1/16th 1957 Corvette Super Gas 80's

[Ian McLaren]

My Bubble Up Trans Am funnycar project is on hold due to parts and paint.  it's being set aside for a couple of weeks,  This one just poped up due to a conversation with some friends.  Starting out as a less ambitious project

[Straightliner59]

8 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

Starting out as a less ambitious project

I wish you all the best, in that regard!? That was exactly what I said about my Badman, going in! I do love '80s S/G cars, though! That engine looks beauty!

Edited July 29, 2024 by Straightliner59

[Ian McLaren]

On 7/29/2024 at 8:31 AM, Straightliner59 said:

I wish you all the best, in that regard!? That was exactly what I said about my Badman, going in! I do love '80s S/G cars, though! That engine looks beauty!

Yup, since that post I've had several people from the local tracks fill in gaps in the layout of the car, especially the interior and chassis, as the doors on the kit already open the interior will take up some extra time.  I'm really fighting the urge to open the deck lid.  So far Im replacing the kit firewall and have also moved its location rearward.  I am pretty happy with the BBC and tunnel ram, certainly a step up from the kit engine. Also change the hood front hinged to liftoff

 

 

[John B.]

Very cool - I remember when the class was called Pro Gas. Anything on your bench is special!

[blackbeard]

Looking great Looking forward to the update 

[Mike Williams]

Ian, I as well caught your remark, 'less ambitious project'. Must write, choked while drinking coffee. No problem, quite alright to be lazy on occasions. Main thing being, maintaining momentum. Keep the train rolling!

Please, have fun as you wish now. Try a new paint idea. You do not need super detailing. Just maintaining. Keep the gears oiled.  Mike..

[Ian McLaren]

12 hours ago, John B. said:

Very cool - I remember when the class was called Pro Gas. Anything on your bench is special!

Thank you John, so far this isn't planned as a fully detailed model, but these things have a habit of developing a life of their own during the process. I have already changed a couple of planned areas to a more detailed level.  We will see.

 

Edited July 31, 2024 by Ian McLaren

[Ian McLaren]

Printed, painted and detailed a Doug Nash five speed transmission and period correct Lakewood bellhousing.  I also print some carburetor options for the intake but I think the Dominators are too new for this era, need to do a bit more reaserch

 

[TransAmMike]

Well this is gonna be a killer build!!   Good luck going forward Ian!!

[Ian McLaren]

3 hours ago, TransAmMike said:

Well this is gonna be a killer build!!   Good luck going forward Ian!!

Thanks Mike, I sure hope soby way of an update, after talking to the engine builder of the car the correct carb layout is side mounted carb but not Dominators

[Nitro330]

Love this project Ian.  And even "a less ambitious" build from you is going to be pretty awesome, as that transmission/bellhousing shows. Look forward to watching this.

[TransAmMike]

32 minutes ago, Ian McLaren said:

Thanks Mike, I sure hope soby way of an update, after talking to the engine builder of the car the correct carb layout is side mounted carb but not Dominators

That's an interesting configuration I've never seen before. 

[NYLIBUD]

Awesome,

[Ian McLaren]

On 8/2/2024 at 5:08 PM, TransAmMike said:

That's an interesting configuration I've never seen before.

The carbs were Holley 660 Center Squirters, a drag race only carb that had both sets of throttle plates open simultainously instead of staggered as in a normal configuration.  Driveablity was sacrificed for throttle response. The other unique feature of this model carb was a single accelerator pump nozzel  with four outlets, mounted in the center of the airhorn where you would normaly find the air cleaner hold down stud on all other four barrel carbs.

[Ian McLaren]

I guess I should show a photo of the car that is the inspiration for this project.  I should add that the fact McLaren Auction sponsored the car really had nothing to do with choosing this project.  Fast Eddie was a character, almost larger than life.  Stories of his antics are legion.

[Ian McLaren]

The additional materials have arrived for the BUbble Up Trans Am so this will moved to the back burner for a while, perhaps some small updates in the next few weeks.  Here is where it's being left, hood and scoop pretty much ready, motor and trans  have all the basics and the aluminum dash is ready to drill for gauges, switches and MSD electronics.  The opening doors will be addressed once the BubbleUp caris done.

 

Edited August 9, 2024 by Ian McLaren

[Tony Coomer]

Great work so far, the engine and trans is looking good so far…

[Ian McLaren]

Back on the Bonin Car but between primer and sanding coats I did get a Vac-U-Pan system just about ready to install on the Corvette

[Ian McLaren]

Needed a break from the BubbleUp car so the Corvette came down from the shelf for a bit of work on the body, and to do some test shots of the proposed decals just on white paper

[blackbeard]

looking fantastic Ian love how its coming together 

[Ian McLaren]

I'm focusing primarily on the BubbleUp Trans Am, but this one keeps draging me back.  There has been some progress while paint and glue dries on the other car.  This is just the white primer coat with decal test shots on wetted plain paper, door are hinged and initial adjustments made and the roll bar/cage is started

On 9/6/2024 at 7:55 AM, blackbeard said:

looking fantastic Ian love how its coming together 

 

 

Edited September 19, 2024 by Ian McLaren

[keviiin86]

Pretty cool to see what you have going on here, considering I'm building a late 70s-80s era bracket car 57 corvette also.  It'll be a race to see who finishes first haha.  In all honesty though I work pretty slow and take plenty of breaks lol.

[Straightliner59]

It's coming along, nicely, especially considering it's not your main focus. I really love drag racers from the '60s, '70s and '80s, especially. Things like throttle stops made from a piece of 2"X4", stuff like that, make for very interesting details, on models!

16 hours ago, keviiin86 said:

In all honesty though I work pretty slow and take plenty of breaks lol.

I'm much the same. Just because the car would be quick, doesn't mean we builders are in a race! I like your '57 'Vette, too. I love the way it sits.

[Codi]

Ian,

I've no idea how anyone does more than one build at a time but you manage quite well.  You've done a lot on this Vette in such a short period of time no less.  Nice work.  cheers, tim

[Randy D]

Always enjoy watching your builds come  to life Ian.  Those carbs are really cool!

Randy