Pirahna Land Speed Record Car - DONE!

[Harpo]

I'm probably going to get in way over my head, but I'm doing it anyway.  I bought the AMT Piranha Super Spy Car kit because I like the engine configuration and detail, but I'm just not that thrilled with the styling.  I've decided to turn it into a retro land-speed record car using a NOS Cox model airplane canopy and whatever talent and putty I can bring to bear.

   

Edited October 1, 2018 by Harpo

[bigdrag1]

Cool Idea !! keep us up to date on your work...

[cobraman]

Sounds interesting !

[Jantrix]

51 minutes ago, cobraman said:

Sounds interesting !

I quite agree. Looking forward to it.

[PatW]

Interesting Garry, I have one of these 'Spy' cars on the shelf, not knowing what to do with it, you may have the answer, but I don't build many planes therefore have no spares. But lets wait and see!

[jaxenro]

Is this the Man from UNCLE car? I just bought the entire series on DVD and am halfway through season 1

[Snake45]

Somewhere, there's someone with an old Cox P-51--or maybe it's from their Corsair, which was sort-of based on the bubbletop F2G--model who would love to have that minty replacement canopy. 

[Harpo]

7 minutes ago, Snake45 said:

Somewhere, there's someone with an old Cox P-51--or maybe it's from their Corsair, which was sort-of based on the bubbletop F2G--model who would love to have that minty replacement canopy. 

There's one seller on ebay that still has five of them, and several other individuals with one.  No real shortage!

[Snake45]

6 hours ago, PatW said:

Interesting Garry, I have one of these 'Spy' cars on the shelf, not knowing what to do with it, you may have the answer, but I don't build many planes therefore have no spares. But lets wait and see!

Most model airplane canopies, being 1/48 scale or smaller, will be much too small. A 1/32 MIGHT work. Squadron makes clear vac-formed canopies for model airplanes. At one time they had some 1/32 canopies and they might have even added some 1/24 to their line since the last time I checked. 

Just realized, a hobby shop that specializes in flying/RC models might have something suitable as a separate part. 

Also, don't forget that the bubble on the real Barris Drag-U-La was the rear section of a P-51D canopy, which is represented in the AMT Drag-U-La kit. 

[Snake45]

2 minutes ago, Harpo said:

There's one seller on ebay that still has five of them, and several other individuals with one.  No real shortage!

Good to know! 

[Harpo]

2 hours ago, jaxenro said:

Is this the Man from UNCLE car? I just bought the entire series on DVD and am halfway through season 1

Yes, it was used in the 3rd and 4th seasons.  It's now in private hands and has been restored, there's some great pics of it here.

[Harpo]

I'm glad you inspired me to do some research, there were actually several versions of the Piranha including a Hemi-powered dragster, lots of opportunities for kit-bashing here! 

Here's the main web page: The AMT Piranha

Edited August 16, 2018 by Harpo

[Casey]

On 8/14/2018 at 3:17 PM, Harpo said:

I'm just not that thrilled with the styling.  I've decided to turn it into a retro land-speed record car using a NOS Cox model airplane canopy and whatever talent and putty I can bring to bear.   

Hmmm, I would've thought the body styling/shape lends itself to an LSR style car as it is, but looking forward to seeing how this progresses.

[Harpo]

Some progress, with a faint sense of direction.  

Removed the windshield hump at the cowl in prep for filling:

A piece of .020 Evergreen glued from the bottom:

Hot knife removes the interior, making way for serious seat position change:

Another bit of plastic to fill the hole, and lay nearly flush at the front for easy puttying (is that a word?):

Thin strips added beneath for reinforcement (and a bit of safety from sanding through):

Preliminary trimming, shaping, filling, and cat hair removal:

As may be obvious, I haven't a clue what I'm doing here.  I like this .020 plastic; it takes a smooth curve, glues very well, and is easy to reinforce.  I'm still pondering how to smooth the transition from the top of the front fenders (smooth curve) to the rear panels (razor), but it will come to me.  And I'm having fun!

 

 

Edited August 19, 2018 by Harpo

[Modelbuilder Mark]

Will be very interesting to see where this goes

[1930fordpickup]

Great idea.

You could always just round off the high points of the rear fender tops. 

[wmobie]

I have a twelve cylinder 65 Corvair LSR that looks remarkably similar to what you are doing. I will be watching.

Walt VT

[Harpo]

Area built up with .020 styrene preparing for new contours:

[Harpo]

Putty/sand x 2, contours are about right!

 

[Harpo]

Coming along nicely - and I love my new dehydrator!

[Spex84]

This is a neat idea. Looks very good so far!

 

[Dirkpitt289]

This is a cool kit. I love all the scratch work you are doing on it. I can't wait to see more of this

[Snake45]

15 hours ago, Harpo said:

Coming along nicely - and I love my new dehydrator!

Very smooth! 

[Harpo]

Making progress!  Hot-knifed the canopy down a bit, then sanded to body contour.  Same treatment for the scoop, it's the center of a surplus Batmobile hood.  

[OldNYJim]

Ohhhhh, this is cool!  I'll be watching!!