“BUILDING THE COVERS “ Vol # 37 THE AWB 1966 NOVA OF DICK HARRELL

[M W Elky]

This one started off with the amt nova pro street kit. I altered the rear wheel wells separated the front fenders and made a one piece flip front end . In the engine compartment is a big block from the amt 1967 pro street chevelle kit with the injector manifold from the amt 63 corvette the stacks are aftermarket , the timing chain cover was in the amt 1939 ford sedan The wheels are from the old pro nova . The front leaf springs came from the amt 1933 Willy’s the axle is aluminum tubing . I made the roll bar from  0.80 plastic rod . The hurst t- handle shifter is from the mpc flip front 1953 ford pickup. Amt blue streaks out back and Firestone supreme tires up front. The beautiful red enamel is plain old testors topped with slixx decals. 
as always thanks for looking ?, Mike 

[Altered Ego]

Wow!  As always, very nice job.  Awesome detail work notching the chrome trim around the door!

[PappyD340]

Very nice!

[papajohn97]

Hi Mike, I missed this build that you posted a few months back and just ran a-crossed it in searching how others have approached recreating this legendary Dick Harrell/ Bill Thomas injected Nova - very nice job! 
So how did you do this chassis? Did you cut the front end off of the Nova pro-street chassis and scratch-build the tubular front clip and straight axle/ leaf spring assembly? I’d like to copy your build here (highest form of compliment, right?) using the same ‘66 Nova pro street kit but am also wondering if it’s worth sacrificing a Moebius Gasser Nova kit for the tubular front clip + straight axle assembly? What would you do if you were to build a second one of these? Scratch build the front end or pull parts from the Moebius kit ( still a $25 kit)?

BTW, I love all your builds that you so prolifically assemble and post here, you ‘da sixties door slam’in drag car MAN!!!!!

John

Edited April 21, 2023 by papajohn97
Added missing word

[Altered Ego]

Both of you, MW Elky and papajohn97, are amazing in my book.  We all do the same style of builds, but mine simply aren't at the same level as you two.  Keep up the good work, I love looking at them and picking up tips and inspiration along the way.

[M W Elky]

9 hours ago, papajohn97 said:

Hi Mike, I missed this build that you posted a few months back and just ran a-crossed it in searching how others have approached recreating this legendary Dick Harrell/ Bill Thomas injected Nova - very nice job! 
So how did you do this chassis? Did you cut the front end off of the Nova pro-street chassis and scratch-build the tubular front clip and straight axle/ leaf spring assembly? I’d like to copy your build here (highest form of compliment, right?) using the same ‘66 Nova pro street kit but am also wondering if it’s worth sacrificing a Moebius Gasser Nova kit for the tubular front clip + straight axle assembly? What would you do if you were to build a second one of these? Scratch build the front end or pull parts from the Moebius kit ( still a $25 kit)?

BTW, I love all your builds that you so prolifically assemble and post here, you ‘da sixties door slam’in drag car MAN!!!!!

John

Hi John, I used the amt 66 Chevy 2 front frame rails and just made some bracing up with  0.080 plastic rod .while this might not be 100% accurate I built most of this car long before the internet so I just made what I thought looked right it originally had Fred cady decals as the slixx one’s went out yet. When I finally got around to finishing it some thirty years later I stripped them off and used the slixx ones.As far as sacrificing a moebius kit just for the front clip I would save the money. I used the front leaf springs from amt’s 33 Willy’s kit I used aluminum tubing and a leftover amt metal axle. You could also make the springs from metal strips cut to length and superglued together . I brought a thin square piece of steel at my lhs and cut it into strips with a tin snips. I took some close up pictures that might help. I cut the chassis right behind the front rear spring perches to move the rear wheel wells forward. The headers I used are actually hemi parts from revell’s dart or charger. I hope this helps you out if you have any other questions just let me know I’m always happy to help out a modeler. You always do a great job with nice detail work my friend.  Mike 

[papajohn97]

Thank you Mike for taking all these pics and writing up the details, very helpful! I originally bought the new Moebius ‘65 Nova gasser kit with the thought of using it as a basis to build Doug Thorley’s ‘65 AWB “Chevy-2-Much” (I have the Fremont Racing decals) . You’re right, it’s too nice a kit to sacrifice for the front clip. I think I’ll take a look at how Moebius did the front clip and straight axle and copy the aspects of it that I like and can apply to the Harrell ‘66 Nova. I have a bag of resin leaf springs I bought from Speed City awhile back and can probably find a pair that can work.

I have yet to get tired of scratch-building these classic 60’s drag cars, they are fun “puzzles” to solve and sure are a lot cheaper then messing with 1:1 vintage drag cars! Much thanks Mike! John

[Rattlecan Dan]

You really captured the feel of this car. Great attention to detail and really nice presentation.

[M W Elky]

49 minutes ago, Rattlecan Dan said:

You really captured the feel of this car. Great attention to detail and really nice presentation.

Thanks dan