Dave Mikrut Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 (edited) I'm doing a model of my 1:1 55 Chevy that's named Stormy Monday. Named for the fact a tree fell on it during a tornado and to keep my spirits up whilst I save for the repairs, building this model is therapudic. I started removing the front rails off the chassis of the AMT 55 Chevy Sedan kit. I also cut the front of the chassis from the Revell SWC Willys chassis. The 55 chassis has a molded in single exhaust and you can se in the photo I am using nibblers and sanding sticks to remove it. Also I will blend the transition of the 2 frames together a little better when I get out the Dremel for the finising touches. There's also a photo of how nice that straight axle looks on there. By the way, my 1:1 doesn't have the straight axle yet...but it will hehe! Edited February 9, 2009 by Dave Mikrut
Dave Mikrut Posted February 1, 2009 Author Posted February 1, 2009 Here's the chassis with the single exhaust system removed. It sure ain't easy, not perfect, but neither is the underside of my real car hehe. I think once I have the new exhaust, ladder bars and suspensions on it will hide most of the imperfections. I smoothed out the transition of the two chassis pieces and I think ot looks somewhat believable.
Dave Mikrut Posted February 1, 2009 Author Posted February 1, 2009 The wheels and tires I am using are the pie crust style slicks which I will eventually purchase for the car and the 12 spoke gasser wheels they now have that have a 5 bolt pattern down in the spokes. So these old AMT favorite were use and I'll back them up with some disk breaks and the mags are constructed from some mags and rings from ,y parts box. All painted flat black and then silver. I like that look for aluminum wheels.
James W Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 Looking good so far. You are right, once the rest of the suspension is in place, the chassis will look fine. Correct even.
Dave Mikrut Posted February 4, 2009 Author Posted February 4, 2009 I'm using the straight axle that goes with the front part of the frame I clipped from the SWC Willys kit. I cut off the snap on pieces and replased them with some brass tubing drilled into the axle. Same size as the AMT metal axle that would go with these wheels. I added some cool vented disk brakes and assembled them onto the frame for a test fit. I will add the tie rod and paint the shackles and add shocks. I borrowed a rear end from the AMT Baldwin Motion Camaro, because my 55 Chevy has a Camaro rear end. I painted this with a little glossier of a black, which I plan to do to mine when I have it off, when I put my new springs on. A quik sneak peak of that too.
Dr. Cranky Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 I like this one so far. I have a 55 too, except it's a 4 door 210!
Dave Mikrut Posted February 9, 2009 Author Posted February 9, 2009 I fabricated some shacles from strips of plastic and hexagon shaped rod to resemble bolts. I also shortened the SWC ladder bars which now look very close to mine. Also notice the steel added to between the frqme rails to mount the shocks. My car has this rather than have them mounted to the body the stock way. I built and sold 2 hot rod computers and listed stuff on Ebay too, to help supeliment my income. So next step will be to mount the shocks and ladder bars which also incorporates a mount for the front of the leaf spings
Casey Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 Very cool car and project. It certainly has that 'real' look that is often copied now to get a car to look old, when it's only recently been assembled. I have a similar '55 project in mind, based on the Monogram Badman kit, but in 1/16th scale.
Raul_Perez Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 Looking good, Dave!! I really like the 1:1 car and the model will make a really cool mini-me version!! Later,
Dennis Lacy Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Really neat project you have going here! I also dig the 1:1. The rear shackles you constructed look awesome. It's little things like this that make a build so much funner to look at. It's gonna look really good rolling on those 12-spokes too! Keep us posted!
RodneyBad Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Be cool just to have your 1:1 car.. You got a good start to it. Nice little details..
Dave Mikrut Posted February 16, 2009 Author Posted February 16, 2009 I noticed there's a problem with the front pan on the AMT model body. I had to trim this off and now it looks more like how my car looks minus bumper. (refer to opening foto's) I'm almost ready for paint, maybe tomorrow. I fabicated a crossmember like my car has which also retains the driveshaft in case it lets go when I'm dumpin the clutch at 6 grand. It's also what my ladder bars are connected to, more progress on that, when I find the shocks I'm going to use.
Dave Mikrut Posted February 16, 2009 Author Posted February 16, 2009 I had to grind out the holes in the tear drop hood and I backed them up with some tiny screen that's photo etched stock car vent material. As you can see the ladders and driveshaft loop are installed and now I need to make some air shocks.
Dave Mikrut Posted February 18, 2009 Author Posted February 18, 2009 I did some tweaking and now it's sitting just the way I want it to.
Dave Mikrut Posted February 18, 2009 Author Posted February 18, 2009 DOH! hahaha, yer right? I been lookin at this thing upside down for so long...it looked right to me! hey Dave, you might want to flip the rear differential cover over, it's upside down! looking awesome by the way! this is a really cool project Dave
Raul_Perez Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 Dave, The stance looks awesome!! The PE screen really makes the hood scoop pop!! Thanks for sharing,
MikeMc Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 Dave, The stance looks awesome!! The PE screen really makes the hood scoop pop!! Thanks for sharing, Well Said!!!
Mj-Styro Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 WOW Dave! this looks like another winner! very nicely done and thinking out side the box has really paid off so far1 keep up the great work!!
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