1951 Chevy Figure 8 Stock Car

[bobss396]

This 1st attempt using my phone. I started on a 1951 Chevy figure 8 stock car recently. I had an old partially built kit I bought years ago.

So far I have most of it roughed out, cage and chassis are done, tires and wheels picked out. Seat and fuel cell are Ron Coon items. I'm trying to replicate a type of car that ran locally around 1970.

Edited December 14, 2023 by bobss396
Fghuok

[customline]

Wow, Bob....looks like you got this!  I'm following for sure ?!    You don't need any glass in it, just some cloudy Lexan in front of the driver and I would loose the vent window posts. The doors get welded shut too. Great fun here, Bob! Maybe some crumpled tin foil on the rear quarter. I have a couple of '41 Plymouths that would make great '60s era Sportsman class cars. This is inspirational ?.

[Sledsel]

This will be cool!

 

[bobss396]

I'll have to look at references before losing the vent windows. This us a pre 1973 Era build.

[customline]

12 hours ago, bobss396 said:

I'll have to look at references before losing the vent windows. This us a pre 1973 Era build.

Sorry, Bob. I got carried away.  My thinking is while stripping the 1:1 body of glass and extra weight, one would logically remove the glass channel, window regulators, latches, handles, etc. The driver has to climb in through the window opening (because the doors are welded shut) so in order to make that easier....well, anyway....?...I'll be quiet.

[bobss396]

52 minutes ago, customline said:

Sorry, Bob. I got carried away.  My thinking is while stripping the 1:1 body of glass and extra weight, one would logically remove the glass channel, window regulators, latches, handles, etc. The driver has to climb in through the window opening (because the doors are welded shut) so in order to make that easier....well, anyway....?...I'll be quiet.

You are correct. This class has roots in 1962. The early cars were very rudimentary. Some were minimally gutted. The era of the body-off build wasn't wide spread. New cars even evolved as the season went on. Fenders were cut more, etc.

I chopped the vent windows out. I made inside frames. I can go with 2 pieces of glass or 1 glass, 1 screen.

[customline]

The local track in my area back in the late '60s/early '70s was an asphalt 1/4 mile oval with an X across the infield, located in Seekonk,  MA.  As I recall, the figure 8 race was part of a holiday weekend schedule, along with the Demo Derby and "Powder Puff" races.   My memory is the cars were more like what you might see in the Demo Derby but I could be wrong. They may have been "Cadet Division" cars. You know, two laps and a caution light, speedy dry, repeat.  Some had professional paint, others not so much. A flying wheel now and then. Great fun. F8 racing was probably more prevalent in other parts of the country but back home it was only on special weekends, not a regular thing. Lots of laughs, though. Sportsman cars had the front suspension/steering modified for the banked, short track and that would make them impractical for a right turn. I'm glad you got me thinking about this, Bob.  ? 

[TarheelRick]

Really looking forward to progress on this build. One of my passions is local short-track racers, have built a few of them. Below is my version of a Figure-8 race car.

On 12/14/2023 at 1:27 PM, customline said:

I have a couple of '41 Plymouths

[bobss396]

53 minutes ago, customline said:

The local track in my area back in the late '60s/early '70s was an asphalt 1/4 mile oval with an X across the infield, located in Seekonk,  MA.  As I recall, the figure 8 race was part of a holiday weekend schedule, along with the Demo Derby and "Powder Puff" races.   My memory is the cars were more like what you might see in the Demo Derby but I could be wrong. They may have been "Cadet Division" cars. You know, two laps and a caution light, speedy dry, repeat.  Some had professional paint, others not so much. A flying wheel now and then. Great fun. F8 racing was probably more prevalent in other parts of the country but back home it was only on special weekends, not a regular thing. Lots of laughs, though. Sportsman cars had the front suspension/steering modified for the banked, short track and that would make them impractical for a right turn. I'm glad you got me thinking about this, Bob.  ? 

I almost came up to Seekonk in 1982 to race, the owner Venditti (?) was going to give us tow money, but we had tow vehicle issues.

My street stock cars, I could push it myself in the pits going left, it took 5 guys to push it right. 

Our home track now allows 8 cylinders, this came about after visiting racers had them but got a weight handicap.

[bobss396]

17 minutes ago, TarheelRick said:

Really looking forward to progress on this build. One of my passions is local short-track racers, have built a few of them. Below is my version of a Figure-8 race car.

That is perfect, captured the look. By 1962 there a few that old. Other tracks ran them earlier than that.

[bobss396]

The driver side glass is made. I covered it with tape so I could mark on it. The other side will be using screen stock.

[bobss396]

The radiator support is complete. Most other parts are in prime. I can't get too far without the 3D printed engine, it may impact the floor pan. I also ordered a Chevy 3 speed, as it may be smaller. 

[bobss396]

I have the 3D printed 250 Chevy from VCG Resins and partially assembled it. Enough for a trial fit. I had to relieve the chassis for header clearance. Added material outside the rail for strength. Got the new crossmember roughed out. A little more sanding and bondo is next. Tires and wheels are done. 

[TarheelRick]

Really taking shape very nicely, keep those updates coming.

[customline]

I really like what you did with the radiator support. And the chassis mods. Did you build 1:1s?

[bobss396]

I built and ran short track stock cars for a few seasons. My NASCAR license covered street stocks, late models and bomber cars. I held the license from 1979 to 1987. My wife had hers from 1982 to 1984.

[customline]

2 hours ago, bobss396 said:

I built and ran short track stock cars for a few seasons. My NASCAR license covered street stocks, late models and bomber cars. I held the license from 1979 to 1987. My wife had hers from 1982 to 1984.

That's awesome, you and  Wifey!  Well, I'm watching this build for some insight on the way these critters are built, Bob. You got me thinking about using the '41 Plymouth or maybe the AMT '40 coupe for a '50s, early '60s Sportsman. The Ford with the flathead would make more sense but who knows. I don't have a clue about the rules. Need to research it.

 

[bobss396]

9 minutes ago, customline said:

That's awesome, you and  Wifey!  Well, I'm watching this build for some insight on the way these critters are built, Bob. You got me thinking about using the '41 Plymouth or maybe the AMT '40 coupe for a '50s, early '60s Sportsman. The Ford with the flathead would make more sense but who knows. I don't have a clue about the rules. Need to research it.

 

My wife is no longer with us, but she could drive a hauler, tow truck and take a car on and off the trailer. 

Rules varied from track to track, take your best shot at it.

I took my Nova with the BBC to a different track in 1983. The wheelbase was too short for one division, engine too big for another. I got tossed in with the Super Stocks and started 26th, finished up 12th.

[bobss396]

Squirted some primer on the chassis, not bad for 1st pass.

Next is the crossmember locating and motor mounts, transmission mount too.

Need to sit the floor pan onto the chassis and see where I'll route the exhaust.

I worked on it very late last night and have to have a clean table by Sunday afternoon.

[customline]

1 hour ago, bobss396 said:

Squirted some primer on the chassis, not bad for 1st pass.

Next is the crossmember locating and motor mounts, transmission mount too.

Need to sit the floor pan onto the chassis and see where I'll route the exhaust.

I worked on it very late last night and have to have a clean table by Sunday afternoon.

I'm sorry Bob, it must have been great to have a partner to share your interest. My first wife certainly didn't ?.

I figured the track rules differed from place to place. The frame looks great. 

[bobss396]

16 hours ago, customline said:

I'm sorry Bob, it must have been great to have a partner to share your interest. My first wife certainly didn't ?.

I figured the track rules differed from place to place. The frame looks great. 

I got one of those 1st wife things too... good riddance is all I got to say. The 2nd was a much better improvement for the next 30 years. 

I made the notch deeper, have the crossmember in place, next is side motor mounts. The engine block is painted (rookie mistake..) so I have to use some care. I "lost" the radiator, it was easy enough to conjure up another one. I found the OG one about 10 minutes later...

[customline]

I sense a little frustration....let's all give Bob some space.....?

[bobss396]

The crossmember looks good, cage sits well. The silver radiator was the one that was MIA.

Now I'm looking for the rear axle assembly... good thing I have to clean up for Xmas..

[bobss396]

Found it... mixed in with another parts stash...

This kit was partially built. I had to wrestle the rear from the chassis, made new locating pins from 3/64" brass rod.

[dust collectors]

This thing is looking awesome! Nice work and cool subject. Looking forward to following along.