My tribute to the Jim Keeler “Dodge Fever” 1968 Coronet

[absmiami]

Great stuff

[LDO]

Just a little bit more progress. This geometry is a pain in the neck, for me anyway.

I couldn’t find a rear axle from a Malco Gasser. The kit has been reissued, but it’s about $60. That’s pretty steep for one part. I’m going to try to scratchbuild one from Evergreen styrene and the inner axle from the Ramchargers dragster I got for parts. The back half of the monocoque needs some cleanup and that’s a piece of Evergreen 3/16” tube that will be part of the axle. 
I couldn’t find a seat from a Tony Nancy dragster, but Leica007 from this site helped me out with a seat that looks better, IMHO. 
 

[LDO]

[tim boyd]

On 6/12/2025 at 9:21 PM, LDO said:

I have the five how-to articles from 1969. I would love to see October 1968 with the MPC contest results. I think it’s fascinating to read about where the hobby was a long time ago. 

Lee....several reactions....

1.  Super-ambitious project you have going here.   Fascinating to see how you are adapting the basics of Jim's approach to a build project 55 (!!!) years later.  Will be following your progress for sure. 

2.  Amazed that so many others watching and following this thread remember the car and the Car Model Magazines that covered it so long ago...

3. A photo from the final GSL in 2023 where the 1968 Dodge/MPC/Car Model funny car contest winners of first, second, and fourth place were lined up together for the first time ever on a display at the event.  And yes, #4 was mine. 

Best wishes on your progress and your posting of further updates....TIM  

[LDO]

Tim-

Thank you for the kind words. I read everything I could find online before starting this. I also found a Zoom interview with Jim on YouTube. The project was started before I had all six of the How-To articles. That accounts for a few of the differences. It’s also not easy to track down all of the same original parts. 
 The story of your car was fascinating, also. It was a big part of the model car hobby and cool to see it restored. 
 I’ll keep working on it. I want to see it through, so for the first time ever, I’m going to stick with one project only. My friend who printed a 1/8 scale model of a Potvin-blown Pontiac 421 with Mickey Thompson Hemi heads was disappointed to hear that it’s on the back burner. I think it will be up next. 
 
Thanks again, Lee