53gmc

Looks good so far!

I actually just finished that show a few weeks ago and thought that was a cool truck, my personal favorite is the cracker box pig-pen lol

The doors suck on those for sure, my kit was missing some hinge parts so i just glued them shut

Thanks!

Moving on to the body, i decided to paint the car toyota "metallic beige tan". A kind of mundane color to help somewhat blend in with traffic. Up front i made a front spoiler from brass. The high rise intake necessitated a cowl hood i left black as a contrast. The rear windows were blacked out to help hide the rollbar and fuel cell. Moving to the rear of the car i fabricated a rear spoiler to hopefully help keep it planted down at high speeds. The black part is tinted plastic, a n auselow bug shield donated its brackets. On the rear bumper i made the plate flip down with the stock tanks fuel cap, but added a secondary plate to fool anyone calling in a wreckless driver. Also added the bumper stickers. The one on the left, an ironic reminder that the cannonball run was being done in the 70s as a protest against the 55 mph speed limit. The one on the right, the reason we are here on this forum. And finally the side exit exhaust tips. I used a pair of short side exit exhaust from the parts box but they didnt reach the edge of the body. So to avoid exaust fumes, i made tips and slash cut them to the body line. Was a fun experience overall and i enjoyed joining in.

Under the hood i added battery terminals, an electric fan, horns, and wiring

Up next was the dash and the equipment to navigate and hopefully out smart the law. Starting with the dash, i ditched the factory gauge cluster with its sweeping speedometer and dummy lights. In its place an aluminum panel housed accurate racing gauges to help monitor the cars vitals. I wanted a dash mounted gps and radar detector, but no one makes one. So i dug into my spare parts and scrap, and made my own. Also added a c/b radio under the dash to communicate with the truckers about any "smokeys" lurking around. On the passenger seat is a laptop that the co-driver could use to hopefully help find any police or traffic issues on the journey. Finally under the dash i mounted toggle switches. Along with hightech modern gadgets, i figured we could use some tricks from the moonshine runner days. 3 of the switches could shut off the brake lights, tail lights, and flip down the rear license plate with a fake plate. The last switch would control the fuel pump to pump from the fuel cell into the cars original tank. Also added a turn signal switch to make everything nice and legal

Now that the drivetrain and chassis was settled i moved on to the interior. I need to figure out a way to get extra fuel capacity. After some trial and error with the fuel cells i had, and studying pictures online of real cannonball run cars, i decided to modify the largest fuel cell i had. I ended up almost doubling its capacity and modified it to saddle the driveline hump in place of the rear seat. Next to refill it, i built the neck to exit out a side window that had a hole cut in it. The kits roll bar was used as well. Next up were the seats. The stock ones were replaced with aftermarket racing seats and i made some 4 point harnesses. I also replaced the kits shifter with a parts box hurst one. Coffee cups litter the front floor as the driver and co-driver fight to stay awake for the journey, also added a "pee" bottle since this car should hopefully stop only three times in its 2777 mile journey for fuel. Also added a fire extinguisher just incase

Decided to enter my first group build this year. I started with an amt '72 nova ss i got for Christmas. I decided to run the small block instead of the 454 with tunnel rams and two four barrel carbs to get some fuel mileage lol. After doing some research on '72 novas, i realized its paltry 190 h.p. wasnt going to cut it for this race. After scrounging around the parts box, i ended up with what i figured would be 400+ h.p. stroker sbc. With aluminum heads, high rise intake, a big carb and headers, and a built th350 trans i figured that rounded out the drivetrain. Next i moved on to the wheels and tires. I ended up running a matching set of deep dish steelies and wide low pro tires for almost an old school nascar/trans am style. Finally i threw on a set of traction bars from the kit.

Thanks! I looked up as many pictures for inspiration on this project

Thank you! It was a fun build

Thank you!

Thank you! I try to pass on what i know to hopefully help others

Finally wrapped this one up. Started with the amt '29 ford kit, i built it to t.r.o.g specs. Using the kits 4 cylinder, i made my own header and intake, used the head and carb from a different kit, and added wiring/ fuel line/ throttle cable. In the interior, i made door panels, wood framing, and seats from a 32 ford phaeton. The roll bar is one i shortened and narrowed, the padding is made from electric shrink wrap. The exterior i cut the fenders, hood sides, and bed floor out. Added real wood to the bed. The paint i started with brown, then dark metallic, red primer, and finally navy blue. I wet sanded through the layers to get the patina look. T.r.o.g rules state no wood spokes or stock model "A" wire wheels, so i used artillery wheels from a '37 ford pickup. Finally the rules state no headlights while racing, so i made them and the top removable.

Got this one wrapped up and ready for the 4 cylinder class. The top and headlights are removable,got the ol' 34 tow truck on stand by just incase

Thank you!

Thanks!

I made the healights removable with tiny rubber lines and added tape to the lens

Finished up the interior with wood. The seats are from the ford phaeton kit. The roll bar is one i shortened and narrowed, the padding is wiring shrink wrap

I bought a grill at a yardsale thats off a wauesha power unit i think

Added a copper fuel line and throttle cable

Started on the paint work and hand lettering

Ive got a dumb question about the windshield and cant find a clear answer. I assume the headlight rule is to prevent broken glass from rocks or whatever from getting all over the beach. Would one need to remove the windshield aswell? Ive gone through a ton of pictures and it seems almost the roadster style vehicles have chopped down pillars or no windshield at all. But all the coupe and sedan styles still have theirs? I got the body painted but not assembled so now would be my chance to chop it if needed

Before it went in for paint, i built some interior door parts.

Yeah the hobby knife has been busy with this one lol. Out of all my pre-war cars, this is the only one were the frame and fenders were molded together. Thats a good tip ?