Chevy ´56 Bel Air drag

[Andy Oldenburg]

When I was researching for ideas for my Bel Air, I came upon a image of a drag version with a complete tipping front. Radical, and tempting. My plan was to strip everything unneeded for the quarter-mile and I decided to take that challenge. About a year go this was my first real attempt at building a model with a hinge. So this is the result:

 

Paint is Tamiya gloss black, the red is Schmincke Aero Color airbrush acrylic. After the bare metal work I covered all with AK crystal gloss and polished to a shine. I especially love the wheels. They come from a custom model supplier www.scaleproduction.com. The rims are precision turned aluminum, the spokes come ready to paint in resin. Including the rubber tires they cost just 20€. In that room behind the spokes I could place disc brakes.

I replaced the plastic grill with metal grid and tossed the fat bumper for a slim one from my parts box.

Mind-tangling was finding the sweet-spot to hinge the hood. In the end, the alignment missed by only about a millimeter.

 

The interior was stripped for weight and speed. The back bench gave way for a serious roll bar.

 

For the engine I wanted to try out some radical ideas. Many kit parts I had to replace for that drag feeling and look. Some parts I had to build from scrap, like the brake booster. The ignition distributor is home made. The belts are thin rubber (1 mm). I would rather like thinner material, but am still searching.

The undercarriage needed some adapting, since the molded on exhaust system was´t necessary. Meaning grinding and sanding off the pipe and muffler. I gave the suspension more detail and added the brake lines.

In real life on a drag strip or cruising, this could be one of my favorites. Thanks for watching!

 

[Modlbldr]

That looks great! Nice details you added. It looks like it was a fun and challenging build.

Later-

[Zippi]

Your 56 Chevy turned out pretty kewl looking.  The tilt front end came out nice.  Nicely done.

[David G.]

Paint and assembly are gorgeous, the added details are well done and the engineering on the tilt-front is well thought out and executed.

You've built a fantastic model!

David G.

[espo]

Great attention to detail on the engine and chassis. Hinging the front end had to be a thrill. Great looking paint work. 

[PappyD340]

Looks great!

[TransAmMike]

Looks great Andy, I do love the black/red color combo!!

[happy grumpy]

That turned out great, lots of nice details. Can't go wrong with black/red combo.

[slusher]

Very impressive model!