Art Laski

Sorry for the blank post earlier. The site seemed to be having technical issues and I couldn't get a post in. Anyway... When we promoted the model car show at the LA Roadster Show this past June, we had a Foose class with the winning build chosen by Chip Foose himself. When we found out this was going to happen, I felt like I should probably build a Foose model since I was asking our builders to build one too, although it would be display only and not eligible for the contest. So I decided to build the popular Ford FD 100 truck since I had heard so many good things about the kit. I stayed fairly true to the original truck, but with a few changes. I went with a Black Cherry House of Kolor mix over a HOK black base coat, so it looks black in low light, but in the light pops a cherry red metallic. I stumbled on some Foose Shelby wheels on Shapeways, designed by Ron Olsen (store name is 3D Model Specialties) that I thought would go great on this build, and add a different look to it. I also replaced the plastic bed with real bass wood strips, stained with black cherry stain and clear coated. I did a few other things too, like modifying the rear shocks, deleting the front metal axle and adding front shocks, and machining some new filler caps for the valve covers and radiator. The valve cover breather and wire looks are Pro Tech, and the pre-wired distributor is an MAD unit, all available at www.scaleproshop.com. Unfortunately, I didn't finish the build in in time for the LA Roadster Show, but I mocked it up so Chip could see it. He told me unsolicited and not knowing it was mine that he liked it, which made my day. Not surprisingly, he selected for the winner a box stock FD 100 built by John Teresi, which, of course, was one gorgeous build.

Finished the Foose FD 100 pickup just in time for the Cruisin’ for a Cure Show, after not quite making the LA Roadster Show in June. The chassis had a severe twist in it and wouldn’t sit on all four wheels, so I had to disassemble the truck and get another chassis from a new kit and rebuild it. Thanks to Bruce Snyder from San Diego Model Car Club for providing the kit for me. The build has an MAD pre-wired distributor, and a Pro Tech machined breather, wire looms, and T fittings on it, available from our store at www.scaleproshop.com. Here it is Under Glass: Black Cherry Pickup Under Glass

Great milestone, Tim! I'm curious, what primer did you go with on the brass?

Spectacular work, John!

Wow, Tim! What a great collection of carefully crafted parts. I can’t wait to see them all come together. -Art

Nice work, James. I'm enjoying this thread and the subject matter. -Art

Thanks for looking and the comments, guys. Robert, it is narrower in the front, but the rear tires are much wider than the kit wheels. Still, I think I can tuck the rears in just a bit more.

First Draft of the body work with the first of many coats of primer. A lot to fix, but it's a good start! I deleted the big fins, since I really want this to look like it is a real race car, and the fins were too over the top for that, I thought.

Cool project, Gary!

Got some putty on it.

Wheel well flare modification for fitting the GT40 wheels.

The upcoming Spirit of Speed model show at the NHRA museum this November has a Movie/TV theme class, so it inspired me to throw something together. I’m going to do a “What if Speed Racer’s Mach V was a real car?” So I am converting the Polar Lights kit to a realistic period-inspired race car. I’ll be borrowing style elements from Shelby Cobra, Ford GT40, and Lola T70 references from about the time the cartoon was first out. First thing I did was flip the headlights over, and open up the rear wheel wells to fit a set of GT40 wheels from Historic Racing Miniatures I got from my good friend Randy at www.modelbuilderswh.com.

Looking good, John!

Very cool, Ismael!

Looks great, Charlie!

Looks great!

Hey Dan! Just catching a glimpse of this build for the first time, and I'm totally diggin' it! There's a lot of nice work going on here, and I love the stance of this car. The wheels came out great as well. I love your drag cars, but cool to see you build something else too. I'll be following to the end!

Lou, I knew you built killer sprint cars, but of course, these are just as excellent!

Is that my color, Old Man? Beautiful build, as always!

That's all very cool...

Beautiful, Old Man!

Nice job, Ray! I always liked those Sunbeams.

Looking good, John.

Oh, I see. I didn't realize it wasn't annual. Well, I hope it goes well for you next year! I would be happy to fly a poster for you next year. Yes, Gene is an incredible guy. I'm glad I got to meet him a couple of times. Chip was really great with us too.

Thanks, Dennis!!