AMT Double Dragster Chassis + Parts Pack Bucket T Body

[jbwelda]

I had always wanted to use the AMT Parts Pack T body that was supposed to fit the AMT Double Dragster Fiat frame, and one day not long ago I saw a really kool example of exactly that. So I decided to do a simple, quick and clean slam together of a similar car. Try to capture an early 60s look, use a flathead Ford engine, kind of minimal, like sort of a shade tree racer. Probably some fuel injection, and maybe some crazy intake stacks. 


Of course, it didn't stay simple for long and a test build of the chassis revealed that although it would fit under the T body with no modification, the body sat at kind of a funny angle and the braces for the chassis superstructure weren't going to work and a few other complications. Also, to me, the chassis appears way too long, I like them short and stumpy, so I had to do something about that.


So, first thing I did was shorten the chassis about 6 scale inches, 1/4" in other words. Since the chassis is straight as a board and flat as one too, it was easy to remove the same 1/4" from both rails right behind the solid front cover spanning the rails. Still seems to me it could use a bit more shortening but I will leave it, there will probably be a fuel tank up there ahead of the "T" shell.


Here is the shortened chassis with the roll bar and rear drag chute mounting bar mocked up with some of the parts I intend to use:





A closer look at the chassis, there is actually quite a bit of work already in it even beyond the shortening: some filling, a lot of filing and straightening, cleaning up edges and filling ejector pin marks, as well as cutting away part of the rear end bulge so the body rear sits more even with the chassis. 





Here is a look at the body resting on the frame, with the tonneau cover I intend to use on the final product.





I also relied on the knowledge of our friend Bernard, regarding a decent, appropriate mill to use here, and so I chose the ultimate factory evolution of the venerable flathead Ford, from the Revell 50 Ford Truck. I have already adapted the scatter shield from the Double Dragster kit, to use the frame mounts as much as for anything, and am awaiting a couple of parts before I really start building it.

Meanwhile I took some photos of the stance, with the engine block in place to see how things are balancing out. At this point I can raise the rear, and/or raise or lower the front. Lowering the rear will be a bit more problematic: there is no suspension back there so the axle is resting on the frame bottom. But I think its looking pretty good right now, maybe I will lower the front just a bit more but have to look at it a little more.




Front wheels are from the Double Dragster base kit, the rears Revell Tony Nancy 22 Jr.

Front tires are excellent resin from Modelhaus II.




Using a deep drop front axle in place of the DD straight item and I trimmed down the spring some to get the frame closer to the ground.




Body does fit the frame nicely after some modifications:




Here is a closer look at the axle and block sitting in the frame. You can see the DD scattershield bracket on the engine side of the firewall.




Alright thanks for looking and all comments appreciated!

jb

[harron68]

Nice work, fer sure! Thanx for explaining the modifications you chose. My only conflict is with the size of the front wheels. I know in the '50s to early '60s a lot of budget-minded owners went with standard front wheels/tires, but once one opts for fancier light front wheels as with the spoked ones shown, I'd think of just going with cycle wheels and tires instead. For a more "price conscious" look, front steelies with maybe narrowed front tires works too.The old VWs and cheaper cars had very narrow street tires.
Gosh, I sure remember buying that double kit when it came out! Red plastic!!!! Thanx again!

[jbwelda]

Well I do have a couple sets of Curt Raitz's wire wheels, so I might give them a try. I do kinda like the wheels I have now, but I will see what I think, maybe take some pics and post them here. Thanks for the suggestion. Might make the front end look less cumbersome. I am rethinking the scattershield thing too, but this mess is in flux at the moment anyhow. Might get put aside to finish the Uncertain T or maybe the Sofa King Certain A or whatever it turns out to be. 


jb

[jbwelda]

I did fit some cycle wheels up front but decided they didn't really add 30$ worth to the build (which is what they cost, plus shipping and tax), so I think I am going to stick with the spoke mags. One of the main guidelines I was trying to follow here was to keep most of the DD Fiat chassis and more or less just fit the body to it, so in my mind those spoked wheels are part of the DD Fiat. I never did like the chrome dish wheels they used on the rear though, so those got in the ditch mode. Thanks though for the suggestion, and I am looking very closely at that amt 41 woody engine. Non chrome heads, but I still have the MCG ones on order so will probably use those, but I do really like the chrome front cover and the shape of the engine and trans, so its a distinct possibility. Like I said, everything is still in flux on this one.

PS: in keeping with the shade-tree racer theme, I am considering those front wheels to be bargain bought at the local racers swap meet, or maybe even the Midnight Auto Supply. I remember seeing similar maybe not Halibrand but a knockoff, cheap at such swap meets in the early 70s, though that would be a decade after this supposed racer.

Going to nostalgia drags at Eagle Field this Saturday, hope to pick up some inspiration and take some photos there.

Eagle Field Drag Racing

jb

[jbwelda]

Well seems like time for an update, chassis is pretty much done, body is painted cheap hardware store orange which is about to come back to bite me in the butt, and the wheels and tires are all ready to mount. Biggest problem right now is the engine, I am hung up on waiting for the heads from Model Car Garage. I don't know what their turnaround usually is but its been a couple weeks now, not that I am in a big hurry or any promises were made, but I wish they would show up so I could get the mill together. Here are some pics:


Here is how the chassis stands right now: painted, axles mounted front and rear, read for wheels to be mounted. Interior section includes a floorboard I made up, but mostly parts from the Double Dragster kit. Front axle is from the Revell 32 Ford i think, dropped three inches. I adopted the DD front radius rods which were infested with ejector pin marks but I managed to get rid of most of it. Chute release button on pilots right side will have a cable running to it, but other than that I haven't detailed much. I may still add some wiring behind the gauges.




A closer look at the pilot compartment, note I cut off the steering arm and drilled a hole. When the time comes I will extend that out beyond the body and make a drag link to the front axle. Probably.




and a look at the seat, right out of the DD with a little detail painting:




Later this evening I am hoping to test mount the wheels and tires so might post some more pics then, and maybe the body will be dry enuff to pose.

Meanwhile, thanks for looking and appreciate the comments!

jb

[jbwelda]

Taking the purple plunge. Hope this cheap crap comes off easy. Got to be very careful using this junk, one seconds inattention and you got runs. Classic case of "More On?".




Oh well I am hung up on the flatheads anyhow, got some time to spare.


jb

[jbwelda]

So while I am sitting around waiting for paint to strip, I start looking around for something to do with what I got.


Revell parts pack Fiat body:





Or how about a Monogram Slingster coupe body that I restored the stockish wheel well position:






jb

[jbwelda]

jb

[jbwelda]

In the last couple of days, while stripping the paint from the body shells, I had fitted the rear wheels onto the axle when I realized the rear track was way too wide. Of course, this is after I plotted the width and lengthened the axle to those specs. But when it was together and the body sat next to it, it was way too obvious. So I had to rip that all apart and then artfully narrow the axle. The brake drums would not come off, so it came to some mid section surgery. Luckily it all patched up pretty good, and now the rear track is looking much better...but it could have done with 1/8" or so more gone. 


After dealing with that, I attached and wired up the drag chute, and prepped and painted the body pieces, getting decals down onto bare paint last night. And this cheap paint I am using, takes forever to gas out. Must have been in the dehydrator for a good 50 hours, and for those of you who do not use a food dehydrator, that is a long time. But eventually the paint stopped stinking and so with the decals on last night, and a good washing this morning, I shot some Tamiya TS13 clear earlier. Don't see any problems yet.

The one thing is, I don't really dig the stance. But it is what comes from a straight-back frame like this...it is dying for a nice Z job, but too late for that now. It might fill out a little more with the motor in there. Which is another sore spot, I am awaiting the heads from MCG, its been about six weeks, sent them a message but haven't heard back. I don't want to get antsy or bug them too much, but it would be nice if the heads showed up in the next few days.











jb

[jbwelda]

looking at those photos, I think what needs to be done is the body channeled over the frame about 1/4" or so, which would make the tires fill up the wells better. Also in this case I lowered the front end too much. I think it might look a bit more balanced with it higher, so the frame sits more parallel to the ground. Probably too late for this one but maybe some next time.

That's my advice to myself, take it or leave it!

jb

[jbwelda]

So now I hear, second hand, that MCG owners mother is sick or some such and maybe there is a divorce and all these other complications that somehow prevent those people from answering my email (originating on their site, not just out of the clear blue) as to the status of my order (flatheads for the engine I am building). I placed the order six or more weeks ago now and moms being sick didn't prevent them from charging my paypal right away. So I am wondering whether it is worthwhile to hold on and hope maybe somehow my order gets done and to me (much less I get a reply to my attempt to contact them), or whether like so many things in this "industry" I should just kiss it off and look for parts elsewhere. Its kind of a drag and maybe his future ex-wife is in charge of billing or something, but I am one to move on when it becomes apparent that through no fault of my own things do not work out the way I had hoped.


Yeah I am sure its not the end of the world and I am sure they are a honest enterprise and have lots of friends to come to their defense here and elsewhere but that doesn't really help me get what I ordered, and paid for. I personally like it more when excuses are not made and the ordered merchandise comes on time, intact and complete with a minimum of drama, like a number of other merchants I can think of.


But at the end of the day, there is night, so I guess waiting a few more weeks to see what transpires won't kill me. Don't really appreciate the evident lack of customer support though, that's all I am saying.


jb

[jbwelda]

You know how when you complain about lack of timely delivery in public, it usually shows up later that day?

Well in this case that trick didn't work.

Oh well, still no reply to a couple of inquiries but I assume things will be happening. Soon, real soon. Should be here any day now.

jb

[fordrodnkustom]

Unfortunately these things happen with aftermarket "cottage" suppliers. Here's to hoping you get your order in a relatively timely manner.

[jbwelda]

Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile


jb

[jbwelda]

Woo Hooo! It arrived!





jb