full detail 1/16th Gordie Bonin BubbleUp Trans Am Funnycar

[Straightliner59]

On 4/6/2024 at 2:55 PM, Ian McLaren said:

Daniel your brass work is incredible, it's you I'm trying to keep up with.  I can't wait for you to bring the Surfers chassis back out so I can pick your brain some more.

That is very kind of you to say, Ian. I appreciate it! If I don't feel like I'm starting to make some progress on the Badman, that may be sooner, rather than later!?

[Ian McLaren]

Torsion bar housing and braces added and axle location shown

Notches cut in upper rail (trickiest part) also note small bracing tubes running from the lower rails to the center of the torsion bar housing.  Housing will be narrowed when the torsion bar itself is inserted

Axle sit above the entire frame and in front of the torsion bar,   I am currently fabrication the straight axle and mounting arms from the torsion bar as well as spindles and king pins

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Nice work Ian, it’s going to be solid and straight as an arrow! ?

[Codi]

Very nicely done Ian.  This is gonna be a sweet build.  cheers, tim

[Ian McLaren]

Better day today as far as progress goes, a couple of additional bars in (seat support), motor plate roughed out and fitted to the chassis (needs some holes drilled). Removeable weight bar in position, can be removed for painting the chassis and the test, functional torsion bar, is sitting in front of the chassis. It works quite well but setting the initial ride height may prove challenging

[Straightliner59]

Your brass work is beautiful! I saw the seat on FB. It's killer, Ian. Loving this project!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

It will be a fantastic chassis my friend we can see that the guy knows where he is going! ?

[Ian McLaren]

More progress, rear seat support bars and seat belt bars added, seat is built but not fully detailed, needs weld beads and fasteners added.  also spent some time on the reverser ( built a handle and detail painted the housing) also have to add the front drive shaft coupler and retaining ringI'm also including some photos on the seat building process from template to fully soldered.

 

Below are the photos of the seat builing process,and Templates used.  ALso it shows the assembly order and the use of iron wire to secure the seat and back panel to the chassis to be sure of a proper fit (also solder does not stick well to iron).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 14, 2024 by Ian McLaren

[Straightliner59]

 

The wire is another excellent idea! Going to try to remember that, next time I need it!

[John B.]

It's nice to know that in our hobby, there is always someone doing something extraordinary that we can all learn from! 

[Tony Coomer]

The chassis is looking great…

[Randy D]

Love the chassis work Ian !!!!

 

Randy

[Ian McLaren]

On 4/15/2024 at 8:39 AM, John B. said:

It's nice to know that in our hobby, there is always someone doing something extraordinary that we can all learn from! 

Thank you so much John, I'm not sure there is much extraordinary in this particular model but perhaps a tip or two along the way.

Edited April 16, 2024 by Ian McLaren

[Ian McLaren]

23 hours ago, Tony Coomer said:

The chassis is looking great…

 

50 minutes ago, Randy D said:

Love the chassis work Ian !!!!

 

Randy

Tony and Randy thank you for the kind words, this Swindahl style chassis has really been a learning experience for me as everything has had to be sized strictly from photos, lots of measuring and comparing of pictures involved. I will probably post the scale drawing  once I'm as close as I can get to correct and I know everything fits properly in case someome else wants to try one of these.  Perhaps one of the Corvette bodied cars Al built.

[Ian McLaren]

Well another day with at least some progress.  The straight axle and spindels are built but not cleaned up yet and the front rotors were printed and modified to fit.

[Codi]

Ian, Seat looks really good in position and I enjoyed the process you shared on how you did yours.  You're clipping right along for sure.  cheers, tim

[Ian McLaren]

7 hours ago, Codi said:

Ian, Seat looks really good in position and I enjoyed the process you shared on how you did yours.  You're clipping right along for sure.  cheers, tim

Thanks Tim, this seat went quicker than the last one, I guess I'm making some progress on this brass deal.

[Ian McLaren]

Small update, the chassis is located in the jig I made to make sure everything stays aligned. The chassis is located by the differential in the rear and a removable 3/32 pin in the front.  As well as assuring the chassis is square, level and not twisted, the jig also sets the ride height, providing a reference for the body and its front and rear support structures, headers, and wheelie bars.  It will also act as a secure structure for adding the tin to the body  and chassis without having to install the wheels and tires to check the clearances.  Also the front straight axle and spindles are built but still need brackets for the torsion bar arms and also front radius rods.

Below are  photos showing details of the chassis jig construction. first photo is the centerlines of the jig and front and rear axles as well as materials used, second photo it the differential housing mounted 

level and square and at the correct ride height for the rear tires.  This has to be accurate as almost everything stems from this piece and these two lines.

[Straightliner59]

Just like the real thing! I have been thinking for years about building an adjustable chassis jig, so that, by turning a screw, I could adjust the wheelbase, and another couple, I could adjust the ride height, to accommodate different tires. I just never got around to finalizing a design, and building it. Typically, I just mark it out on a balsa sheet, and start pinning and soldering.

You're really making some great progress, Ian!

[Ian McLaren]

42 minutes ago, Straightliner59 said:

Just like the real thing! I have been thinking for years about building an adjustable chassis jig, so that, by turning a screw, I could adjust the wheelbase, and another couple, I could adjust the ride height, to accommodate different tires. I just never got around to finalizing a design, and building it. Typically, I just mark it out on a balsa sheet, and start pinning and soldering.

 

Thanks for the comment Daniel, yes an adjustable jig would be a great thing. Sadly the closest I have gotten is to be able to use a couple of parts from previous jigs.  Doing a chassis like this comes with the same issues as building a real one all be it on a different scale, and forces you to solve the issue in the same way.  Call me delusional but I feel the process somehow adds a dimension of authenticity to the finished product or at least in my world.  LOL

[Straightliner59]

6 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

adds a dimension of authenticity to the finished product or at least in my world.

I completely agree. That means my Surfer's car will be authentic, as well!? Except, not on concrete.

[John B.]

Chassis is coming along great!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

I love you chassis jig Ian!  I've never taken the time to make one maybe because my types of projects don't really require one.  One thing is certain, a good house needs a good foundation as a starting point and you put all the chances on your side to succeed, the extra hours invested in the jig will be rewarded I am sure!   You learn a lot by following what experts do, especially when they have experience in the real world of car racing! ?

[Ian McLaren]

3 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

I love you chassis jig Ian!  I've never taken the time to make one maybe because my types of projects don't really require one.  One thing is certain, a good house needs a good foundation as a starting point and you put all the chances on your side to succeed, the extra hours invested in the jig will be rewarded I am sure!   You learn a lot by following what experts do, especially when they have experience in the real world of car racing! ?

Thank you very much Francis for the feedback!   You are correct the jig does take some time to create (read several hours) but at the end of the project the savings will be measured in days. It makes almost everthing from here on much easier. Not only does it allow me to check for square, flat and twisted but it provides a secured chassis to attach to and work from.  In the real world the rear end is attached to the jig and every tube is referenced off that.  In a model that isn't practical so a partially built chassis helps construct the jig.  Critical measurements on the jig are made and placed independant of the chassis though and then the chassis is checked against those to see if it is correct (it wasn't) and then corrected (it was).  At this stage the corrections were rather easy but as additional bars and tubes are added the chassis becomes much stiffer and harder to manipulate.  I highly recommend anyone building a tube chassis car even if your using a kit chassis make at least a simple jig, it will, I promiss make the build easier, better, and I think, more fun.

[Ian McLaren]

Front suspension is just about done, just need to build the front radius rods and finish cleaning up the axle. Looks like the front torsion bar will be functional once I set the ride height.

Edited April 22, 2024 by Ian McLaren