2024 Cannonball Run Restomods Build Thread

[White Rabbit]

Since I'm in so deep with this project now, I figured I might as well go flat-out on it. So, onto the dash it was. I converted the car to left-hand drive which also gave me the opportunity to modernize the dash. My goal is to modernize the interior, while still referencing the original design.

For the dash, I removed the molded-in center stack and went for a floating dash design. The layout is similar, but where the stock dash flows into the center console, mine has a small break to a tablet that then flows into the console.

The top of the dash will use the kit piece while the A/C panel will use the kit decal over the 3D surfaces. Gauge faces will be from the kit as well. Next is to redo the door panels so that their design blends with the remainder of the interior. A few details and adjustments, and the interior should be complete.

[oldcarfan]

14 hours ago, White Rabbit said:

Since I'm in so deep with this project now, I figured I might as well go flat-out on it. So, onto the dash it was. I converted the car to left-hand drive which also gave me the opportunity to modernize the dash. My goal is to modernize the interior, while still referencing the original design.

For the dash, I removed the molded-in center stack and went for a floating dash design. The layout is similar, but where the stock dash flows into the center console, mine has a small break to a tablet that then flows into the console.

The top of the dash will use the kit piece while the A/C panel will use the kit decal over the 3D surfaces. Gauge faces will be from the kit as well. Next is to redo the door panels so that their design blends with the remainder of the interior. A few details and adjustments, and the interior should be complete.

Wish I had your skills! Is that a computer screen behind the shifter reaching up to the dash?

[White Rabbit]

10 hours ago, oldcarfan said:

Wish I had your skills! Is that a computer screen behind the shifter reaching up to the dash?

Thank you! Yes, it's essentially a tablet, like an iPad. Like today's cars, it's for audio, GPS, phone, additional gauges, etc. It also functions as a design element that visually connects the dash to the center console; which references the original dash.

My goal is to modernize while still staying true to the original design.

Image reference

[JimmyRiggins]

Well…

as they say the only constant is change.

I’ve decided to withdraw my ford f100 from the run.  I’m just not gaining any traction on the build, and I’m looking to do something a little more outside the box!

The vehicle I’m choosing to replace it with is…

I saw a couple of years back in a cannonball run Foxer gave his build a storyline (I hope he doesn’t mind my borrowing his idea) I really liked that Idea so I’m going to run with it and hopefully others will too (I’d enjoy seeing more of that!).
 

We’ll call the owner of this mustang Jimmy Riggins.  He was a former mechanic on the Vels Parnelli Jones IndyCar team.  After several years of success in Motorsport, he longed for a simpler life.  So he packed up his things and bought an acreage on a winding, mountainous road where he opened up an auto recycling lot.  He’d let his imagination run wild and built whatever came to mind; as there was no shortage of parts to choose from.  
 

After several years, Jimmy had amassed a formidable collection of custom rides and his need for speed had returned.  But this time, he wanted to race!

Enter Cannonball Run 2024

 

He picked his favourite chassis, a fair condition; albeit well used mustang.  It had a tired 289 mill in it and a worn out suspension; the body however, was mostly good and straight. (Perfect candidate for a restomod) he thought.  The car ran and drove, but it was certainly no competition for this years venerable lineup.  

 

Jimmy knew He’d need something special under the hood for a cross country run.  After all, he hadn’t spent his time as a mechanic building losing cars.  
Jim was in it to win it!

 He was very familiar with one particular racing engine, and it only made sense to make use of that knowledge and engine.  

Having a background in Indy Car, and a successful wrecking yard, he was anything but short on connections and money. he made a few calls, and a crate arrived several weeks later.  
Inside that crate was a Cosworth DFX motor!  
…and the build began.

Edited August 4, 2024 by JimmyRiggins
Additional info

[White Rabbit]

Hello everyone! As we enter August, we are now four months away from the finish. There's still plenty of time to build, or even enter this year's Run.

If you have any updates, we would certainly enjoy seeing them!

Updated entry list:

1. 1990 Ford Mustang (Fat Brian)
2. 1974 Plymouth GTX (Lunajammer)
3. VW Corrado Magnum (stitchdup)
4. 1975 AMC Gremlin (Tim08)
5. Nissan 240ZG (Spottedlaurel)
6. 1957 Ford Fairlane (MeatMan)
7. 1965 Buick Riveira (Keef)
8. 1990 Ford Mustang LX (53gmc) ?
9. 1967 Pontiac GTO (Pat Minarick)
10. 1966 Ford Mustang (beans)
11. 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Disconovaman)
12. 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (Westrods)
13. 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Wagon (atomicholiday)
14. 1974 Pontiac TransAm (Can-Con)
15. 1967 Chevrolet Camaro (Camaro lover)
16. 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz (Kermn8r)
17. 1997 Ford Expedition (oldcarfan)
18. Ferrari 512BB (avidinha) ?
19. 1970 Chevrolet Malibu (KWT)
20. 1972 Mazda RX3 (White Rabbit)
21. 1970 Dodge Coronet Super Bee (slusher)
22. 1971 Plymouth GTX (Bills72sj)
23. VW Vanagon LLE (tooltime-fan)
24. 2003 Chevrolet SSR (xbazzarex)
25. 1984 Porsche 911 Turbo (Mattilacken) ?
26. 1967 Chevrolet Impala (Jantrix)
27. 1966 Chevrolet El Camino (NOBLNG)
28. 1967 Ford Mustang GT (JimmyRiggens)

[slusher]

 

Chassis painted, engine is primed, interior painting coming,  changed my mind on interior color stripped the black and will be going with blue and white. Engine and interior nexted update. Toke a small break have not felt welll. Going to think about foiling my gas tank on my chassis..

Edited August 9, 2024 by slusher

[MeatMan]

Been a minute so apologies.
I got the engine done finally. Just wired it yesterday. The coil will be fender or firewall mounted, thus the loose wire.
I designed an accessory drive setup in order to have power steering and AC and printed it as a unit. I used cloth electric tape for a belt.
I also designed and printed the air cleaner. I also did the exhaust manifolds so that the engine would fit within the frame rails. The headers just made it too wide.
As for the chassis; its almost done but needs suspension parts, e.g. sway bars, steering setup, etc.
I changed the wheels to a simpler design because I realized that the ones I'd chosen had a single center lug. I'll use Molotow to chrome the outer rim and center section when the build is near done.
The plan is to spray the base white today. The last pic shows my inspiration.

[KWT]

You guys are doing a fantastic job. The parties involved never cease to amaze.

Work weather and humidity levels here have really put me behind. If I don't catch a break here soon, I'm not gonna be able to pull this off.

[White Rabbit]

Hello everyone! I hope your builds are progressing well. Indeed, we’re just three-and-half months away from the build finish.

Cannonball History

I would like to continue with some Cannonball history by taking a look at the four winners of the original Cannonball Run (1971-1979).

1971: 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB Daytona; Drivers: Brock Yates and Dan Gurney; Time: 35h 54m (-53min ahead)

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1972: 1972 Cadillac Coupe De Ville; Drivers: Steve “Yogi” Behr, Bill Canfield, and Fred Olds; Time: 37h 16m (-10min ahead)

Image link

1975: 1973 Ferrari Dino 246GTS; Drivers: Jack May and Rick Cline; Time: 35h 53m (-1h 57min ahead)

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1979: 1978 Jaguar XJS; Drivers: Dave Heinz and Dave Yarborough; Time: 32h 51m (-8min ahead)

Image link

Just a reminder, next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1975 running. I've already got some theme ideas to commemorate the anniversary!

[Lunajammer]

A small but disheartening update to the 74 GTX. It’s been sitting in the heat of my attic all summer and I can still easily dent the clear coat with a thumbnail. When I return to this in the fall I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with a low luster sheen than a high gloss wet look. Oh well, onward and upward 

[oldcarfan]

On 8/17/2024 at 12:00 PM, White Rabbit said:

Hello everyone! I hope your builds are progressing well. Indeed, we’re just three-and-half months away from the build finish.

Cannonball History

I would like to continue with some Cannonball history by taking a look at the four winners of the original Cannonball Run (1971-1979).

1971: 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB Daytona; Drivers: Brock Yates and Dan Gurney; Time: 35h 54m (-53min ahead)

Image link

1972: 1972 Cadillac Coupe De Ville; Drivers: Steve “Yogi” Behr, Bill Canfield, and Fred Olds; Time: 37h 16m (-10min ahead)

Image link

1975: 1973 Ferrari Dino 246GTS; Drivers: Jack May and Rick Cline; Time: 35h 53m (-1h 57min ahead)

Image link

1979: 1978 Jaguar XJS; Drivers: Dave Heinz and Dave Yarborough; Time: 32h 51m (-8min ahead)

Image link

Just a reminder, next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1975 running. I've already got some theme ideas to commemorate the anniversary!

Looking forward to it! I recently came upon a couple of period correct kits that I'm already dreaming up potential builds for.

 

Edited August 27, 2024 by oldcarfan

[slusher]

On 8/25/2024 at 5:45 PM, Lunajammer said:

A small but disheartening update to the 74 GTX. It’s been sitting in the heat of my attic all summer and I can still easily dent the clear coat with a thumbnail. When I return to this in the fall I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with a low luster sheen than a high gloss wet look. Oh well, onward and upward 

Sand it and respray it, worse can happen is a stripping..

[oldcarfan]

Work on my entry has been paused due to weather. For the last couple of months the heat overwhelmed the a/c in my workspace. I went out occasionally in the mornings, but it soon got too hot. However, we may finally be getting a break in temperatures. This week we're supposed to be dropping from 105-114 outside temps to the low 90s. Maybe this was the last of the hotness for the year, I'm so ready for Fall!

[White Rabbit]

A brief update on the RX3: I made a new wheel set for the car that I've been thinking about for a while: the Techno Racing Yayoi wheels (also known as Sakura, or Cherry Blossom, in Japanese).

[slusher]

Nice wheels! ? 

[White Rabbit]

Thank you!

[KWT]

As the weather is now KINDA starting to cooperate, now work is not... I know we still have time, but my time is running out.

[oldcarfan]

43 minutes ago, KWT said:

As the weather is now KINDA starting to cooperate, now work is not... I know we still have time, but my time is running out.

I feel you! Here we've finally gotten temperatures below 100, but it's coming with rain. Last week of August it was 105 and about 95 in the shop. Now it's cooler, but the humidity is high.

[Spottedlaurel]

I've had a bit of a break from mine with holiday etc over the summer, but I got back into it this weekend. A little bit more assembly work and I gave the main bodyshell parts a wet-sanding with 600 grit then a few more coats:

 

The separate panels might need a final wet coat, but the main bodyshell seems to be OK and should polish up well. I want to avoid using clear and keep the solid, period paint looking suitably 'thin'.

Edited September 8, 2024 by Spottedlaurel

[89AKurt]

I should be doing this, instead of camping.

[White Rabbit]

3 hours ago, 89AKurt said:

I should be doing this, instead of camping.

There's still just under three months of build time left. I say, grab a kit and join in on the greatest (scale) outlaw race!

[tim08]

Builds are lookinkg good all. This is the last pic I took of the gremmy in march. Since then started messin with magnets for hood hinges. Great idea from Steve Guthmiller and a few others on here. Then got sidetracked with making copys of tires and other stuff with resin. And been buisy with homelife. Worked on the hood to get it to fit better. Slapped a sliver of evergreen in the gap to make it fit. Hope to get paint on before the weather starts to get crappy.

[Spottedlaurel]

A little bit more progress, hoping to domore this weekend....

 

AK "Burnt Tin" has given the desired bronze colour to the wheels (just mocked-up in position here). Suspension is mostly fitted and I'm working on the engine bay. Still a lot to do, but that's the nature of a well-detailed kit.....

[slusher]

Looking good Nigel!

[blue303]

I want to join this build. I'm going to go with a 55 Chevy Bel Air. For the engine, I'm believe I'm going to use a 327 out of the 63 Corvette kit.