Phildaupho

Very well done phantom racecar. Looks fantastic.

Good looking Trans-Am Mustang. You got it build. Mine's still on the plan to build someday list

Well done. There some cars entered in this years Classic Dakar that would make great model building subjects.

Very well built. Inspirational. On my list to do someday

Beautiful car. Beautiful model. I watched a tour of the Mullin Museum last night so French cars were on my mind this morning. I had this kit in my stash for many years and after your description of the build it will likely stay there longer. Your build will keep me satisfied for quite awhile.

Thanks Les - I have to admit I do not get the Toyota connection, although I do have an AMT 67 Mustang Fast & Furious reissue that has an optional Toyota like engine so that may be where the link lies? Thanks David - I think you are correct about black being a base coat for chrome but I do not think I had ever seen it in a kit before, I had hoped to chisel off the stock front wheel well lip and move it up but was unsuccessful so had to form the lip with Evergreen half round so the shape will stay pretty much as is. Thanks Steve - I figured this might catch your eye.

I have always been a fan of the Carrera Panamericana road race both the original and the revival and the cars that participated. Other open road races in the USA have created a style of automobiles that that have become known as Pro-Touring. A couple of years ago I built a ’64 Fairlane Thunderbolt as my take of a Pro-Touring version of the Holman and Moody road course 427 Fairlane. At the time I had the intension of doing similar modifications to a ’53 Ford. ’52 to ’54 Fords have participated in both the original and revival Panamericana. So the back story on my model is that it will be a car that was built for the Panamericana and later modified in the pro-touring style. The wheelwells have been raised but the stock shape retained. The bumpers were dechromed and guards removed. [Interesting to find that the chrome was plated over black plastic]. In front an air dam with splitter was added below the bumper. Out back a lip spoiler was installed on the trunk. The interior has the custom seats and console from the AMT 57 Ford. The suspension was lowered using parts from the Revell '57 Chev which feature big brakes. The optional wheels and tires from the kit are also used. I am pretty sure the engine will be a Ford Y-block which this body style would have had for the Panameriocana from '54 onwards but for this version it will be supercharged. This is the Thunderbolt on which the modifications to the '53 are based.

'53 FORD VICTORIA Since I decided to build a Cannonball 2023 entry I have been a little obsessed with making the planned modifications of which I think the most involved have been done. All lower body trim has been removed and areas filled as necessary. The wheelwells have been raised but the stock shape retained. The bumpers were dechromed and guards removed. [Interesting to find that the chrome was plated over black plastic]. In front an air dam with splitter was added below the bumper. Out back a lip spoiler was installed on the trunk. The interior has the custom seats and console from the AMT 57 Ford. The suspension was lowered using parts from the Revell '57 Chev which feature big brakes. The optional wheels and tires from the kit are also used. I will be putting this model on the back burner for awhile to finish the model I was working when when this project came up.

Here is a photo of the fuel injection and ignition on a Gullwing under restoration

Rich - A world renowned 300 SL restorer lives locally so I have seen many Gullwings. I did not check all my photos but here is an interior shot of a car I saw while walking my dog. I do not think I have ever seen a white interior in a Gullwing before and notice the cup holders. Do not see a radio though!! walking my dog.

Very well built. Beautiful.

Very good looking quintet of models

Thanks Dennis - Got'a love it when a plan comes together smoothly, quickly and successfully. Very satisfying for sure.

Very well done, Great looking race car.

I really enjoyed this historical evolution of your '29 Roadsters on Deuce frames. All very good looking and well built

Thanks Claude - I always appreciate your comments. Have a great year.

Very impressive year book photo album

Thanks everyone. I am blown away at how well received this Willys has been I can only hope that my other builds of 2023 will be just as well liked.

1953 Ford Entry Before discovering this thread, a couple of days ago I pulled out a Lindberg ’53 Ford and did some mild modifications in preparation of a future build not knowing then that it would be my entry in the 2023 Cannonball Run I have always been a fan of the Carrera Panamericana road race both the original and the revival and the cars that participated. Other open road races in the USA have created a style of automobiles that that have become known as Pro-Touring. A couple of years ago I built a ’64 Fairlane Thunderbolt as my take of a Pro-Touring version of the Holman and Moody road course 427 Fairlane which could have been a past Cannonball entry. At the time I had the intension of doing similar modifications to a ’53 Ford. ’52 to ’54 Fords have participated in both the original and revival Panamericana. So the back story on my model is that it will be a car that was built for the Panamericana but rather than later being restored was modified in the pro-touring style. Some of the mods I have planned BODY – dechromed with remaining trim done in dull silver, slightly radiused wheelwells, a small trunk spoiler between taillight pods INTERIOR – comfortable and supportive seating, different steering wheel, roll cage, extra gauges and a navigation screen RUNNING GEAR – lowered, big brakes, up to date wheels and tires ENGINE COMPARTMENT – The engine will be an OHV Ford V-8 likely a Y-block which this body style would have used from 1954 on. It will have some sort of enhanced intake system either fuel injection or some form of supercharging. The engine of course will have headers. A six-speed transmission will be used COLOUR – The colour scheme will be the same as my Thunderbolt – white lower body, silver roof and red interior This is the afore mentioned Thunderbolt on which the pro-touring styling for the '53 Ford will be based

Thanks Jim. I was writing my post when yours came in.

Thanks everyone. I am really pleased at how well received this model has been. I built another Willys Street Rod or more of a Custom Rod 17 years ago. That model has headlights and grill from a Mercedes CLK, Prowler wheels, molded body seams, sport mirrors, flush taillights, pancaked hood with a scoop and a Ford DOHC cam engine from the AMT Phantom Vickie. Both have some aspects in common.

Super good looking 55

Great model with a great story

For my first completion of 2023 I wanted a quick and relatively simple project which turned out to be a ’41 Willys Street Rod because I already had a painted body. A couple of years ago I thought I might get a Candy Apple Red result for a Mazmanian Gasser by spraying clear red over gold. The paint job did not turn out to have the look I had hoped for but it still resulted in a very attractive smooth and shiny Willys body worthy of an eventual build. The resulting model is pretty much a from the box build with just a few modifications to give it a more contemporary look. The suspension was drastically lowered over wheels and tires from the Phantom Vickie. The blower scoop is from the Testors Coupster and the photo-etched grill from the Gasser kit. Inside only a different steering wheel was installed.

Very cool vintage sand dragster