The New TDR 427 Roadster Kit

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Haven't heard from you yet Harry...yeah I know, it's not a Superbird.

[arick]

Think about it guys, TDR is giving us what no other model maker has ever done. This is not another re-issue "Big" kit, this is all new to the market stuff that comes from a few guys who want to make a difference in our modelling world. Let me also say this, is absolute accuracy really that important when building a model of this size or is the fact that this kind of stuff is now being made available whats really important?

I'm a hot rod guy, and I personally have no interest in a kit like this. Whats important is that with this kit, TDR has shown us that the door to a whole new world of "gee, I sure wish somebody would build a........" is finally opening. In this case, someone at TDR wanted a Cobra and they built it. The next kit could be a 40 Ford, a 56 Chev or a.......that some of us want.

The fact that these guys have gone out on a limb with this kit is exciting and it shows us that there is finally going to be some new stuff on the market. By the way, these are my personal thoughts, I'm no longer associated with TDR.

a 56 Chev

Edited September 6, 2010 by arick

[comp1839]

ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU RICK! TDR has gone out on a limb and made a statement. i'm neither a '32 ford nor a cobra guy. i'm hoping they do a drag racing line of parts/ products and let us pick our own version of whatever we want to build.. these guys can do what ever we want.

as far as accuracy and detail. i'm a big accurracy and detail guy, as you know. TDR's stuff is no doubt accurate. what ever little frivilous details i'd like to add are what makes modelling,... modelling.

[MADD FABRICATOR]

Reading all the posts on the TDR 427 Roadster pretty much requires the MADD FABRICATOR to chime in with the status of the body. I'm presently putting the finishing touches on the prototype body and where as there are a few " ugly " spots that still require tweeking,I'm not prepared to post any photos. The game plan is to either have a fiberglass proof of concept body all molded up in time for the Toledo NNL, or at least have the finished prototype master finshed to display along with the chassis and motor. If things go well I may have photos to post by next week.

CHEERZZZ !!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

[DaytonaTim]

Ok, I wanted to show some individual pictures of some parts and talk about the new materials too.

The tires and wheels were made out of a nylon material that is fused together with a neon laser. I had to place these parts under my 3X magnifying glass to find the half a dozen layer lines that exist. The material is very porous and needs to be sealed before painted. I sealed the tire with that spray sealer "Kilz" that you can buy at Lowes. It worked great and boy....does that stuff ever cover!!!! After the sealer dried I shot it with the black paint and then picked out the raised lettering with some white acrylic.

Since the sealer worked so well I thought I would try just some high build primer on the wheels since it has more of a self leveling quality to the paint. I sprayed it on medium-heavy and let it dry and then I shot the Magnezium paint and some matt-clear coat and it turned out pretty good.

Now the suspension parts are made out of a different material that is printed up very similar to an injet printer. Each layer is built up and cured with a UV light. Now this material has a waxy coating on it that appears to be able to be washed off with soap and water. I am waiting to get some new revised parts in and I will test cleaning the obsolete parts in some Blech-White, just like you do resin parts. Depending on how this test comes out will determine if we can use this material for production of some parts. If you cannot paint the parts there aint no sense putting them in a kit.

So why do we even mess with these "waxy" parts...... the detail is incrediable and the parts are much stiffer than the fused nylon, so it has its advantages. All the suspension parts are made from this material. When I modeled the suspension parts I set them up so they would have a 1/2 hole in the arms where they mount to the chassis. I took the parts strait out of the box and inserted a 1/16 styrene rod (1/2" 1:1 scale) through the hole.....no drilling and no forcing anything. It was perfect!!!! Take a look at the suspension pictures and you can see that the holes are clean as a whistle.... a drill bit never touched any of these parts....now that is detail and even the styrene molders cannot come close to this kind of detail.

So we are still doing some testing and research on these new materials in order to bring you guys something that will really knock your socks off!!! Well enough of the gabbing, here are some pics to look at. Take note at the small details that come through and remember that no sandpaper or drill bits touched any of these parts. All I did was wash them off in some soap and water.

Look at the tread detail and the raised lettering on the tire!

These shocks are designed to be a main structural member of the suspension part. So they had to be made strong. They are designed to accept brass rods that insert into one and other to form a very strong adjustable shock unit. The modeler can adjust the lenght of the brass rods to adjust the ride hieght to the desire location. Also the springs are metal and they look just right

Now look at the details in this main carrier unit for the rear. Look at the bottom and you can see the the clamps that are manufactured in, even the split is ther that allows the clamp to work in the real world. Also, look at the "ears" on the brake caliper mount.... and look at the clean holes too!!

This shows the mounting hole for the suspension arm. Remember no drill touched this part.

Edited September 7, 2010 by DaytonaTim

[Len Woodruff]

Incredible stuff Tim. I have used the "Bin" sealer in the spray can myself. It is a shellac based sealer and it soulds like a great soloution with the high billed primer.

[DaytonaTim]

Ok guys I need the heads & intake with the Holley Center Pivot Carb for the Trumpeter GT40.

Len, you are working in the 1/12th scale, right? If so, I think there is a lot of promise using these new rapid prototyping processes to generate the 1/12th scale parts. The problem is that our parts are designed to be built at 1/8th scale. When we scale the parts down to 1/12 everything scales down including the thickness of the parts. The thickness is what can cause a part to not be printable.

So, what I am driving at here is that we have discussed trying to offer more of our parts in 1/12 scale and this new RP process may make that possible. BUT.... we may have to redesing the parts to make the thickness printable and this takes time.

Right now we are busy, to say the least, getting things designed in 1/8 scale for the 427 Roadster. I don't know when we could try this stuff in 1/12 but keep asking us and if we get some time we may be able to fit it in.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Gang, just a quick heads up for those interested.....TDR is having Pre-Christmas Sale!

Beat the Holiday rush and save some coin at the same time. Check our online catalog ( www.tdrcatalog.com.)............20% discount prices are posted. The sale will run to Oct. 31, 2010

[LR3]

Gang, just a quick heads up for those interested.....TDR is having Pre-Christmas Sale!

Beat the Holiday rush and save some coin at the same time. Check our online catalog ( www.tdrcatalog.com.)............20% discount prices are posted. The sale will run to Oct. 31, 2010

How about a list of parts from the existing catalog that will be used on the new 427? like brakes? etc??

[DaytonaTim]

How about a list of parts from the existing catalog that will be used on the new 427? like brakes? etc??

Hey Syd, All the parts on the new 427 Roadster will be brand new and unique to this kit.

[Len Woodruff]

Tim I guess some where I got the idea this was a 1/12 scale project?

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Tim I guess some where I got the idea this was a 1/12 scale project?

Len, the Roadster will be introduced in 1/8th. However don't feel like you 1/12th guys have been overlooked. We have heard you guys and are taking a good hard look at adding 1/12th scale goodies to our current product line.

We're getting ready for the upcoming NNL....but we'll get with you 1/12th folks as soon as the dust settles.

While we're on the topic, how 'bout you 1/12th builders give us some feedback as to what would excite you.

[Len Woodruff]

I would say you need an engine for the 1/12 Eleanor Kit or is that 1/16?

I know a few of us would love a Period Correct (66/67) 427 Big Block Ford with the correct Holleys for the Trumpeter GT40 kit.

Edited September 9, 2010 by Len Woodruff

[DaytonaTim]

I would say you need an engine for the 1/12 Eleanor Kit or is that 1/16?

I know a few of us would love a Period Correct (66/67) 427 Big Block Ford with the correct Holleys for the Trumpeter GT40 kit.

Actually the Miss E is offered in both 1/12 and 1/16 scale.

I promise after we get this TDR 427 Roadster offered up to the public, hopefully before Christmas, I will seriously look at taking some of our products over to 1/12. These new rapid prototype processes should allow us to offer something up that will have an acceptable surface finish to them.

Pssst......In case you have not heard.......TDR is having a 20% off everything we offer sale through the end of October.......just go to TDRcatalog.com to see.

[DaytonaTim]

Well now that I have the Allison powered trike.......I think I will call it "Road Rage".............done, I finally have some time to turn my attention to test fitting up all the parts for the TDR 427 Roadster.

I received a new chassis in the mail. This one is up to date with the motor mounts and some other mounting pins. It came in damaged so I had to fix it, that is why I painted the frame. I ordered up some hardware that would allow me to bolt up the suspension arms and I used water soluble glue on all the other parts. That way I can take it apart after the show, remember this is just a test fitup.

Next I will turn my attention to that wonderful 427 SO that AJWheels worked up. Just two weeks till the Toledo show.....!!!!!!

Here are some pictures of the frame as it is right now

[Harry P.]

Haven't heard from you yet Harry...yeah I know, it's not a Superbird.

Sorry to be jumping in on this one so late! (In my defense September has been very hectic and I was out of town for 2 weeks)...

Yeah, it's not a Superbird...

In fact I have pretty much zero interest in this particular subject. But personal preferences aside, I have 1,000% enthusiasm for TDR and what they are bringing to the hobby. You guys are true innovators... the old cliché "trailblazer" applies.

So while I may not be too excited about this particular kit, I am very excited about TDR in general and their mission. I think you guys are giving the model car hobby an incredible shot in the arm, and I look forward to your next move.

You guys are truly a credit to the hobby and I congratulate everyone involved and hope that TDR will be a huge success... because if you are, we'll all benefit.

[MADD FABRICATOR]

Tim, great photos of the roadster chassis. That is absolutely awesome looking. I'm still plugging away on the body and still not quite ready to post photos. It still has a case of acne in a few spots, but it's nearing completion.

Hopefully I'll have time to post some photos of not only the TDR 427 Roadster prototype body, but also the MADD FABRICATOR's latest body the Anglia gasser, before I head for Toledo. That will make those modelers who can't make it to the NNL feel as though they are not left out of the debut of both projects.

CHEERZZZ !!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Thank you for your comments Harry, statements like yours are what inspires TDR to keep pushing forward. We really appreciate it.

The Roadster is pretty exciting for sure, fiberglass bodies nearing completion from the Madd Fabricator and right on the heels of all that the Cuda body will go into production.

Tim has mentioned before that after the show TDR is going take a good hard look at producing some 1/12th goodies as well.

Edited September 29, 2010 by GrandpaMcGurk

[arick]

The roadster looks good and I sure hope that all the work thats gone into it pays off. Having had a good look at the recent photo's, something grabbed my attention.......I notice that the front suspension has a sway bar and rack and pinion steering. This is good.

I've got two models (Willys coupe and Deuce) on the bench and am useing the TDR IFS kit on both of them. This is an excellent kit, but it does not come with a sway bar or rack and pinion steering. TDR does have a R&P accessory kit, but its difficult to adapt it to the IFS kit.

I know that the IFS kit is already popular with the Deuce crowd. It will become even more popular when the new MF and Cuda bodies are put on the TDR chassis.

So, how about it TDR, would you PLEASE re-engineer the current IFS to include a sway bar and R&P steering?

[DaytonaTim]

OK...now for a little surprise

While developing the process to make 1/8 scale metal steering wheels on my CNC mill, I had the crazy idea that I could make the aluminium panels for the TDR 427 Roadster too........well..........I think I am on to something!!!!

One of the biggest problems with developing a full car kit is "How do we make all the inner panels....yet keep the price down.....RP is some expensive stuff?". Also, any panels that are made of RP material wind up being really thick and it messes up the scale of all the other parts that have to go in the interior. These aluminium panels are only .007" and really take up no room at all in the interior!!

The following pictures are of the original prototype panels I made a few months ago. Now things have changed on them since these prototypes were made but I think these will give you a good idea of what is coming your way.

I have not been in the 1/8th scale modeling arena very long, so my knowlege is limited. But......I have never seen an all aluminium interior kit for any model kit before. If this is so.......well......I gues this is just another "TDR Innovations"

Ok...enough of the shameless plugs......here are some pictures that do the real talking.

[DaytonaTim]

So, how about it TDR, would you PLEASE re-engineer the current IFS to include a sway bar and R&P steering?

Hey Rick. After we get this TDR 427 released I think it will be a good time to take a hard look at our product line and dot some "I's" and cross some "T's"

[comp1839]

outstanding!!

[LR3]

The modeling world will never be the same from here on out!!!

[carsntrucks4you]

Great! A dream comes through. During the late '70 early '80 there where rumors of a 427 kit in 1/8 here in Germany. But it was never run into production.

Do have any ideas about the price?

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Micheal, the final price hasn't been determined yet as it's still in the production stages. We are doing to our best to keep the price as low as possible but are not willing to cut corners to lower the price.

However, to make it a little easier to purchase we have been considering offering it as a complete kit or in sub-assemblies.

This approach would allow the purchase of one assembly at a time. In other words you would be able to start building at your own chosen speed and purchase the next assembly package as your hobby budget allowed without having to wait until the entire kit could be purchased.

Edited September 30, 2010 by GrandpaMcGurk