MPC Flip Nose '57 gasser converted to......well, a gasser.

[tim boyd]

On 5/26/2022 at 9:26 PM, roadhawg said:

“You keep using that word.  I do not think it means what you think it means.” -Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride.

Gasser. That term gets used a lot, for all sorts of vehicles....I've even seen on Facebook a gasser described as "any car that's jacked way up and has a big engine", but in my opinion a true gasser is a competition legal drag car that raced in the 1960s. As far as being jacked up high, believe it or not they actually had rules about height, such as the centerline of the crankshaft could not be more than 24" above the ground, and usually only the top 3 classes (A, B, and C/gas) were raised any at all, to accommodate straight front axles. 
The gas class reached it's prime in 1967, and was eliminated by 1972, so there's really no such thing as a "modern gasser". There's cars built today to resemble a gasser, but they're just current interpretations of a true gasser....and to be honest, seeing modern parts on them just sorta ruin the look to me. 
There are several nostalgia gasser groups that race today, but only one....The Southeastern Gassers Association....races PERIOD CORRECT gassers. Their rules are based on 1967 rules, and their motto is "follow us to 1967". These cars are the real deal. If you ever get a chance to attend a SEGA event, please do! It's only $20 for a full day of authentic heads up gasser racing, and that includes your pit pass.

Anyway, enough of my shameless promotion of the Southeast Gassers. On to the model...
I wanted to build a gasser that, if real, would be SEGA legal. This is the MPC Flip Nose '57, built using the SEGA rule book as a guide. I've added period correct tires and wheels, and lowered the car slightly, which required reworking the rear suspension and opening up the rear fenders. I've also noticed on other builds of this kit that the front axle looks a little too far to the rear, so I moved it forward about 1/16-1/8"". Since the SEGA doesn't run a supercharged class, I modified the hole in the hood for fuel injection instead of the blower. 
The SEGA gives a weight break for uncommon engines (something other than Chevy, Ford, or a Hemi) so I went with a Pontiac 421 from the AMT '62 Catalina. They also give a weight break for mechanical fuel injection as opposed to carburation, so the intake is from the parts box....I think it came from the Revell Anglia gasser....Oldsmobile engine, I believe, but the injection unit is the same basic design for a Pontiac. Wheelie bars are also from the parts box. Interior is straight from the kit, except I added a dash mounted tachometer. The windows were replaced with clear yellow plastic, except the windshield which remains clear. 
The name is a play on words for the Pontiac "engine"....Pontiac being an Indian Chief. Decals are from Speedway Decals. The color is Duplicolor Bright Red. 

This was a fun build, and I'm reasonably happy with the way it turned out. Now, for my next trick, I'm going to try to convert that Moebius Nova gasser into a real SEGA legal gasser....that should keep me busy for awhile! 

Thanks for looking. 

Tommy....kudos not only on the trick model but also on your writeup and your knowledge about Gassers as they truly were back in the day.  

A few months back I visited the Southeast Gassers Association website, looking for some sort of explanation of the rules/quidelines to creating a legal entry in their series. I was not able to get any single clear explanation, so I found your explanation of the rules and special instances to be very educational and helpful. 

Very cool model and very cool post.  Big congrats....TIM  

[Scott8950]

You nailed it! Very nice job

[Straightliner59]

Nice work, Tommy! This perfectly captures what it's supposed to be. From the stance, to the graphics--it's just right!

[PappyD340]

Very nice!

[MADmodelDOCTOR]

Excellent rundown on gassers, man. and nice-looking '57!

[Vettegasser]

I applaud you sir. Best looking build I've ever seen of this kit. Got a bunch of ideas from this to use on mine

[roadhawg]

Thank you all so much for the kind words, you're all too nice! 

[roadhawg]

15 hours ago, tim boyd said:

Tommy....kudos not only on the trick model but also on your writeup and your knowledge about Gassers as they truly were back in the day.  

A few months back I visited the Southeast Gassers Association website, looking for some sort of explanation of the rules/quidelines to creating a legal entry in their series. I was not able to get any single clear explanation, so I found your explanation of the rules and special instances to be very educational and helpful. 

Very cool model and very cool post.  Big congrats....TIM  

Tim, coming from you that's quite an honor, thank you. You have to dig around on their site to find the rules, but they're there....see if this helps any:

https://www.southeastgassers.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=534589&module_id=335128

Also note that in the last couple years, they've added a period correct super stock class and a period correct A/FX class. When Quain Stott started the series, they told him it would never work, no one would want to put in the effort to build a period correct gasser. Today, he gets over 100 cars at every event. If you ever get the chance to attend an event, by all means do it, you won't be disappointed! 

[slusher]

Outstanding 57 drag Chevy, I love everything about it!

[Robberbaron]

Best build I think I've ever seen of this kit!

[BlackSheep214]

You nailed this one out of the park. Well Done!

[Metaldrumm]

No model is 100% accurate in my opinion,but you did a great job and as long as your happy with it you've acolmplished your goal !

[Hmann68]

Fantastic! ??

[Plowboy]

Best build of this kit that I've seen! Your attention to the details really makes it come to life! Nice work on this one Tommy!

[Reegs]

Thanks for the model, the write-up, and the tip about the SGA.

 

[roadhawg]

Thanks y'all!!! 

[geemoney]

its so perfect!

i saw the injection and immediately thought of the revell anglia!

[Bainford]

Nailed it! Great work keeping it real. That's one bad a** Chevy. Love it!

[Dennis Lacy]

Excellent work! This is now my favorite rendition of this kit that I’ve ever seen. Love everything about it and especially the injected Pontiac and car name / graphics. 
 

Thank you, also, for your commentary on Gassers. I’m no authority but the one thing that kills me (full scale or model) are the exaggerated nose-bleed stance some people build into them. That’s not how they looked back in the day!!!

[OldNYJim]

This is an awesome build - I missed it first time around, but I’m glad I found it now!  Nice work!

[keviiin86]

Nice 57 you got there, looks the part for sure!  I'm interested in your upcoming nova gasser you mentioned, have not really been too impressed with any of the box stock builds of that kit..more of a modern "show car" gasser than an actual race car.

[Hoffman]

Tommy, your '57 is Awesome! Immediately made me think of a similar Pontiac powered '57 I saw at Famoso.....  https://barnfinds.com/amazing-1957-chevy-gasser-find/

[BIGTRUCK]

Really cool build ,I like all of it..

[Sledsel]

Great build of this kit! 

[alan barton]

It's taken me over two years to find this post but I am very glad I did! What an absolutely stunning build!  Your sentiments on the over abused use of the term "gasser" and your commentary on the awesome South East Gassers crew are spot on.  I have been watching them on YouTube for quite a while and have them on my list of destinations for my next trip to the USA.

What is particularly interesting to me is that I have assembled the pieces to build a similar but different car to your own. It will use a lightly glue bombed MPC body fitted to a frame from the MPC 34 slammer modified kit which is actually a  really tidy, cleaned up 57 Chevy frame.  It will run a big block because I intend to build it as a SEGA style Badman tribute car - yeah, I know the Badman is a 55 but I think the 57 will work just fine!.  I didn't notice that SEGA don't run blowers so will have to attend to that detail but injection is cool so no worries there.

Congratulations, Tommy, this really is a very special model!

Cheers

Alan

Edited December 17, 2024 by alan barton
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