Mint "T" Steering Linkage and driveshaft

[Dave Mikrut]

I picked up a L'il Stogie kit the other day. It's a really cool kit. I don't usually build anything right out of the box, nor do I build the really whacky show rods, but this chassis has inspired me to start a creation that will be known as Mint "T". So far the only modifications to the original kit are different tires, I used some big Mickey Thompsens instead of slicks, different valve covers and I rounded off the front coil spring mounts. This is gonna be a fast and whacky build, just havin some fun and gettin my mind off of woes.

Edited September 25, 2009 by Dave Mikrut

[Smart-Resins]

Mint "T" hey? Nice start! I look forward to the twist you give this! I hope it is sweet! LOL. Jody

[Dave Mikrut]

What started out to be a real fun build almost got stomped tonight. This is a difficult chassis to assemble. I had another idea in mind for springs,

but wanted to go the out of the box route for a change, bad idea. Well anyway, I'm diggin the look and used a slightly larger in diameter set of

wire wheels than from the kit. I test fitted the body, it looks awesome, but yer gonna hafta wait a little longer hehe, till I paint it. Here's todays progress photos

[Dave Mikrut]

Thanks to all you guys for your positive feedback and encouraging words. I love to share the progress fotos. It's kinda like we're building these things together,

like the good ol days when me and some buds would sit around crafting on some plastic.

I lowered the body a smidge and I really like the look of it waymorebetter now. I lopped off the top part of the chassis and and deepened the slots in the

front of the body to drop it down. The body was really close to the tires so I added some simple brake drums for clearence.

Edited May 20, 2009 by Dave Mikrut

[Dave Mikrut]

I used the tonneau cover from the AMT 59 El Camino to make parts for my Mint T interior. The little t body is so small that I've basically upholstered the frame and will also make a seat back. I've seen alot of 1:1 rods done like this, especially if they ar Z'd or channeled. I made a cool shifter knob made from the radiator cap on the Rommel Rod. The door panels too are made from the same material and I added some inside handles from the Revell Willys Pickup. These will be glued to the inside of the body.

[BigGary]

I used the tonneau cover from the AMT 59 El Camino to make parts for my Mint T interior. The little t body is so small that I've basically upholstered the frame and will also make a seat back. I've seen alot of 1:1 rods done like this, especially if they ar Z'd or channeled. I made a cool shifter knob made from the radiator cap on the Rommel Rod. The door panels too are made from the same material and I added some inside handles from the Revell Willys Pickup. These will be glued to the inside of the body.

[RodneyBad]

I love the color.

Great looking build

Cool looking Motor.

Looks like a Single seater

[Geezerman]

Coupla great looking T's, guys !!!!!!

Why they ever chop those tops down and turn them into homely looking toads, ls beyond me.

Nice work !

[Guest Gramps-xrds]

That looks like fun The body looks like the old MPC switchers 27 T. Too bad they don't produce those. They had some nice bodys in them.

[Dave Mikrut]

Yep Gramps it is the old Switchers body. They've reproduced some of the Switchers, not this one yet, I don't think. Theres still another version in the box I can build too! By the way I've never seen the other model that ended up on being posted on my post, but I gues that goes to show that two people can have a similar idea, with the some of the same raw materials to work with. I just happened to think it was a cool body to add to the Li'l Stogie chassis.

[Dave Mikrut]

Adding some more detail to this model. The Li'l Stogie has no steering linkage so I fabbed them from a few parts box pieces.

I added some disk brakes for some stopping power and as you can see belowI tried to simulate a steering box as well. I also

added the front tie rod and shortened a nicely detailed drive shaft for realism. I added a gas and break pedal and steering

column and wheel. I'm suprised no one has noticed I changed the plug wires. Also I added that little console that will have

a radio in it and I am revising the gearshift handle.