Determination Model A drag car

[Nitro Neil]

By a special request from Tim Boyd (how can I say no to him?), here are some pix of a model I built back in 2010 of the Determination Model A that ran in the Detroit area back in the early 1970's. I based the model on a photo I found on the internet.

I used the body from old Monogram 1930 Ford Model A, and chopped the top a scale 4 inches. The chassis was scratchbuilt using Evergreen plastic and parts from the AMT 1933 Willys kit.

The engine the Chevy Mark IV Large Block, aka "Big Block" from the AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit with resin injector intake and scratchbuilt headers.

The finished model isn't perfect. It doesn't have a radiator, so it's technically not a legal gasser like the car in the picture, and I never put the shocks or trailing arms on the rear suspension. I filled the rear tires with A+B plumbers putty and drilled holes into them and the base at an angle so I can display it with the wheels up.

Edited November 27, 2013 by Nitro Neil

[Tom Geiger]

Very cool replica!

[W-409]

Nice work! I never get tired of seeing this one. The way you put it to make a wheelie is really genius and I'm going to use it on some of my builds at some point, too. Really nice work overall.

There are a couple of more pictures of this: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=38349

[Nitro Neil]

Thanks Tom and Niko,

Tom - Actually I consider this more of a "representation" than a "replica". I find that building "replicas" takes some of the fun out model building for me. I like to keep a little artistic freedom in my model buildling. I am more of a "representor" than a "replicator"

If you look up the word "model" in the dictionary, it says that it is a "representation" of something in miniature, while Wikipedia say that "a replica is an exact reproduction".

Niko - I forgot I posted those. Thanks.

Edited November 27, 2013 by Nitro Neil

[Bernard Kron]

Thanx for this Neil. As I said on the other thread, when Bill posted the original photo I immediately began searching for your model which I had seen on other forums, but couldn't recall who built it or which forum. So glad to see it once again. Along with your Ramchargers '49 Plymouth, one of my favorite drag models of any sort, but especially that unique subset of expressing a subject in action. You have a special eye for the iconic early drag cars and the skills to deliver great replicas representations of them...

Edited November 27, 2013 by Bernard Kron

[Nitro Neil]

Thanks Bernard, ditto to you. I always click on the threads when you have a new build, I know I'm in for a nice surprise.

[slusher]

Very cool and awsume build Neil...

[Sixx]

I often wondered how you got that standin on the rear!! Cool stuff man!!!

[RAT-T]

LOOKS GREAT NEIL!

SAW THIS AT MASSCAR, PICTURES DON'T DO IT JUSTICE

[Ace-Garageguy]

Great looking model, and the wheelstand really brings it to life. Are the wheelie-bar wheels holding it up at all, or is all the load going through the axle attachment?

[Nitro Neil]

Bill,

I have some stiff wire made of old metal axles in the tires sticking into angled holes in the base. I can remove the wires and display it sitting on the ground too. The springs are pinned to the chassis and the axle is pinned to the springs to give it some strength. The tires are filled with A+B epoxy putty.

Edited November 27, 2013 by Nitro Neil

[Hammerdown]

Excellent! Reminds me of my racing days back in the early seventies, running a front engine, C-Gas Dragster with a small block and the same Hilborn Injectors as on your model.

[Foxer]

Interesting to hear how you got that to stay in the air ... without 750/25=30 HP, that is.

[PappyD340]

WOW, fantastic job Neil, looks great, you know when I saw that car in Bill's post I thought that would be a cool project and low and behold here it is, very NICE representation of the 1:1

[carbman]

nice build! like ram tubes on the motor!