restoman Posted November 6, 2022 Share Posted November 6, 2022 (edited) With colder weather coming, I've been trying to get any painting done in my garage, so I don't stink up the basement. I've gone down a bit of a rabbit hole with this one, trying to add some more detail to this kit. I added some gussets, re-worked the driver's cage, and added some mesh under the seat and behind the driver's head rest. I raided the parts bin for a better looking in & out transmission, instead of the kit's hydro box. Some filling work has it acceptable for me. A bit of time has the body panels fitting nicely. They get painted today, with the last decent weather we can expect for a bit. I'll add those pics later. Some white primer and topped with some yellow enamel from a Princess Auto spray bomb. The colour is much brighter in real life, my phone kind of washes it out here. I'll add the chute mounting plate further along in the build. The dropped front axle is a work-in-progress. My aim was to better replicate the original dragster. I'm happy with the look so far. Comments always welcome. Edited November 6, 2022 by restoman 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bainford Posted November 7, 2022 Share Posted November 7, 2022 Looking good so far, Mike. Just picked up one of these last week. I'm watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
restoman Posted November 10, 2022 Author Share Posted November 10, 2022 (edited) Before the paint... I used my Dremel to remove the extra material at the rear roll cage, and spliced in a piece of styrene to replace the upright bar. The cross pieces for the firewall and dash mount are styrene rods bent over a candle. I moved the firewall bar back a bit so I could get the firewall to fit flush, like the original dragster, and moved the dash bar forward so that the dash fits under the hood panel. I'll do the firewall in some polished BMF when assembly time comes. I added a mount for the steering box behind the firewall. The gusset pieces are small wedges of bread clip styrene. It looked to be the right thickness, and the contrasting colour made it easier to see and file for a good fit. The screen under the seat and behind the driver's head rest is just nylon window sreen set at an angle. Liquid cement holds it well. I modified the front torsion bars for a better look for the front suspension. They're a bit high in their placement, but it'll work. Edited November 10, 2022 by restoman 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
restoman Posted November 10, 2022 Author Share Posted November 10, 2022 The hood and side panels fit nicely... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabDriver Posted November 11, 2022 Share Posted November 11, 2022 GREAT work - and you’re adding all the missing details that the kit doesn’t reproduce on that frame! I’ll be following! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tortuga Kustomz Posted November 11, 2022 Share Posted November 11, 2022 Sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
restoman Posted November 11, 2022 Author Share Posted November 11, 2022 12 hours ago, CabDriver said: GREAT work - and you’re adding all the missing details that the kit doesn’t reproduce on that frame! I’ll be following! I believe it was your build of the kit that got me started down this rabbit hole! Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabDriver Posted November 11, 2022 Share Posted November 11, 2022 1 hour ago, restoman said: I believe it was your build of the kit that got me started down this rabbit hole! Thanks! Haha, I DID fall down that rabbithole.... I saved a bunch of reference pics here, in case they're useful to you: https://public.fotki.com/NewYorkSpeedShop/11-cars/reference-material/mooneyes-dragster/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katsusauce Posted December 25, 2022 Share Posted December 25, 2022 How's this build coming along...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
restoman Posted December 25, 2022 Author Share Posted December 25, 2022 12 hours ago, Katsusauce said: How's this build coming along...... No further than the last post. Been finishing up a few other kits that have been sitting too long. And then, I got started on a diorama photo prop... This one should be back on the bench sometime in January. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted December 25, 2022 Share Posted December 25, 2022 You've got some excellent work going on, here, Mike. Looking forward to seeing it progressing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
restoman Posted March 22, 2023 Author Share Posted March 22, 2023 Back at it... A lower back injury has pretty much kept me away from the bench for a few months. But, an hour or two isn't out of the question now, so I fab'd up a pleated headrest and seat padding with some slices of styrene. Also did a protective cover for the QC rear. The kit rear was kind of too nice to be covered up, but here it is. Comments always welcome. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RancheroSteve Posted March 22, 2023 Share Posted March 22, 2023 Looking really good, Mike! If you're looking for a drop axle for the front, the Tony Nancy double kit has one that's just about right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oliver77 Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Looking good. I watch the length of the stock rear axle, see prototype photos the wheels are snug to the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tortuga Kustomz Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Welcome back and the FED looks great so far, looking forward for more updates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
restoman Posted April 5, 2023 Author Share Posted April 5, 2023 I've been scratch building the front drop axle, and was able to mock up the stance. Looks good to me. I swapped out the kit rear wheels for some of Drag City's very nice 16" Halibrands. They look far better, I think. I narrowed the rear axle as well. Once I'm done the front beam, I should be able to get everything painted and then start on assembly. Comments always welcome. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tortuga Kustomz Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
restoman Posted April 12, 2023 Author Share Posted April 12, 2023 The front axle is pretty much ready... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabDriver Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 Nailing it! It’s looking great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absmiami Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 can't tell if you have a sit down or standing w bench ... your back might like a standing level bench a bit more ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
restoman Posted September 26, 2023 Author Share Posted September 26, 2023 Been a minute... I sprayed the Drag City Halibrands, the headers and front axle & related with A-K Super Chrome. Pretty happy with how they all turned out. I should be able to put the wraps on this in the couple days. Hopefully. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
restoman Posted September 28, 2023 Author Share Posted September 28, 2023 On 4/12/2023 at 5:06 PM, absmiami said: can't tell if you have a sit down or standing w bench ... your back might like a standing level bench a bit more ... A couple of crushed vertebrae made standing and slightly bending or leaning pretty tricky for quite some time. My bench was looking pretty lonely... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 That's coming together pretty nicely Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 (edited) Looks great! What brand is your chrome you used? Edited September 29, 2023 by slusher Typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
restoman Posted October 2, 2023 Author Share Posted October 2, 2023 On 9/29/2023 at 11:00 AM, slusher said: Looks great! What brand is your chrome you used? A-K Super Chrome. It dulled slightly as it dried. Immediately after spraying it looked like chrome, then dulled a tick to look more like highly polished aluminum. But I'm happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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