Whit Bazemore's Matco Tools Stratus

[David Thibodeau]

Just to catch you up, the Competition Resins body is completely finished. I used HOK Pavo purple base and Kandy Burple over that lightly applied to the front going heavy to the back. 2 sets of slixx decals were applied followed by 3 coats of clear and polish.

Instead of using the Wing ends in the Competition Resin body kit I used thin brass for better realism. They will be covered in CF decal on the inner parts.

Chassis was reproduced from the foot plate forward using .060 tubing and lengthened using advice from Clay to allow more room for the engine, timers etc. Paint is alclad steel with clear orange/black weathering and weld beads made with silver

Some scratchbuilt pieces here.

Front a arm detail using RB motion hardware

Wheels and tires are complete and accurate for this car. Fronts are Competition resin mags flipped backwards and covered in BMF with pegasus front drag tires and chrome trim rings. Rear slicks are Competition resin and wheels are pegasus weld racing.

Here is tonights progress. I have the car sitting on its own tires and wheels! I carefully set the ride height by gluing a piece of 5/16 aluminum tubing inside the body for the rear chassis hooks. This is the hinge the body will pivot on. The front was set adding plastic in the nose that hits the edge of the front frame. I sat the CR Kobelco blower and scoop on the engine. These need sanding to lower them a bit... More on that later...

[David Thibodeau]

Front suspension and brake detail is complete. Front rotors are from the Machined Aluminum Specialties FC PE set. I robbed the calipers from a Tamiya Rally kit. They are a little big but look fine to me. All the brake lines are protech .018 braided line with small bead crimp collars in silver for fittings.

Another part I accomplished is the rear wheelie bar. This was made with 5/16 aluminum tubing, PE bits, a plastic piece of solid tubing for the wheel and RB motion Heim joints and hardware.

I had bought a Competition Resins front nose prop to hold the nose in the air to display the detailed chassis. I decided to make a new one fron 5/16 aluminum tubing and .062 solder along with thin aluminum for the ends.

Progress on the engine. The Kobelco bagged Supercharger is from Competition resins. Front Pulleys are from Scale Repros Plus. The idler pulley brackets are from the MAS PE FC set along with the injector plate on top of the charger. The Injector lines and gold fittings are from the craft isle at Michaels. I really want to do something different for the belt. I like the Cogged belts from MAS but I feel they are a bit thick. I may have no choice but to use one, we will see!!

Here are a few shots of the naked chassis with the engine sitting in place. There is a hint of how detailed this chassis will be.

Body on the chassis photos. I think the front hood prop is a definite improvement over the CR one!

Rear shot. You can see that cool looking wheelie bar!

There is something cool about seeing that Metal plate through the window.... ;D

[David Thibodeau]

The last few nites I have been working on the rear wing components.Covering them in SMS CF and dupont clear. Tonight I installed them and am pleased with the results.....Using thin metal instead of the CR Resin pieces adds to the realism I believe..... They were a bit finicky to get just right but finally cooperated. I sealed them in where they join the body with testors window maker and a few heavy coats of future.

[David Thibodeau]

I think I solved my belt issue.... I used a piece of electrical tape cut to the correct width with a piece of business card taped to it painted black. I took a sharp razor blade and cut grooves in the business card. Its subtle, hard to see in the photos, but the cogs are there!

Next up I began detailing the engine assembly... its no where near done but getting there. SMS Carbon twill decal was applied to the scoop and it was cleared with dupont.Once applied I added the upper fuel lines to the scoop. The magnetos are scale repros plus prewired with some tubing added to the bases to beef them up and make them taller. The entire orange fuel pump in the front of the engine was made from scratch using various plastic tubing.

Here is the engine mocked in the car.... That CF scoop makes the engine look massive now!

Here is the body check of the scoop fitment. I will need to carefully remove a bit of the opening to allow for the throttle linkage hardware to clear, but for the most part a good fit!!

I also completed the rest of the support rods on the rear fins. With exception to the glass the body is done.

[David Thibodeau]

Fuel cell is done and installed. The cell itself is a Competition resin piece that was modified to modern specs. Then it was painted TS-14 black. I made the fuel caps from polished slices of aluminum rod and PE parts. The bracing is embossing metal, crimp beads and #2 DM hardline. Not much done but it does busy up the front of the chassis....

[David Thibodeau]

Following several reference pictures I scratchbuilt the rear computer box, oil tank, and added a Detailmaster fire extinguisher cut down to look like the one in the reference photo painted with TS-44 brilliant blue. I also plumbed the brakes and added sensor lines coming from the Computer box.

I also worked on the cockpit. Modifying the seat, adding seatbelts and impact decals from Clay. Once the seat was in place I added the rest of the head bars as well as the steering box and bar.

With the slicks installed.....

If you look closely you can see the clutch dust line capped with a pro tech breather....

Thanks for looking!

Dave T

[David Thibodeau]

Cockpit area is done. Lots of reference research for the results here. The Steering box is scratch built. Model car garage used for the gas pedal and clutch. MAS PE for the brake lever. Pro tech wire used for the radio.

The helmet side cushions were cf'ed on the outside with foam on the inside topped off with MCG PE dzus fasteners...

And here is the engine..... its done for the most part. An abundant array of Pro tech braided line, Hex fittings, Craft crimp tubes, MAS, MCG, you name it!!!! ;D The hemi decals on the metal wire covers were made by Mr Kemp......

here is the motor sitting in its home... just a test fit!! Things are starting to look busy!!!!

DaveT

[David Thibodeau]

Engine is in for good...

One of the trickier aspects is also complete. Once I installed the engine I made the main fuel lines from Solder, tapped them with a few fuel valves and hooked everything up.....

Also CAREFULLY filed away the scoop outlet on the body so the body sits down on the chassis perfect. I will paint the bare resin areas black and add a CF lip around the whole opening.

Here are a few CHassis/body up and down pics......

More to come soon!!!

DaveT

[David Thibodeau]

all fuel lines are connected and the timer box has been covered in CF decal and mounted...

Side PE panels were painted semi flat black and attatched. Then decals applied.

I also made a new tin for the scoop when the body is down. Windows are all thats left! In case some are wondering, the scoop hump was made from a soup spoon! An idea Clay was kicking around and like alot of them.... it works!!

Stay tuned!

DaveT

[CarModDave]

Stunning craftsmanship as usual, Dave.

Will this be another one that makes it's debut at the Tampa show before wowing the Atlanta crowd? It's in just a couple of weeks!

See you there!

[David Thibodeau]

Stunning craftsmanship as usual, Dave.

Will this be another one that makes it's debut at the Tampa show before wowing the Atlanta crowd? It's in just a couple of weeks!

See you there!

Yes Dave,

this car will be there keeping the Miller Lite Charger company!!

[rv1963]

That is some of the most impressive model building i have seen in years the paint and decals look great and that engine is awsome.

[camaroman]

Building like this both inspires and depresses me!!!

Inspired to do better/depressed that I have neither

the time or patience to achieve this level of craftsmanship

Keep up the outstanding work.....

Nice photo work too!!!!!!

[Frank Steffens]

I am always inspired by your work Dave, and this one is no exception. Utterly amazing!

[3men2s]

amaizing!!!!!

I am humbled and inspired.

keep doing what you do.

[allgosvo]

(in my best wayne's world voice) WE'RE NOT WORTHY,WE'RE NOT WORTHY.

truely awesome work. very impressive......paul

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Amazing work I cannot even fathom the time it muct take you to build something as beautiful as that.