Old Sprinter

Thanks a lot, guys. If I get this done in time I will bring it to the Desert Scale Classic I'm setting the rear end today. It took most of the day, yesterday, just to do the birdcages, axles and brake assembly. I have drawn full 1/8" scale plans of this whole car. It includes the frame, body, motor, front and rear end, the whole suspension system, seat, tires and wheels along with a wing plan if you wanted to build a WOO sprinter. You just build it right on the plan, sort of like you build a balsa wood airplane. If anyone is interested in giving this a shot, PM me or e-mail me at kmeaders@q.com Ken

Thanks Stump. I have got a little more done in the last few days.

Joe, again this is a really cool looking build that just gets better. I'm with Dave on the steering thing; you guys just go straight anyway LOL. I think that's why they make knuckles so the shaft can go around anything. I'm sure you'll figure out a way. Ken

Thank you guys. Kane, the tires are made with styrene sheet and painted. I wish I could cast them. TDR sells dirt car tires and rims with a beadlock but they're the same size and with a sprinter you need a ton of stagger so the tires are different sizes. Hey Bart I finally figured out which picture and what the thing was you were talking about.To the right of the frame, in the first picture, is the beginning of the tail tank. I made that out of poster board and covered it with fiberglass and it's the tank you see in the other pictures. Those things have a lot of compound curves going on so I find it easier to form it like you do an airplane model so both sides are the same. Ken

That isn't good Tom. The good news is that you will be alright in awhile and use the TV tray, as suggested, to work on. I've had both hips replaced and my back fused, all in one year and was able to draw a lot on the old TV tray. It was before I started modeling. Take care. Ken

It seems fast but really it's just a ton of hours, I get obsessed. Here's some more.

A little more progress as of yesterday.

I'm not sure what you mean but does this help?

Yea, I did but I haven't put them on yet. Maybe in the next few days I'll finish the stock car off but I got into this sprinter and put everything else on hold for a week or so. Ken

Wow is good, thanks. More progress in the last few days.

Welcome Lou and I'm a huge sprint car fan also. Your cars are down right amazing. I don't know how you can get such detail in a car that small, but you do a masterful job of it. I have to build two more sprinters after this and one of those is a Beast chassis that Tracy Hines drives ( pavement car). I was finding it difficult to get info on those frames, but now with your build and reference photos I can build that Beast next. Thanks. Ken

My newest project is a USAC sprinter. I drew the plans and started on it but now have to wait for more material that I ordered. I'm doing the tires a little different using styrene sheet, no water pipe anymore. With these cars, you have to get the right rear correct or it will never look right..

Dave, you're the master. That's one of the coolest race car models I have ever seen and even way bigger than my late model. Tell me how you do the Hoosier on the tires so well as I need that logo on my new sprinter and the late model? Ken

This is me at the race track.

Thanks Bill. Because I've had fun building a car from the 21rst century, instead of vintage stuff, I'm going to build a 2011 USAC non wing sprinter next. I will post pictures of this car when it's 100% done.

Thanks guys; I'll finish this up in a week and start another something (fast and meaner looking)

I'm finishing up the late model and so want build a A.J. Foyt midget and a San Jose supermodified. Here's some examples. I am going to try and build both at the same time. The midget will be cool because most of the parts will come from TRD and the body along with some other stuff from the Madd Fabricator. It will sort of be like when Sid built that 427 Cobra from TRD. So when it's done and you say Man I'd like to build one of those; you can get the stuff and do it. The super is my deal sooo it probably won't be in any kind of kit form.

I love it, man. I hope you're having as much fun building as we are watching it. It just looks like your name without the second D and G. Great work.

I hate painting the body. I'm lousy at it and it takes so much work, scratch building one, that it's a shame to be painted by me. I know a guy who paints helmets and I'm going to ask him to paint my next car.

Romell. you're the man, thanks. Almost done, Im waiting on the decals to get finished. I still have some things like headers and two wheel hubs, but it's getting there.

Simple, I'm old and I was a sprint car driver.

If you scratch build everything, like me, then it's the subject that makes a difference. There's no kits out (yet) for the cars I build. I like race cars because I've been around them all my life and I like cars that look mean, nasty and fast. The suspension system and motor are the most interesting part for me.

Dzus fasteners in 1/8 scale would sell along with 1/16. Toggle switches and the ring that goes around guages, seat belt hardware, fuel caps, axle and chassis brackets with multiple mounts. I could go on and on. Do you think you could do a few 1/8 scale parts also? Some parts for a dragster also will work on circle track cars. Food for thought, good luck and when you get it done, show it all over the net at every model site there is. Ken

Wow, amazing! I have never seen anything quite like that. All scratch built?

Wow, that's was cool. Wouldn't that be great, to make a living building model cars?