mysterj1

Sorry to pile on, Chris, but I have to agree. They don't seem to scale to me, either. I think something closer to the size of the old AFX slot cars would be more to scale on this project's casters.

I think adding the extra material and making that curvature's radius will make it more realistic. It is kind of hard to see the side profile of the air dam, if you look at the driver's side air dam in the 4th picture you posted, it seems to be a little easier to see the curve in that shot; I think it is easier for me to see in the last pic (again of the driver's side air dam). I think I was simply trying to say to my eye there is a radius in almost every side of the air dams and the flat styrene seems to make that radius in the 1:1 stand out.

Chris, Amazed at the level of detail you're throwing in on this build, it staggers me...but I do have one observation; simply that the 1:1 air dams seem substantially "rounder" than your (awesome) build, yours seem, well, a little "boxy"? Thinking what I would do to make it possible to create that effect, possible double the styrene top, giving you some depth to implement the curvature and sand that into the styrene, and thus get the right curve? I guess you'd see that through the front/rear inlets but I think you could trim the inner piece of styrene back so aesthetically they didn't show. You've probably already done something amazing, so this will probably be moot! Just tossing out an outside observation of what I see in your creation and the 1:1...hope you'll accept this in the spirit it was meant! Joe

That is just amazing. I would have a bazillion little springs and pieces of latches littering my floor...

Just...fantastic. Chris, I began visiting this forum around the time you began this build and have been watching faithfully ever since. As much as it is amazing that you have built such an amazingly detailed car, it is more so that you took the time to document it all so meticulously and share it with this forum. I can't tell you how it has opened my eyes to the possibilities of modeling. I really will sort of miss checking on this project, just because I never knew what eye candy you would come up next! I love drag racing, particularly the late 60's/early 70's cars. There was so much innovation and the speed of those cars for the day...it was something else (I have a special place in my heart for FA's). Thanks for taking the time to share this build with us!

Really good visualization of a honest-to-goodness WORK truck. I love seeing rigs like this before everyone thought they had to "bling" them out..

Chris, Just looking at the 1:1 pic, is there some sort of "cover" (not sure what you call it?) between the two clamps? I was wondering if it served as a spacer, or what? I noticed the steering column was black where the steering wheel attaches, and silver/aluminum between the two fire suppression bottle holder clamps.

Chris, Your build has opened my eyes to the possibilities in any build! I appreciate your attitude of "every piece is a model"...it's given me a new appreciation for detail. Looking forward to your next update!

Very nicely done, Matthew. I'm trying to muster up the courage to build a scratchbuild chassis myself, but I will probably be closer to 109", something old school.

Mark, Love what you've got going here...the old school altered's have always been perhaps my favorite drag racing car. What was the wheelbase on this car. I've been doing some reading on some chassis info, it seemed that the old school cars were typically 105"-110". Does this jive with what you'd read?

Or the articulating Golden Eagle

I just wish there were a way to get the aluminum panels that were used on the old MC8s (greyhounds) and Silver and Golden Eagles (Trailways). I don't think it would be TOO hard to fab the bus, but the detail on those panels would be really tough to do. I've seen suggestions of doing it w/ decals (wouldn't have the relief I'm looking for) and gluing small ribs of styrene to flat panels. My family was in the bus industry, so I'd love to see someone do one of those old highway cruisers...

Chris, I'm going to be up front and say I've never wanted to see anyone's progress so badly! I'm chomping at the bit to see the frame ready to go to the paint booth -I guess I can say I'm a styrene junkie when I get so motivated for primer lol

I'm thinking about attempting my first scratch build, a conversion of a Eagle silver eagle coach. I'm just beginning the research for materials but am curious if any of you have any thoughts on how to replicate the aluminum(?) sheet metal. I've seen a few decals that I could use for some of the riveting but for the actual texture/ribbing I'm scratching my head...

I'd love to see one of the early to mid 60's Continental Trailways Golden Eagles - or at least a Silver Eagle! My grandfather owned a bus depot for 50+ years, and I'd love to see one of the major builders tackle it. I guess I still have a bios against the "dog"...one of the reasons I've gotten back into building has been considering scratch building an Eagle - I have spent quite a bit of time looking over this site and a couple other scratch build sites for ideas. I actually got a few GREAT ideas from a fire apparatus site earlier tonight...between that and then (coincidentally) seeing the bus thread here, I might have to start building...

Loving this. As much as I love some of the amazingly realistic builds here, I admit I love when you all put up what I used to call a "junker", a build from this kit and that kit, just what your minds come up with! Good stuff!

One of my favorite cars. Those wheels just scream NITRO to me - I still think FED, those old funny cars, and outlaw fuel altereds made up the best line up of all time. PS Gotta give NHRA it's props, though...anyone who saw Anton Brown's crash this weekend would have been amazed he walked away from that!

Great topic, I remember that car being one of my favorites. I love the horsepower on the cars today, but really I think the cars today just have no character compared to the FC's of the day.

Saw this tonight...a 1970 AMC AMX/3 prototype. Unfortunately never saw the light of day due to the gas crisis. A mid engine, 390, 345 HP, 4 speed auto monster...I'd have LOVED to have one of these to run on the 1/4 mile....

This kind of dedication just goes to prove if you want to build it, it can be done. We have some amazing builders of our own here!

Amazing build and quite timely, I've been collection Topolino pics for the last few days in order to research and maybe build a radical AA/FA from the day. I've been trying to get any and all chassis shots I can get, I'd love to see your chassis details and learn where you got your "foundation".

Great subject! I remember always cheering Jim Bucher back in the day (figuratively, had to rely on whatever magazine's covered it back then). Love to see this come to fruition!

I think this has got to qualify as the award winner in the "Most Fun" category! Zonker Power!

Have been reading through this and trying my best to keep up with the technicalities thereof...amazing work! For those who don't know, the Atom is simply a FLABBERGASTING vehicle...I came across this a few years back and have been wanting an Atom of my own...

Very cool rig. I'd never seen a Thames done like that, I like it! Great work.