W-409

I'm not sure about the Corvair name, but I think it really looks better like that than it did from the factory (Even if it was very nice car!). At first, I tried Bubbletop from '62 Bel Air, but I didn't like the look of it, so I thought '59 Chevy top would look better - and it did. Well since I was bored waiting my paint to dry, I tried to make AMC Javelin Wagon. Well not the best, and I don't know if I like the design or not.... But the top is from '66 Chevelle Wagon. Another What If type of concept... 2015 Pontiac Firebird DragPack. So I simply took new Copo Camaro and '68 Firebird nose. A little modifications for the grille area, and I ended up as this. The grille doesn't fit perfect, but after three more (Worse) tries, I decided to keep this one. And last I took my picture and started Smokin' & Burnin' .

Oh yes, didn't remember the kit had those Z-11 parts also, even if I'm trying to score one of those as a basis for my '63 Impala Z-11 Project...

I found two Ford kits that are missing. Well the first one is actually a Double Kit with Willys, too so I don't know if it was planned to go under another category. But in case not, here is it: And then the Aurora Ford Double Kit. Thanks for the great picture site!

Yep the AMT Impala has very nice 348 BBC and so does the Revell '58 and '60 Impalas also. AMT '62 Bel Air (The Bubbletop Version) has nice 409, but IMO the best one comes with Revell's '62 Impala. But if you want to have a TriPower, then you'll need a 348, since there was no TriPower setup available for 409.

Yes, I did a "Mass Chop" ! You are correct about the Cloning Tool. Slowly but surely, I'm trying... Here's one very fast and simple car, basically my goal was to try if I can make the textes look "Painted On". Well at the same time I decided to make a Scoop and chop the top a little. Side Trim was removed too and the name comes from the movie Deuce Coupe, where a guy owns '55 Chevy with little Black Magic textes on it. And here's another one. How had Chevy Corvair looked if I had a chance to make a Prototype. A new Roof from '59 Impala, extra Side Trim, conversion to Two Door, and little rear wings are the little things I did for this. I like the Two Tone paint idea on it too.

Thanks! Sam: Can't wait to see your build, there can't be too many Gassers ! A Little update to my Austin project. I got the engine painted using Maston's Metallic Blue from Spray Can. It turned out Okay. The Intake Manifold was a bit tricky: I wanted to go with Hilborn Fuel Injection, but I had no good Intakes for that setup. Well luckily I decided to try the original one that came with the kit. Of course Ford's Manifold didn't quite fit to Chevy Big Block, so with a little cutting, I got it looking better and fitting properly. Next I will remove the chrome and paint it silver. Also the rest of that frame is also cleaned up, and I decided to smooth those little ejector marks and other problems with putty... Some sanding, and primer...Hopefully. Here the Left side is still Stock, right side is Modified: Both sides modified: Valve Covers have very nice Chrome Plating, but since this is not a Show Car, I will spray some Flat Clear over them...

Well it seems it's easier to start a new project than finish old ones. Anyways I bought a Fiat 500 kit made by Tamiya, which had been started a little, a few parts were painted but nothing was glued. Straight away I knew I will not use other than the body and small body parts from this kit since I remember still one Altered that was built from Fiat 500 on Finnish Model Car Forum... After some planning, I decided to start with the Frame from AMT Double Dragster's Fiat Topolino. It fits nicely, only a little cutting and it will be just the way I want. Of course the plan is to fit the tires outside bodyline, and front tires won't be on the original place once they are done. Engine, I've planned, will be Early Hemi with Blower. I'm planning to go with '60s vibe on this one. The frame will be scratchbuilt, since I will build the Fiat Topolino also from that AMT Kit, but the frame will be used as a basis. Now there are no real axles, only plastic tubes that connect those tires together, tires and wheels may change as the build goes on, now I just threw the first ones I found for a little Mock Up. I'm trying to build this one as nice as I can, and it will probably take some time, but I'm open to ideas and suggestions, as always. This is the Base Kit. My MockUp: ...Hope to have some of the Frame work done tomorrow.

Nice build! I've never seen '59 or actually any other year Imperial built as a Drag Car, so this one is very interesting. It does have that Wow Factor for sure, excellent work with the engine. I'd go without that rear spoiler, but on the other hand, that makes it look even wilder, so it might be good idea to use it. The All Black-Theme works very well, as I did on my '69 Camaro I finished maybe a Month ago. Even though it's not done in this picture, Mirrors and small details are missing, but you'll get the idea.

There were 409 Engines that had only one carburetor from the factory. The 1961 409 that made 360HP had a single Carter AFB Carburetor. And in 1963, there was one version that made 400HP and it had single Carter AFB also. So they had those engines from the factory, and at least Lindberg '61 Impala has one of those, but the kit quality otherwise isn't so great, the engine detail is not as good as some newer kits, so maybe it would be the best idea to swap a Single Carb Intake to the '62 Bel Air's engine. Cool project also, I've been looking this very closely. Keep the pics coming.

Thanks Mike, your picture was one of the pics that inspired me to try my hand at this... After two Failed Tries ('60 Impala Gasser and '49 Ford Custom), I managed to do something I'm satisfied with. '48 Cadillac Sedanette, the first picture is the starting point, and second shows the Chop Top and Lowered Cadillac. Far from perfect, but I'm learning...

Excellent Dragsters, as always John! They turned out fantastic, and I really enjoyed following the progress on them. It is really amazing that you build these 1:1 cars....Oh I mean fantastic models in this short time. The detailing and overall finishing is incredible. You always manage to get the perfect shade of metal in your parts, they don't look like plastic at all. And your engines, frames, wheels and tires etc, they look very realistic, maybe it's because of the very slight weathering or something? I have maybe asked it before, or someone else has, but can't remember where, so what do you use for that weathering?

The wiring looks very good to me also. And overall the engine looks fantastic as it is right now. I think the Go Mango paint will look excellent on the Willys. We've seen too much of these in Blue (I painted mine blue too, but nowadays I would have chosen another color). You are doing great job returning back to hobby.

Nice to see new people in the hobby! I would suggest using Spray Can paints too. The results will be smooth and shiny, most people don't get that nice finish with Paint Brushes. Spray Cans are cheaper than AirBrush, and they are easier to use also, because there is no need to make the paint thinner, or search for the correct mixture of air & paint etc. But with spray can paints, primer is Must Have. Someone said about washing all parts before assembly... Well I think it matters what paint you are going to go with. For example, Revell or Humbroll Enamels and Tamiya Acrylic paints have never had any kind of problem. When I paint with those, I Never wash the parts. But when painting with spray cans, then yes, it is a good idea to wash the parts. But the most important is to have fun, and that's all what matters.

Looking really good so far, and I got to agree with the others about the paint....Excellent color! Nice paint job too, and smooth BMF work. Nice and clean assembly and painting all over, too. I don't know how fast this would be, but since many Drag cars, even if they were street driven too or slower bracket cars, they have Seat Belts that are designed for Drag Racing Use. And they are mounted to the roll cage. The crossmember should be in straight level, now they can't be installed there. On the picture the crossmember is marked as "A". But this just depends on what class car you are building, and how fast it would be. Hope this helps.

Yep, that is the same car before Luoso was driving it. But that's new info for me that Jukka set NHRA Record with it. I knew he raced with it in the States, but looks like it was running excellent.

Great looking build, as always Matti. Even if you said the kit wasn't the best, it can't be seen from the final result. Only the inner fenders don't fit well to the body, but otherwise I find no problems with the kit or builder. The paint work is stunning, and I like detailing too. Nice work. From these 2nd Generation Chevelles, I think the '68-'69 is better looking than '70. But then again, the '71-'72 is the best. From all Chevelles and Malibus, I like '74 the best.

Yep, that might be true. I don't know whose car it officially was, but it was Luppe Luoso who drove it here in Finland. But I do have all of the V8 Magazines and Street & Race Magazines from those years, so I will be checking this thing from there.... Just because it interests me too.

Wow that looks excellent!!! I can't think of any possible ways to improve this build, so I guess it is really time to say that it is perfect! I have said this before, and I'm going to say it again: This is truly building every part like it would be a Model itself. And that's the way I like 'em! The little details like those spark plug boots, all nut and bolt ends on the engine and body supports, are really great to watch. And I think, that those little parts and minor details, are the thing that makes a model to stand out of the rest, even if many of the details are invisible when the build is completed, but it's nice to know that they are there. There is a lot of fantastic scratchbuilding, and other modifications behind in this build, and still more to come. I can't wait to see more. At the same time, I want to see this one Finished, but then again, when this one is finished, what build(s) can I follow as closely as this one??? It's a shame I didn't make it to the Show. But it was just a bit too far away. I'd like to see these builds Live and meet other Modelers from different countries. Well maybe some day...

That is perfect Salt Racer Ford! And I agree completely with Fred on the weathering. Even If I usually don't like weathering that much, but on this one it just looks perfect. Nicely done all the way, The Pickup, Trailer and of course the Salt Race Ford.

This was really cool to follow. With a few little modifications, the Surfite turned out much more interesting. Excellent job with the bodywork, paint is smooth and finishing looks great. Good Stuff.

That is nice one! Excellent overall look and nice work with the weathering. It looks like an old '32 that has been years in a barn, and then HotRodder has built it and decided not to paint it.... Great job, and thanks for not calling it a Rat Rod.

Great to hear this brings back memories. Here are some more. The first Cruising Night at Vantaa Yesterday. A shame that it started raining, but anyway we managed to get this years' first Tire Smokes! All Pictures are here: http://tapahtumakuvia.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Tapahtumat+2013/Cruisings/Vantaa/Vantaa+19.4.2013/ Yes, That Hot Rod has Blown Flathead. And of course, it left with old Cheater Slicks smokin'! Here's a short video I made:

Of course all proper tools, paints and Evergreens etc. Then enough light, I have two big windows on my bench, and then two lights if (or actually when) I'm building at night. Good chair and of course a lot of great Rock 'n Roll records and LP-Record player where you can play them!

Wow that is very nice Dart! You did great job on one of the maybe best looking Mopars ever made. Excellent paint job, and really clean and nice finishing. I like this one, it looks incredibly real in those pictures where it is in "Natural Environment".

Yep, the forum is active and alive. It took a while to get my account activated too, but still it didn't take that much time as yours! I don't know what might be the problem, maybe DragMaster hasn't got your account to be activated? I don't know?