GrandpaMcGurk Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I wanted to build build a 70s era funny car in small scale but honestly I'm pretty much bored with mini Chargers, Dusters, Vegas, Pintos and so on. What I was after was a funny car that looked like a lead sled hot rod.....yeah buddy, Hot Rods Rule! Anyway, I also wanted to cram as much detail into it as my skill level would allow, that meant plumbing, wiring and all sorts of things that I know are supposed to be there. Here's a bunch of pics of where I'm at..... I'm converting a chopped '49 Merc into what I hope turns out to look like a one piece fiberglass shell on a period correct funny car chassis...wotcha' think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaMcGurk Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 Here's the rest of the pics..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Don, that's a first, I believe, and it looks like it's going to work just fine! Great eye candy. Keep it comin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbowser Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I like it. That could be competitive with a fiberglass body, like the ProComp cars. It's even fairly aero. Great job on the chassis detailing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 A '49 Merc flipper??? Only you, Don. It's looking good and I love the engine/chassis detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vwrabbit Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Nice!!! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAone Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 well i think it's gonna look awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turn1wonder Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I think it's a great idea. Love the wheels, they really go with your concept. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 How about just painting it up as a '60's hot rod with wide whites painted on the drag tires so that you don't catch the fact that it's a funy car at first. And don't smooth it out, leave the body details. Just my $.02. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathskull59 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 cool a 49/50 merc funny car dragster now thats some thing worth seeing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbwy80 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 That's cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOld Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 That's pretty cool ! I'd love to see a 1 : 1 like it . Maybe Garlits would do it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Oh yeah, get the lead out!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaMcGurk Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 Thanks guys I'm glad you like it....I'm havin' a ball building it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin T Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 YES DO IT!Looks great,you need to put on a fogged paint job from the 60's on it,I think Tim Boyd did an article on it for the other Mag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaMcGurk Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 How about just painting it up as a '60's hot rod with wide whites painted on the drag tires so that you don't catch the fact that it's a funy car at first. And don't smooth it out, leave the body details. Just my $.02. Great suggestions Rob and I appreciate your input. I kinda have a traditional paint job in mind....sort of....gotta have flames even if it's final color is suede...right? Don't grumble Jim, it might wind up shiny! Maybe even a hand painted mural on the trunk lid? I'm not going to plaster sponsor decals or wild graphics all over it. The body will be pretty much smoothed out and the front wheel wells will be moved forward a bit to better match up with the funny car wheelbase. I'm trying to avoid stretching the nose if possible. As far as the wide whites go...I'm happy with the white rims on the wheels, they "subtly" suggest white walls. I may even put "fake" molded in spot lights and skirts on it to make it look more like a hot rod while still being obviously a funny car. I'll do the details (door openings, etc.) on the body with drafting pens so that they will appear to have been painted on the glass body shell, the grille, head & tail lights will either be hand painted or decals...don't want to get too far away from the fact that it is a funny car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1272148 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Great design it looks cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 The chassis & engine were looking fantastic today at the FAST meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaMcGurk Posted April 8, 2012 Author Share Posted April 8, 2012 Happy Easter everyone, hope you have a great day. Just had to post this pic....this is my favorite view of the Merc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beavis Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 that is a very bad ass picture of the back end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaMcGurk Posted April 8, 2012 Author Share Posted April 8, 2012 As I mentioned before, I really didn't want to stretch out the nose of this puppy to accommodate the the funny car chassis...I was concerned that it would screw up the classic lines of the '49 Merc. Soooooo, here's how I altered the wheel base of the body for those interested. I've gutted out the inside of the body to maintain a fiberglass shell appearance and cut out the front wheel section, I'll cut out a little more once the wheel wells are where I want them. That white chunk of plastic that's sitting on the chassis will be bonded inside the body when I get to that point in construction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaMcGurk Posted April 8, 2012 Author Share Posted April 8, 2012 Removed a little material from the front of the wheel well opening..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaMcGurk Posted April 8, 2012 Author Share Posted April 8, 2012 Added a filler piece.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Looking good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaMcGurk Posted April 8, 2012 Author Share Posted April 8, 2012 Good Golly Miss Molly......"don't ya love it when a plan starts to come together"? I think Hannibal from the A Team said that. Got the stance, look and attitude I was after.........wotcha think Jim, should it be metallic black with flames or perhaps candy tangerine....maybe flat black primer with our F.A.S.T. logo on the sides? What to do, what to do. Input or suggestions welcome gang......even if it's constructive criticism. I'm a thick skinned old fart and not particularly combative. Feel free to express your personal take on the build as long as it's within the ModelCars forum policy. We don't want to cause Harry any undue stress...right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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