My 1/12 scale 57 Chevy gasser build

[ShakyCraftsman]

Hey all 

 Posted this in Bigboys, not much action so I thought I would post it here. I dumped the date to much hassle to change all the time.This is the body, I started this about 20 some years ago, maybe more. I cut out the doors and deck lid so I could make them open. Plan on gluing the hood on and make a tilt front end. I have to figure out how to make the cowl and front door "A" pillar area. I have some pics of the real thing for a guide, so we will see how that goes.This is how it's going to look, I have it mocked up for picture purposes.These are the drawings to scale. I used these to create the frame, front axle, rear axle and numerous other parts. I was a automotive tool designer/draftsmen I made drawings of the machines and welding equipment that is used to assemble cars for the auto industry. I worked for all 3 manufacturers Ford, GM and Chrysler. I also built a few hot rods in my day. I had a 69 Z28, 64 Galaxie 500 390 tri-power and 53 Ford sedan delivery I planned to pro street with a 460 Ford blown motor, but I ran out of mullah, o well that's the way the cookie crumbles.This picture shows the frame, front axle, rear axle and the TDR Inovations 392 blown Chrysler Hemi with dual Holleys and 4spd Muncie. It also shows the TDR Inovations 9" Ford rear end. I modifed it with a rear brace and 4-link brackets and track bar mount. The front tires are Firestones from the 57 kit. I had to use 4 to make 2 witch gave me 4 narrow halves and 4 wide halves I used the narrow halves for my build and the left over wide halves I used to make 2 G-70ish sized tires that I will use on another build later. The narrow set are 6 1/2" section width and 4" tread width, the rear tires are the slicks from the old Monogram Red Baron kit. I had to use 4 of them to get 2. Remember I started this over 20 plus years ago when you could still go to your local hobby shop and get em off the shelf! I had to cut them down the tread area close to the edge in order to get 4 halves that I glued together to create two 16 1/2" section width by 13 1/4" tread width Goodyear blue streak drag special slicks. I have a ton more pics, so if you want to see more let me know what you think and I will post some more pics.

Thanks RonG 

 

Edited May 6, 2017 by ShakyCraftsman

[comp1839]

hey ron, i can appreciate the effort you put into this build. i love that you took the time to draw up some prints to lead you way through the build. great stuff!!!! great choices on your selection of parts. early hemi's are bad to the bone! don't worry about the lack of response in the "big boy" dept. the snob attitude that prevails over there made me leave to come here. i do mostly 1/8 stuff. i used to dabble in some 1/12 but, i just love working in 1/8. any way, great start to a great build keep at it and keep me informed here. she definitely has attitude!!!!

[ShakyCraftsman]

Comp1839 thanks 

 I did some stuff in1/8 scale a long time ago. A 460 Ford block, 1 head (was going to cast the other one),Cobra front sump oil pan (the aluminum one) also a custom independent rear working suspension. I got away from 1/8 because I don't have the room to display them anymore, we moved into a condo and I barely have room for the 1/12 scale stuff I'm working on know.   I always wanted to build a 1/8 scale 1932  3 window coupe with a 392 hemi maybe one day if I can find 32 kit for a decent price.

Thanks RonG 

[mr68gts]

I must repeat what Dave has said. I too can appreciate the time spent drawing up the chassis and such! Looks awesome btw! Just beautiful work so far. Looking forward to your progress. I will definitely be following along with this one!

Paul

[ShakyCraftsman]

Thanks Guys 

 Here's some more pics, so look em over and let me know what you think. Your comments are most welcome. If you see something I might have missed please let me know.

Thanks  RonG This is the 392 Chrysler hemi from TDR Inovations This is the 9" Ford rear end assembly I modifed it with a rear brace and 4-link brackets and track bar mount.picture of the rear slicks and centerline wheels.View showing the width of the rear slicks.View of the front tires and centerline wheels.View showing the width of the front tires.This shows how I narrowed the front tires.This shows how the rear suspension works. The coil overs are from a Tamiya Lotus f1 kit.This is a view of the front axle and springs the whole front axle assembly is scratch built except for the front calipers.another view of the front axle assembly. The wheels and tires actually turn and will be connected to the steering box.here's a shot of the headers the one on the right still needs to be finished. These are scratch built.This view shows the headers mounted to the motor.

Edited April 7, 2017 by ShakyCraftsman

[Nytrozilla]

Excellent work all around so far Ron, but what got my attention is the front suspension. NICE.

Put those pics in a text book as a great example.

And it can be scratched out in any scale skill will allow.

Approach Dave (Comp1839) with caution or you'll be replacing stuff with metal before you realize what happened.

He'll even tell ya' how to do it right.

 

[ShakyCraftsman]

Thanks nitrozilla 

 I'll watch for Dave lol, I have all my pictures stored in an archive for future reference.

Thanks RonG 

[Davewilly]

very cool! 

[DumpyDan]

Incredible, really like the from bumper molded in looks great

[ShakyCraftsman]

Thanks Guys 

  I appreciate your responses keep em up 

Thanks again RonG 

[ShakyCraftsman]

Hey all 

 Here's some more pics.This view shows the working front axle and front of frame.View showing the front suspension.This view shows the driveshaft safety loop and rear end track bar set-up.View showing the motor and motor mounts. You can see some of the driver's side header also.This view shows the front spring these are all scratch built with separate eye 6 leaves and mounting parts. They actually have a little spring to them. So enjoy em and let me know what you think.

Thanks RonG 

[comp1839]

good looking stuff ,ron!!  you got the details down pat. keep 'em comin'!!

[ShakyCraftsman]

Thanks comp1839

Had to set everything aside, wife wanted the kitchen table back to get ready for Easter. I'm trying to get my hobby bench set up in the basement, need to rearrange some stuff. It may be a while before I get up and running. Hopefully it won't be to long.

Thanks RonG 

[Nytrozilla]

Let's do a checklist to see if you got your priorities in order Ron.

1 - Wife

2 - Holiday

3 - Hobby bench

Yup, ya' nailed it.

[Ben]

That's some beautiful work!

[ShakyCraftsman]

Thanks Guys I appreciate the input.

[ShakyCraftsman]

Thought I would post a few more pictures, these are extras that show some different angles.This view shows the body and the separate doors, deck lid and hood.Close up view showing the moulded in bumber.View showing front suspension, frame, blown 392 hemi and rear suspension.View showing front spindle, disc and caliper also shows one of the front springs.View showing bottom o header mounting flange.This view shows driver side header on left and passenger side header  (unfinished) on right.This view shows the rear dsc and caliper and how they fit to the rear wheel This is a side view showing the stance. Just some pics to look over and keep everyone interested. I will post some more pics when I get some more work done on this beast. So look em over and let me know what you think. If you see something I need to do please let me know.

Thanks  RonG 

[Mooneyzs]

Ron... This is an awesome build you got going. I am another that can admire you taking the time to draw things out. Pretty cool that you drew it all by hand too. I love the subject matter. This is going to be a great build to follow along with. I have wanted to build myself a gasser in 1/16th scale because I think it would be a lot of fun. I look forward to seeing updates on this build. Nice Work, It's looking great so far.

[bytownshaker]

Truly amazing workmanship Ron..I love seeing models built that are realistic and well thought out.

Edgar

[ShakyCraftsman]

Thanks Guys

 I'm working on my work bench, so I should be able to get started back on the 57 soon.

Thanks RonG 

[ShakyCraftsman]

Hey all

 Well I now have a temporary work area setup. So I got a little more work done on the 57. So here are some pics for you to look at. For some reason site is not allowing me to add text after inserting a picture. So I will add text here. First pic shows the frame with the roll bar on it. I have about 50% of it done as you can see in the photo. Second picture shows the roll bar detached from the frame I did this so I could paint everything before assembly. I hope this works the way I have planned, we'll see as we go along. Third picture is a side view, the seat is just for scale purposes, it's not the one I'm going to use. The sheet plastic will be painted to simulate aluminum panels the frame I'm thinking of painting black along with the roll cage. I may change my mind once I decide what color to paint the body. So look em over and let me know what you think. All comments are appreciated. 

Thanks  RonG This view shows the finished passenger side header and the scratch built blower belt. Another view showing the blower belt. I made it from masking tape and colored it with a black sharpie. It's not what I want but it will due for know until I can print one in rubber with teeth.View showing the scratch built Optima red top 34 (I colored it with sharpies).Another view of the battery.Another view of the battery.View of the drive shaft, it has working u-joints and aluminum shaft 3 1/2" diameter.Close up view of the u-joint. So look em over and let me know what you think.

Thanks RonG 

Edited April 18, 2017 by ShakyCraftsman
Update

[gasser59]

This is some real top-notch scratch building Ron. I, too can appreciate your rendering this up as a guide. If i had to make a comment about some adjustments to your build, I'd say your floorboard and firewall are a bit too thin. Everything else is spot on. Keep after it.

[ShakyCraftsman]

Hey gasser 59

 The floor is supposed to be sheet aluminum, there for the reason why it's so thin. The firewall is sheet aluminum too. It needs to be incorporated with the "A" pillars and dash before it's complete.  All of it still needs to be finished, these photos are just mock up shots so everyone can see the progress, I still have a long way to go. I really appreciate your comments, keep em coming they help me keep on my toes.

Thanks RonG 

[ShakyCraftsman]

Well  gasser 59 I think I'm going to take your advice and change the floor from .02 stock to .03 stock the .02 is to flimsy, doesn't support the body very well. I had to start over on the roll cage it was out of wack. The new cage and frame are just about done. I'm on my way to the store for paint as we speak. Going to give it a first coat of primer so I can see if there's any place left to fix. I made a 1/12 scale driver for display purposes, and that led to the roll cage change, he was sitting outside of the cage, which we all know is a definite no no. I will post some pictures of the frame and driver. As soon as I get them painted. So keep watching to see all the progress.

Thanks  RonG 

[mr68gts]

Coming along nicely Ron! Making want to get back to my 1/6 Chevelle pro mod. Alas...gsl and vacation first! Then maybe things will settle down and get back to normal! Good call on the roll cage btw. I didn't see that till you mentioned it.

Paul