mikevillena

I opted to go with the coupe. I'll try to build the roadster another time. Before I can start the chop, I had to cut out the doors: With doors cut, I set the body on one of my glass work tops and set up a crude stylus using a t-pin and my machinist's square. I then scribed the baseline: Point of no return:

Here's a cool site that I found: http://www.aacamuseum.org/art-build-rods-kustoms/

Hey Shaun, the Alfa is still on-going. I will be switching to this whenever I need a break from the Alfa. I'm using the Revell '32 5 Window kit. JC, will you kindly let me know when you'll be out of town so that I can break into your house and steal a few kits from your stash? You've got a heck of a collection! I do look forward to the challenge of scratchbuilding the DFV. I think Protar released several DFV powered F-1 kits in 1/24th but I'm certain that the quality isn't as good as your sample kit. I have their 1/24th scale Ferrari F187 kit and the details are crude (and I'm being generous). I do have Tamiya's 1/20th scale DFV and I will take measurements from it and scale things down to 1/25th.

I found a couple of 32 projects that really caught my eye: I'm still undecided if I will leave it as a coupe or go with the roadster look. But I started the prep by scraping and sanding the numerous parting lines and leveling out the area under the rear window where the tooling insert didn't sit flush. I then sanded off the textured area on the roof and gave it a shot of working primer. If I decide to go with a coupe, I will tape it solidly to my glass work top and mark out the 3 scale inch chop using a block mounted stylus.

Hi guys! @ Narampa & Dale - Yep, a 32 Ford is a must. I've always admired the styling and ingenuity on Hot Rods particularly on the 32's. Definitely fenderless on this one. @ Michael - I'm using the Revell '32 5-Window Coupe 2 n 1 kit. I have been patiently waiting for the 3 window to show up at my local Hobby Lobby but none ever did. This 5 window showed up at the Michael's so I grabbed it. Not exactly my first choice but since I will be teaching myself how to do a chop it should be fine. @ JC - I guess I never steal parts other from kits. This forces me to try and scratchbuild stuff. A good example is the driver's seat on my Alfa GTA. I wanted to keep the 155 V6 Ti kit intact so that I can build it. So I was forced to learn how to make moulds (even a crappy one) and learn casting. Sure, it would be easier to simply buy a kit that will donate it's parts but I wouldn't learn anything new. @ Tom - You are correct. There is a lot of reference material out on the web regarding the DFV. Unfortunately, I haven't found a complete set of drawings yet. But I plan on taking measurements from a 1/20th scale engine that has been salvaged from an old Tyrell 6 wheeler that built 30 years ago. But I'm also leaning towards a supercharged Miller indy engine and an Indy style front grill. I'm still undecided on wheel choice. @ Nate - That's an option. But I'll most likely scratchbuild it or something similar. There are numerous IRS sites that have a lot of design options too.

This is going to be my first hot rod project. I'm still in the planning stage and am gathering reference materials. But I'm leaning towards a fenderless build and a space frame. I will be scartchbuilding a Jag IRS rear end. I will also be scratchbuilding either a Drake-Offenhauser, Miller or a Ford Cosworth DFV. Should be fun!

I played around with various materials to replicate the door handle and window crank. I eventually settled on using various bent and shaped pieces of silver solder: Started framing the driver's side door:

Thank you Austin. But I think I was just lucky in finding so many good reference photos of various GTA's being restored. I tried to look for Italeri's Giulietta but there are none available as it has been out of production for many years now. I will certainly keep an eye out for it. I will probably build either the old Merit 158/159 or Tamiya's 155 V6 TI next. I've also started a long term research project to see if I can scratchbuild the 33 T3. Robin, all of Rome is touristy. It's just the way things are. However, I learned to get up very early and to do a lot of exploring long before any tourists even wake up. I found a neaby coffee shop that opened at 5 a.m. and I always had my espresso and croissant elbow to elbow with the locals. Most speak English although I tried to also communicate in Italian (using my phrase book) and they do appreciate the effort. The Italians are wonderful and I would give anything to live there. Anyway, enjoy the rest of your holiday and don't forget to take a bunch of pictures.

This is looking great, Matt. As to my build, it's hardly the "masterpiece" that you claim it to be. Anyway, I think this will be another exemplary Alfa along with Curtis' superb build. You guys rock!

That looks spot on, JC! Psst....don't go beyond 25% completion if you're still going to participate in the Endurance Group Build with this car.

Still working on the door details and trying to get the door gap to even out: The inner door panel is simply tacked on to check for fit.

Robin, you lucky guy!!! Man, I miss Italy so much..... I had the good fortune to have visited Italy twice on holidays (2009 & 2010) with my girlfriend. Last time we were in Rome, we rented an apartment a few steps from Piazza Navona. We stayed there for a week and we did groceries and laundry just like any local would. I am a reasonably competent motorcyclist so I rented a scooter and we really enjoyed riding around taking in all of the sites. A week later we were in Sorrento and stayed at Villa Monica. I also rented a scooter there albeit a larger displacement one, and I rode the Amalfi Coast Highway from Sorrento to Salerno. I apologize for taking the thread off topic but I really had a wonderful and memorable time. Robin, I hope you and the wife enjoy yourselves. Do me a favor and toss a couple of coins for me into the Fontana di Trevi. We hope to return later this year or early next year. Ciao!

You guys are too much!!! I was fortunate because there was a wealth of reference pictures available. Although I've made quite a few errors and there are some inaccuracies in the details I'm learning a lot. That's why the project is still evolving slowly as I refine the somewhat crude aspects. Thank you all for sticking with me. BTW: Tom has brought up a great point; metallic panels have to cover the rear parcel tray and bulkhead to physically separate the driver's compartment from the fuel cell. Thanks Tom!

Hi David. I used to scratchbuild brass slotcar chassis so I was reasonably competent. I used an Ungar 900 degree element with a large chisel tip and Stay-Brite Silver Solder with liquid flux. The key is cleanliness; make sure to prep the joint, use flux and just a quick and deft touch of the high temp soldering iron. I always try to use as little solder as possible. The high temp soldering element heats up the joint very quickly to the necessary melting point of silver solder.

Bogged down on replicating the door details: Project summary:

About 13 years ago, I sold my entire stash of model kits, slot car bodyshells, finished and unfinished projects and my TCS Best of Show 1/10th scale RC cars to my good friend Mark. He recently started an inventory of his massive collection and he decided to send me back several of my old unfinished projects. However, one of the projects is strictly on loan so that I can take measurements and make a copy in styrene. Back in the 80's, I was into slot cars and had several Russkit Ferrari 156's. I decided to scratchbuild a brass frame for a super detailed slot car build. I found lots of photos in vintage Car & Driver and Road & Track as well as some line drawings in old slot car magazines. At some point, I changed my mind and decided to build it as a static model with a heavily modified Russkit shell and scratchbuilt engine. I got as far as the chassis: At some point, I will resurrect this project once I locate another Russkit shell. I also got these unfinished projects back:

You cannot engineer out "stupid". So what's next, rubber armco, retaining walls, abutments, pedestrians, airbags on the outside of cars so that they inflate like puffer fish at the first hint of trouble? It is so ridiculously easy to get a driver's license in this country. All you need is a pulse and short of ramming another car during the road test the DMV will happily take your money and grant you the privilege of driving. I can hear the Europeans laughing at us while the carnage continues. ......

Chris, you might be interested in the Endurance Group Build.

Revised the official group build thread. It can be found here: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=90008 For any interested parties, the entry is not solely restricted to Le Mans. Any cars that competed in any endurance race sanctioned by the FIA are eligible. Some ideas may be found here: http://www.sportscardigest.com/1965-sebring-12-hour-grand-prix-of-endurance-race-videos/ http://www.sportscardigest.com/1966-12-hours-of-sebring-race-profile/ How about any of Cunningham's cars especially "Le Monstre":

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More work on the door and general fit: Several tries at building the door hinges: I didn't like the fit and function so I made a new set and moved the pivot points outwards: The doors open reasonably well. The hinges are not exactly to scale but that is the limitation when working with relatively soft styrene. I don't have the ability to do photo-etching in house for the moment so it will have to do.

It is extremely kind of you to say so but considering the depth of skill and talent by other builders on this forum, I would be happy to even be considered as "competent". Critically speaking, the project has minor issues and many aspects that can be improved. But I am having fun and hopefully learning. Again thank you for the very kind and if somewhat overly generous words.

It's interesting to see the thought processes of the more experienced builders.

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