FASTBACK340

What works for me is a plan..... Here I'm laying out the chassis for a Manx drag car. This way I can work off of a blueprint on wheelbase, track, engine/transaxle placement, spring plates, axle beam, etc.... then work in the roll cage. The most exotic tool I own is my Dremel. Mostly hand tools & thinking...

Thanks Mike. I love the way yours looks too! Again, the Safari's are a neat touch! I'll have to steal your idea when I do the 23 window I've got.

Got better pics.... This is the Hasagawa curbside kit. The graphics are from one of the AMT '40 Ford re-issues that happened to match the shade of pink I used for the two-tone. I had made a twin-muffler set of headers that have parted with the bus over the years.... wheels are Detail master bits with body-colored inserts setting them off. Enjoy

Thanks. I really should get a better picture of it.

Andy.... THANKS for posting the tech section from Straight Line Modelers! Awesome stuff in there, especially the step-by-step how-to on making wire wheels. Awesome stuff. I have to check out their site!

That's stunning. You absolutely nailed it....

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Why not just step the hinge mounts like they do on the 1:1 VW's? Propping the leading edge of the engine cover is often necessary for cooling big motors. Them things live because of cool air, and giving it the hood prop would just hint at a bad-ass nature. The overall build is awesome! I have a Ghia kit that has been planned as a VW drag car one day. In a previous life (or so it seems....) when I was in my 20's I had Cal-Look VW's. This build brings me back....

The Safari windows are a nice touch! Very cool build! Here's one I did a while back

Take Rich's explanation and look at the Blue Ferrari Daytona in Jason's post #19 and put this one to bed.

Custom/Restored Tonka's & Buddy L's are another topic unto themselves. And those are way cool too!

Did this idea quietly die?

Well put. I can remember not being too thrilled with die-cast initially, but once the quality & subject matter got up to speed, it's waaaay cool. Plus the aftermarket is starting up too and it must be supported. If you have a pet-project that can be done in metal, give it a shot. I can't wait to see how much fun I can have with it.

What did I get today? Annoyed.... I had an appointment this afternoon that remotely gave the excuse to drive an additional 15 miles (round trip...) out of my way to my LHS for a Manx kit. No stock.... Wife requested a Manx build.... must get one.

A set of 1/18th. wheels from a Die-Cast Porsche look just fine on the Lindberg Chrysler Atlantic. I'm pretty amped on doing the Barracuda.....

Yes it is the Highway 61 piece. It's nicely done. I had someone send me a small block 6 Bbl. from an AAR so I'm on my way... The only downside is on Friday I was installing a valve body in a transmission and it slipped out of my hand and the filter (which has a stamped oil feed opening...) opened up the side of my left hand. I didn't get stitches and now it's still bleeding slightly 3 days later. I'm off to the Doctor in 2 hours to get yelled at, then I get to tell the Boss I might be home a few more days. Too bad the bandage make it hard to build... Let you know when the goodies get here.

While not a fan of drifting either, I am a fan of interesting builds. Great idea! The RHD conversion is a nice touch too. But I have a suggestion: your L/F tire is the only one with the tread in the proper direction. Those tires are directional, meaning they mount in a certain direction, like your L/F is mounted. And even at that, those would be tough tires to break loose. Might want to Google what the drifters run. I could be wrong about the choice you used tho`.... Just my unsolicited .02 Still a neat idea! And I like the color too.

Thx for posting & keeping us in the build!

Congratulations John! Awesome award at an equally awesome venue. What a great job!

I can remember one of those OTHER modeling magazines featuring a die cast Chevelle on the cover. The hood to grill gap was huge, the panel crispness was soft, and the general appearance was of something you'd give a child to grind into the pavement. But these days we have very inexpensive replica's being offered that rival plastic kits as far as detail and panel fit & crispness. Yeah, die cast can be cool. I'm dying to detail something this big! This is what I have so far from a previous attempt at building it... This is the original kit in white. All the trim is photo-etched or separate chromed plastic bits. If I remember right, I just went after it with a bench grinder/wire wheel to remove the paint. I started with a new wheel to prevent any oil/grease from being smeared on the metal. At one time I had it painted the correct L1 Surf Turquoise metallic, but I used some crappy primer/preparation and have to start over.... This should be fun....

Thanks Brian! I really appreciate the compliment on my car and I'm glad it inspired you! As soon as I get all the bit's-n-pieces I must finish my car ASAP!

WAAAAAY COOOOOL! Nice build! As evil handling as they are, ya gotta love a straight-axle car. Nothing else says bad-ass....

Too bad the `68 Barracuda graphic has the incorrect Magnum 500 wheels on it..... but they ARE cool.

Dr. Cranky is interested in UFO's? YEARS ago I knew a guy whom did alien abduction investigations with Bud Hopkins. He also did some limited work with Whitney Schreiber. The stories he had.....

That picture was taken a month before his FIRST DWI in 2006. Later in the year he killed that motorcyclist while drunk. He was sentenced to 6 yrs. What an idiot....