R. Thorne Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 Starting a build of the car my friend (and fellow racer) races. I have known Mike since the mid 70’s and he claims I am responsible for getting him started in drag racing. Anyway, the first pic is the kit I am using as it seems a lot of people leave out that info. Began with mold line removal and reducing the clearance light sizes and some side and trunk emblems that are not on his car. Etched the whole car with a fine sanding stick as an experiment. Turned out ok, I guess. Primed with mr. Surface gray to show defects, then Tamiya white primer to help the orange paint stand out a bit more. Painted with 1 light coat then 1 medium heavy coat Tamiya orange then 1 medium heavy coat of Tamiya clear. There will be no sanding or polishing on this one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills72sj Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 Very nice so far. Following. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 I'll be watching this. I've developed a greater love for door cars, over the past few years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragcarz Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 Cool project, I met Mike about a year ago, he’s a super nice guy! His shop is in the same complex I work in. I was in the warehouse working and I heard a race motor start. I ran out of the warehouse and followed the noise. He had recently built a Quadrajet carburetor for a customer and was testing it on his Nova. It’s a very cool car. I too have thought of building this model and giving it to him.I’m following. I have taken some photos of the car if you need them. He wheels seem to be the biggest obstacle. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reegs Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 Absolutely love Jr. stockers. For so many years they've been the unheralded backbone of the sport. Good job. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 Great subject and your paint work is as well. I notice a few trim items on your friends Nova and I'm wondering about the body's origin. I owned a new '72 Nova SS long ago so sometimes I see things that make me wonder about the body trim. First the chrome moldings around the side windows would have been part of an optional body trim package. Second the side marker lights would indicate a base 6-cylinder car. Third the rear panel trim between the taillights looks to be from a later model car that had wider taillights and would have been found on an SS model. I'm thinking this car may have been built with parts from many different year models as that is pretty common. Your pictures look as if you have already corrected the front fender markers and the trunk lid trim removal should be easily done as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 9, 2023 Author Share Posted June 9, 2023 On 6/8/2023 at 12:40 AM, Bills72sj said: Very nice so far. Following. On 6/8/2023 at 1:29 AM, Straightliner59 said: I'll be watching this. I've developed a greater love for door cars, over the past few years. On 6/8/2023 at 7:16 AM, Reegs said: Absolutely love Jr. stockers. For so many years they've been the unheralded backbone of the sport. Good job. Sorry for delay. Thank you, gentlemen for your kind responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 9, 2023 Author Share Posted June 9, 2023 On 6/8/2023 at 6:48 AM, dragcarz said: Cool project, I met Mike about a year ago, he’s a super nice guy! His shop is in the same complex I work in. I was in the warehouse working and I heard a race motor start. I ran out of the warehouse and followed the noise. He had recently built a Quadrajet carburetor for a customer and was testing it on his Nova. It’s a very cool car. I too have thought of building this model and giving it to him.I’m following. I have taken some photos of the car if you need them. He wheels seem to be the biggest obstacle. Well, it is certainly a small world, right, Roger? Danny Ashley got Mike started on Q-Jets years ago and Mike still does them today. It looks like it’s gonna be a while before I can get any pics, so, if you can send me yours, that would be most helpful. I am specifically needing information on the roll bar or cage (6 point or full cage?) and color of interior. In the pics I have the bar looks to be a gray color. Otherwise, the traction bars and single or multi-leaf rear springs? Thank you for responding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 9, 2023 Author Share Posted June 9, 2023 It certainly helps to post these WIP builds as I had not noticed the irregularities on the hood where I filled it with primer and thought I had done a good job. It will go in the 91% alcohol tanks for a redo, but in the meantime I discovered a hood in a 72 Nova kit I had purchased as a donor kit for a 1974 GTO model years ago. With some modifications, it should do the job and I will repair this hood for another Nova build. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 9, 2023 Author Share Posted June 9, 2023 On 6/8/2023 at 11:25 AM, espo said: Great subject and your paint work is as well. I notice a few trim items on your friends Nova and I'm wondering about the body's origin. I owned a new '72 Nova SS long ago so sometimes I see things that make me wonder about the body trim. First the chrome moldings around the side windows would have been part of an optional body trim package. Second the side marker lights would indicate a base 6-cylinder car. Third the rear panel trim between the taillights looks to be from a later model car that had wider taillights and would have been found on an SS model. I'm thinking this car may have been built with parts from many different year models as that is pretty common. Your pictures look as if you have already corrected the front fender markers and the trunk lid trim removal should be easily done as well. You are correct in your assumptions, I believe. The current rules in NHRA Stock Eliminator are not enforced nearly as strictly as they were when I started racing. Randy Lynn Shipp’s Firebird is an excellent example of “loose policing”. Thanks for your comments. They are always appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragcarz Posted June 10, 2023 Share Posted June 10, 2023 56 minutes ago, R. Thorne said: Well, it is certainly a small world, right, Roger? Danny Ashley got Mike started on Q-Jets years ago and Mike still does them today. It looks like it’s gonna be a while before I can get any pics, so, if you can send me yours, that would be most helpful. I am specifically needing information on the roll bar or cage (6 point or full cage?) and color of interior. In the pics I have the bar looks to be a gray color. Otherwise, the traction bars and single or multi-leaf rear springs? Thank you for responding. Here’s what I took earlier this year, there in no particular order. I can probably get you more just let me know what you need. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 10, 2023 Author Share Posted June 10, 2023 Wow, great stuff. That should keep me busy for a while. Thanks so much. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragcarz Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 22 hours ago, R. Thorne said: Wow, great stuff. That should keep me busy for a while. Thanks so much. Your very welcome, let me know if you need something. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 11, 2023 Author Share Posted June 11, 2023 Some hood work. Too wide and tapered inconsistent so couldn’t sand flat. Also removed tang on bottom with my nippers and built up tapers at the rear with 1/16” square stock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 11, 2023 Author Share Posted June 11, 2023 (edited) A little sanding on my Folgers jig and, except for some final smoothing, calling the hood done. Some paint tomorrow. Would have got done sooner, but just had to watch “Tremors” movie for a laugh. Hadn’t seen it in probably 20 years. Great fun. Edited June 11, 2023 by R. Thorne 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 11, 2023 Author Share Posted June 11, 2023 Scrounged up some parts from my aftermarket drawer (boy, i’ve got to get that stuff organized). Goodyear 9” slicks, the awesome q-jet from Fireball which I have to carefully cut off the base, couple auto transmissions. Undecided whether to modify the turbo 2004r or the turbo 350 to replicate the turbo 200 used by almost all 3 speed gm cars. The turbo 200 is not available from the aftermarket the last I checked. Also, noticed in the pictures graciously sent by dragcarz the Cloyes aluminum timing cover. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 11, 2023 Author Share Posted June 11, 2023 This might be helpful to those that are inexperienced. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragcarz Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 Hey Ron I love your sanding blocks. Mike is running a power glide transmission now. For what it’s worth. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 23 hours ago, dragcarz said: Hey Ron I love your sanding blocks. Mike is running a power glide transmission now. For what it’s worth. You use whatever works, plus it was free. A power glide it is, then. Dug one out this afternoon. You have been a great help. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 Not much to report. Some cutting on the firewall to remove heater core box and wiper motor. Also, cut the stick trans off. Scratch build of sub frame connectors and electric water pump is next. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 15, 2023 Share Posted June 15, 2023 Looking good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 16, 2023 Author Share Posted June 16, 2023 22 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said: Looking good. Thanks, Ace. Much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 20, 2023 Author Share Posted June 20, 2023 (edited) After a mini slump attack, I got the firewall patched and thought about modifying the kit valve covers ( to look more like Mike’s welded up and hold down bolt slotted ones). Decided to use some NASCAR ones and scraped off the Chevrolet insignia and tried to sand and scrape some angles on top. The pictures don’t show the results of this very well ( perhaps after they are painted?). Edited June 20, 2023 by R. Thorne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragcarz Posted June 20, 2023 Share Posted June 20, 2023 Valve covers look accurate! Any idea on the wheels yet?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted June 21, 2023 Author Share Posted June 21, 2023 Some possible choices for the front. Leaning towards making some copies (a first time for me with the HobbyLobby kit) of the Pro-Tracks or the Shapeways. I have got to do some more digging for the rear wheels (they’re gonna be the toughest for me, I think. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.