’72 Dodge Demon Drag Racer 1/25 scale

[charlie libby]

glad to see an update francis i was start to worry about you. looks really nice

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 7/19/2023 at 4:40 PM, Bainford said:

Nice work. The headliner sheet metal looks great, and considerably less glue-bomby than the original build.

Thanks Trevor, it's not easy working with a curved surface but I think it was the best way to hide some scars... ?

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 7/27/2023 at 7:00 PM, charlie libby said:

glad to see an update francis i was start to worry about you. looks really nice

Thanks Charles!  Sorry for my lack of generosity when it comes to updates, but despite my love for the hobby, it's the daily chores that win out this time of year! ?

Francis

[Straightliner59]

14 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

I think it was the best way to hide some scars...

Sometimes, that's the way it has to be!

[bobthehobbyguy]

Looking forward to when you start back on this.

[Street Rod]

It’s been a while since I looked in on your progress, Francis. You had finished the grille the last time I looked. The work since on the chassis and doors looks great! I really enjoy watching your attention to detail with each step of the build. Keep up the good work!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 11/3/2023 at 5:23 PM, bobthehobbyguy said:

Looking forward to when you start back on this.

On 11/3/2023 at 10:04 PM, Street Rod said:

It’s been a while since I looked in on your progress, Francis. You had finished the grille the last time I looked. The work since on the chassis and doors looks great! I really enjoy watching your attention to detail with each step of the build. Keep up the good work!

Hello Bob and Doyle!

Thanks for you continuous support and patience my friends, I will be back in the next few days as most of the endless fall tasks are behind me.  I'm pumped and I'm really looking forward to getting back into it, I miss the interaction between the members and I have lots of ideas for what's next.  I managed to make some progress over the last few weeks but I haven't had time to post the photos of them, I will do so soon.

There is so much to do on this project so don't worry, my cruising speed has never been the fast type but the goal is to arrive safely and deliver the goods.

Francis

[Straightliner59]

Looking forward to having you back, my friend! 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello everyone!

It's been a long time since I last updated this thread and I would first like to thank you all for your patience and your indulgence during my prolonged absence, everyday things have taken up all my time.  I'm back and I hope to get back to my usual pace (slow but steady) for the next coming months and bring you new updates frequently if time permits.

Today's update is for the dashboard. The donor body for this project didn't have one, so I decided to make one that replicated the basic look of the '72 with the rectangular speedometer. So I started the build with one that I found in my parts bin that came from a Revell 68 Dart..  This isn't my favorite Dodge dash, but I thought it could be a nice challenge to build and would provide a more original look with the cluster as it was that year.  I don't have the gauge faces at the moment but I will do some testing on my HP printer and show you the results later.  Your comments are welcome and appreciated.

See you soon, Francis

I used the dashboard from a 68 Dart as starting point. I modified the cluster area and remove the engraved gauge face on the donor dashboard. I also made the opening for the heater controls and modified the hole for the glove box opening button.

created a rounded strip to fit each side of the radio as seen on the original 72 dash.

I fabricated the cluster bezel using an aluminum strip.

After few hours of filing, sanding and test fit the cluster looks pretty good to me.  You can also see that I was forced to move the ash tray to be aligned with the radio.  I still need to machine the control knobs but the radio opening will stay as is because it will be a drag racing car.

I made some locator pins to mount the dashboard inside the body.

Viewed through the windshield opening, the alignment looks good and in the right place.

Seen from the rear window, I think it will do the trick!

And now from the passenger door.  If the printed gauges are acceptable, I think I'll start to like this dashboard! ?

[Straightliner59]

Beautiful work on the dash! Very nice--looks like it ought to, most definitely.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

12 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

Beautiful work on the dash! Very nice--looks like it ought to, most definitely.

Thanks Daniel, it's just another piece in the puzzle!

[bobthehobbyguy]

Great update. That dash is cool. Love seeing how you approach creating each piece to this puzzle.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

43 minutes ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

Great update. That dash is cool. Love seeing how you approach creating each piece to this puzzle.

Thanks Bob!

It’s good to get back to this project and I will definitely have more to share with you in the coming weeks.  The high season has started! ?

Francis

[Straightliner59]

9 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Thanks Daniel, it's just another piece in the puzzle!

Just another model that's a part of a bigger model!

[Codi]

Nice work as always Francis......must agree with everyone else that it's good to see you back on this one!

cheers, tim

[bobthehobbyguy]

Francis I have a question about the dash panel did you make a template for the panel. If not how did you get such a precise fit.

[Bainford]

Very nice work, Francis. Good to see you back at the bench.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 11/8/2023 at 5:47 AM, Codi said:

Nice work as always Francis......must agree with everyone else that it's good to see you back on this one!

cheers, tim

Thanks Tim!

I agree that it's good to get back into the hobby after a fairly long hiatus.  This is undoubtedly also the case for you and I look forward to seeing you again on your superb build when you can do so.  Life often forces us to focus on more important things, this is just a hobby but it certainly brings its share of positivity to get us out of everyday life.

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 11/8/2023 at 10:04 AM, bobthehobbyguy said:

Francis I have a question about the dash panel did you make a template for the panel. If not how did you get such a precise fit.

Thanks Bob!

To answer your question, I simply progressed slowly by filing the piece gradually until it fit the hole.  You can see in the photo when I was milling that I had drawn lines to define the maximum height and width, I just had to file the two sides at angles until they were fit the space I had planned.  The dash panel is brown on the real car but I'm thinking of keeping it aluminum finished because it will give it more of a drag racing look, what do you think?

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 11/8/2023 at 10:47 AM, Bainford said:

Very nice work, Francis. Good to see you back at the bench.

Thanks Trevor, you should see more activity in the next few weeks, my fingers are itching to build more elements for this other long project I've embarked on.

Francis

[Straightliner59]

4 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

The dash panel is brown on the real car but I'm thinking of keeping it aluminum finished because it will give it more of a drag racing look, what do you think?

Yes!?

[AmericanMuscleFan]

18 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

Yes!?

Thanks Daniel, you are the only one who approves so it will stay on bare aluminum!  ?

[bobthehobbyguy]

I agree that the dash panel should be aluminum. Definitely suits the drag racing theme.

[absmiami]

Velcome back …

[AmericanMuscleFan]

13 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

I agree that the dash panel should be aluminum. Definitely suits the drag racing theme.

Thanks Bob, that's what I thought too.  I could have made the panel with aftermarket round gauges as seen most of the time, but keeping the original look can't hurt... ?

 

3 hours ago, absmiami said:

Velcome back …

Thanks Andrew, I'm going to try not to run away until next spring! ?