Sledsel Posted April 15 Share Posted April 15 (edited) Okay, after my accident in 2022 I had thought about giving up my building because of my injuries, with much encouragement from family, friends and many members of this page I didn't. I finished an MPC Willys panel van (snap) and a Linbergh Crown Victoria police car (snap) with good results. I decided ok, lets break out the glue. I went to my stash and chose this kit, I guess you can call it a step above a snap. LOL The Plan: Cut off inner fender wells and front suspension, fill and clean up front frame, cut out rear wheel wells, add proper Ford engine, straight axle and slicks........ Gasser done The Plan Implodes: Well, front frame as planned looked like s#^t so I cut it off and made new frame rails similar to what is original from evergreen. Kit firewall looked just as bad so off to the parts boxes and a slightly modified Nascar firewall fit the bill. Added some bars and assembled the basics so the frame rails had support. I finished assembling the front suspension with '37 Chevy parts and now the rear suspension was unacceptable. The solution was cut the rear of the chassis plate off and construct frame rails as the Ranchero was actually assembled, connected to the bed floor. I removed the exhaust and driveshaft tunnel from the remaining chassis plate. A new driveshaft tunnel was installed and I also added frame ties and a loop. The remainder of the chassis is all parts box stuff. Edit, I did not have a set of traction bars that fit correctly and Mike 1017 provided a great set. I considered cutting the interior apart but drew the line. I added a roll bar, shifter and gauges, done! Engine had to be an SOHC Ford, instead of a supercharger or injection I went with dual carburators. Thank you to Classicgas for the air cleaner assembly, it was my missing piece of the puzzle. The body is stock other than cutting the rear wheel wells. I did not like the molded headlights so I very carefully drilled and trimmed them out. I took several sets of chrome headlights from the AMT 66 Mustang kits and casted them with clear epoxy resin. (BTW, this was my very first experience with making a mold and casting something) The wheels and hood are from Drag City Casting, color is Fiery Orange which came out very dark. Slixx and misc decals added. Needs a few minor touch ups but it is done. Hope you survived my rambling and enjoy my first return to glue kit. Edited April 15 by Sledsel 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sledsel Posted April 15 Author Share Posted April 15 (edited) Here are a few pics of how sub-assemblies were done and a comparison to how it started for those unfamiliar with this old kit. Edited April 15 by Sledsel 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PappyD340 Posted April 15 Share Posted April 15 Cool gasser! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keef Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 LOVE this!! I had the same idea but never got past the mock-up stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sledsel Posted April 16 Author Share Posted April 16 30 minutes ago, Keef said: LOVE this!! I had the same idea but never got past the mock-up stage. if you get into it, it will be a cool project. The mock up looks good, not sure I ever did a mock up til it was about 75% done. I had fun with mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bondo bill Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 very cool 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike 1017 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 Best Ranchero Drag Racer that I have ever seen. The paint job is perfect not to shiny. It looks like it has been well taken care of since 1961 Luv those Traction Bars. Mike. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 Great looking little Gasser. I'm diggin this build. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hmann68 Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 Cool gasser! Looks great! 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 Very nice! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott8950 Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 Very nicely done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NitroMarty Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 This is simply fantastic... You have absolutely nailed the gasser look and feel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransAmMike Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 Very cool build. I likes it!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stavanzer Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 Great Job, on your Ranchero Gasser. Not Only did you nail the look, you have a great start back in the hobby! Good Show. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 Very cool little race truck. Glad you decided to stay with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 (edited) Double post due to site hanging up. Edited April 22 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanL Posted 15 hours ago Share Posted 15 hours ago Nice work... Roadkill is building one of these right now. Almost identical to yours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar2 Posted 14 hours ago Share Posted 14 hours ago Very cool job...Nice build all the way around... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoMoCo66 Posted 5 hours ago Share Posted 5 hours ago Just an amazing gasser. I love the 60-63 falcon/ rancheros as gassers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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