1/12th Scale 69 Camaro Top Sportsman Suspension and chassis jig.

[Ian McLaren]

This is the starting point, likely the only major kit parts that will be used are the body, front and rear bumpers, tail lamp assemblies and rear lower valance

[Lee Yoder]

This will be cool!

Later,

Lee

[Ian McLaren]

This was the initial plan, kind of a Super Gas / Super Comp car using around a 32x16x15 rear tire, 4 link and strut front end. That would require somewhere in the 1000hp range (easily doable with a 632 inch single four barrel engine) but --- The ex-racer in me has pointed out there is a tunnel ram sitting on the shelf in a box behind me and the plan already has quite a bit of tire. So ------ Add a bottle or two and a few nozzles, and the frame isn't really started, adding some extra bars isn't a huge deal.  Here we go again!

 

 

[Ian McLaren]

Waiting for drivetrain and chassis pieces, started on the hood scoop and some of the parts already here.

[Ian McLaren]

Not really happy with the scoop sitting on the cowl hood, so I'm building a flat one to mount the scoop on. rear of the hood is positioned and held down with rare earth magnets. The two rear indents on the stock hood were not included as the grills and wiper holes are to be eliminated on the cowl itself for a smoother look.

 

Edited November 22, 2022 by Ian McLaren

[Tortuga Kustomz]

Love this project Ian, looking forward for more updates

[Ian McLaren]

working on bits and pieces while waiting for driveline pieces and chassis materials.  Building a Kirkey seat for the car

[Ian McLaren]

Waiting for the mailman, still can't start the chassis.  Completely scratch built rear coil overs while I'm waiting

[dino246gt]

Very cool project, love it!

 

[Straightliner59]

It's looking great, so far. Seat is very cool!

[Tortuga Kustomz]

Those look amazing Ian

[AmericanMuscleFan]

WOW, very cool project Ian, my kind of car ! ?

It feels very different to see you working on a door car, I like that a lot (even if your dragster builds are references of precision) ! ?

[Ian McLaren]

6 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

WOW, very cool project Ian, my kind of car ! ?

It feels very different to see you working on a door car, I like that a lot (even if your dragster builds are references of precision) ! ?

I can't let you have all of the fun Francis.

[Ian McLaren]

While I'm waiting for chassis pieces, I was doing some research and discovered some reference material that has changed the direction and difficulty of this project. Externally not much change but mechanically and detail wise quite a lot.   The title is changing from Competition Eliminator to Top Sportsman  The focus will be much more on the construction and details of the real car and less on the finished model itself. I fully expect this to be my most challenging model to date and I am really excited about it. The original plans were for a single carb, naturally aspirated drive line, the Top Sportsman drive train is a much different beast and that will create changes to almost every area of the vehicle.  Case in point my scratch build version of a Wilsom fabricated intake manifold

[Straightliner59]

1 hour ago, Ian McLaren said:

While I'm waiting for chassis pieces, I was doing some research and discovered some reference material that has changed the direction and difficulty of this project. Externally not much change but mechanically and detail wise quite a lot.   The title is changing from Competition Eliminator to Top Sportsman  The focus will be much more on the construction and details of the real car and less on the finished model itself. I fully expect this to be my most challenging model to date and I am really excited about it. The original plans were for a single carb, naturally aspirated drive line, the Top Sportsman drive train is a much different beast and that will create changes to almost every area of the vehicle.  Case in point my scratch build version of a Wilsom fabricated intake manifold

 

That's some fine brass work, Ian. Nicely done!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

You can't go wrong with 2 carbs! ?   The intake manifold is awesome Ian! ?

[mr68gts]

I be watching this one closely Ian! Subject matter that is right up my alley

Paul

[Ian McLaren]

Some progress, Still waiting on parts.  Testing paint colors for the carbs, the kit carbs will not be part of this model, I'll be using 4500 series Dominators instead, also got started on the dry sump oil pan

[Tortuga Kustomz]

Awesome job on the dry oil pan Ian, i never thought on doing something like that before

[Ian McLaren]

Thank you Marcos, I was going to do it in brass but with all of the edges and straight lines, plastic was much easier, faster and more precise. I the end it will get an allodized finish so the base material was less important. 

[Straightliner59]

Lamination is an excellent way to build stuff like that. I did the pan, and the valve covers for the NFD, that way. Although, I am giving some thought to machining them from aluminum--some.?

[Ian McLaren]

Finally got the part in I ordered over a month ago which finally allowed we the calculate the positions of several major items.  Starting with a basic plan but will make changes as I go along to incorporate Tim McAmis's  building style where I can.  As of today the chassis is under construction.  Front section of the chassis is built, square and level as the is the foundation. Main hoop is attached, four link / rear section support bar is in, as are the front four link bracket support bars and the primary drive shaft loop (first McAmis feature). Upper halo bar is bent to shape and attachment points to the main hoop are installed (these are pinned connections to ease construction as well as to add additional structural strength. All comments are welcome.

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2022 by Ian McLaren
poor photos

[AmericanMuscleFan]

This is great Ian, I love this kind of build so much, the brass frame is on a very good start! ?

[Ian McLaren]

More chassis progress, it's amazing how much more tubing is used in this larger scale.

[Ian McLaren]

On 11/30/2022 at 3:56 PM, mr68gts said:

I be watching this one closely Ian! Subject matter that is right up my alley

Paul

Thanks Paul I'm going through your Chevelle thread and learning a lot.