Topless Terror

[Dr. Cranky]

That engine is SWEET! Great details throughout. Good work, buddy.

[Nitrozilla]

Thanx guys. I was beginning to wonder where everybody got off to. So anyway, I said I'd do the fuel pump today and sure enuff, I made an air scoop. FOCUS Joe, FOCUS. Same old me. If I get a picture in my brain pan, I gotta make it. It's a little crooked but that's easily fixed with a chisel and a jackhammer.

Until then I thought we'd just pop the driver in, toss on the scoop and take a few pics. Who knows what tomorrow may bring ??

Edited December 16, 2011 by Batzilla

[W-409]

Nice detailing on it, and I really like that driver idea. I haven't seen so much driver figures in models, and that is looking great. I'm not sure about the body style, not my favorite, but it will sure look good when finished anyway.

[Nitrozilla]

Thanx Niko. If I forgot to mention (highly likely), it's a Competition Resins figure and it's been pretty heavily modified. First I opened the gap between the legs, then cut off the left leg to change the angle. Then the arms had to be re angled to get the hands a little higher. The left will hold the shifter and the right will hold the butterfly wheel. I'll also attach a brake and gas pedal to the appropriate feet.

As for the paint, I'm gonna try some graphics for the first time. I'm scared to death at the prospect, but that should make me all the more careful.......

[Mister Twister]

I like the driver and the details are looking great...Keep at it!

[Truck parts]

Joe, What a outstanding job so far. Love the details.

[Nitrozilla]

Appreciate the comments. I got the belt guard installed and fuel pump built yesterday. Now the plumbing is fighting me every step of the way. I'll post pics tomorrow when that's done.

[Nitrozilla]

MY EYES !!!!!!!! Got the main engine plumbing done for the fuel lines along with the (excuse me, I hafta' do this), TOTALLY AWESOME LOOKING belt guard !!!!!

Sorry, I never pat myself on the back, that's your job. But I mean really, OMG, am I happy with that ??

The metal lines are .032 and .025 solder. I ran a pin vise over the lines to give the braided look. The front of the fuel pump will get a couple of "anodized" pin heads as front covers.

Thanx for lookin'......

Edited December 18, 2011 by Batzilla

[Mister Twister]

Looking good...I like the belt guard!

[Nitrozilla]

Darryl, thanx for the back slap on the belt guard. I always like to sneak in at least one feature that might make the difference in a judge's decision, even if it means 3rd place instead of no place.

The chassis is very close to getting buttoned (beaded?) up. Almost ready to finish hooking up the lines and I've done a LOT of work on the pilot, but he still needs some finishing touches.

I would like some opinions on the fire bottle placement. I tried them outside the cage, but the tinwork will hit them. I also tried one on the steering column and it's too long. Finally I tried them up front on the outside of the frame and they would interfere with the stabilizer links.

Is it okay to sandwich the driver between them like I have, or is that impractical for some reason? I've never heard of one exploding, but on the other tentacle it might be rough on the pilot's shoulders if he got bounced around.

Any opinions are welcome and as always, thanx for looking.

[Nitrozilla]

How do I say this delicately? I am surprised at the lack of responses to my last few posts. I guess this build isn't everybody's "cup of nitro"? Or is it my writing style that's putting people off? I know it's not because of the holiday because people are commenting on other posts. At any rate, here's an update:

Detailing continues on the pilot with belts, gas pedal with linkage and the final detail on the helmet. I know the "Big Stuff" sponsor may not seem appropriate because they are an EFI system supplier. I just like the logo.

Brake lines and handmade tees are installed and ready for hookup to the master cylinder. Sorry, but the camera focused on the frame and not the brakes lines.

Stroud safety decals applied to blower restaints and tranny blanket. To get the decals to stick to fabric and paper, I put down some Elmer's white glue before applying the decals. The tranny decal needs more attention to get it to finish "clearing out" and laying down.

Still working on the fire bottles. They've been wrapped with Pactra pin stripes and I'm working to get the Simpson decals to lay down using multiple applications of decal solvent. They are stubborn little critters.

[John Teresi]

Joe........I always`s check out your latest post........and as always .........looking good!!!!!!!

[Nitrozilla]

Thank you for that John. Especially since I aspire to your level of detail. I'll never match it, but I'm aspiring like crazy.

[Truck parts]

Looking good keep up the great work

[brett]

1stly great job, its really coming together now.

2ndly and this sounds really harsh (sorry) get over it or ............... I speak totally from experience here, and know exactly how you feel. I almost gave up building through lack of comments which is how I used to measure how good I thought my builds were, now I dont really care as long as I'm happy with it. It is very nice to get positive feedback though I admit. I dont post all that I build and hope that what/when I do people will learn either from my mistakes or from how I did some thing. Whilst I dont post comments all the time I do watch everything that goes on especially in the drag section. Why ? to learn, get ideas on how to do (or not) and to be totally inspired. I love not only your builds but the fact you can and do change direction mid build it makes for a twisted zany ride (I'm a bit freaky like that) , but not brave enough to do it myself .

3rdly I hope you do stay, Your refreshing way of writing is like a breath of fresh air,you put details in that I havent seen anyone else do, and you'll never see the end of the horsemen saga if you leave

Your furry footed friend

Edited December 29, 2011 by brett

[tyrone]

this is a very good looking build keep it coming...

[Nitrozilla]

A special thanks for the kind words and for not making me feel like I was whining or screaming "Look at me or I'm taking my toys and never coming back!"

That certainly was not my intention. I was genuinely concerned it might have been something I said or did or didn't do. Without feedback, I was only guessing the worst. That being that people actually had no interest in the build, not whether they had no more interest in me 'cuz I was gonna' keep posting anyway. lol

You guyz are The Best, even the Furry Footed ones.

[W-409]

How do I say this delicately? I am surprised at the lack of responses to my last few posts. I guess this build isn't everybody's "cup of nitro"? Or is it my writing style that's putting people off? I know it's not because of the holiday because people are commenting on other posts.

We are so amazed about the build quality, that no one can say anything. That's truly amazing detail work! And I really enjoy looking at your builds, they are always great. Interesting subjects and bit different too (which is good!). I think, there's only positive feedback about your threads, these are always great to see. And as I said, detailing on that engine is truly amazing.

[Nitrozilla]

We are so amazed about the build quality, that no one can say anything. That's truly amazing detail work! And I really enjoy looking at your builds, they are always great. Interesting subjects and bit different too (which is good!). I think, there's only positive feedback about your threads, these are always great to see. And as I said, detailing on that engine is truly amazing.

Okay, now I feel like I was just fishing for compliments. Anybody know a good Bait & Tackle shop in Las Vegas?

Awwwwwww, (sticks toe in ground, puts finger in mouth and looks down in embarassment), Thanx Niko.

[W-409]

Oh, I had to ask, where are you going to connect those wires/cables (or what ever they are) from fire bottles? So they are going from fire bottle to where? I need to connect those next on my Pontiac FC, and then it's completed.

[Nitrozilla]

Sure thing Niko. Those would be metal tubes / hoses. One aimed at the pilot by routing it along the steering column support, the other for the engine. Each will have a nozzle on the end and don't ya' wanna know how I'm going to make the nozzles? Of course you do!

Using a flat faced pair of pliers (why do we call it a pair when it's only one tool?), I'll flatten the end, then split it with an X-Acto blade. There will also be a bead fitting on each one. That's going to happen pretty soon, so I'll be sure to detail the process with pics when I do it. There will also be a surprise detail using a straight pin. That oughta keep you scratching your head until you see it.

[Mooneyzs]

Joe... its been a while since I have checked out your progress due to Being so.busy with work and life. Man you are doing a killer job on this. the engine is looking great with all of the detail you have been doing to it. keep up he great work on this build.

[Mister Twister]

Its coming along nicely! Keep at it!

[eviltwincustoms]

Man Joe, that engine is out right awesome looking. You will have to keep that body propped up so it doesn't hide all that work you have done on it. I have said this before.. but that "426" belt guard is really a nice touch for a detail to the overall build.

[Nitrozilla]

Thanx for the nods Gang.

For me, the belt guard is the hi-lite (so far) of this one. I would love to see a photo etch sheet of these made. Can you imagine all of the possibilities for the Big 3 ? Lots of different engine sizes could be represented, not to mention markings for: Cuda / Chevy / Ford / Hemi / etc. And let's not forget the one that started it for me: USA 1.