Question on amt willys/ help with nostalgia info/pics/thoughts

[Petetrucker07]

Is this kit an accurate 1 to put stone woods and cook decals on, or is it too different.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Petetrucker07

[Brett Barrow]

It's a neat kit (and I don't think it ever intended to represent any particular gasser), but If total SWC accuracy is want you want, then no. Does have a blown Olds and Hydro, which is what the original SWC Willys had (light blue car kitted by Revell in the 60's) but many details are different between the two (injectors/blower scoop, valve covers, etc...). AMT's interior is cool, sorta like the original SWC seats, but SWC had a stock dashboard. AMT has a fiberglass flip nose, SWC still had a lift-off hood. Later SWC Willys (deep blue and black) had a blown Chrysler like the modern Revell Willys kits.

Grab a set of AMT's parts pack Gasser wheels and tires and you'll have the basis for a pretty cool period gasser (though I think the blue-streak Goodyear slicks are more late-60's while the kit itself has an early-60's vibe). That's pretty much what the Retro reissue of this kit is, with an expanded decal sheet.

Edited July 24, 2014 by Brett Barrow

[Petetrucker07]

Thanks. I want to do the dark blue SWC car. Ultimately im wantin to do a a starting line dio with the SWC and big john mazmanian cars with some old gassers and nostalgia funnys in the staging lanes. I really should take trip to the NHRA museum, its free since im a member and its only an hour away. Thanks for the help. And thanks in advance to anyone who helps.

If any can help with pics from the late 60s 70s drag racing. Support vehicles, safety safari, race cars and haulers id really appreciate it, pm or email, i think my email is listed on here

Edited July 24, 2014 by Petetrucker07

[Daddyfink]

Thanks. I want to do the dark blue SWC car. Ultimately im wantin to do a a starting line dio with the SWC and big john mazmanian cars with some old gassers and nostalgia funnys in the staging lanes. I really should take trip to the NHRA museum, its free since im a member and its only an hour away. Thanks for the help. And thanks in advance to anyone who helps.

If any can help with pics from the late 60s 70s drag racing. Support vehicles, safety safari, race cars and haulers id really appreciate it, pm or email, i think my email is listed on here

Go nuts!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/drag-cars-in-motion-picture-thread.228509/

[Petetrucker07]

Thats awesome, thanks for link!

[jwrass]

Jesse,

RUN WHAT YOU BRUNG!!!! With allot of research you can build a fairly accurate facsimile of any race car. However chances of being 100% correct from the Gasser era are pretty slim!

Many of those racers changed things on a weekly basis as much of their livelihood was based on weekday match race income. If they found a great combination..... out with the old, in with the new! You had so much freedom from strangling rules formats.

I think I would be fairly accurate to say that from the time a car was researched, measured, tooled and made into a model many changes had taken place.

Seeing how you live so close to Pomona that may be a place to start. I would go on a feature type weekend of racing. My daughter lived in Manhatten Beach for four years and I went to the Museum each time I went to visit her and each time I was disappointed with the lack of cars there with the amount of space they had for display.

If you really want a education in the cars and the stars of the NHRA! Visit Big Daddy's Museum in Ocla Fla. That place is bulging at the seams with iconic cars and hardware of the past and present.

Do some brain storming think of a Outlaw type name and do something unique! I love all of Iconic old school gassers and SWC is a favorite! But most of the iconic cars have all been so over done it would be nice to see something different. Their are so many Iconic cars and drivers that were never kitted, maybe give that a shot!

[Petetrucker07]

I sure will do some research, i just found out today that where ive been delivering 2 loads a day for the last 4 years is literal the next street west from where lions drag strip was. Im sure gonna dig deep to find some old gassers and probably sling shots too. Id love to get down to big daddys museum someday. I know im gonna be hard pressed to build an "accurate" gasser because i know if they blew a motor they replaced it with the next readily available motor, buick, mopar, chevy whatever. I want to do the more noticable cars/ names for those who are not deep into drag racing. But i will for sure do some more obscure cars too.

Like i said any help would greatly appreciated. Links, pics, videos, whatever, as i will be digging deep.

[southpier]

model railroading calls that "plausible". could it represent what you intend, of course. it's hobby and it should be fun. research and experience will pay off with the next, and the one after that, ad infinitum ....

ps: rivet counters need not apply!

Edited July 24, 2014 by southpier

[Petetrucker07]

Thats what this is for, im a drag racer to the core. My 1st car was, i still have it, a 73 camaro, small block 406, 411s and a posi, roll bar, line lock, battery in the trunk, manual valve body in a built turbo 350. To get me to fall asleep as a baby my parents would drive me around in a tubbed vega with the same motor and rear end gears. My dad put eye bolts in the floor to strap my car seat in. This build will be fun, every aspect of it, all the cars and the dio. Gettin giddy thinkin about it, gonna start on a willys, probably the big john, this weekend.