Avanti Salt Flat Racer

[Raul_Perez]

Here she is, ready to get loaded in the trailer and head towards the salt flats for a day of some serious speed and fun!

Just to be sure, Clay loaded the parachute himself.

Time for one last safety check and a listen to the rumble of the twin Paxton supercharged V8 before we go.

Oh yeah...everything seems to be in order...time to get moving...

This was an interesting build because I only found two really old, poor quality black and white photos of the R5 engine. I had to do a bit of improvising here and there to get this one done.

Well, Clay, I hope that you enjoy this one as much as I had fun building it for you. I'll put in the mail after the GoodGuys show next weekend.

Later,

Edited May 27, 2008 by Raul_Perez

[Clay]

Raul, I am just speechless, it is amazing. The detail is awesome, just awesome. I really appreciate all that you have done for me.

Thank you for building this for me.

[Darrell Gwinn]

That thing looks mean, but in a very subtle way, you just have to stare at it for a while then it just jumps out and takes you by suprise!

[george 53]

Well Raul, another home run!!!I can smell the Av gas an hear that mill just a windin out!Great build,It should really make some folks at your contest sit up an take notice!!!

[Roadkill2525]

Great build Raul

Bringing anything else with it this weekend?

[Bernard Kron]

Superb and very original. Amazing how final detailing and BMF pulls things together.

Clay:

Most of us only see these builds digitally. We'll want to hear your impressions once you receive it!

B.

[Clay]

Don't worry, I will let you guys know exactly how good it looks. I will also take pictures with my other Avantis.

[lonewolf]

Raul,

Superb build as always. Stuff like this inspires and amazes me. Don't suppose you'd build ma a car, would ya?

[Raul_Perez]

Raul, I am just speechless, it is amazing. The detail is awesome, just awesome. I really appreciate all that you have done for me.

Thank you for building this for me.

Thanks, Clay! I hope that Ani likes it, too!

That thing looks mean, but in a very subtle way, you just have to stare at it for a while then it just jumps out and takes you by suprise!

Thanks, Darrell! That's too funny!

[Raul_Perez]

Well Raul, another home run!!!I can smell the Av gas an hear that mill just a windin out!Great build,It should really make some folks at your contest sit up an take notice!!!

Thanks, George!! Yep, I'll have to put a few drops of AV gas in the tank to make sure Clay gets a wiff of real horsepower when he opens the box!

Great build Raul

Bringing anything else with it this weekend?

Thanks, Michael!! No, I haven't built anything new that you haven't seen. I may bring a few of my Danbury Mint salt flat cars. Curt is bringing the two that he built, so we'll have a little salt flat display going...

[Raul_Perez]

Superb and very original. Amazing how final detailing and BMF pulls things together.

B.

Thanks, Bernard! Yes, but what's more amazing is how well a little undetected superglue on your finger can pull the BMF right back off of the car faster than you put it on!! That wasn't fun at all...luckily, it didn't affect the paint...like my good friend Curt always says, "model building is nothing more than a series of fixing your @#$%-ups"

Raul,

Superb build as always. Stuff like this inspires and amazes me. Don't suppose you'd build ma a car, would ya?

Thanks, Tony!! No, I won't be building cars for anyone else for a while...and I'm pretty sure that Clay's not going to be sharing this one.

Later,

[Bainford]

A very impressive build. I love almost anything that's headed for the salt, and modified Avantis are just cool. This is a very clean build, and well detailed. Is this the modified kit engine? Everything under the hood looks right on. A fabulous build, I love it!!

[Raul_Perez]

A very impressive build. I love almost anything that's headed for the salt, and modified Avantis are just cool. This is a very clean build, and well detailed. Is this the modified kit engine? Everything under the hood looks right on. A fabulous build, I love it!!

Thanks! Yes, that's the twin Paxton supercharged R5 engine from the kit. I added the oil fill tube and the dipstick from photo references I found on the internet of the R3 engine that the R5 was derived from. I also added an aluminum magneto, the magneto control unit and the master brake system from an AMT '95 ZR-1.

Regards,

[David@MinidreamsInc.]

Man the people at AMT should be smiling right about now ! Cause thats the best Avanti ever built ! From such an ugly car to a rough plastic kit all your work really turned this car into something ! Great skills, nice idea and 1 heck of a finish ! Mad props Raul !

[bsoder]

DUUUUDE...I love it Raul, ever since I built a stock version I've wanted to do a salt racer, ahh well maybe I'll run across another kit

[Raul_Perez]

Man the people at AMT should be smiling right about now ! Cause thats the best Avanti ever built ! From such an ugly car to a rough plastic kit all your work really turned this car into something ! Great skills, nice idea and 1 heck of a finish ! Mad props Raul !

Thanks, Dave! Yeah, that old AMT kit leaves a lot to be desired...

DUUUUDE...I love it Raul, ever since I built a stock version I've wanted to do a salt racer, ahh well maybe I'll run across another kit

Thanks, Brian!! Are you going to the GoodGuys show this weekend? Curt, Jerry and I will be there.

[Roadkill2525]

DUUUUDE...I love it Raul, ever since I built a stock version I've wanted to do a salt racer, ahh well maybe I'll run across another kit

I saw a AMT Avanti kit at Riverside Hobbies, I think it was $19.99.

Thanks, Brian!! Are you going to the GoodGuys show this weekend? Curt, Jerry and I will be there.

I'll be there also.

[jbwelda]

nice job raul, as we have discussed salt flats cars are one of my interests. in fact, instead of some pizza parlor, we ought to think about having a meeting out on the salt flats! i try to go there every year in october for world of speed or one of those events, on my way up to yellowstone. its always a blast and ive got some cool photos from over the years.

goodguys this coming weekend in pleasanton? i may try to make it. i need to go to berzerkley one day on the weekend to get some gardening supplies, so maybe i will pass through the GG show as well.

[Clay]

I saw a AMT Avanti kit at Riverside Hobbies, I think it was $19.99.

You can find them on eBay a little bit cheaper. I was luck enough to find my first one at the PX toystore in 29 Palms. Whats so funny about that I was talking to my father in law about them making any kits and we walked in there and there it was. Needless to say that started a trend with him. He is where most of my kits came from.

[Raul_Perez]

nice job raul, as we have discussed salt flats cars are one of my interests. in fact, instead of some pizza parlor, we ought to think about having a meeting out on the salt flats! i try to go there every year in october for world of speed or one of those events, on my way up to yellowstone. its always a blast and ive got some cool photos from over the years.

goodguys this coming weekend in pleasanton? i may try to make it. i need to go to berzerkley one day on the weekend to get some gardening supplies, so maybe i will pass through the GG show as well.

Thanks, Bill! I hope to see you in Pleasanton! We'll be there both days.

You can find them on eBay a little bit cheaper. I was luck enough to find my first one at the PX toystore in 29 Palms. Whats so funny about that I was talking to my father in law about them making any kits and we walked in there and there it was. Needless to say that started a trend with him. He is where most of my kits came from.

Hey, that avatar looks familiar!

[kasteer]

Beautiful build Raul. The detail, finish and overall car is AWESOME! Great work!

[Raul_Perez]

Beautiful build Raul. The detail, finish and overall car is AWESOME! Great work!

Thanks, Eric!!

It's too bad that there wasn't a salt flat class at last weekend's GoodGuys show because everyone really liked it. Oh well...maybe next year...

Edited October 30, 2008 by Raul_Perez

[Clay]

Don't worry, if there is a model car show that is within a reasonable drive and there is a racing catagory, it will be entered.

[george 53]

Ere ya go Clay,That Bad Boy WAS BUILT for winning!Great job Raul,Clay, you is one lucky Marine!SEMPER FI!!!

[curt raitz]

Thanks, Eric!!

It's too bad that there wasn't a salt flat class at last weekend's GoodGuys show becuase everyone really liked it. Oh well...maybe next year...

You're gonna build another one???..cuz ya done gave this one away

It sure is a great looking model and I know Clay will enjoy the work you put into it

but you said ya never want to see another avanti kit again...let alone build one

maybe a salt flat or dry lake racer other than the avanti, heh!

hee-hee!