Ramcharger Dragster Question

[JPolli]

Would the MPC Young American or Garlits Wynns Charger kits be the appropriate kits to use if you wanted to build the longer Ramchargers Dragster (see PIC)?

[Daddyfink]

Actually, you could use those kits body panels with a Tommy Ivo chassis for the correct wheelbase. This car came out in '68 and is a Woody Gimore Chassis car.

Or just cut down the JA or Garlits cars.

Edited November 3, 2014 by Daddyfink

[edboys]

The Ramchargers dragster you have shown in the pic is a Woody Gilmore chassis digger. With that said, there is no kit in 1/25 - 1/24th scale that uses a Woody chassis. Most of the kits done in those scales are all reflective of a Don Long type chassis. Garlits created his own chassis so to call his a Don Long would be wrong as well. What was done by the model manufacturers was to do one chassis and then do other versions using the original production chassis with different decals.

Here's the most recognizable difference:

Woody Gilmore chassis characteristics - dual chassis support tubes behind the drivers seat as the bottom frame rails bend upwards to meet the upper frame hoop that is formed behind the drivers seat. There are only two radius rods, one on each side, connecting the front axle to the frame. A bell crank is used to connect the front wheels, so the steering link runs parallel all the way down the body to the nose where the bell crank located.

Don Long chassis characteristics - Single support tube behind the drivers seat connecting the upper and lower frame rail hoops. Four radius rods at the front axle, two on each side and the steering link usually runs parallel to the body until it angles off to the left front wheel for steering the wheels.

These are very distinct differences. Differences that should be observed more closely if you want to accomplish a close to accurate replication. I hope these pix help.

example of Don Long Chassis front axle configuration.

example of Don Long chassis drivers cockpit configuration

example of Woody Gilmore Chassis front axle configuration

example of Woody Gilmore drivers cockpit configuration

Edited November 5, 2014 by edboys

[High octane]

Interesting, and thanks Mark.

[Daddyfink]

Thanks for the tutorial, Mark! And that blue chassis pic, is that what I think it is?

[DrKerry]

Good info to know!!!!

[JPolli]

Thank you Jesse and Mark.