chris chabre Posted July 22, 2021 Posted July 22, 2021 (edited) so I ended up with a spare ferrari body...and a K.S. Pittman willys...and then I got to thinking. im planning to use a lot of the willys kit. motor, trans, rear end etc. my plan is to have the stance low so I have to work on that. I cant be the only one whos ever wondered how itd look as a drag car...or am I really that demented haha heres the initial mock up with the beatnik bandit motor and revell thunderbolt steel wheels and tires... finished product will have the willys 392 hemi and some other wheel. most likely either a halibrand or a 5 spoke American. Edited July 22, 2021 by chris chabre 2
stinkybritches Posted July 22, 2021 Posted July 22, 2021 I can't speak for anyone else, but I like the direction this is headed. 1
Ace-Garageguy Posted July 22, 2021 Posted July 22, 2021 (edited) I LIKE it...probably 'cause I started something kinda similar some time back. There was a time when an old Ferrari with a blown engine wasn't worth much more than its scrap value, and at least one real pontoon-fender TR did get American V8 power. EDIT: Back in the late '50s and well into the '60s, there was no shortage of people pulling fiberglass molds from existing sports car bodies and making copies, or building original designs. A repop TR body could easily have been mounted to a frame like you're using, etc. etc. etc. The M/SP class would be where something like this would have ended up, so it's actually entirely possible as a what-if. Definitely cool. Edited July 22, 2021 by Ace-Garageguy 1
Snake45 Posted July 22, 2021 Posted July 22, 2021 36 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said: I LIKE it...probably 'cause I started something kinda similar some time back. There was a time when an old Ferrari with a blown engine wasn't worth much more than its scrap value, and at least one real pontoon-fender TR did get American V8 power. The M/SP class would be where something like this would have ended up, so it's actually entirely possible as a what-if. Definitely cool. Agree completely. Drive on! 1
chris chabre Posted July 22, 2021 Author Posted July 22, 2021 1 hour ago, Ace-Garageguy said: I LIKE it...probably 'cause I started something kinda similar some time back. There was a time when an old Ferrari with a blown engine wasn't worth much more than its scrap value, and at least one real pontoon-fender TR did get American V8 power. EDIT: Back in the late '50s and well into the '60s, there was no shortage of people pulling fiberglass molds from existing sports car bodies and making copies, or building original designs. A repop TR body could easily have been mounted to a frame like you're using, etc. etc. etc. The M/SP class would be where something like this would have ended up, so it's actually entirely possible as a what-if. Definitely cool. the M/SP class was the exact reason it was in my head!!
Rocking Rodney Rat Posted July 22, 2021 Posted July 22, 2021 I'm on board with this...carry on.... -RRR 1
89AKurt Posted July 23, 2021 Posted July 23, 2021 That's sacrilegiously blasphemous, I love it! It's just plastic, no harm done. I expect side pipes similar to Tom Meade's Thomassima III. 1
chris chabre Posted July 23, 2021 Author Posted July 23, 2021 5 hours ago, 89AKurt said: That's sacrilegiously blasphemous, I love it! It's just plastic, no harm done. I expect side pipes similar to Tom Meade's Thomassima III. haha no side pipes. just headers off the blown and injected 392 hemi
Gramps46 Posted July 23, 2021 Posted July 23, 2021 Like Ace and Snake I remember similar ones racing in the '50s and '60s including a Birdcage Maserati with a 427 Ford installed. Looking forward to see where you go with yours. 1
chris chabre Posted July 23, 2021 Author Posted July 23, 2021 (edited) THANKS EVERYONE!!! I dont get much bench time with basically 2 jobs (one being my shop) 2 young kids and never ending projects around the house and land but I hit a milestone and started assembly on the motor. My next move is to decide on a color. Im thinking an emerald green so I can get the motor painted Edited July 23, 2021 by chris chabre
Ace-Garageguy Posted July 23, 2021 Posted July 23, 2021 Not only a hemi-powered Ferrari, but a hemi-powered GREEN Ferrari. Yes, definitely.
chris chabre Posted July 23, 2021 Author Posted July 23, 2021 22 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said: Not only a hemi-powered Ferrari, but a hemi-powered GREEN Ferrari. Yes, definitely. If youre gonna piss people off, may as well go all the way right haha
Ace-Garageguy Posted July 24, 2021 Posted July 24, 2021 18 hours ago, chris chabre said: If youre gonna piss people off, may as well go all the way... My sentiments exactly.
chris chabre Posted July 28, 2021 Author Posted July 28, 2021 (edited) not sure why yet, but Im not feeling the diameter and how much these slicks stick out. I have the complete box stock rear end unit out of the willys. Maybe Ill narrow the rear a few "inches". The pie crusts I mocked it up on initially are narrower but the halibrands dont fit them...Im also struggling with the right front wheel/tire combo..Ill get it eventually. I also pulled the olds out for a mock up Garlits hemi my brother built as a kid. my next step is to start cutting on the body to get the chassis to fit as its a danbury mint body. gonna open up the grille, lighten up some key areas, raise the rear wheel well radius so the car will sit lower etc. Edited July 28, 2021 by chris chabre
Dennis Lacy Posted July 28, 2021 Posted July 28, 2021 The second to last wheel mock up is what I like best.
Andrew McD Posted July 28, 2021 Posted July 28, 2021 American muscle married to a sexy Italian body; more fun than a Hollywood movie. Great idea and truly indicative of the creative aspect of drag racing that was so appealing, as they say, “back in the day”. 1
chris chabre Posted July 28, 2021 Author Posted July 28, 2021 Im leaning towards spindle mounts as well. Im thinking along the lines that itd have the best of the best on it for the time frame. I have some more ideas coming Andrew haha I hope to start building both and early style custom and land speed cars from the 49 Jags Ive recently acquired. I grew up with my father being a Ford/Mercury 60s era drag racing historian, so that era ends up being my favorite as well. I gravitated towards hot rods, customs and Land speed racing among other niches of the industry
Ace-Garageguy Posted July 28, 2021 Posted July 28, 2021 17 hours ago, chris chabre said: ...not sure why yet, but Im not feeling the diameter and how much these slicks stick out. A lot depends on the exact time period you want to represent. Earlier M/SP cars ran less rear rubber and had higher noses. Around the time they were absorbed by the altered classes, often lower noses and lots more rear rubber.
chris chabre Posted July 28, 2021 Author Posted July 28, 2021 2 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said: A lot depends on the exact time period you want to represent. Earlier M/SP cars ran less rear rubber and had higher noses. Around the time they were absorbed by the altered classes, often lower noses and lots more rear rubber. exactly, I may narrow the rear a few inches, a bit less tire out back and a bit more tire up front. time will tell.
Zippi Posted July 29, 2021 Posted July 29, 2021 This little Ferrari is really taking shape. I like the hint of Gasser going on. Looking good. 1
Scott8950 Posted July 29, 2021 Posted July 29, 2021 This is awesome. Ferrari should have built this ? 1
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