The Missile

[6bblbird]

This has always been my favorite Pro Stocker!

I would like to take you through my build.

Here is what I am starting with! An MPC Pro Stock 'cuda that needs a lot of work.

I start by removing the '72 MPC nose and tail light panel and transfer them to an unknown body. Thought it was a Johan but probably not.

Edited December 24, 2015 by 6bblbird
incorrect info

[Snake45]

Very cool! I have the same thing to work with, and the Slixx MM decals. All that's keeping me from building it is, I need to figure out how to fix those wretchedly inaccurate kit headlight buckets. I'm working that out on a snap stocker, and when I do, it's Missile Time!

[6bblbird]

Ahhhh! Follow along and I'll show you how fix those ugly headlights. I have a method!

[6bblbird]

The rear panel fits perfectly. I also cut out the license plate pad so that I could recess that area as it would appear on a 1:1 'cuda.

[Nytrozilla]

This is gonna' be fun. Excellent concept, outstanding start.

[Force]

One of my favourites too, this I'm gonna follow.

[maltsr]

You have my attention, too.  Great start

[hedotwo]

Great subject!  Following....

[jeff f]

Your off to a great start , I'm working on one also .

Jeff.

[6bblbird]

The engine is going to be a focal point so I want it to be as correct as possible. A Hot Rod magazine article was very helpful.

This engine is actually complete but I want to show the progress pics.

Notice the aluminum rod that is used to line up the engine, bellhousing, and motor plate as none of these pieces are from a common kit.

Many parts for this car are from the "stash"

Motor plate was cut from ".030 sheet plastic.

 

 

Race cars almost always require a scattershield of safety bell housing. Many builders omit these. This one is a resin piece that I bought at a show.

Edited December 24, 2015 by 6bblbird

[vintagercr]

I will be watching this build

[6bblbird]

Gotta make one of these:

Not the same as the distributor drive in the  Johan Sox & Martin, but you could use that.

[6bblbird]

Valley cover is made from Evergreen sheet and painted aluminum. Easy, but will it be seen with the intake on? Who cares, it looks cool now.

[iBorg]

I stumbled upon this and am encouraged to pull out a long dormant project. A couple of thoughts:

• After being allowed to rust almost into oblivion, the Missile is being restored. Here's a link to a facebook page dedicated to its restoration: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1025140980845284.1073741834.810583018967749&type=3
• Interesting choice on bodies. When Revell's Cuda was released there was a lot of discussion as to the best 'Cuda body. I'm not sure the Jo-han is more accurate than the MPC body. Either are more accurate than the Revell. The MPC offers the advantage of the Motown scoop if you can find one. I'm interested to see how you handle the headlights.....I've got a good guess.
• The Revell kit is a good parts kit for this build. The chassis and interior are much more accurate than either the Jo-han or MPC. You can get the Revell chassis to fit the MPC body. Good luck on getting it to fit under the Jo-han. The interior builds up off a platform which mounts to the chassis plate. This makes using the chassis plate and the interior a huge challenge to fit under the MPC kit. I wouldn't attempt it under the Jo-han.. Doable on the MPC, but not a shake and bake.

I look forward to following your build. Who knows, maybe I can move mine forward.

[6bblbird]

My post for today.

The angled dual distributor drive was relatively easy. I used a "t" section of sprue and whittled it in to shape, painted it aluminum, and topped it off with pre-wired distributor caps.

[dragcarz]

I'm watching

[6bblbird]

Another (better) pic of the distributor drive:

I tried to make engine mounts from aluminum box tubing but they would not cooperate so I went with the motor plate.

Edited December 27, 2015 by 6bblbird
spelling

[6bblbird]

The Hemi is ready:

The Hemi is ready!

Wiring 2 distributors in the correct firing order is an exercise in patience!

Headers are from Johan Sox & Martin kit. Sprayed with Alclad ll.

[RIC417]

NICE BUILD WALTER

[6bblbird]

I found this disc brake set up in my junk pile. They will work well.

[6bblbird]

Early Pro Stock chassis were simple and down right primitive compared to todays cars.

I'm using a Johan chassis pan with a resin Dana 60 and Johan S&M torsion bars, leaf springs, and control arms. The frame connectors are square Evergreen stock.

 

Edited December 29, 2015 by 6bblbird

[6bblbird]

Body and interior mock up:

I wanted replicate the gold anodized inner fenders that the real Missile had so I figured "why not use real aluminum?" I cut up a soda can, cleaned it with steel wool and formed the inner fenders. The anodized effect was achieved using Tamiya Clear Orange from the can.

[W-409]

Great work on this Barracuda, Walter! Great to see a guy like you who really knows how this cars were built back in the day building one in 1/25 scale too. Seeing this one brings back good memories from two years ago when I built that Jo-Han Sox & Martin Pro Stock kit. It was nowhere near this nice, but I had fun with it...Just like I enjoy watching this one, keep it coming!

[diymirage]

any chance I can talk you into trading out the dash for a rallye unit?

I need a non rallye dash for a model of my 1:1 I'm building

[Snake45]

Hey, Walt, about those headlight buckets: When you get your solution done, any chance you could take castings and offer copies to the rest of us? Dunno if you have this capability or not but if you do, you could put me down for three sets.