1/16th Scale Top Fuel Dragster Eddie Hill 4:99

[Ian McLaren]

Started this one over a year ago before we moved, found the chassis in a box a few weeks ago, made some changes to incorpperate the 13 inch front tires that were in vogue for a while.  In as much as I'm not terribily familiar with the Top Fuel cars of this era, I'm going for a representation of Eddie Hills First in the Fours Super Shops sponsored car to try out some new techniques.

This is the chassis as I rediscovered it,with added 3D printed wheels befor the decision to go to the short front tire style

 

Started on fabricationg the body, partially done and on chassis, and where it is now with the body contours roughed out still more to do on the nose but that depends on the the front wing mounting.

 

CcBody

[Straightliner59]

Oh, yeah! This will be cool. I was just reading an article in an old Drag Racing Magazine (Petersen) about that event. Was always glad that was Eddie!

[Tortuga Kustomz]

Love this one already, this chassis is scratch build too, i like it a lot

[John B.]

I built a 1/24 scale version of that car back in 1991, using a Garlits Swamp Rat 30 kit. On April 20,1993, I went to the Super Shops store on South Cobb Drive in Smyrna, Georgia. Eddie and Ercie, along with Fuzzy and Jana Carter, were signing autographs and talking to everyone who stopped by. The Southern Nationals were being held that weekend at Atlanta Dragway. He kindly signed my model and Fuzzy told me, "nice car."  That Sunday, Eddie won the race in Top Fuel. It was extra special because it was my birthday. He went on to win the 1993 Top Fuel World Championship at season's end. 

I don't mean to write so much, but Eddie Hill is not only the nicest drag racer I ever met, but he is also a fine human being. You can do no wrong by building a replica of his "Nuclear Banana." I am really looking forward to watching you build your version of the car. Have fun!

[Straightliner59]

6 hours ago, John B. said:

I built a 1/24 scale version of that car back in 1991, using a Garlits Swamp Rat 30 kit. On April 20,1993, I went to the Super Shops store on South Cobb Drive in Smyrna, Georgia. Eddie and Ercie, along with Fuzzy and Jana Carter, were signing autographs and talking to everyone who stopped by. The Southern Nationals were being held that weekend at Atlanta Dragway. He kindly signed my model and Fuzzy told me, "nice car."  That Sunday, Eddie won the race in Top Fuel. It was extra special because it was my birthday. He went on to win the 1993 Top Fuel World Championship at season's end. 

I don't mean to write so much, but Eddie Hill is not only the nicest drag racer I ever met, but he is also a fine human being. You can do no wrong by building a replica of his "Nuclear Banana." I am really looking forward to watching you build your version of the car. Have fun!

Yes, Eddie and Ercie were great, out on the tour! I was at the Mile High Nationals, shortly after his comeback to top fuel, when he was running The Texan car, and runnered-up to Larry Minor (I think). If I remember correctly, Minor waited, but they couldn't get Hill's car to fire, and Minor singled for the win--that whole place was loving them, that day! I was also there, the day he and Clayton (his last name's escaping me) both fireballed almost simultaneously, in the first round. It was right in front of me. Man, that was hot! There was a piece of melted slick, fused around a wire that crossed above the track for several years, after that.

[Daddyfink]

13 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

Yes, Eddie and Ercie were great, out on the tour! I was at the Mile High Nationals, shortly after his comeback to top fuel, when he was running The Texan car, and runnered-up to Larry Minor (I think). If I remember correctly, Minor waited, but they couldn't get Hill's car to fire, and Minor singled for the win--that whole place was loving them, that day! I was also there, the day he and Clayton (his last name's escaping me) both fireballed almost simultaneously, in the first round. It was right in front of me. Man, that was hot! There was a piece of melted slick, fused around a wire that crossed above the track for several years, after that.

Are you thinking of Clayton Harris? 

[Straightliner59]

14 hours ago, Daddyfink said:

Are you thinking of Clayton Harris? 

Exactly! Thanks, Jesse!

[Ian McLaren]

Progressing slowly, but surely, Aluminum seat, rear wing supports Cowl piece and windshield.

 

[Nitrobarry]

This is going to be outstanding!

[iBorg]

I want to watch this one. 

[TransAmMike]

Very interesting and cool.  Just curious,  how long is it??

[Ian McLaren]

11 hours ago, Nitrobarry said:

This is going to be outstanding!

Thanks Barry, as I said earlier this is going to be a representation as opposed to a recreation.  That being said, the amount of detail included will be substancial but not over the top.

[Ian McLaren]

9 hours ago, iBorg said:

I want to watch this one. 

Glad to have you aboard Mike, I hope it lives up to expectations

 

[Ian McLaren]

6 hours ago, TransAmMike said:

Very interesting and cool.  Just curious,  how long is it??

Longer than I was expecting.   LOL     The real car had a wheelbase of 282Inches which should scale out to 17.6 inches, the models wheel base is 17.8 inches or 284 inches.  The chassis was originally built as a generic 300 " car with the normal 17" front wheelsa and tires and I guess I messed up the math doing the conversion to the short tire configuration. I did not notice the error untill the body was underway and for an imperceptable visual change it was not worth the effot involved to correct.

[Ian McLaren]

-More wing progress

[Straightliner59]

Nice work, Ian. I like the seat pan. Eddie was awesome! Miss him and Ercie, out there.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Good start (or restart) Ian!  We often lose a lot of things after a move, fortunately this beautiful chassis has resurfaced, it will be another great project.  One of the advantages of this type of build is that most of the details (no matter how many you add) will be more easily visible unlike a door car.  You have something to keep you busy this winter! ?

[floodstang]

Nice! I really like the big scale drag cars. What’s the story on that Fuel Altered in the background of one of your pictures?

[Ian McLaren]

On 12/2/2023 at 9:05 PM, floodstang said:

Nice! I really like the big scale drag cars. What’s the story on that Fuel Altered in the background of one of your pictures?

Thank you very much Chris, Here's  better photos of the altered 

Edited December 5, 2023 by Ian McLaren

[floodstang]

After looking at yours, I think my next project is a 1/16 Altered! That looks incredible! 

[Ian McLaren]

Another update, front fuel feed lines fabricated, tin for drivers compartment started,alignment for steering shaft set and the driver seat is started.  I have also started on the cowl and windshield panel but may have to rethink the approach

[Ian McLaren]

OK I kind of digressed on the last update, I had already found out the template windscreen was not going to work, the optional windscreen from a 1/12th Tamiya MP4-6 McLaren F1 car was pressed into service requiring a change in the contour of the panel.. Rear wing assy mocked up, roll cage added roughed in and a color test on the wing element.  Work started on the decal sheets.  Also fabricated the puke tank and cast a couple of parachute packs from a carving I did for a previous model.  I'm going to go another direction on this build and work on finishing the body for the most part as it just slips on and off without affecting the chassis. After that is completed the focus will shift to the chassis, drive train and other details. Thanks for watching and comments, questions , are always welcome.

[Straightliner59]

Looking really good, my friend! You're making great progress!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Nice job so far Ian, body panels always take time to complete but they will be at the forefront of any build so it's worth taking a little extra time to ensure they are the as perfect as possible.

[Ian McLaren]

Correct Goodryear  D-2184 D-2 slicks and Cragar 8 hole wheels as well as rear rotors and calipers are now printed. Tires are airbrushed with Tamiya Semi Gloss Black for the sidewalls and  Tamiya Nato Black for the tread area after it was roughted up with 220 grit.  Just trying to deceide which chrome finish to use on the wheels, keeping in mind they were polished aluminum and not chrome.