just wire them in parallel and be done. No calculating forward voltage or packaging resistors. And as far as "conformal coating" I'm just replacing a fragile glass bulb and thin filament with a cool running, efficient, BRIGHTER light source that doesn't compromise the original lenses optic or reflectorized qualities. Plus it last longer. Not too worried about it. Besides, I'm just doing this for me and so far 2 friends (another '68 'Cuda and a '64 Savoy) Although there IS a market for '68 'Cuda's

Thanks for the encouragement. Been a bad build season for me so far. I've been so busy with 1:1 stuff I'm neglecting the little ones. Bad weather headed this way. Looks like I'll have a snow day or two to build.....

Ron made a very valid point. A friend of mine had a stroke and it took him a while to get back in the groove. Some people are not so fortunate…… but still participate because they love it. And yes, doesn't matter if it's a modeler, musician, manager, or spouse. Some people just have a knack for good intentions but poor judgement and may go about it wrong. BTW: I saved your Artistic License certificate Kevin. THAT'S getting edited and is going up in the garage. You wouldn't believe the "nit'pickers" in the Mopar hobby!

Wow…. whatta color! And great finish too!

Trust is the hard part. I tell my customers all the time that I'm a consumer too and have to rely on others for their services. Roofer, plumber, concrete, etc. I have to trust too. While my shop's services aren't cheap, we treat our customers cars like our own. Believe me, I see what goes on and it's night & day from the Stealerships…….

After the `68 Barracuda, these are my second favorite Mopar body style! Like whats planned and will be watching!

Nice job under the hood Albert!

So I'm in the middle of designing and assembling a set of LED taillights for my 1:1 Barracuda. I had to make mounting bases for the LED's so I bought sheets of hi-temp ABS plastic sheet. I mounted my 1/8 straight router bit and went to town. Here's the preliminary bases. Once I drill the mounting holes for the bulbs I'll shoot it with ALCLAD to chrome the backing, and seal it. The LED bulbs operate at like 91 degrees.. doubt heat will be an issue. The difference in brightness is amazing.. Here's my prototype set wired up And LED reverse lights.. After doing some research I can't believe how simple it is to do. If anyone is interested shoot me a PM. But what I learned today was that you CAN cut sheets of plastic on a table router almost exactly to size. Being a model builder definitely gives me an edge do this. I have to make a set for my buddy's `64 Savoy next. THIS is the kind of stuff that kills my model building time. Plus I'm restoring a set of grilles in the garage, plus I'm gathering parts for next season.. It never ends.

Understatement of the week! He certainly does do well!

So after letting it ferment for a year, I started assembling the chassis and suspension tonight. I have a busy day tomorrow, but I'm going to try and get the body ready for paint. Not much left…… shame to let it rot in the box.

Yeah, I see some interesting stuff through my job. Most of it is good looking. Some…..

Challenger is coming along real nice Joe. But I noticed something funny: Your screen name refers to FORD Your signature refers to GM And your building a MOPAR Love it !

Thanks for the update!

It actually looked like large-scale BMF!

They were either about to, or just did a photo shoot. Because we're neighbors he let me in to snap a few pix. Yes, it's stunning. And yes, it's no where NEAR my taste either. Beautifully ugly?

Spotted this in a neighboring shop near work. Awesome……... Ummmm…..yeah.

The opening scene with the car chained down smoking the tires and he releases the chains… NICE!

We have 1 or 2 "mistakes" in our shop now….. We're not turning Hemi cars in demo-derby pieces, but some modifications people request make us question their judgement too. But no matter what is requested, we try and do a nice job. We might be snickering…. but we still give it all.