Scale-Master

I made the rubber hood hold-downs out of soft vinyl.

Thanks guys! It does seem to have a content smile. I need to finish it by the end of the month (even though I swore to myself I was not going to put a deadline on it three years ago). But I want to have it done for the GSL. I measure and scale everything, but some things don't look right even though they are mathematically correct, so that's where some adjusting and and fine tuning come in. As a last resort I use the exacting process of T.L.A.R. and scaling at the same time. My vector program is just a tool, I define the scale to fit each part.

Thank you David! The chin spoiler is bolted on (with hardware I machined) and the grille has been installed.

Thanks guys! It is getting close... But there's still plenty to do. It is an occasional weekend racer and therefore could use some numbers for the autocross tracks, but for day to day use the vinyl cling numbers on roundels are stored in this cardboard tube. The tube is Evergreen stock; the caps are milled from raw resin. I made decals for the cardboard and labels. The bottom is taped on like the full size counterpart I copied.

Since it's off the ground I installed the scratch-built muffler too.

The wheels and tires have been installed plus well over 100 aluminum parts have been machined and added that are just mounting hardware (bolts, washers and nuts). I also replaced the padding on the transmission tunnel. It looks the same, but it's better than the first one…

Thanks Pete! I made and installed the padded tunnel cover. (It matches the seat padding.)

Then I realized I had to make a tire iron to install the wheels… Yes, it has a hexagonal recess and actually fits and works on the lugs.

Thanks Guys! Finally got around to balancing the tires…

I drew up a label and printed a decal then slightly weathered it. Yes, it's a Binford.

And the crank.

Thanks guys! Scratch-built bottle jack. (Copy of what I kept in my old Chevy truck.) Milled from raw resin with aluminum bolts and brass for the screw parts.

Machined a shift knob and the shifter boot. (More aluminum…)

I milled the "rubber" extinguisher holders from a block of resin and made the hold-down bolts and washers.

Thanks guys! Yes, it is a busy time. But my bench is full of cool stuff! The gauge has the correct face and the needle is on a raised pin. Custom drawn decals for the gauge and label. Safety pin is correct diameter.

Please do comment Hugh. Thank you for the kind words! Assembled with the mirror face installed…

Rear-view mirror and mount parts, all aluminum.

Time to make the ubiquitous (at least in my cars) fire extinguisher. The bottle was turned on the lathe from aluminum. The bottom has the correct "dimple". The head with gauge and nozzle also turned from the same stuff. The handle pieces were freehand milled and then hand finished before being painted black.

The holes are to relieve some of the air pressure that builds up under the fenders at speed. (Note that the holes are angled for airflow too.) I've seen quite a few full fendered race (modified) Sevens (not all Caterham's/Lotus's) with vent holes, and from firsthand experience I know these cars with cycle fenders throw gravel into the cockpit. It only makes sense to try and let only air through. Stone screens limit the debris, and truck bed-liner coating helps keep the inner fenders from getting chipped up too bad. While cycle fenders would be my choice on a real one, most in my collection have them too and I wanted something a little different this time.

Thank you Jim! It has wings… Or front fenders as we call them in America. Windshield and roll bar are installed and fitted to accept the brass roof too.

I cut and installed the front fender welting…

Thanks Bruce. Yep. It's already threaded, that's why I went with steel threads on the main hold down bolt.

From the near start of the project I planned to make the spare tire and support section of the frame removable for part-time racing. The main bolt to hold the wheel to the car frame was fabricated from brass. The hold-down strap with ratchet buckle is scratch-built. I also made a "working" connector for the wiring that powers the license light and machined all the mounting hardware. (License plate/frame and wheel are also made from scratch.) Looks like I better hurry and finish it before the tags expire…

The radiator cap is finished. Machined aluminum/custom decal. Also made the overflow tank and mounting hardware.

That came out great.