Race of Gentlemen presents... California Drag Racing 2023 Build Thread

[Ulf]

1 hour ago, tim boyd said:

To each and every one of you who has posted work in progress or completed models in this Community Build thread....great work IMHO!!!!   Keep it up...love the enthusiasm, the creativity, and the workmanship.  Scale automotive modeling at its very best....TIM  

Thank you for the kind and encouraging words. I had to take a creative break and build on an AMT(!) Ford Econoline(TROG service car ?) but I'll be back soon.

[53gmc]

3 hours ago, tim boyd said:

That sounds like great fun....can you imagine in 1/1 scale...the sound of that Chrysler straight-8 unmuffled, the sand being kicked up, the car either rockting off the line or...digging itself deep into the sand (due to the wieght of the car)....great imagery in any context.  Hope you decide to go ahead with this, Seth...TB

The closest ive found to this in real life is a super-charged packard straight 8 on youtube,  and that thing sounds so sweet! Its definitely an idea im thinking of trying after i get a few other builds out of the way

[Calb56]

4 hours ago, tim boyd said:

To each and every one of you who has posted work in progress or completed models in this Community Build thread....great work IMHO!!!!   Keep it up...love the enthusiasm, the creativity, and the workmanship.  Scale automotive modeling at its very best....TIM  

Tim,

Thanks for the kind words, so far I've been impressed with everyone's work and enthusiasm as well and looking forward to what all gets built by December.

Charles 

 

[Bernard Kron]

6 hours ago, tim boyd said:

 

Bernard...hope you can post an image with both this one and your new build posed together....btw really, really like those solid Halibrands on your new build posted higher up this thread...myself, I've had some of those set aside for years just waiting for the right model to use them on..TIM 

Thanks Tim. I've used those solid Halibrands twice. Once in the full chrome version found in the Orange Crate kit and then again with these really nice resin versions that Jason Lookabill has created. They're always very impactful, just as they were on 1:1's when they first were introduced.

Officially I've built 4 TROG cars, 2 for the 2017 NNL West Theme table and 2 for the current MCM community build. But in actuality I've built several more, especially '29 Model A Roadsters. I've found that building roadsters both on the original Model A frame rails and on '32 Ford Deuce rails each presents its own challenges. When Revell released it's kit with both frame sets I really hoped it would solve those issues, but, as you know, many of us have problems with the stance and the more contemporary chassis details as well as the liberties they took with the rear wheel arches. Which is not to say that it isn't an extremely well engineered kit that, out of the box, results in some pretty satisfying build. So, in my case, I find myself going back to the old AMT A-Roadster body and some pretty heavy duty kit bashing. The Gilmore Special you asked about is probably my best effort on stock rails. With it's AMT '34 Ford rollings stock and stock suspension it's also represents the pre-war 4-banger cars that pioneered dry lakes racing in southern California. The Sta-Lube A-V8 is my best effort so far on Deuce rails. I found the stance and overall realism to be among the things that came closest to what I was going after. Here they are paired as you asked for:

And here are all 4 official Trogsters. Sta-Lube No. 1, the Deuce coupe, is from a Jimmy Flintstone resin body and is obviously a kind of prototype fr Sta-Lube No. 2, just completed. I used the same decal art and number font and similar paint treatment, although the coupe is far more weathered than the A-V8. I never really got the stance on the coupe dialed in and I  didn't like the chop on the Flintstone body. I definitely built Sta-Lube No. 2 to settle some scores with the coupe build.

 

Edited February 2, 2023 by Bernard Kron

[Mr. Metallic]

I have officially started gathering parts! What I'm looking for right now is the 2 blade knockoffs. The ones I've found closest to what I have in my mind are from the Revell Jaguar XK (the 60's tool). Although the ones from the brand new tool from a couple years ago would work as well, but the likelyhood of someone having thos floating around their parts/spares box is pretty minimal. 

The look I'm after is like this (doesn't need to say Cragar). I figured there would have been something in the old AMT/Monogram/MPC 30's classic car kits, but so far nothing. Closest I can find so far are the Jag knockoffs.

[Phildaupho]

1 hour ago, Mr. Metallic said:

 What I'm looking for right now is the 2 blade knockoffs.

I too was recently looking for two bladed knockoffs for a project and I found them in the Revell Roth's Tweedy Pie and later in the AMT formerly MPC 1960 Corvette. Both much better than the ones in the old XKE.

Edited February 2, 2023 by Phildaupho

[Mr. Metallic]

6 hours ago, Phildaupho said:

I too was recently looking for two bladed knockoffs for a project and I found them in the Revell Roth's Tweedy Pie and later in the AMT formerly MPC 1960 Corvette. Both much better than the ones in the old XKE.

I have both of those, I'll have to take a look

edit- Those are both too small. The two blade knockoffs we are mostly used to like those mount to a smaller spindle like the 60’s. The kind I’m looking for are bigger, like the size of a 30’s wire wheel 

Edited February 2, 2023 by Mr. Metallic

[Calb56]

I've never seen anything like that. If you find some, that'll be a cool detail.

[Straightliner59]

On 2/2/2023 at 7:50 AM, Mr. Metallic said:

I have officially started gathering parts! What I'm looking for right now is the 2 blade knockoffs. The ones I've found closest to what I have in my mind are from the Revell Jaguar XK (the 60's tool). Although the ones from the brand new tool from a couple years ago would work as well, but the likelyhood of someone having thos floating around their parts/spares box is pretty minimal. 

The look I'm after is like this (doesn't need to say Cragar). I figured there would have been something in the old AMT/Monogram/MPC 30's classic car kits, but so far nothing. Closest I can find so far are the Jag knockoffs.

With a bit of work, something very similar could be scratched, then molded and cast. I would give it a try! 

[ModWrench]

Finished my rendition of a '27 Ford Tub. Went with a Frontenac 4 cylinder, scratch built the front shocks and spindles, used a set of Ron Coons Resin front tires and wheels, and slapped on a pair of M&H Racemaster slicks for the  Flabob drag runs. This was primarily a test mule for weathering, as this is my first attempt at adding a "patina" and race-worn look to a hot rod. I learned quite a bit and think it came out OK, made some notes on what to try on future builds. Have a couple more TROG cars and possibly a bike that I will attempt to build as time allows. Posting a few different pics in the Under Glass section too.

[Calb56]

I love the addition of the exhaust soot on the body.

Running too rich?

[Ulf]

52 minutes ago, ModWrench said:

Finished my rendition of a '27 Ford Tub. Went with a Frontenac 4 cylinder, scratch built the front shocks and spindles, used a set of Ron Coons Resin front tires and wheels, and slapped on a pair of M&H Racemaster slicks for the  Flabob drag runs. This was primarily a test mule for weathering, as this is my first attempt at adding a "patina" and race-worn look to a hot rod. I learned quite a bit and think it came out OK, made some notes on what to try on future builds. Have a couple more TROG cars and possibly a bike that I will attempt to build as time allows. Posting a few different pics in the Under Glass section too.

We understand, you dragged the body out of the bushes to compete in the race.It turned out really well.

[Modelbuilder Mark]

4 hours ago, ModWrench said:

Finished my rendition of a '27 Ford Tub. Went with a Frontenac 4 cylinder, scratch built the front shocks and spindles, used a set of Ron Coons Resin front tires and wheels, and slapped on a pair of M&H Racemaster slicks for the  Flabob drag runs. This was primarily a test mule for weathering, as this is my first attempt at adding a "patina" and race-worn look to a hot rod. I learned quite a bit and think it came out OK, made some notes on what to try on future builds. Have a couple more TROG cars and possibly a bike that I will attempt to build as time allows. Posting a few different pics in the Under Glass section too.

 

Diggin this one, and many of the others that have posted. I will try to get more work done on my project so I can post, but I am a SLOOoooww builder with limited time in the hobby room

 

[Fat Brian]

I think the 30 is ready for the California drags. I had originally planned for more decals but I can't find anything I really like. 

I started with the new Revell 30 five window. First, I chopped it and additional three inches. Then I used the channeled interior but I wanted it to be nice instead of bare framework. I cut the frames from the interior side panels and then trimmed the highboy side panels to fit and made a panel to fill across the rear from the seat. The rollbar and seats are from the AMT 25 model T. I used the quick-change rear end from Mapleleaf model works and made a suicide front end from kit pieces and some scrap. The wheels and tires are from an old Orange Crate kit. The engine is from various versions of the Revell 57 Fairlane kits, the dual 4 barrel intake from drag car and the valve covers from the gasser and the supercharger from the Del Rio wagon. I made custom tubing for the dual carbs and offset the scoop to the passenger side. I used the small block Chevy headers so I could run a full exhaust since it's a California car. I also changed the steering box to exit out the side of the body and tied it to the front with a guitar string. The door hinges were removed and the handles moved forward to make suicide doors as well.

These hot rods are incredibly fun to build and fairly quick too. Once I get some other builds done I might do a few more. 

Edited February 6, 2023 by Fat Brian

[thatz4u]

finished my TROG 32 coupe...Weather worn 32 Ford 5 window coupe, 34 Ford pickup axles, 37 Ford pickup artillery wheels & tires, & a 1953 Studebaker engine

Edited February 6, 2023 by thatz4u

[Bernard Kron]

4 minutes ago, thatz4u said:

finished my TROG 32 coupe...Weather worn 32 Ford 5 window coupe, 34 Ford pickup axles, 37 Ford pickup artillery wheels & tires, & a 1953 Studebaker engine

I like the no-nonsense straightforward approach to the job at hand. Nicely weathered and the stock Stude V8 and the stock stance from the backdated suspension are significant and effective changes. I assume this is the Revell 5-window and that some sort of Revellogram '37 Ford provided the suspension and rolling stock.

[thatz4u]

1 hour ago, Bernard Kron said:

I like the no-nonsense straightforward approach to the job at hand. Nicely weathered and the stock Stude V8 and the stock stance from the backdated suspension are significant and effective changes. I assume this is the Revell 5-window and that some sort of Revellogram '37 Ford provided the suspension and rolling stock.

suspension is AMT, wheels & tires are Revell

[Ulf]

1 hour ago, thatz4u said:

finished my TROG 32 coupe...Weather worn 32 Ford 5 window coupe, 34 Ford pickup axles, 37 Ford pickup artillery wheels & tires, & a 1953 Studebaker engine

A very nice build.

So in short, this is a conceptualization of the re-release of the Revell 5-window coupe that we desire. 

Edited February 6, 2023 by Ulf

[thatz4u]

24 minutes ago, Ulf said:

A very nice build.

So in short, this is a conceptualization of the re-release of the Revell 5-window coupe that we desire. 

yes, it is the one I built

[Paul Payne]

Just discovered this thread, and discovered Acegarageguy's reference to my 29 A-V8. At this point it would need a five point racing harness, a helmet, maybe a fire extinguisher. Photographed on real beach sand from Assateague, VA.

 

Edited February 8, 2023 by Paul Payne

[Calb56]

That turned out really cool.

Nice build.

[thatz4u]

15 hours ago, Paul Payne said:

Just discovered this thread, and discovered Acegarageguy's reference to my 29 A-V8. At this point it would need a five point racing harness, a helmet, maybe a fire extinguisher. Photographed on real beach sand from Assateague, VA.

 

Paul, Revell? which flathead??

[Modelbuilder Mark]

On 2/6/2023 at 10:06 AM, thatz4u said:

finished my TROG 32 coupe...Weather worn 32 Ford 5 window coupe, 34 Ford pickup axles, 37 Ford pickup artillery wheels & tires, & a 1953 Studebaker engine

Very cool

[Paul Payne]

3 hours ago, thatz4u said:

Paul, Revell? which flathead??

Al, the body is a junker AMT body, the flathead is Revell from the 37 Ford pickup- the chassis is from a Revell 32 roadster, and much else is from my parts box- I think the wheels were from AMT's 34 Ford coupe, the tires are from the Revell 29 Ford pickup ratrod.

[thatz4u]

On 2/8/2023 at 3:11 PM, Paul Payne said:

Al, the body is a junker AMT body, the flathead is Revell from the 37 Ford pickup- the chassis is from a Revell 32 roadster, and much else is from my parts box- I think the wheels were from AMT's 34 Ford coupe, the tires are from the Revell 29 Ford pickup ratrod.

looks like we both build out of the parts box......