Chrysler kit car question

[robdebie]

I have the one of AMT's Chrysler kit car models (this one: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/amt-ertl-30271-dodge-dart-kit-car--1068943), but without a body. That made me consider building it as a bare frame, less the sheet metal, one of four order options back then. I've studied the old brochures, and I think the idea could work.

However, the chassis itself looks a bit anemic to me, especially the cabin part, and maybe the engine bay part too. The rear part looks good to my eye, but needs filling of the inverted top hat section. I made photos of the three sections:

The nose clip chassis beams, scaled to 1:1, are 3.3" tall and 2.3" wide.

The cabin section beams are 3.3" tall and ~2" wide.

The rear section has beams that are 4.8" tall and 3.3" wide (5.2" including flanges) at their front side. The width tapers to 2.6" at the rear.

Is there any way to figure out the correct sizes, or the approximate sizes, of those chassis members? Also, is the K-member open on the lower side, or is there another piece of thick sheet metal there? Thanks in advance!

Rob

Edited January 4, 2023 by robdebie

[Ace-Garageguy]

This is not within my area of first-hand knowledge, but two things come to mind immediately.

1) There are several good reference sites out there where you can get a pretty good "eyeball" feel for the size of the respective frame members, and find more relevant info.

Here's a couple: 

https://bangshift.com/bangshiftapex/random-car-review-the-chrysler-kit-car-program-the-original-saturday-night-special/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/908438682612373/

2) The frame acquires very significant additional rigidity with the addition of the roll cage and body, so the strength of a full frame that would have to carry all the torsional and bending loads on its own isn't required in the bare rails.

EDIT: Looks like the Dec. 1973 issue of Stock Car Racing magazine did an article too. It's available on eBay.

Edited January 4, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy

[robdebie]

Bill, thanks for your comments!

I'm apparently not very good at eyeballing sizes ? Hence my search for numbers. I had found the first link too, but the second requires a Facebook login, which I won't do. It would be a great place to ask my questions though..

Thanks for the Ebay tip! I found the issue, and I think it shows a very early (first ?) prototype of the 'kit car'. The end product looked quite a bit different, and I even think there were different generations. I still have to sort out the history.

Rob

[robdebie]

I'm slowly learning more about the Chrysler kit car chassis. What I called 'cabin section beams' are most likely standard rocker panels. In this great photo (zoom in) you can see the typical rocker panel shape, with a recess for the door's lower edge:

https://libwww.freelibrary.org/digital/item/zoom/45220

I think the lower tubes of the side protection of the roll cage are already welded in / on, on both sides. One problem is that nearly every chassis photo shows something different. For example, these tubes are missing on this chassis:

http://www.moparchat.com/forums/817679-post93.html

The distance between the model's chassis rocker panels is too small, roughly by the same amount as the rear clip, some 4-5 mm. The position of the partial rocker panels on the body appears to be spot on. I'm starting to consider to widen the whole thing. The roll hoop would then also fit better.

Rob

Edited January 8, 2023 by robdebie

[Ace-Garageguy]

Your research will be priceless for anyone else wanting to do an accurate rendition.

[Bainford]

3 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Your research will be priceless for anyone else wanting to do an accurate rendition.

Yes it will, as I am one. One of my favourite local short-track heroes of the 70s drove a Mopar kit-car to great effect all over eastern Canada. I’ve gathered a couple kits to build a model of it, been following this thread with interest. 

[robdebie]

Bill and Trevor, thanks for the kind comments. In the mean time I found a six page article on the Chrysler kit car in 'Stock car model kit encyclopedia and price guide'. It contains some interesting details of the slightly troubled history of both the real thing and the scale models. But nothing on the chassis - it's a classic full body build. The research continues!

Rob