’72 Dodge Demon Drag Racer 1/25 scale

[Straightliner59]

12 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Thanks Daniel, I may be a wizard with styrene but I wish I was as comfortable with brass, you can't be good at everything and you have to pick your battles! ?

Francis

I say, "Whatever gets you there!" The result is all that really matters, beyond enjoying what you're doing. I'd say your results speak for themselves, my friend

[bobthehobbyguy]

The radiator support looks great. Great idea using the brass to keep it from warping.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 12/14/2023 at 12:40 AM, Straightliner59 said:

I say, "Whatever gets you there!" The result is all that really matters, beyond enjoying what you're doing. I'd say your results speak for themselves, my friend

Thanks Daniel, It's up to everyone in their own way when there is no plan, the goal is to be satisfied as you say so well ! ?

 

On 12/14/2023 at 7:02 PM, bobthehobbyguy said:

The radiator support looks great. Great idea using the brass to keep it from warping.

Thanks Bob, I would like to use more brass to create these kinds of parts but the downside (at least what I have experienced) is that the joints become very fragile when you clean up the excess solder to have a super precise part.  Once painted, I think it will be good.

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello guys,

The fabrication of detail elements for the front part of the body continues with the hood latch support.  This was quite a difficult piece to make because it has many folds and angles as well as being rather small.  The part must find its place between the radiator support and the grille in addition to connecting to the front fenders.  The bracket is also bolted the lower section of the radiator support, I will add this detail (2 bolts) at the final assembly.  I noticed in photos that even the front valance is bolted to it, so I will be working on that to finish most of the front end details, this will be another "interesting" part to make.  Questions and comments are welcome.

See you soon,

Francis

I didn't take photos of the fabrication steps, it would have taken me 4 hands... ?

Maybe not perfect but definitely better than the non-existent part of the original kit.

The part fits pretty well, I forgot to mention that the support will also attached to the top of the front grille, I will add thin slices of round styrene rods to simulate the rivets.

The bracket will be bolted to the lower part of the radiator support.

View from a different angle.

[Straightliner59]

I am just going to say "Wow!", and leave it there, for now!

[dragcarz]

I want to comment…..but there’s no words !

[Moparman18064]

I just can’t get over how realistic this is. Bravo!

[iBorg]

Looking this over.....still amazed. I have similar equipment and wish I had similar skills. Where are you sourcing your plastic?

 

[Moparman18064]

I was going to recreate my old demon next( pictured), but it certainly won’t be to this immaculate detail

[bobthehobbyguy]

That hood latch support is stunning. Definitely a model in itself.

As far what you make the pieces from I think it boils down to what suits the part the best. You have made the right choices so far. 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

17 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

I am just going to say "Wow!", and leave it there, for now!

Thanks Daniel, your “Wow” means a lot to me because I know how detail-oriented you are my friend!

 

14 hours ago, dragcarz said:

I want to comment…..but there’s no words !

Thank you Roger, it’s always a pleasure to have your visit my friend!

 

11 hours ago, Moparman18064 said:

I just can’t get over how realistic this is. Bravo!

Thanks Rich !

I see that you joined the forum recently, so I would like to welcome you and I hope that you will share the photos of your Demon project when you get started.

Everyone takes the hobby in their own way and the goal is to have a good time, I don't have all the time available that I would like to have so I decided to make the most of it.  Nice '72 Dodge Demon by the way, the new Round 2 kit comes at the right time for you!

Francis

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Francis!

Well, your latch support bracket assembly is so clean, the Chrysler stamping plant guys would be jealous!

I just completed the restoration of the body work on a VERY SANO 1/1 Dodge Challenger (1970), and let me tell you that the OEM stampings left much to be desired.

I read in a very interesting book about the design and development of the Cuda/Challenger twins that the jobs in the "body shop" section of the factory were the less desirable, because of noise, dust, fumes, etc. Therefore, the more senior employee managed to avoid being dispatched there, and the least experimented recruits ended on that line. It would explain some of the "approximate quality control" on those cars. 

But yours is a "racer", so finessing the details is allowed.

Bravo for the masterful work, and keep on! So much styrene, so little time...

CT 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

7 hours ago, iBorg said:

Looking this over.....still amazed. I have similar equipment and wish I had similar skills. Where are you sourcing your plastic?

Thanks Mike!

These beautiful Sherline equipment can do great things, you just have to get started and experiment, an unsatisfactory part is just experience to make a better one!

As for plastic (styrene) I use Evergreen or Plastruct and I buy online on eBay or at model shows when some sellers dare to bring some but unfortunately they are quite rare on this side of the border.

2 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

That hood latch support is stunning. Definitely a model in itself.

As far what you make the pieces from I think it boils down to what suits the part the best. You have made the right choices so far. 

Thanks Bob!

As soon as I finish a part, I realize that I have to do another one that I hadn't planned.

It's not easy to find pictures showing all the parts and from all angles, so sometimes I have to guess.  As long as the result is plausible, it will be fine ! ?

Francis

[Moparman18064]

On 12/12/2023 at 8:49 PM, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Hello everyone,

The good times are passing too quickly, my weekend is still over but I wanted to show you my latest progress.  I made the lower part of the radiator support and it is now permanently installed as for the upper part which has now found its place between the front fenders.  My goal with all my builds is to try as much as possible to create a model with no visible gaps or as little as possible.  With this build, I thought of making the radiator support in two parts, the upper part will slide between the frame rails and the lower part to create the illusion of a single piece.  It works great, the alignment is how I wanted it and I allowed some room for the thickness of the primer and paint.  I still have a lot of details to do for the front end but the foundation is now in place with the radiator support installed.  Comments and questions are welcome.

I have something else in the works,

Francis

The lower part of the radiator support has been made with a mix of 0.010", 0.020" and 0.030" styrene strips.

The two little brothers together.  Sorry about the ten cents, it's not to promote our currency but to help focus.

The lower part of the radiator support is glued in its final place.

The desired illusion of a single piece is not bad in my opinion!

I glued a strip of brass on top to help keep the piece straight, the Evergreen styrene is less rigid than the kit styrene and the radiator support I made is rather thin.

Seen from the engine bay, you can also see in this photo (and the two previous ones) the part of the front fender where the hood support will be mounted like on the real car.

 

This is so realistic, it almost makes me want to zoom in to see if the last 8 of the VIN are on the support! Awesome!

[Scott8950]

Great work Francis.

[bobthehobbyguy]

2 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

As soon as I finish a part, I realize that I have to do another one that I hadn't planned.

It's not easy to find pictures showing all the parts and from all angles, so sometimes I have to guess.  As long as the result is plausible, it will be fine ! ?

Sometimes that is all you can do. You just have to make educated guesses to gret done.  Also since race cars can evolve during a season you have to make sure you are using images from a single race or time frame to create a replica. 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 12/19/2023 at 8:37 PM, Claude Thibodeau said:

Hi Francis!

Well, your latch support bracket assembly is so clean, the Chrysler stamping plant guys would be jealous!

I just completed the restoration of the body work on a VERY SANO 1/1 Dodge Challenger (1970), and let me tell you that the OEM stampings left much to be desired.

I read in a very interesting book about the design and development of the Cuda/Challenger twins that the jobs in the "body shop" section of the factory were the less desirable, because of noise, dust, fumes, etc. Therefore, the more senior employee managed to avoid being dispatched there, and the least experimented recruits ended on that line. It would explain some of the "approximate quality control" on those cars. 

But yours is a "racer", so finessing the details is allowed.

Bravo for the masterful work, and keep on! So much styrene, so little time...

CT 

Hi Claude!

Knowing your talent, I am sure that the OEM parts of this superb Challenger were improved by your nimble and precise hands.

I would have loved to be one of those "poor guys" working in a factory making Cudas and Challengers, imagine all those nice new parts!  It's different from the rusty parts that I had to repair on my '74 Cuda at a time when even reproduction parts were almost non-existent.

Other times, other customs as they say, fortunately, styrene does not rust! ?

Have a great holiday my friend! ?

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 12/19/2023 at 10:35 PM, Moparman18064 said:

This is so realistic, it almost makes me want to zoom in to see if the last 8 of the VIN are on the support! Awesome!

Thanks Rich, I am not there yet, I will need smaller end mills ! ?

Merry Christmas! ?

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 12/19/2023 at 10:42 PM, Scott8950 said:

Great work Francis.

Thanks Scott and Merry Christmas!

Francis

On 12/19/2023 at 11:14 PM, bobthehobbyguy said:

Sometimes that is all you can do. You just have to make educated guesses to gret done.  Also since race cars can evolve during a season you have to make sure you are using images from a single race or time frame to create a replica. 

Thanks Bob!

You have to be well equipped to get started with a tribute car and information is critical to get there.  I will just reproduce the body parts to the best of my abilities because it seems that I have a preference for rare subjects and good references are just as rare.

Merry Christmas,

Francis

[Keef]

As other have stated…WOW! ….AMAZING!!… Beautiful work so far! I truly enjoy reading back through your posts and watching all of your thorough attention to detail come to life. I’ve even went back and read a lot of your previous build posts and I’m very truly amazed at how you can take a basic plastic kit and make it a true work of art. You sir, are a true inspiration to me as well as others!! Keep up the amazing work and have a very Merry Christmas! 

[Mike Williams]

Oh my!  Francis, exciting to enjoy the progress, sensational. Always an inspiration to view your unique skills!  All the best to you for the upcoming season.  Mike..

 

 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

21 hours ago, Keef said:

As other have stated…WOW! ….AMAZING!!… Beautiful work so far! I truly enjoy reading back through your posts and watching all of your thorough attention to detail come to life. I’ve even went back and read a lot of your previous build posts and I’m very truly amazed at how you can take a basic plastic kit and make it a true work of art. You sir, are a true inspiration to me as well as others!! Keep up the amazing work and have a very Merry Christmas! 

Thanks for the kind comments Keith!

I will not hide that I have given myself the goal of improving (with the tools that I have) any styrene kit on which I work or will work as long as my abilities allow me.  My hours on the bench are limited and I want to make the most of them and get as much enjoyment out of them as possible.  It's a pleasure to share my passion with anyone who loves the same subjects as me, knowing that we don't all take our hobby so crazy, if I can put it that way.   I will be back in a few days with more progress.

Thank you for your support and Merry Christmas!

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

18 hours ago, Mike Williams said:

Oh my!  Francis, exciting to enjoy the progress, sensational. Always an inspiration to view your unique skills!  All the best to you for the upcoming season.  Mike..

Hello Mike!

It is always with great pleasure that I take your rare and precious visits, my friend.  Time passes quickly and our free time must be used well when we are still on the job market like I am currently.  I have a few days off over the holidays and hope to have a few extra hours on the bench to move this project forward.

I know you won't be coming back anytime soon, so I want to express my gratitude for your visit and I hope you have found a renewed passion with your new hobby, I'm sure brass is used in abundance!

Thank you for your valuable advice, I have taken notes and there will be no more sharp corners on my parts in the future! ?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year if we don't speak again!

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello everyone,

I am taking advantage of the opportunity offered by the short vacation of the end-of-year celebrations to have a little more time at the bench.  I then decided to do something that I have never done or not at this level if I may say so by making the front headlight bucket supports (I don't know if that's the right name).  I had made something like this for the D100 but I wanted to improve the recipe if I can put it that way.  I know these will be hard to see in the final product, but I needed something to mount the headlights and didn't want to just stick them behind the openings in the grille.  In the meantime, I think it gives an interesting look to the body under construction knowing that it will remain in this state for quite a while.   I will now make the headlights and try to find the best depth to create a realistic effect.

Francis

I started by carving a bowl shape using a ball nose end mill.

I then went on the lathe, the outer rounded shape was carved with a small file and sandpaper by rotating the lathe at low speed.

I made notches on the milling machine for the mounting brackets.

I glued pieces of styrene L-shape for the mounting tabs. I also drilled holes in the bottom of the bowl shape for the headlight connectors.

I used the front grille to glued them at the right position.

In close-up, I like their look, it gives a look of a car under construction, what do you think?

It's even better with the grille in place, I wonder if I'll put headlights... ?

A little last one to show you the alignment.

[Moparman18064]

What, no adjustment screws?? Absolutely incredible! The real cars never had that kind of quality. Keep the great work coming so we can keep drooling.