Butch Leal California Flash

[Brutalform]

11 hours ago, keviiin86 said:

If you have any hobby stores that sell HO train accessories you can probably find them, don't recall the brand off the top of my head but they came in a small package and molded in brown styrene.  I'll take a picture of the package tomorrow and post it.

Thank you. I’d appreciate it. My hobby store is actually a hardware store, but he carries everything from model trains, to RC planes, and the full Tamiya paint line. So I’m sure he’ll have them. 

[Brutalform]

I’ve been playing around with the Plymouth today. Wanted to get a mock up, but I’m definitely going to order some Cragars from Scott, and add some RBM lugs. I don’t like the front tires, as they are a bit small. I wish I could find a larger 1/25 scale tire, that would fill out the front wheel wells better. Kind of like the old Moroso drag tires. I was thinking of a 1/24 scale, but then I’d run into a problem fitting the rims. Unless I order a set if each scale, and stagger them,but I’m afraid it wont look right. 

[Brutalform]

I also have to put the front spindles back to the stock height. Sits way too high in the front with them reversed. Maybe that’s my problem?

The spindles are in the lower position. Gotta find larger front tires. 

Edited April 22 by Brutalform

[Brutalform]

https://www.google.com/search?q=65+plymouth+california+flash+modified+super+stock&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:8eb3a2d7,vid:Aviy6GTJhg8,st:0

Found this video that sheds some light on the interior, and under hood. Shifter has a separate reverse shifter, that I’m glad I found so I can replicate it. 

Edited April 22 by Brutalform

[keviiin86]

Here's those bolt heads I was talking about, I just cut the end off and drill small lug holes and glue them in. As for front runners, I've been robbing these style bias plys to use as front tires (got them from the amt 62 vette and the revell 62 vette kit but alot of 50s-60s car kits use these).  Used them on my 57 corvette that I got those super tricks for..they look period correct for the early-mid 70s..seems alot of drag cars used them since they were tall and skinny.

Edited April 22 by keviiin86

[Brutalform]

Thanks for the info on the bolt heads. I will definitely look into it. As for the wheels and tires, I ordered the Cragars from Scott today. Those tires you mentioned, I have a bunch of those. This front tire I have for this build, is actually larger and smoother than those. I’m sure I’ll just use those ones I have.

[Brutalform]

This will most likely be a difficult build, especially when trying to duplicate the modified car. The “Revell” decal on the rear side panels will be hard to locate. I plan on painting the car white, and masking off the sides and top, when applying the orange.  I’m thinking that the kits decals, might bleed the orange thru them. The only kit supplied decals that can be used is the “California Flash” on the doors.  The white stripe stops at the front of the hood scoop, as compared to the kits decals, go all the way to the grill.

[Brutalform]

Working on the Leal car yesterday and this morning. I have the roll cage built and the glue is drying now. I received my Cragar Super Tricks from Futurattraction. Except for finding the “Revell” side decals, it seems to be coming together. Question: Does anyone make custom decals on their printer if I can give the size? 

[Brutalform]

I posted a request on the Wanted section for decal help. 
 

Fashioned up a set of motor plates to secure the hemi in place. 

Edited April 29 by Brutalform

[Brutalform]

Went through all my decal folders this morning, and I have every decal I need, except the two blue “Revell” above the wheels. I emailed STS decals today for a quote. Hopefully they can make them for me. Fingers crossed. 

[tim boyd]

Tom,...I have a set (unfortunately, only one) but I cannot recall exactly where I got them.  I think it was probably the gentleman in western Canada who did decal sets for many of the famous late 1960s to early 1970s drag racing subjects.  Would sure like t get a second set in case the first ones do not go on correctly....so looking forward to hearing your STS response   TB

ps - nice progress on your build, too!  

[Brutalform]

Thanks Tim. I have a lot more work to do, but it’s coming along. STS said they would have a quote for me tomorrow. I’m glad I have all the other decals except the two “Revell” and the class window numbers and letters. I have their goodie mini sheets coming from Slixx, so that takes care of the windows. I thought this build would get a little expensive, but still not too bad for now. 

[pulln4dejr]

Looking good so far! I’m sure most of your questions have already been answered but if you check out the “Muscle Car Modeler” on YouTube he usually gives you a pretty good history lesson on his builds especially on The Golden Commando kits.

[Belugawrx]

On 4/30/2025 at 9:50 PM, Brutalform said:

STS said they would have a quote for me tomorrow. 

I hope you get quicker service than I have been getting...12 weeks after paying them, and still no proof sheet for my Rod Hall Bronco 🤨

[Brutalform]

35 minutes ago, Belugawrx said:

I hope you get quicker service than I have been getting...12 weeks after paying them, and still no proof sheet for my Rod Hall Bronco 🤨

Well I emailed them two days ago, and they said they would get back to me in 24 hrs with a price.  If I can’t get them, the car will go without. No big deal. 

[Brutalform]

4 hours ago, pulln4dejr said:

Looking good so far! I’m sure most of your questions have already been answered but if you check out the “Muscle Car Modeler” on YouTube he usually gives you a pretty good history lesson on his builds especially on The Golden Commando kits.

Thanks. Yes I subscribe to Ralph’s channel. I enjoy his builds and information 

[Brutalform]

I found a close color for Holley carbs. I painted these race hemi carbs with these Vallejos. I did the plates and vacuum canister aluminum then went over it with the interior green. I’m gonna re do the throttle plates aluminum again as it appears gold now. 

Edited May 2 by Brutalform

[M W Elky]

28 minutes ago, Brutalform said:

I found a close color for Holley carbs. I painted these race hemi carbs with these Vallejos. I did the plates and vacuum canister aluminum then went over it with the interior green. I’m gonna re do the throttle plates aluminum again as it appears gold now. 

Thanks for that painting tip they look spot on

[Brutalform]

On 5/2/2025 at 6:44 AM, Belugawrx said:

I hope you get quicker service than I have been getting...12 weeks after paying them, and still no proof sheet for my Rod Hall Bronco 🤨

Well, they never got back to me with a price. I’d like to get the Revell decals, but if I don’t, it’ll just have white over the rear wheels. 

[Shark]

I have dealt with STS a couple times, always had good results. Not as quick as they said they would be, but you have to remember most of the vendors in the model aftermarket have full time jobs and do this on the side. Plus if they are good, I imagine they get a pretty good backlog.

[Brutalform]

1 hour ago, Shark said:

I have dealt with STS a couple times, always had good results. Not as quick as they said they would be, but you have to remember most of the vendors in the model aftermarket have full time jobs and do this on the side. Plus if they are good, I imagine they get a pretty good backlog.

No, I totally understand that. And I have no problem with waiting. But they told me they will give me a price quote within 24 hrs, and it’s been a week. At least if they were paid, I’d have the ball rolling. I have heard good things about them, and waiting is unavoidable sometimes. 

[Hemifever]

Looking great so far. On my build i reversed the spindles to lower the front end. The front tires I used are the drag 500 from comp resins, they filled the wheel wells ok. Like you I thought a taller front tire would look better. I test fitted the front tires that came the kit along with the super tricks, they looked great, just wasn't a solid fit. Your cage and motor plate look really good. Keep it going. 

[Brutalform]

Thanks Dennis. Your build is awesome. I hope mine comes out half as nice. I’m using these no name tires I first planned on. I also have the spindles reversed. I got the body and hood painted white. Maybe tomorrow I’ll mask it all off for the orange. I have the wheels done, and added styrene to the AWB cars oil pan. 

[Hemifever]

Wow, really like that alternator bracket and pulley set up, you nailed it . Wheels are awesome, I'm ordering 10 sets for my inventory. Crazy, at one time Butch Leal lived about three miles from me back in Ohio, when he raced for the Rod Shop.

[Brutalform]

Thanks. I still have to do a little detailing on the wheels and lugs. I used the RBM lugs and studs. From what I can see on the cars under hood pic, is, it’s not running an alternator, but just a motor to drive the water pump.