DVD REVIEW: How to build your own AWB funny car

[Chuck Most]

Anybody remember the Wilshire Shaker '63 Nova match-bash funny from Hot Rod mag about a decade ago? Well, it's creator, Steve Magnante, is at it again with his latest venture, The Funny Car Farm, and this DVD- How to build Your Own Altered Wheelbase Funny Car!

What your twenty bucks gets you(well, it's $19.99 which includes S&H), is a blow-by-blow of taking a hapless, frumpy little '63 Dart and turning it from Granny's Grocery Getter inot an altered wheelbase, straight-axle, streetable funny car clone. The main bulk of the DVD contains this car's transformation, but by no means is that the only thing going on!

We also see a recap of the Wilshire Shaker, wherein Steve points out some of the key features of the build. And you true weirdos out there will surely dig the AWB '81 Fairmont. It now runs a Ford Mod V-8, but still had the stock I-sixer when the DVD was produced.

Ah, yes... I mentioned model cars, didn't I? Mr.Magnante, in additon to being a journalist, TV personality (Barrett-Jackson 'finger cam' guy), and, of course, latter-day funny car fabricator extraordinare, is also a modeler. While his assistant is chopping the Dart into beautiful oblivion, Steve 'plays hooky' with us for a few minutes and shows off some of his model car builds. Many of them are the unpainted, straight from the box builds that anyone who's cracked open a Hot Rod or Hot Rod Deluxe will recognize as his review builds. But when Steve gets the urge to do a full detail job...

I won't spill too much here, but my favorite one of the models is the 'Half and Half' Mopar- built to show those model car contest judges just how all-knowing they weren't!

And yes, many of Steve's 1:1 build procedures translate just fine in to 1/25 scale, thank you very much! I used his article in Hot Rod on altering a '64 Fairlane a few years back as a guide to chop up at least a couple of Revell T-Bolts. After seeing this DVD, I'm just itching to get my hands on a scale '63 Dart. Or maybe scratch build myself a Fairmont body...

My only gripe is this- the DVD is one big chapter, it is not divided into separate parts. If you want to go to a specific scene, you'll have to fast forward, as in the good old VHS days. And don't get too excited about bonus footage, special features, and deleted scenes- they ain't there. But for $20, I can't complain too much, and it's a fun DVD to watch at any rate.

I say go you now- pick up a copy! Order it at the website, or just check out:

www.thefunnycarfarm.com