WIP: 1/16 '68 Mustang Pro Mod

[ClayK]

Hopefully you guys don't mind me playing along with the rest of you. Love seeing all these Pro Mods getting built!

This will be a fully detailed 1/16 Mustang Pro Mod. I'm doing it as sort of a fictional car again. At least the paint job, and the choosing of components. I'll try to make it as accurate and believable as possible, but not a replica of any certain car. I'm starting off with a resin '68 Mustang body from Flashpoint Resins. This is the third one of Terry's large scale bodies I've bought, and I think it is my favorite so far. It's cast well, and has some serious attitude and rake. Perfect for a Pro Mod! I've got a few ideas in my head for paint and graphics, and if all works out, it should be pretty cool.

I'll also be using some parts from some other great folks. Jim from Micro Nitro is turning the wheels and other parts for me, and I'll be using plenty of brass etch from Dirt Modeler. I plan do to a lot of machining on my own as well. A BAE block, heads, valve covers and so on are all on the machining list.

I'm basing my chassis off of an R2B2 design. After gathering as many pics as I could I started drawing the chassis plans in Illustrator. I work out all the kinks and measurements before I ever start cutting. Plans only get me so far, but they are a great foundation for a well built and accurate chassis.

Here's my stack of photos to get started. I print everything out on glossy 8X10 paper and keep it right beside me as I build.

Once my chassis is all drawn from the side, top and whatever else I need, I print those out and tape them to some metal sheet. This way I can use magnets to hold my parts in place as I work keeping everything in line, and flat. Something I learned from Michael at dirt modeler that really helps my chassis work. For this chassis I'm using .100 rod for the main bars, 3/32 tube, .080 rod and smaller for the rest of the bars.

I start with the floor first, then the main hoop, then the upper frame rails. I've also started adding the first parts of brass etch as you can see.

I'll also be using the dirt modeler dzus tabs where needed.

Here's a quick shot of the chassis so far along with the FP Mustang body. I need a bigger photo booth. This thing fill sit up!

I have got started on a little bit of machining. I decided I wanted to try the clutch can on my own. After laying out all the measurements first in the computer, and getting all my cut points established, I machined a new one from aluminum. Still needs detailing obviously. this is right as it came off the mill. It's drilled for some aluminum rod that I will slide on the tranny pieces later. I may chuck this back up and thin the flange down some. Haven't decided yet.

For a bit of size comparison, that is my second version of Roger Burgess' Firebird chassis in the background. 1/24 scale compared to the new 1/16 chassis.

My next goal is to update the seat, get my pedals and hand brake all worked out, and get the tranny mounts in. Then I'll finish off the rest of the cage, and get started on the rear clip.

Thanks for looking!

Clay

[Romell R]

Very nice start cant wait to see this one forming!!

[futurattraction]

It's looking great so far, Clay. I'll look forward to updates.

[tyrone]

this is going to be a helluva ride.... to watch unfold....

Edited March 28, 2012 by tyrone

[Dragracer]

Looks good Clay, waiting for more!

[Len Woodruff]

Very Nice.

[John Teresi]

Clay......looks great so far.

[1320wayne]

Looks good so far Clay. With any luck this bad boy will be finished in plenty of time to see it displayed in Atlanta at the end of the year.

[Mooneyzs]

Welcome to the boards here Clay!!! Been a big fan of your work for quite some time. I know one thing, this is going to be awesome to watch come together. I am also excited that you are doing a 1/16th scale as well. I will be following along all the way for sure. Seeing more Pro Mod builds sure makes me want to finish up my 1/16th Army Vega F/C so I start my Pro Mod and join everyone. Your build is off to a great start and looks awesome so far. I do have to ask what brand of lathe & Mill do you use?

Edited March 28, 2012 by Mooneyzs

[comp1839]

wonderful start to a killer looking build, clay. those dirt modeler pieces look smokin". also, your machine work looks terrific. super finish on that can. can't wait to see that BAE engine snuggled in there.

[ClayK]

Thanks for the comments everyone. This is going to be a big challenge, but it has been a blast so far.

Chris, both of my machines are Sherline. I bought the lathe first, then built the mill piece by piece as I could afford it.

Here's my set-up back when I first had it all together. Not near that clean now.

My TDR parts should come today, so I should have more soon.

Clay

[gasser59]

Good to see you over here Clay. I'm another big fan and it will be a treat to watch this all come together. Watching with enthusiatic interest.

Edited March 28, 2012 by gasser59

[Mooneyzs]

Clay ... Thank you for sharing the lathe and mill with us. I really have been wanting to pick one of each up myself and have been going back and forth over the sherline and micro mark machines. I keep keaning towards the sherline. i am looking forward to seeing more progress with this build.

[W-409]

This is going to be interesting build. Your other builds have been really amazing, and I'm very interested about seeing how this comes together. Pro Mods are great, and it's nice to see more of these Full Detailed ProMods being built.

[Romell R]

Im sorry Clay I didnt give ya the ol "Welcome Aboard!" Its awesome to add another master builder to the roster here at MCM.

[stump]

G'day Clay, (traditional Aussie welcome ) and welcome mate.

Yep, another avid follower right here, this will be a very kool project to watch unfurl.....(note to self, get into these 1/16....forget the 1/12 stuff... )

[ClayK]

Thanks guys!

I've gotten a bit more done over the last few nights.

I started adding some brass wire for the seat mounts, as well as some brass etch from dirt modeler for the seat belt mounts. I've also been working on getting the hand brake laid out and situated.

Next up was to start tweaking the Flashpoint seat a bit. I extended the front edge with strip plastic and sanded it to shape. Then using .020 sheet plastic I made the front lip of the seat and sanded and blended it to shape. The back was also raised up as well as the sides slightly, then all blended together. I still need to do a bit of putty work, then open up the seat belt slots. But so far it's fitting pretty well.

The other thing I'm excited about is my Shapeways parts came! I didn't order a whole lot, but I'm really digging what I did get.

I popped them open right away and started mocking up the tranny sections.

That's it for now.....thanks for looking.

CK

[Mooneyzs]

Clay.... that seat work is coming along great. Adding that lip and the extra plastic on top brings the seat together and it fits nice. The Tranny Mock up and break handle look great too!

[Red rocket 10]

Clay you make it look so easy ,Fantastick craftmanship..............

Leonard

[Sixx]

Woohoo!!! Clay is in the house!!!! Man Clay, your photos look WAY better here!!! They look good on the other " forum", but man, they smacked me right in the face here!!! LOL!!! Can't wait for this build!!

[vintagedragfan]

this is awesome Clay. so glad you joined us here for this build, you know I'm a big fan of yours, and I can't wait to follow along !

[GoatGuy]

Can't wait to see more. I appreciate all the info shared on here. I'll have to build a Pro Mod sometime.

[eviltwincustoms]

Man Clay, I am glued to the screen with this build you are playing in my sandbox and ready to learn from someone I have been following for quite a long time.

I would like to know what type of photo box you are using.

Plus that chassis is to die for, definitely be taking notes as you put this one together.

[Speedster]

Great work so far! Thanks for sharing.

[ClayK]

Man Clay, I am glued to the screen with this build you are playing in my sandbox and ready to learn from someone I have been following for quite a long time.

I would like to know what type of photo box you are using.

Plus that chassis is to die for, definitely be taking notes as you put this one together.

Thanks Bart.....my photo set up is pretty simple. I have one of those fabric photo tent boxes that Walmart sold at one time. I use rolled up paper, usually white or gray, and just my bench lights bent down to the sides. I set a flood light on top, and use a tripod for my camera. Have the camera on the tripod with a remote really helped my pics a lot.