Daniel Peterson

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It looks like a nice little kit of a very cool little car, but I know it would be a daunting challenge for me to build one bone stock. I know you are targeting a straightforward build this time around, but maybe on the NEXT one you build you consider swapping in a slant six? Hmm? Admit it, you've heard crazier suggestions...

I've been a fan of your work for some time now, and my appreciation for the finished projects is multiplied 10-fold by seeing what you do to get them there.

The choice of a '34 body falls under that "what the heck were ya thinking?!" category, which as we all know, makes it perfect.

Uh...truth be told, my first thought for the engine swap was an Allison...but I don't have one. I do have a cammer laying around somewhere...but I may hold onto that for a different project involving a Deutschwagen.

Since I was already tearing into a Willys kit for suspension and other miscellaneous doo-dads, I said to myself "Self, why not pop the Hemi into the van and boot that Chevy?" In comparison, they aren't all that far apart dimensionally, or at least not when you consider you have an engine bay the size of a living room in the van. I was also thinking I could just toss the van on the Willys chassis, but then I started to wonder if I could marry the funky trans set-up from the van to the Hemi and set everything up on the van's chassis pan. Turns out it's not much of a stretch. Plus I sort of like the goofy rear suspension set-up that came with the van. A few steady strokes with the saw and - BANG! - tranny problem solved. Nothing terribly interesting or exotic in this thread, but I'm doing this as much to keep me motivated as to keep you entertained. I do welcome criticisms and suggestions. Among the next steps will be finalizing front suspension placement, building a roll bar, and giving a little more thought to mounting the Hemi. I'll redirect my attention toward the body once I have some of the running gear-related stuff put to bed.

Found a little time to revisit the Firebomb. I am letting the body sit while I noodle the engine and suspension. While the bus already had a straight axle, it was a little beat and I was aiming for a little more altitude than Monogram engineered into it. The only problem is the width, but this is an easy fix with Revell's SWC Willys set-up. A little nip and tuck (nip the axle, tuck the ends into an aluminum tube) got the wheels spaced more to my liking. Don't worry about the rotation of the axle being a little wonky as it's only dry-fit at this point. And here's the spacing I was looking for. This will place the springs darn near where the kit's original spring locations were. That's just a happy coincidence rather than having been planned.

I must warn any of you with delicate sensibilities and fragile constitutions...this project may be running head long into a partial kitbash with a Revell Willys. I don't want to hear any whining later on that I didn't warn you...

Oh, my. I really like what you did with this! My rebuild project is going in a completely different direction, but if I come across another kit I see my next run at it moving more in this direction. Very nicely executed! It loaded my head with a bunch of new ideas!

As long as you aren't fishing for me to pitch in on the 'lectric bill, yes. Yes, I am.

It's been slightly longer than forever since I posted anything resembling a model project. Now that I reclaimed some workspace in the basement, I've been trying like the devil to get some kind of project rolling, even if it's just revitalizing a glue bomb. I mentioned in our newsletter I was looking for a Monogram Baja Beast, Baja Bandito or Firebomb kit in pretty much any state of repair and good guy and club mate Mike Wass donated a tired built-up Monogram Firebomb to the cause. I really like the custom VW van kits and will keep trying to get my hands on them for projects like this...but I digress. Here it is, pretty much as I got it from Mike. Thankfully the only paint on it is some flat black, brush painted on the chassis, and some other limited brushwork on the engine block and the seat. I had forgotten how many holes and mounting bosses there were on the body. Since my build objective isn't even remotely related to a restoration, I wanted to smooth things out a bit...okay, maybe a lot. Here is how I decided to unhole the holes. Plastic rod, fit tightly in the holes with some liquid cement and carefully sanded will reduce my dependance on putty. That doesn't mean it'll be smooth as glass, but it does mean I won't have putty shrinkage to worry about. Patience and sanding applied in equal parts yielded decent results. I'm not going to get too cocky until I shoot some primer on it. More in the next post.... Here are the "not there anymore" bosses the nerf-style bumpers originally mounted to. I also cleaned off the mold separation lines and opened the headlight buckets. What to do with the great big round opening in the center of the nose? No clue yet. And lastly for this installment, this shows how the side doors normally work. I don't much care for it. I gave some thought to getting really fancy with a new way to treat the door operation...then I guess I sobered up or something. I opted to keep it kind of simple and the only thing I might do is relocate the pivot point. I have a lot going on that keeps me away from the bench, but I'm really feeling this one. I hope I can keep working on it and not lose interest or focus. Comments are welcome.

It is very disturbing...and I wholeheartedly approve!

Do you have any idea how wrong and on how many different levels this build is...well...wrong? I salute you, sir. And I would love to include this in our club's newsletter, if you don't mind.

Nice job on the photos!

I'm just funny that way. Thanks!

Great to see you Sunday, Cruz! Nice job on the photos, too! Mind if I pirate a few for the CPMCC newsletter?

We're glad you enjoyed the show! Gotta tell ya the overall positive response is a great motivator! There are some things we plan to tweak, adjust and/or address to make the next one even better, and we've already taken some constructive criticism under consideration. We certainly appreciate the comments whether critical or congratulatory. Either way is serves to help us make it better each time out of the gate.

And...CUT! Print it! This one's a wrap! The 12th Super September Showdown finished up earlier today with 423 total entries. The photos are popping up on various sites as attendees get back to their respective home bases, but since I work the registration table I leave my camera at home. Next year's theme will be Abandoned Brands and the date will be Sunday, September 9th. Look for additional details about the 2012 September Showdown on CPMCC.org after the dust from today's event settles a bit. I wanted to extend heartfelt thanks to the attendees, the vendors, the various CPMCC members who pitched in to help and Len Feinberg who manages all the details pertaining to the hall and coordinated the vendor area. I especially want to thank the entire group for the deafening silence in the hall after club president Mike Cole asked for a brief remembrance of those lost, and those who still deal with the losses of 9/11/2001. It was at the same time humble and profound.

I saw this in person today. That's the ONLY thing I can think to say that hasn't been said already.

You are in my thoughts and prayers, Bill.

And THAT is one of many reasons we chose to honor first responders of all kinds with their own stand-alone class. We'll understand & respect your absence if you're needed elsewhere. Be safe.

Man, you really know your way around a hot rod! (Lyle, you takin' notes?) Well done, bro!

I'm stumped. I tried to find something I didn't like about it and I came up with a great big nothing. Zip. Nada. Nuttin'. You're just going to have to try harder.

I like it! Nice, clean work! May I suggest that since the valve covers are such a prominent feature of the 426 Hemi that you consider adding spark plug wires on your next build that features such an engine? Painting the butterflies on the blower hat (scoop) a contrasting color would also add some "pop" to the engine compartment. I am not being critical of your build the way you built it; I'm just offering up some possible things to consider on a future project. Also as Luke said, scuffing the tire tread on any model project lends a lot more realism. Good job!

You nailed it! This is one of most iconic Pro Stockers ever, and represents what I consider to be the golden age of the class. You really did it justice!