Dirt late model project

[shawnh24n43]

Thought I'd share my latest project, a detailed build of a dirt late model that is driven by a friend of mine.

What I'm replicating

Here's the build progress so far,based off of the plans and pieces from dirt modeler.

[shawnh24n43]

Here it is as of today

The front bumper and body mount done, some of the support bars are white glued in for the mockup.

The rear bumper,body mount and fuel cell bracket and mounts done.

There is a LOT of finish work to be done on this before it's ready for paint, but will have to wait until the chassis and body mockup is done.

[iBorg]

Trully a great build in progress. Can you tell me about where you got the brass pieces?

This one is going to be good.

Mike

[shawnh24n43]

Mike, all the brass pieces are photoetch, sold on the dirt modeler website for this type of car.

[Prostreet]

Great chassis work, I would like to do one of these eventually. How was it working off those plans?

[shawnh24n43]

The plans are pretty decent. I made an error in printing out the plans at first, (you need to set the printer to copy at 100% and not the default setting of print to page) but on the flip side, some thinking and trial and error are still necessary. His plans and parts are for a 2007, and the car I'm using is a 2010 so some variation from the plans has been necessary.

[shawnh24n43]

Got my interior built, and deck support braces mocked up. The front brace is mocked up complete, the rear needs tabs and supports.

I had to do some real thinking about how to make the interior one piece, and yet removable for painting purposes. I decided to cut the bar into pieces running through the interior, and drill the rods out, and install pins. The interior is removable, and yet it reassembles easy and yet is still strong.

[shawnh24n43]

Got the deck finally fitted on this one, built like the real car. Some minor fitting to do,and will call this step done.

[tim_g]

intense!!!

[chris coller]

Awesome!

[ra7c7er]

Really cool.

[ericj]

I grew up around dirt racing and this is spot on! Great build so far and I will defenitly be following this one.

[shawnh24n43]

A small but not so small update. Interior and deck are done and ready for paint. This step has taken a while, but realized there is 26 seperate pieces in the interior and 43 in the deck.

The interior had strips added to the edges of it,to simulate where they overlap and rivet the pieces together.

The deck is ready for paint, and will fit flat when all the pieces are glued together.

Here is a shot from below, to show the "folded over" strips, where the deck pieces are riveted on the real car, and how I'll glue mine together.

[Mr.Zombie]

What a shame to cover all that beautiful scratch work! You should build a Sandrail someday, where the tubes are the bodywork.

[kruleworld]

mightily impressive chassis there. i agree,shame to cover it.

[krazyglu]

Whoa Shawn this thing is looking awesome man I don't know how I missed it. I really really like your strips simulating folded and riveted seams, that is so cool I don't know what else to say. I am a bit intimidated by trying this(dirt modeler plans/pe kits) out, but after a few years of practice I think I might be ready to take on something completely scratch built. Keep up the good work man I am loving this one. Your friends car looks rad by the way..does he race local or travel all over?

[shawnh24n43]

Thanks guys! Steven, he does make some shows in Ok or Neb, but mostly sticks to tracks here in Kansas. If you want to build something like this, stay tuned at Dirt modeler, a less intimidating way to build one is in the works.

[krazyglu]

Oh really well now that sounds quite interesting and maybe a little more suited for me. Thanks Shawn I was just being nosy about your friend, I know some locals with late models.