Paul Payne Posted May 18, 2020 Posted May 18, 2020 This project was inspired by various track nose roadsters, especially the Frank Mack T, which has the transmission and drive shaft exposed in the passenger compartment. Mine will actually be above the frame. I wanted wide tires, an Ardun flathead, Halibrand solids, cycle fenders, and a low stance. The frame is is from some glue bomb green Hornets. The front axle and spring is from the same kit, dechromed, and with the axle ends reworked for poseable steering. The rear end is a champ quick change from the parts box. This is the first chance I've had to mock things up. More pictures soon.
OldNYJim Posted May 18, 2020 Posted May 18, 2020 Huh, I just started messing with a track-nose A today! What nose are you going with?
Paul Payne Posted May 18, 2020 Author Posted May 18, 2020 Cabdriver, The nose is from the Revell ratrod pickup but with the opening reworked for a more oval shape. I have some wire screen for the grille. By the way, this will not be a rat rod- paint will be gloss black.
OldNYJim Posted May 18, 2020 Posted May 18, 2020 No way, I was thinking gloss black too ?. I’ll be interested to see how that grill looks with the body!
Paul Payne Posted May 18, 2020 Author Posted May 18, 2020 Here's some pix of the cars that inspired this project- decided to go with wide tires instead of the 40's look.
Paul Payne Posted May 20, 2020 Author Posted May 20, 2020 Here are some more pix of the other assemblies. The Halibrand solid wheels were a little small for the tires so I used the large diameter wheel backs from the Green Hornet with the center section removed and then sanded so the wheels were a slip fit into the resulting rims. I will attempt to use carb stacks puttied in and sanded to resemble splined knock offs.
Paul Payne Posted May 20, 2020 Author Posted May 20, 2020 If you plan on using a pitman arm for your steering, usually you need a bubble on the side of the cowl for proper clearance and alignment. I have started looking at parts for their shapes, which may not be used for for their original purpose. I have some old AMT trophies and realized they are a good starting point for a cowl bubble.
Paul Payne Posted May 20, 2020 Author Posted May 20, 2020 I also started reshaping the track nose opening, fabricating more steering components, puttying in the fenders, and reworking the champ style rear end and axles.
Tom Geiger Posted May 20, 2020 Posted May 20, 2020 (edited) I remember reading that the track noses were made by taking two 1950s pickup rear fenders, and welding them bed side to bed side. Cut grill hole in center, cut front half off to use. I tried that with fenders from AMT 53 Ford pickup and it worked decent, only I couldn’t get GM my grill shape to my liking.. mine kept looking like rejects from the movie Cars. Edited May 20, 2020 by Tom Geiger
Paul Payne Posted May 21, 2020 Author Posted May 21, 2020 Tom, old school customizers would look for parts that were close to the shape they wanted, then reworked them- easier and faster than starting from scratch- look at the nose of Isky's Cucaracha- two grills cut and welded together.
Paul Payne Posted July 13, 2020 Author Posted July 13, 2020 More progress pix- overall set up,cycle fenders ready for shiny paint, Hallock windshield mocked up, engine progress (having problems with the carbs), cowl filled between cowl and dash, front suspension primed, and Gordon-Schroeder steering unit ready for installation. Also pix of the wheel which inspired the wheels I am modifying, one finished and the others puttied up ready for preliminary sanding.
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