Roadrunner Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 Not real sure why, but this Dart was one I was always real fond of. Not real sure if I ever saw the real deal or not, but it was certainly in magazines enough.
Jade043 Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 Wow what a build it's going to look amazing when finished.
John Teresi Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 Joe........that hauler looks AWESOME!!!!!!........can`t wait to see it painted.........I know your Charlie paint job will come out good buddy
Nitrozilla Posted March 13, 2015 Author Posted March 13, 2015 According to the math involved here, we've got 1 "Amazing" and 2 "Awesome's" The Awesome's have it !!!!!!! Brother John, we'll be testing that paint theory this weekend. I'm giving the paint every chance to dry so I don't leave an adhesive pattern in it. I found some new (to me) Rust-Oleum automotive tape that has a medium tackiness. Keep your fingers crossed. Got a lot of good work done on the Deora today, prepping it for primer, plus cutting out the tailgate and making bed plates for the bed and sides. It was pretty rough and although it won't be seen, I'll know it's there. Also cut out the rear fender wells to accept the ramp angle. Pics tomorrow when it's a little more cleaned up.
Nitrozilla Posted March 13, 2015 Author Posted March 13, 2015 I got more work done on the hauler today, but first, a recap of the interior. Only the interior bucket remains of the original kit and it was sprayed with Rust-Oleum Sandstone textured paint. The seats and center console are scratch built, including the (oversized) piston shift knob and the soda in the console. It still needs foot pedals. To give the ramp some angle, I took a cutting wheel to the rear quarter panels, then laid down a mock up piece of diamond plate. Next comes the side pieces and the tire carrier. Thanx for looking.
Randy D Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 Hi Joe, The hauler is looking so coooool !!!!! Look foward to seeing this at DSC. Randy
Nitrozilla Posted March 15, 2015 Author Posted March 15, 2015 Thanx a lot Randy. Done or undone, it'll be there with a few choice other favorites. I look forward to meeting you and the rest of the Arizona Scale Autonutz. I made more progress on the ramp and bed diamond plate. Alrighty then, here is my approach to the hauling part of the hauler. I thought it would be interesting if the front of the ramp side had the same contour as the nose of the Deora. It will have an air dam between the sides that follows the shape of the roof. As a matter of fact, cutting the roof template is what started this whole thing all over. Ignore the big circle. That's a drag slick. Enjoy the pics.
Nitrozilla Posted March 20, 2015 Author Posted March 20, 2015 I'm really pleased with my progress these last few days. The bed plate is done, sides are next. I made a support plate for the ramp base and sides. To give the joints a little strength, I attached Plastruct "U" shaped runners along the insides of the side panels, then inserted the base plate. I will cut out the crossmembers, as they were for sturdiness during construction. Still left to do are the detachable ramps and the front air dam, which I hope to get to today. This weekend, I hope to have it all in primer and the car body masked and shot with silver. Ambitious, right? I also plan to make a wench, plus I've made a toolbox out of scrap diamond plate but right now it looks more like a picnic basket. Laterz.
Speedfreak Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Looking good Joe, nice work! What color(s) for the sides, and , transport?
Nitrozilla Posted March 21, 2015 Author Posted March 21, 2015 Thanks GoatGuy Hi Gene. It's going to be a matching paint job, so both will be silver and red.
Nitrozilla Posted March 22, 2015 Author Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) Wow! That's pretty wild. Glad you think so Dennis. I was going for Pretty Wild. Your avatar is pretty wild too. I know I'm beating the proverbial dead horse here, but I just ordered a Charlie Allen kit from EvilBay for collection purposes and I happened to notice the box art calls it "Charlie Allen's Saddleback", not Charlie Allen's Saddleback Dodge. Seems a little.........off. Granted it says "Dart Funny Car" below, but wouldn't Dodge have something to say about that? Gotta be part of the licensing agreement. Yes? No? If not Dodge themselves, but the Saddleback Dodge dealership itself. "Hey Man! Let's go check out Charlie Allen's Saddleback !!" Edited March 22, 2015 by Nitrozilla
Nitrozilla Posted March 23, 2015 Author Posted March 23, 2015 WooHoo !!! The hauler is ready for prime time. Well, primer time anyway. I still need to contour the bottom of the air dam where it meets the roof and I'm sure there will be touch-up after primer as well. I'll find out how much tomorrow. I did have a minor delay today, so there was no time to mask and shoot the Dart body. Oh, poop, just remembered I need to set up the running ramps for tire hold downs. Will it ever end? AGGGGGHHHHH !!!!!!!! With a deadline of April 11th to make DSC, that gives me just under 3 weeks. I won't panic until the 10th. Hope everyone had a great weekend. Enjoy the pics and thanks for keeping up.
bobthehobbyguy Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Great update. Looking forward to seeing it in primer.
Nitrozilla Posted March 26, 2015 Author Posted March 26, 2015 Thank you much Wayne and Gene. Well, it's still ready for primer. lol Had a couple of minor interruptions in the work flow, so I did other stuff. The front door will not be opening as designed by the Alexander boys or MPC / AMT. The original had a lower swiveling panel. The model had a drop down clam shell design. I'm doing a one piece I've seen others do. Too heavy (at that time) for the real deal, but not for a model. Also I took a visit to "The Scratchbuilding Zone" and built a winch that will mount behind the engine dog house. It's ready for paint. I may need to add a cable guide to the top of the dog house if the car's front axle is too high. We'll see. So, here's tomorrows overly ambitious plan. Test new polyurethane clear on decals. Paint and assemble winch. Wash and primer body and hauler bed. Set up bed ramps for tire hold down chains. As it was: As it will be:
Nitrozilla Posted March 28, 2015 Author Posted March 28, 2015 You know that guy? Murphey? The one who makes the worst thing possible happen at the worst possible time? Nothing in the way of disasters, just detours to my desired work flow. I wanted to slide the detachable ramps side by side under the main ramps. Not gonna happen due to the way the rear bumper needs to be mounted. I also had to actually MAKE a bumper, which of course means tail lights. Turns out the contour of the Deora tail light box follows the contour of the bumper. Coincidence? So, here's pics of the front door/windshield frame. It works like a champ. Also the winch and cable guide rollers. I filled the bed spotlights with Model Master Clear Parts Cement & Window Maker. Lastly, still need to figure out what I'm going to use for rear view mirrors.Even more lastly, I've started the tire hold down straps. Was going to use chain, then I figured, well, I mean, uh, um, sheesh, I like straps better. I really, really should be painting and primering today. No, really, it's true. Enjoy.
John Teresi Posted March 28, 2015 Posted March 28, 2015 Joe.......love what your doing here........nice work buddy
Nitrozilla Posted March 29, 2015 Author Posted March 29, 2015 Glad you like it my friend. I don't know if I told you John, but this build is inspired as much by you as it is by Charlie. I always knew I would do this build, but when I saw yours plus the Ivo hauler, I was hooked. I'm doing what Pharell Williams and Robin Thicke should have done. Giving credit to Marvin Gaye. Pimer in the morning.
Nitrozilla Posted March 31, 2015 Author Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) Finally got around to shooting some parts and pieces. The ramps and bed plate are in glorious Tamiya TS8 red. Pics of those tomorrow after I shoot side 2. Now, let's talk about the body and hauler. I am totally pleased with the final result. The holes and cutouts on the ramp are for feeding the tire hold down straps. I only had minor clean up on a few places and I'll be shooting red on it tomorrow as well. Stay tuned and thanks, as always for looking. Edited March 31, 2015 by Nitrozilla
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