Nitrozilla

Thanx Folks. You make me grin. Brett, LOL, I had to go look at the JJ car and dangnation if you ain't right. Very similar. For the body, I'm sticking with gold. I think the blue and white decals will set it off nicely. At least that's the plan, man. This is a body fit test. I'm very happy with the rear end height but not so cray cray about the front.

With the exception of the headers, the frame is done. Still had to modify one more piece, as I had to cut and file on the rear panel of the tin work just behind the roll cage. Other than that, just needs touch up in gold, silver and blue. I'll start on the body shortly, possibly even today. Dying to finish this one. It's been a challenge.

Wowza Scott, that's jaw droppin' awesome. I like it a lots.

Then 2 or 3 more.......

Allen my friend, I gave up any attempt at box stock. My philosophy is now that I will stay as close to box stock as possible while still remaining true to the concept.For instance, I knew in advance there was a possibility of the drive shaft hitting the bottom of the seat as a result of raising the rear axle mounts. Sure enough I had to modify the drive shaft to clear the seat. Furthermore, one detail I've noticed on numerous pictures is a shiny heat shield above the headers. I thought I would use a piece of chrome duct tape to replicate the shield. That's an out of the box detail, but there should have been a decal for it since it is a body detail. The instruction sheet shows a Manley logo there. Off the soap box and on to the pictures.

Superb Ira, simply superb. I love the headers. I love it all.

Chris and Allen, thank you. I always look forward to your comments and your progress as well. The engine is almost a done deal. Plug wires in place, working on fuel lines. And then there was the belt. What a disappointment that after all these years, the best we can do is a rubber band? Seriously? Thankfully, I was in the casino business and was well connected to the slot technicians that service the machines. They would give me worn out belts from bill acceptors. I had to make a mod to the upper blower pulley starter hook up thingie to deal with the additional thickness. Nothing a little touch up won't fix. On reflection, (as I was looking at this post), I should have shaved off the ribs on the belt at the upper pulley. That would have eliminated the need for the fix. Duh ! Enjoy the pix.

Incredible as usual Ira. I can't even get parts prep done in 5 days.

Thanx for the comments. Engine is nearing completion. Wiring is a toughie. Even got the firing order right, I think, I hope. I've experienced the problem with the wire not wanting to go into the boot. Fixed it by going with 20 gauge for the boots and 26 gauge for the wire. Used the same boot trimming technique I've done in the past. Drill a hole the diameter of the boot tubing in a thin piece of plastic. Place it over the tube, slice away the excess and correct any boo-boo's. Some end up taller because I don't have 3 hands. Oil lines were pretty straight forward easy peasy. Frame stuff after this step is done.

FYI, it's not just R2. I'm building the 1/16th Hawaiian by Revell and that schmootz was everywhere. I de-chromed everything but the wheels and clean up took me days with an Xacto and files. I've always used Easy Off oven cleaner. I'd like to know if there's something that WORKS to take it all in one day or less. I'm impatient that way.

YES !!!! I'm so smart !!! I was totally right !!!! .....and now, back to this being all about you........

My least fave of the Batman related autos, (notice I can't call it a Batm*****), but I love the camo paint. Excellent Execution.

Today on The Big Kahuna Roundup Show, we'll be looking at the magneto and the steering column. For the mag, I thought the attachment point was weak and decided instead of gluing the shaft to the timing cover as suggested, that I would add an aluminum shaft that goes into the block. I did a little drill damage to the blower relief spring on the manifold, but it's worth it. Pics of it installed tomorrow. The pic of the seat is just because. Basic start. The problem with the fire extinguisher is, if you glue the halves together after they've been painted, there will be a visible seam. So I assembled it, painted it, and now require the steering column to be cut to install it. So I did. Then, again using aluminum tubing, made a new piece to mount the bottle on. The mag project sidetracked me from wiring it today. More to come.

You said earlier today, "I decided to add a Driver to this Wheel-Standing Wagon." This is the first mention of it being a Wheel-Stander. I'm jazzed !!!!!! Do you mean it'll do wheelies or that it is a purpose built exhibition car? Either way, I'm good to go.

Glenn, Thanx. It might be too much but I like the gold with the blue and some silver mixed in. Allen, stop giving me ideas. My plates are full enough. Just finished beefing up the magneto. Made an aluminum shaft. Pics of that tomorrow.

Got some motor stuffs done. For those of you who may be following along from home, this is step one of the assembly instructions. Next are oil lines and plug wires. Enjoy.

Thanx for hanging in there Mike. Life is full of little speed bumps. I hear ya Allen. This box stock stuff is hard. When I finish this, I've got a blue Charger with 4 Hemi's sitting in the wings. That's got mods.

Your builds make me smile Ira. Whip out yer imagination, twirl it around your head for a while, then slam it against a wall and see where it sticks. Dying to see the headers.

Funny you should mention that..... Al Klockowski <AKlockowski@revell.com> 6:25 AM (3 hours ago) to me Joe, Thanks. We’ll look into it. And then an hour later...... Al Klockowski <AKlockowski@revell.com> 7:25 AM (2 hours ago) to me Joe, I’m told we are aware of the problem, and will have spares available in the near future. You and anyone else who needs one can order it via our online parts request form at www.revell.com. Sorry about your experience Mike. My interactions with model companies have always been good, from replacing parts to donating kits for contests. Of course that was in the olden days and I don't know what their donation policies are these days.

This is gonna ROCK !!!

Has anybody seen my drill? What is with this kit? One more obvious quality control failure and my next letter to Revell might not be so kind. You and I can make the fix, but what about a less experienced, less equipped modeler?

....and then there's these pics too.

Detail paint is 90% done, tires are done, should start assembly tomorrow. The tires are as unshiny as I can get them. First pic is before and after. The lettering is from the Slixx 1/25 sheet. Due to the tight arc, I had to cut them up and put them on 2 letters at a time. Looks small in the pics, but just right in real life. Then there's the body brace I've been promising. Woot !!!!

Mike, Veeeeeery nice. You should take a lot more pics and put it in Under Glass. Speaking of glass, I checked mine this morning and it fits perfect. I can see how it would be a problem trying to fix one that doesn't fit though. Also, been working on the wheels and tires. Plus I'll do parts prepping for assembly. I'll have pics later today.

Beautiful stuff Chris. Too bad my Hawaiian has different valve covers. I'd be hittin' ya up for a set.