torinobradley

It's good to see those parts (wheels) actually going to use. They were just going to take up space in my parts boxes as I probably would never use em. I have lots of parts like that. Novadose, if you don't wanna let go of your originals, I think I have a set or two to share.

And I have a garage sale find Muscle Machine woody that might get sacraficed to the 1/12th scale gods... Thanks so much for the tip. Will have to let you all know how it goes.

Would anyone know where to get a nice set of big pro street tires for 1/12th scale? I wanted to do a ProStreet 69 Camaro with a blown big block hanging out the hood. It just wouldn't look right with those mickey mouse slicks included with the base kits. RC Car tires are about the size but are made for scale traction, not scale looks. Has anyone looked at the wheelies toy wheels to see if they are the right size?

That's one mean looking motor in an intimidating ride. Way to go! Just imagine that thing facing off with one of these little tuners with 1/4 the motor...

It boggles the mind to think of all the things done to create horsepower and/or economy. Granatelli (I think) had a 500+ horsepower 4 banger Fiero that got some ungodly mileage too, if I remember right. Fords GT90 had a V12 that was 2 of their V6s welded together, I remember something about 2 V8s in a dragster that were meshed at the flywheel so one had to be configured to run backwards. And there is the whole reverse head flow thing where the intake comes in the sides and exaust out the top of the motor... I am sure every one of us recalls some wierd setup or configuration looking for speed or economy (or both)...

The difference was that Ford actually went into production with their 427 SOHC. Though it didn't come in any production vehicles, you could buy it from the Parts Counter and slap it in whatever you wanted. Lots of em ended up in the gassers and drag cars of the day. There is even now, conversion kits for real 427s to SOHC, gear drives and all the other goodies. But, alas, NASCAR said "no way" and that was that. Imagine if NASCAR had not started to limit engines, speed and other factors in the races... Twin engined 3000hp cars hitting well over 300 on 80 degree banked curves and accidents taking out whole sections of spectators... Okay, maybe not...

I cut the sides off and make a montage of the box tops and instruction sheets on any available wall space in my hobby room. Looks really cool and doesn't take that much room since it's on the wall. That, and I get to look at them and remember the build. Actually, on some of them, the box is all I have left as the kits have long ago vanished to little brothers and lost friends...

Considering the time it took to build that kit, it looks awesome! I had one of the same kits that was going to be a project like the one you described. I had planned to make mine an interesting showpiece. I was going to paint it in a unique camo scheme that incorporated the rebel bird insignia on the sides, very large, and 'blended' with the camo paint. Also was going to have wear and tear, patched panels that didn't match the camo (maybe even an off white one as if off Hoth), missing panels, applied camo (netting, branches and brush) and some minor damage they hadn't gotten around to repairing yet. My thoughts were of a low buck and ill funded rebellion cobbling these things together just enough to get em back into battle. Like the WWII planes with shiny panels on olive drab planes thing.... Oh, and maybe some modifications and customization here and there like brush guards and cable rippers on the feet and legs to thwart those trip wires, deflector plates on joints and gun hardpoints, a painted flying tiger mouth and attached teeth/fangs where the gun sits along with maybe some crazy eyes on the front (those stormtroopers would be stormpoopers seeing that giant ugly beast coming at em with the big ugly eyes and spitting lasers out it's mouth). Good luck with the build and I hope to see it here in one of the forums, whichever way you choose to build it. If not, just drop us a note so we can follow it along. Happy building!

What I did on my '34 pickup, after I shortened the bed to just after the axle, was cut the floor loose from the box to raise the floor of the bed and that allows it to slip over the frame. That way, my quick change and suspension is shown off and the truck looks just plain mean. Maybe someday, I will even get this one finished...

Just wondering if there is still a car model following here in San Antonio or am I the last one... I know there used to be the STAM- South Texas Auto Modelers and there is the Alamo Squadron of IPMS but can't find a current car modeling group or club here. I don't mind IPMS but seems to be a lot of planes, tanks and figures to wade through for a couple of cars...hehe Is there anybody out there? (Sorry, Pink Floyd was just on the radio) Alone in Antone

I am anxious to see where this build goes. I have an Allison motor and am just itching to make a severe land speed car by slamming it in a little chopped and lengthend '34 ford. Though it would be a long car... That, or some type of take off of Foose's P-32 with a longer hood and eight exaust pipes out each side of the hood. Ah well, got to get the move out of the way and I want to finish a few projects before I start ANOTHER one.

Well, the first thing is to look at the induction system it has now. From what I can see in the pictures the intake is the one on top but I cannot discern if it is separate from the exaust manifold. The intake ports look to be siamesed (one port on the head for each two cylinders). If the intake manifolds are separate pieces, you can just cut the carb junction out (cut out the section between the two center-most intake ports) and graft on the webber sidedrafts. It would be up to you to know just how detailed and elaborate you want to make them. If they are molded with the exaust manifolds, you can still just cut out the carb junction and create a flat place to mount the webbers on either side of the original carb mount and in between the two ports on each end. There may be someone more familiar with this kit motor that would have a bit more advice on how to do this. You may also be able to create them out of solder or scrap/tube plastic that would be a more direct port (if they are siamesed) and then create some nice and twisty exaust headers out of solder. Using the original manifolds as placement guides to drill holes and run tubing. This method would be much more work but the finished product would look pretty darn cool. Shoot me a personal e-mail if you still have questions and maybe we can talk more. torinobradley@yahoo.com.

I am always looking for goodies from everywhere. In addition to the pens, toothpicks, electronic parts and the like, I pretty much collect almost everything. Lighters are a great source of various springs, tubes, o-rings and assorted gadgets. Some care must be taken when taking them apart. The flint is spring loaded and can take out an eye, not to mention the fact that it contains butane under lots of pressure... Some of the other parts on circut boards look like cool cans or other parts, there are all kinds of nuts and bolts, some small enough to work in models, all kinds of wires, leaders, motor wrap wire, guitar strings, etc... The bubble packs for many of today's products are great for glass and such. Made cone shaped bezels for a 69 Torino with a punch, bubble pack plastic and a candle. I also and a regular searcher of model railroad supplies. Their nut and bolt details are perfect for adding those missing from kits. Not to mention an infinite of other tid-bits of just the right shape or material such as plastic bread ties, wires out of toy packaging, cigar pipe screens, computer parts, copier parts, electronic parts, fishing supplies, solder, aluminum house wire (made a nice set of headers from this and tubing). Parts are where you find em. Just keep your eyes open and they just show up...

Great looking build so far! I like the choice of engine, a lot! I tried responding to this thread on another board but it just so happend to be at about 10am so all the threads got locked when I was mid post. That was the end of that. I had a suggestion regarding the engine. Since the rest of the vehicle is modified, I was wondering just how much "stock" you were putting in the motor. Might I suggest a couple of side-drafts on each side sticking out of a "bundle of snakes" exaust headers or maybe even a pair of injected superchargers (one each side) hanging sideways? It sure would look wicked and mean. But, like I said, these are suggestions. Build the vehicle as you want as you are the only one it has to please. Either way, it is looking good and I look forward to seeing the completed hot rod...