Nitrozilla

Superb!!! Excellent execution inside and out. I'll assume this isn't your first build..........

So, what's been going on? Eliminated the need for transmission offset and sticking with the original Showboat set up, which I believe is direct drive. I was able to narrow the front axle in a manner that eliminated offset. So, now I need to make some really short driveshafts. I did get some tranny mounts fabricated. Another thing that was troublesome was the engine to axle height. Solved that by lowering the upper frame rails. When you think of it, it actually makes sense to double up the frame in what I am now calling the engine cradle. Lastly, I trimmed the inner headers, but haven't done touch up paint yet. So, feast your eyes with some eye candy and we'll do this again soon. Thanx for all of the positive comments.

Thanks everybody. Yeah, it's been a while since I updated. Been building motor mounts and trying to figure how I'm going to narrow, then mount the front axle. No room for errors here. Steering linkage clearance is an issue as well. I'm also working out transmission mounting, as it will more than likely require an offset. So, I'm going back to work on it today and we'll see what happens. Thanks again for keeping an eye on it. I appreciate y'all.

Late as usual with update pics. Decided to do some work on the nose first. Still plenty to do. Mating up the engines was a bit of a task and the headers still need some final adjustment, but I'm overall very pleased. I have blower hats and P/E throttle linkage on the way. Won't install those until late in the build, I think.

Wayne, it's Saturday October 26th, entries from 11 am to 1 pm. I look forward to seeing you there. Speaking of seeing things, all 4 engines are glued together and I did not need to scream or yell or cry at all. There was a small gasp when I heard a slight stress noise. Pictures tomorrow.

Thanx Brad, it's easier than it looks. No, wait, that's not right......... Appreciate you checking in Kerry. Been watching yours too. Great stuff. Waaaaaayne !!!!!! How are you? You coming to Hobbytown this October? Not sure of the date. I'll find out tomorrow. I'm bringing the 55 Chrysler AWB. Hopefully it will turn a head or two. This isn't where I've been hiding. That's where the nice men who come in to make sure my jacket is tight and I get all of my happy pills. Got the headers and breathers installed today. Now comes the scarey part. Mating up the inboard headers. I think I've got a fight on my hands.

Stunning Bill, simply stunning. Been watching this build since it was a baby. Or is that, since I've been a baby? Either way, love watching the progress.

Hi again All. Got some wiring done. To give you an idea of how fast it goes together once the magnetos are built, it takes about 15 minutes per engine to install it. The boots were made using 1/16" heat shrink tubing. The pieces started at just under 1/2" long and were then trimmed to identical length. It was done this way due to mold ejector pins in the bottom of the heads. I used 26 gauge Radio Shack wire to give it some depth and feel of overly largeness. Normally, I'd go 30 gauge, but it's too thin. 28 would probably be perfect. I cut the appropriate number of wires, stripped, bundled and soldered. Trimmed the soldered ends, then used plastic tubing sleeves to connect wiring and shaft together, then added an aluminum sleeve. I'm going with the "John Teresi School of Modeling" to come up with top caps. I went to a Party and Costume store and found some confetti that has some round blue metallic bits that should be perfect for the cap. Just have to drill a hole in the center, make a small split gap, rough up the surface to be glued and we'll be good to go. I'll show those in the next update. Back to frame work next. I think........

Terrific !!! Just as I get my blood pressure under control, you have send it skyward. Nice Stuff.

Way nice John. Vintage Rules.....plus ya gotta love a Vega with a Hemi.

Thanks again everybody. Scott - If anybody knows about making duplicates, you do. Vernon - I may be slow posting, but I'm old. Fred - Please be wrong. I looked for solid with no luck. Hopefully between Super glue in one end and paint in the other, I've sealed them if that makes a difference. It's powder as opposed to a liquid core. Neil - Welcome aboard the Crazy Train. Stay tuned.

Thanks Y'all. You guys are the bestest. LOL Niko !!!! Forgot in my previous post about motor mounts and such being next. I remembered I've got 4 magnetos to make. Should have headers installed today. We'll see.........

Jigs, Jigs, Jigs, Jigs !!!!!!!!! Patience paid off after 3 different versions of the headers and 4 incarnations of the jigs to assemble them. Thanx for your patience as well. After the headers are installed I'll move on to engine mounts and frame mods to accommodate the front axle. After that maybe tackle the nose. Who knows. See what I did there?

It came out very nice. The red is perfect on it. There is room for "something" at the top of the rear quarter panels, graphic - wise.......... As far as headers go, I vote for Funny Car zoomies.

There's something you don't see every day. More please.

Thanx for the comments All. I know its a little low on horsepower, but the Gotcha' Factor makes up for that. Too bad I'm not using flames on the paint job because that would make it go faster. Maybe if I put a recess in the interior so that the gas pedal can go past where it should stop? Working on the headers today. Got them cut to length and bent. Next a little trim and some drilling..........LOTS of drilling !!!!!!

Sorry for the overlong delay folks. It's been a crazy start to the month, but everything is under control. Right. Who am I trying to fool? First things first !!!! WOOT !!! I've finally decided on a name. It's partly to honor the Wagonmaster incarnation, but since it's not a wagon, I had to come up with something else. QUARTER MASTER. With any luck I'll be able to manipulate the Goodyear font since it isn't available to the public. I have no great skills in PhotoShop, but I hope to pull it off. If it works, there will be a wingfoot logo between the words. QUARTER / MASTER. I know that Goodyear won't sponsor an individual team that competes for obvious reasons. But why not an exhibition car that has a single purpose? Abuse the living daylights out of the sponsors product. "Smoke 'em if ya' got 'em." It did take longer than expected to get the engines done, but so far I'm very pleased. The headers are the next challenge. Tried a plastic version using 3/32 styrene tubing, but I think I'll go with some solder I've got. Also 3/32nd. Only have to get 32 exactly matching pieces, drill one end to put a pin in and another to open up the exhaust tip to the proper diameter. There will also be a pair of jigs for left and right side angles. So I'll be back with another episode when that's done. Thanks for checking in.

Way impressive. Love the work you did on the doors. All of the other details are sweet too.

Thanks Brett & Ira. Always a pleasure to see comments from you. Slow but steady is the keyword for the day. Got the body hinged and I'm debating a roof hatch. Happened to notice room between the firewall and the engines to put fuel and oil tanks as well. Too close to the pilot? Also got some paint on the engine and drive train parts. More to shoot tomorrow. Chugging right along..........

It doesn't look like more progress, but it really really is. I wanted to get the engine pairs painted and assembled, but windy weather is interfering and it looks like rain tomorrow. By shear coincidence, the rain that's on it's way is from a storm named "Ivo". I'll take that as a good sign. Anyway, I can't get the engine blocks positioned until the back half is done. I've made splash panels for the cockpit and nearly finished with the body tinwork. Also made an inner window template so that I can flush mount the front windshield. A recent thread in the General section asked if we have a plan in place before starting a project. The question should be, are we aware that models have a life of their own and are we conscience of the fact that the model has a plan of it's own as it manipulates us?

I hope this means something coming from someone whose builds take on a life of their own no matter how well intended my original plan is. Good Luck With That !!!!!!!!!! Awesome start to, what I'm certain will be an ultra kewl finished project. What ???? I'm out of popcorn ??? Guess I'll have to go to my backup...........BROWNIES. Num.

Everything I look for in a model. Hemi, slicks and out of the box thinking. Veeeeery nice,

The nose is a challenge Brad, but I've been watching Ira's builds and I might have picked up a trick or two from the Master of Putty Slinging. Anybody seen my shovel........?

I made major progress within the last few days. The frame is stretched out, maybe a little too long, but nothing is glued together yet. All fender wells were radiused and the nose has been assembled. Next I'll be working on the body hinge and final interior placement. The engines will be painted and mated so that I can determine where the motor mount brackets will go. Best of all, no frustrations yet. Only a minor conundrum as to how I'll get the "nose heavy" front fenders mounted. Enjoy.

.....and here are the promised pics. The first shows how the engines will mate up, the second showing the engine mount / brackets (upside down), and the third is the first glimpse of the total concept minus tires, nose and wing. I need a header solution. I might have to go with the kit headers. I tried to get some made for me by TDR, but it would take too long with their current work load.