matthijsgrit Posted June 23, 2012 Posted June 23, 2012 I found a resin kit of the Sniper. Originally built by Troy Trapanier, it is a 1950's Plymouth Savoy, but then HEAVILY customized. I wonder if anyone knows what donor kit to use? I already have the Dodge Sidewinder concept to give up drivetrain, engine and trans, wheels, exhaust, etc. Possibliy I can use the frame. Is there a specific donor kit for the chassis and interior? Anyone built this resin kit? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Matthijs The Netherlands
jeffs396 Posted June 23, 2012 Posted June 23, 2012 It's more than likely based on the AMT '58 Belvedere or '57 300, those would probably be good choices? I've got the '58 here if you'd like wheelbase and/or width measurements. Also have the AMT 'slammers' 57/58 kit here that it could be based off of...
MAGNUM4342 Posted June 23, 2012 Posted June 23, 2012 I'm not up on all the abbreviations. If you don't mind my asking, what is an R&R Sniper?
jeffs396 Posted June 23, 2012 Posted June 23, 2012 R+R is a resin company that makes a lot of not so great but workable kits. The Sniper is a custom built by Troy Trepanier and designed by Chip Foose. Wow, Foose must have been going thru a bad phase when he designed that
Fat Brian Posted June 23, 2012 Posted June 23, 2012 Wow, Foose must have been going thru a bad phase when he designed that Are you kidding, that thing is awesome. The resin kit looks like poo poo though.
Art Anderson Posted June 23, 2012 Posted June 23, 2012 It's done from a 1954 Plymouth Belvedere HT I believe, which was a longer car than the low-end Savoy that year. Art
Foxer Posted June 23, 2012 Posted June 23, 2012 I had to look this one up since I had a '50 Plymouth .. but I see it's a '54. A very nice job and will be great to see one built. Did come on this page that shows the frame.
Steven Zimmerman Posted June 23, 2012 Posted June 23, 2012 This body was mastered by Terry kinnear, who now is proprietor of Machined Aluminium Specialties; you might contact him for info. Considering what he was given to work with, he did a pretty good job....'Z'
Chuck Most Posted June 24, 2012 Posted June 24, 2012 Wow, Foose must have been going thru a bad phase when he designed that No... Foose still had some degree of talent when he designed this... this was long before he started throwing his own wheels on two-tone, mirrorless GM midsize cars for TV. The 1:1 Sniper was built with a Viper drivetrain and suspensions- Troy had some buddies at Chrysler and managed to get an R&D mule that was slated to be crushed.
jeffs396 Posted June 24, 2012 Posted June 24, 2012 I'll be the first to admit that Foose has LOTS of talent (even though his style gets a bit boring after awhile), but his motto is something to the effect "I take the ugly out" This was a monumental task with a car like they started with for Sniper
matthijsgrit Posted June 24, 2012 Author Posted June 24, 2012 I got the kit from Terry... I don't Wanda doubt him, but he talked about a 53 Ford Victoria (?) as donor? I agree the chassis in the kit won't resemble the real car's one... But maybe I should just concentrate on the looks and not to create an exact replica (which isn't my goal). Thanks for all your input! MG
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 24, 2012 Posted June 24, 2012 My somewhat educated guess is that the Moebius '55 Chrysler 300 chassis would be the closest-to-accurate doner. In '57, Mopar went to torsion-bar front suspension. Both the AMT '57 300C and the AMT Plymouth '58 Belvedere have torsion bars, and the chassis are close to identical other than wheelbase. I don't have the Moebius kit in stock, but it has the coil-spring front suspension and chassis design that would be a good across-the-model-line representation for all the '53-'56 Mopars.
matthijsgrit Posted June 24, 2012 Author Posted June 24, 2012 (edited) Thanks all! Since Sniper was just losely based on the Savoy, there was a square tube chassis. That is why I will try the Sidewinder's chassis first... I think... Depends on dimensions. But first I'll have to receive kit... I'm REALLY looking forward to that! Edited June 24, 2012 by matthijsgrit
Drago Posted June 24, 2012 Posted June 24, 2012 (edited) I got the kit from Terry... I don't Wanda doubt him, but he talked about a 53 Ford Victoria (?) as donor? I agree the chassis in the kit won't resemble the real car's one... But maybe I should just concentrate on the looks and not to create an exact replica (which isn't my goal). Thanks for all your input! MG I also have this transkit resin and my intention is to replicate the real car. I would suggest you make the chassis by scratchbuilding it, but reading your message, I would say trust on the "father of the child" and use the '53 Ford. Unlike everyone, I love this car. I just do not like the black cover inside the wheels. Edited June 24, 2012 by Drago
Chuck Most Posted June 24, 2012 Posted June 24, 2012 Maybe if you're building a stock Plymouth but this is a very heavily modified custom. A stock chassis from any '50's car wouldn't be anywhere near close to accurate for this one. I suppose it would depend on how accurate you wanted the chassis to be. If I remember, the Sniper's actual chassis was all custom fabbed, with the Viper components added to it. But, I'm thinking I'd just leave the hood sealed and use the provided chassis if I were building it. But I'd love to see somebody build this as a blow-by-blow replica with full detail!
mickey1938 Posted June 26, 2012 Posted June 26, 2012 I was going say that it was made from a 1953 or 1954 Plymouth, the Headlights came from a Mini Cooper
Steven Zimmerman Posted June 26, 2012 Posted June 26, 2012 Steve is correct, the headlights are from a Mercedes.
matthijsgrit Posted June 26, 2012 Author Posted June 26, 2012 I mailed with Terry today. There are about 50 of these ever produced. I've never seen one finished. Anyone who has? There are only 2 complete kits left, so HURRY if you want one. Terry was so kind to pour a new interior hub, since he wasn't satisfied with the first. Looking forward to this!
SoCalCarCulture Posted June 29, 2012 Posted June 29, 2012 You probably have plenty reference pics but here's a few more, this is how it looked in '05... 040305 Goodguys Del Mar 011 by SoCalCarCulture, on Flickr 040305 Goodguys Del Mar 010 by SoCalCarCulture, on Flickr 040305 Goodguys Del Mar 009 by SoCalCarCulture, on Flickr 040305 Goodguys Del Mar 012 by SoCalCarCulture, on Flickr 040305 Goodguys Del Mar 013 by SoCalCarCulture, on Flickr
matthijsgrit Posted June 29, 2012 Author Posted June 29, 2012 You probably have plenty reference pics but here's a few more, this is how it looked in '05... 040305 Goodguys Del Mar 011 by SoCalCarCulture, on Flickr 040305 Goodguys Del Mar 010 by SoCalCarCulture, on Flickr 040305 Goodguys Del Mar 009 by SoCalCarCulture, on Flickr 040305 Goodguys Del Mar 012 by SoCalCarCulture, on Flickr 040305 Goodguys Del Mar 013 by SoCalCarCulture, on Flickr Great pics! I've never seen these, but always check your Fotki... I especially like the interior pic. Thank you, Dave! MG,
Jantrix Posted June 29, 2012 Posted June 29, 2012 (edited) Am I the only one who doesn't really care for the ultra modernizing of old cars? As much as I respect Chip and Troy and their skills, this does nothing for me. Edited June 29, 2012 by Jantrix
gtx6970 Posted June 29, 2012 Posted June 29, 2012 Am I the only one who doesn't really care for the ultra modernizing of old cars? As much as I respect Chip and Troy and their skills, this does nothing for me. Nope, your not alone.
dimaxion Posted June 29, 2012 Posted June 29, 2012 (edited) Nope, your not alone. Mee too . B u t ; if this means a product from a bygone era is saved from destruction and re-cycling . I am all over this . Think about the (Japan Inc.) cars made from this quality steel . The President of the Hot Rod Club in Auburn says it all : "This Auburn I rodded was scrap metal . Beyond any chance of restoration ." This says it all . It is a beauty . Edited July 12, 2012 by dimaxion
matthijsgrit Posted July 11, 2012 Author Posted July 11, 2012 I received the kit today and I must say I'm really happy that I was able to get one! Boy is it Nice! I'll post pics later...
Guest Johnny Posted July 13, 2012 Posted July 13, 2012 Wow, Foose must have been going thru a bad phase when he designed that It looks a whole lot better in person where you can really look it over from all angles! Saw it at the Street Machine Nationals in Duquoin IL.
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