Early '60s, NHRA legal Chevy C/Gas Supercharged 'gasser'

[traditional]

I've seen too many models of "gassers' that wouldn't have passed tech inspection in the day since they're more like 'run what ya brung' racers, so I'm just completing this '55 Chevy gasser using the NHRA rule books (from ''62/'63/64) for guidance. The body is originally from a Revell 1/25 American Graffiti 'snap kit' that had only an opening hood. I've cut open the doors and trunk, built up a 4-71 GMC supercharged Chevy small-block, fabricated an aluminum floor and trunk interior, brass and aluminum straight front axle (with steering), set back the engine the legal 10%, cut open the front fenders to become a one-piece flip front end, simple tuck-n-roll basic upholstery, legal lightweight front seats, raised the front of the roof area (disproportionately low from Revell), and fabricated a myriad of brackets and details to complete the model. Paint is custom mixed basecoat/clearcoat darkish orange and the wheels are from the Revell Orange Crate (rear) and Round2 Willys pickup gasser (front). The car sits relatively level and the height is the legal maximum of the rocker panels being no higher than the center of the rear hubs. The legal 150 lb maximum battery is mounted in the trunk for rear weight bias, and the 301" Chevy engine is mounted no higher than the two ft ground to crankshaft center.

 

 

Edited December 10, 2016 by traditional

[traditional]

Edited December 10, 2016 by traditional

[Snake45]

Absolutely fabulous! Very well done indeed!

How have I never heard of an AMT/ERTL snap kit of this car?

[Marc Weller]

Killer, killer model and stunning photographs !!! Please tell me how you got those shots. 

[Miatatom]

Everything done so well, Clifford! Love the color too!

[PARTSMARTY]

There isn't much I can say other than I'm speechless-Absolutely perfect-I love every bit of it-congrats !!!

[Metal Man]

Outstanding - 'next level' build right there!  Flip front, engine, and opening trunk put me over the top - well done sir!!

[hedotwo]

Stunning!  Great work!

[iBorg]

"I've seen too many models of "gassers' that wouldn't have passed tech inspection in the day since they're more like 'run what ya brung' racers, so I'm just completing this '55 Chevy gasser using the NHRA rule books (from ''62/'63/64) for guidance. "

 

You're so right. It always gets me going when people post any of the Revell gassers (except the Thames and Anglia) that had the round tube chassis and call them gassers. Round tube chassis were not class legal in the sixties. Those were for the "hot cars" like altereds. 

 

I love your build. Did this start with a die-cast body? Its a great build. 

Edited December 10, 2016 by iBorg
quotes gone crazy.....of failure to use insert quote correctly.

[Lordmodelbuilder]

Beautiful well detailed build. Love it!

[traditional]

 

You're so right. It always gets me going when people post any of the Revell gassers (except the Thames and Anglia) that had the round tube chassis and call them gassers. Round tube chassis were not class legal in the sixties. Those were for the "hot cars" like altereds. 

 

I love your build. Did this start with a die-cast body? Its a great build. 

Yes, the basic Chevy 150 sedan body was the only diecast part in the original snap-kit....I don't have any particular allegiance to 'plastic only' and I do really like working with diecast bodies because, although modifications like cutting open doors and trunk-lids are much more time consuming and difficult, the resulting finished product usually retains considerably more structural integrity.  Also, my hobby background is in 1/1 restoration, so I also like being able to use real automotive products in the body-work such as Bondo and automotive paints, primers, etc. 

[Snake45]

Yes, the basic Chevy 150 sedan body was the only diecast part in the original snap-kit....I don't have any particular allegiance to 'plastic only' and I do really like working with diecast bodies because, although modifications like cutting open doors and trunk-lids are much more time consuming and difficult, the resulting finished product usually retains considerably more structural integrity.  Also, my hobby background is in 1/1 restoration, so I also like being able to use real automotive products in the body-work such as Bondo and automotive paints, primers, etc. 

Are you sure this wasn't a Revell kit? Looks a lot like the Revell AG '55 Chevy. (If so, it will save me a bunch of work trying to track down an ERTL kit.)

[traditional]

Are you sure this wasn't a Revell kit? Looks a lot like the Revell AG '55 Chevy. (If so, it will save me a bunch of work trying to track down an ERTL kit)

Yes, Richard, you're absolutely correct.

I tracked down the box and it says Revell.  I must have been confusing it with the 1/18 version.   I apologize for the mix-up, and I'll edit the post

[Geno]

Stunning Cliff, I always love seeing your work.

[rmvw guy]

You have gone to extreme level to make it look right.  I especially like the front end assembly with realistic springs, shackles and ubolts.  Nice job, should win some trophies.

[Hubert Rollins]

WOW!!! Amazing bunch of work!!

[espo]

I'm glad you included a couple of build pictures, The finished build looks so nice it's hard sometimes to appreciate all the effort that went into this build. The front suspension is amazing.

[DumpyDan]

Nice work as always Cliff.

[James2]

Very cool build. 

[skymnky721]

Really nice job,,cool year bowtie to do

[echo]

Very nice build, period correct !

[Mike C]

Awesome model!

[crazyjim]

Terrific details on a nice and SHINY build

[Cardz]

This is awesome! 

[vintagercr]

Looks good, Cliff