jwrass Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 Gene, Being fairly new to the site I have not seen this build and all I can say is awesome!!!!! What I really like is the OEM valve covers, you don't see that to often. Nice touch, great build!!! jwrass
Speedfreak Posted July 4, 2014 Author Posted July 4, 2014 (edited) Great job .Now I need to start mine. Thanks Gordon! Gene, Being fairly new to the site I have not seen this build and all I can say is awesome!!!!! What I really like is the OEM valve covers, you don't see that to often. Nice touch, great build!!! jwrass Thanks Rass! Those valve covers are awesome! I was thinking that the other day while looking at these pics. They're the best part of the kit engine, they didn't really need much clean-up and they are pretty accurate to 1:1. The rest of the engine required a lot of work to get it to look anything like 1:1. But that's why we're here right? I learnt a lot working on this engine, Bill and Jeff S. helped me get the wiring right. Edited July 4, 2014 by Speedfreak
jwrass Posted July 5, 2014 Posted July 5, 2014 Thanks Gordon! Thanks Rass! Those valve covers are awesome! I was thinking that the other day while looking at these pics. They're the best part of the kit engine, they didn't really need much clean-up and they are pretty accurate to 1:1. The rest of the engine required a lot of work to get it to look anything like 1:1. But that's why we're here right? I learnt a lot working on this engine, Bill and Jeff S. helped me get the wiring right. Gene, Many of the OEM valve covers ( man I love those things on the build) Had the embossed letters painted, My father had big boat of a New Yorker that had a 392 in it, I remember the lettering well ( these were red) as any time it got below zero the thing had a hard time starting, he would drag me outside and I would work the ignition key as he would spray either down the carb. Just a thought! I think those are so trick that highlighting them would make them pop even more and it would be period correct. I know drag guys did what they wanted to do and paint them just one color, I for one think it's unique to have the raised lettered valve covers. Why not show them off some more. Again just a thought!!! Also digg'in the mail box type huffer scoop. jwrass
10thumbs Posted July 5, 2014 Posted July 5, 2014 Oh yeah, that Magneto is purdy! I like the build, and old Hemi's are jsus too cool anyway. The valve covers too. I agree with enlightening them if possible. Michael
Speedfreak Posted July 6, 2014 Author Posted July 6, 2014 (edited) Gene, Many of the OEM valve covers ( man I love those things on the build) Had the embossed letters painted, My father had big boat of a New Yorker that had a 392 in it, I remember the lettering well ( these were red) as any time it got below zero the thing had a hard time starting, he would drag me outside and I would work the ignition key as he would spray either down the carb. Just a thought! I think those are so trick that highlighting them would make them pop even more and it would be period correct. I know drag guys did what they wanted to do and paint them just one color, I for one think it's unique to have the raised lettered valve covers. Why not show them off some more. Again just a thought!!! Also digg'in the mail box type huffer scoop. jwrass Rass, I agree with you totally. If the engine wasn't complete and waiting to be installed I'd highlight the valve covers, and red would be awesome. As it is I put sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much time into that engine I'm afraid to touch it now except to mount it to the frame! I mean I'm talking hourssssssssssssssssss just on the headers and the puffer box (which by the way is how the car got it's name, Walt's Puffer). What year New Yorker did your Dad have? Michael, thanks for the compliments. As I explained to Rass above, if I was 'in' the build process I'd do it, but , at this point, no way! Next time. I think my next build 'might' be the Miss Deal '53 Studebaker and I think(?) it has the same kind of valve covers. Edited July 6, 2014 by Speedfreak
jwrass Posted July 6, 2014 Posted July 6, 2014 Gene, I know where your coming from, it would be a bummer to mess things up at this stage. Anything in the Altered category I'm all in!!!!! I wish a sanctioning body (anybody I don't care if their from mars) would bring these short wheel based mind blowing monsters back and be a major part of the show (can you say ticket sales) Saw the Fuel Cars run back in the day under the Coke a Cola Cavalcade Stars Program and try to get in at least one nostalgia event a year. Nothing like a AA/FA on a full pull..... driver all elbows...... and foot on the loud peddle through the lights. and they say the Circus is the greatest show on earth, HA. Man it has been so long but my Fathers New Yorker was like a 58 or 59 had fins, ( like what didn't back then) we used to call it the chicklets car because it was this weird green color like the green in chicklets gum. It was truly a land shark. Looking forward to the rest of the build! jwrass
Speedfreak Posted July 6, 2014 Author Posted July 6, 2014 (edited) Thanks Again Rass, and I'm with you on the AA/FA type cars of this period. (I also have a huge weak spot for the Super Stock class) I need some help with this build (everyone's opinion is more than welcome here). I can't decide what color(s) to paint the darn seat! It's the typical 'air plane/bomber' type seat used in dragsters of this period, the seat part is rolled and pleated with a solid frame around that. I had the roll/pleat side painted MM 'Leather' (med brown) and the outer frame a weird looking metal color I mixed up, and , then I painted the seat belts 'yellow! Yikes! It's in the purple pond now. So, if you want, look through this thread at the colors I've used and tell me what you think the seat should be. My natural/first inclination was to go with different shades of black(s) with white or flat aluminum seat belts, which are molded into the seat. But, because of all the black already on the frame I wanted it to stand out more to give more definition overall. I also would like it to be fairly period correct for this type of car, which I've tried to do with the rest of the build. HELP! Edited July 6, 2014 by Speedfreak
10thumbs Posted July 6, 2014 Posted July 6, 2014 I think a period correct seat would be a black, button and tucked job. Just about any pic of a 60's dragster show this kind of seat. Just flat black is a no-no, in my opinion. Satin, and maybe a little oil rubbed on there with a cotton swab, and the excess rubbed off. This makes a nice leathery patina too. Michael
Speedfreak Posted July 6, 2014 Author Posted July 6, 2014 Thanks Michael, I think the seat will probably end up some kind of black, and , the oil thing sounds great! Only problem is that the seat belt(s) are molded into the seat.
jwrass Posted July 6, 2014 Posted July 6, 2014 Gene, Even though the frame is black, I still would go with black on the seat as that really would be period correct. I still haven't worked with any of the paints or techniques to make the plastic look like 1:1 Upholstry but I have seen others on this site do it with amazing results. White was a popular choice back then, I don't know who in their right mind would make a race car seat white but they did it, I wouldn't touch that one with a 10" pole. Small flake upholstry was big back then as well, a zip, zilch, notta on that one as well for me. From a artistic point of view let the detail of the belts, clasp and mounting points give you definition, sometimes less it more. My vote is a realistic black. jrass
Brett Barrow Posted July 6, 2014 Posted July 6, 2014 Black with a little sheen to set it off from the frame. Seatbelts olive green or raw canvas as if they were military surplus.
Truck parts Posted July 6, 2014 Posted July 6, 2014 Black seat, maybe sanded down some to show ware to it? Belts maybe army green?
Speedfreak Posted July 6, 2014 Author Posted July 6, 2014 Thanks Fellas! I've thought of the Army surplus angle before and that's what I'll go with for the belts, probably raw tan, as that would be period correct for sure, the original 'Puffer' was built in '59. The seat will either be black, or , I'm strongly leaning towards the shade of blue that's in the Mighty Mouse art work for the pleated portion of the seat with a black back/frame and funky tan (MM Fabric Tan) for the belts. So, Lt/Med blue/black/raw canvas (tan)! All that's left after that is the parachute that I got from Pro-Tech, it too will be raw canvas, or , in fact MM 'Fabric Tan' from the can.
Speedfreak Posted July 6, 2014 Author Posted July 6, 2014 Thanks Jason, that's very kind of you! I really appreciate that!
NJJeff Posted July 10, 2014 Posted July 10, 2014 I'm thinking "Mighty Mouse" needs an orange, small block chevy for power!
Speedfreak Posted July 11, 2014 Author Posted July 11, 2014 You just go right on thinking that Jeff!!!!!!!!! You might like the seat then, 'cause it's gonna be orange!!!!!!!!!
Speedfreak Posted November 24, 2014 Author Posted November 24, 2014 Well, it's been a while but he lives! This is the latest mock-up. A lot has changed in the interim, mostly out of necessity, and there are many things that are incorrect, but , I hope you like the vibe. The next step is to paint the inside of the body and floor pan. All comments and questions are welcome. Thanks.
AC Norton Posted November 24, 2014 Posted November 24, 2014 gene, just great all round....terrific work here all round.....best,.....the ace.........
1 bad55 stan Posted November 25, 2014 Posted November 25, 2014 That looks real nice,your doing a great job...
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