Late model modifieds

[bbowser]

With the announcement from Salvinos JR of a modern pavement mod, I wonder if anyone has done kit reviews of the old MPC Vega Rat Trap or the Ridge Runner Pinto?  Thinking I'd like to try a couple of these.

Thanks in advance

[iBorg]

I've seen the test shots of the Salvinos.......WOW. I'll forgo lunch to get the first one I see.

[oldscool]

15 hours ago, bbowser said:

With the announcement from Salvinos JR of a modern pavement mod, I wonder if anyone has done kit reviews of the old MPC Vega Rat Trap or the Ridge Runner Pinto?  Thinking I'd like to try a couple of these.

Thanks in advance

Hpiguy did build videos of them on Youtube

[Justin Porter]

The Rat Trap and Ridge Runner fairly generically represent pavement modifieds like you would have seen in the North East at tracks like Fulton, Lancaster, and so forth. Their frames are nominally that of a Tri-Five Chevy with some additional bracing and their engines are a reasonable if unremarkable representation of a big block Chevy. The wheels and tires tend to be a bit of a weak point, and as most modifieds of the time were homebrew vehicles it really comes down to the builder to make the modifications to represent a specific race car. 

[bbowser]

On 9/29/2022 at 9:57 AM, oldscool said:

Hpiguy did build videos of them on Youtube

Thanks, I had no idea!  I'm fairly computer illiterate but gaining every day.

[Jim B]

Ridge Runner Pinto:

Chevy Rat Trap Vega:

You'll see that they are basically the same with different bodies.  The 1936 Chevy "The Wild One", and the 1934 Ford Coupe "Slammer" are also in the series.

[stavanzer]

All use the same chassis, wheels/ tires and engines.

The only differences are the Bodies, Hoods, Nerf Bars & Bumpers, and strangely, the Air Cleaners.

[OldNYJim]

On 9/29/2022 at 9:59 AM, Justin Porter said:

The Rat Trap and Ridge Runner fairly generically represent pavement modifieds like you would have seen in the North East at tracks like Fulton, Lancaster, and so forth. Their frames are nominally that of a Tri-Five Chevy with some additional bracing and their engines are a reasonable if unremarkable representation of a big block Chevy. The wheels and tires tend to be a bit of a weak point, and as most modifieds of the time were homebrew vehicles it really comes down to the builder to make the modifications to represent a specific race car. 

Good insight Justin!  

I’m no expert on these (but I like ‘em…) - any recommendations on what to do to improve the wheels and tires?  Is there something specific that’s wrong with them compared to what they’re meant to represent?

I figure a set of slicks would be a good starting point at least, given they’re meant to be pavement cars…

[Justin Porter]

9 hours ago, CabDriver said:

Good insight Justin!  

I’m no expert on these (but I like ‘em…) - any recommendations on what to do to improve the wheels and tires?  Is there something specific that’s wrong with them compared to what they’re meant to represent?

I figure a set of slicks would be a good starting point at least, given they’re meant to be pavement cars…

There's nothing particularly WRONG with them as generic cars but if you want to represent a specific car they can be anywhere from nearly there to completely off the mark. Most famously, one of the 36 Ford Coupe modified boxings included the decals for one of modified racing's most storied drivers, Richie Evans. Problem is that depending on the year and event Evans's coupe was a beam axle front suspension car as opposed to the IFS setup in these kits. 

As with most things in building race cars, research and the builder's tolerance in representation is the key. 


http://www.edflemke.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/12244394_10201195366042746_6419232453782755484_o.jpeg 

[OldNYJim]

4 hours ago, Justin Porter said:

There's nothing particularly WRONG with them as generic cars but if you want to represent a specific car they can be anywhere from nearly there to completely off the mark. Most famously, one of the 36 Ford Coupe modified boxings included the decals for one of modified racing's most storied drivers, Richie Evans. Problem is that depending on the year and event Evans's coupe was a beam axle front suspension car as opposed to the IFS setup in these kits. 

As with most things in building race cars, research and the builder's tolerance in representation is the key. 


http://www.edflemke.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/12244394_10201195366042746_6419232453782755484_o.jpeg 

Good info - thanks Justin!

Related question for anyone reading - if anyone has any good leads on body-off shots of an asphalt mod from this era that I could use for reference, I'd be really interested in seeing them.  Did a couple of hours of research this morning but didn't find a BUNCH of useful stuff...