Ian McLaren Posted Sunday at 10:09 PM Share Posted Sunday at 10:09 PM Another new project, with the BubbleUp car stalled due to the Canadian Postal strike and indecision on the direction of the R-M Camaro Pro Stock: I'm starting a new model of a car I have history with. It is also a car that has a history of it's own. The story starts when a gentleman by the name of Mickey Thompson spent $6500.oo on an all titanium chassis for his latest car ( a funnycar chassis normally sold for $2000-$2500 at the time). The car had a firery if not stellar career, first with a Boss 429 and then a more conventional Hemi engine. It went through several bodies and at least 4 fire suits but it did meet with some sucess as well as an AA/FC. Eventually it was retired and found its way to Calgary Alberta Canada and began a second career in the lower ranks of the original Pro Comp Series. A short time later Norm Rousseau (RIP) took ownership of the car and it aquired BBC power in the form of an injected 512 C.I. nitro engine as an A/FC. Run for a part of the season in this form the Achilles heel of the titanium chassis showed itself in a proliferation of stress cracks that could not be stopped or repaired. The decision was made to copy the original chassis in 4130 chrome moly tube with a few updates required by the Chevrolet power and rule changes. The next spring the new combination started to compete in NHRAs Division Six. This is where I joined the team, and it soon became apparent that injected nitro just was no longer competitive with the blown alcohol cars and was much more expensive to run. The change was made to BB/FC with a new blower and Lenco three speed transmission. This is the version of the car I'm going to build. We raced the car for the next two seasons, primarily match racing with three other local funnycars as a booked is show aswell as the NHRA divisional meets. This is another bucket list build that I've wanted to build for decades, I hope you enjoy it and please feel free to ask questions or just comment when the spirit moves you. BTW that's me nearly five decades ago beside the car between rounds 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian McLaren Posted Sunday at 10:17 PM Author Share Posted Sunday at 10:17 PM Starting off with the chassis, all brass and based on the photo showing it on top of Norm's Pontiac forits trip to Spokane to be certified. The photo in the lower right shows the chassis being built and you can just see the roll bar of the titanium chassis in the background. Also shown are the very early stages for the chassis sides out of the jig 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted Monday at 03:35 PM Share Posted Monday at 03:35 PM You never stop Ian, it makes a good show for us! This promises to be another interesting build and it starts off well with those brass chassis parts. 👌 By the way, as you probably already know, the strike at Canada Post is suspended for 6 months so you should soon see your precious package in your mailbox, your hands will be busy... and we won't complain! 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK9300 Posted Monday at 03:44 PM Share Posted Monday at 03:44 PM It’s a pleasure to watch these builds start, simply, and come together with all their characteristic complexity - the brass work always fascinates me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bainford Posted Wednesday at 02:29 AM Share Posted Wednesday at 02:29 AM Col story and history. I'm really digging this project. I'm coming along for the ride. Whatever happened to the original titanium chassis? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian McLaren Posted Wednesday at 07:07 AM Author Share Posted Wednesday at 07:07 AM 4 hours ago, Bainford said: Col story and history. I'm really digging this project. I'm coming along for the ride. Whatever happened to the original titanium chassis? Part of it is still in Calgary, it resurfaced about a year and a half ago. I'm going in early January to photograph and measure it. I've been thinking of doing a proper version of the car when it still had the Boss 429 in it ( Chuck has Decals). I know the front half was cut off and I assume lost, years ago. But with measurements from the cage section and the photos out there that show the front half, I think I can come pretty close. I'll post some photos here of the original. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B. Posted Wednesday at 11:43 AM Share Posted Wednesday at 11:43 AM I'm really looking forward to this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NerdmanB Posted Thursday at 10:59 PM Share Posted Thursday at 10:59 PM I will be following this build. I enjoy all your builds , so much to learn from someone as talented as you. I am planning on doing some scratch building with brass . So very interested in following along . Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian McLaren Posted 12 hours ago Author Share Posted 12 hours ago (edited) On 12/18/2024 at 4:43 AM, John B. said: I'm really looking forward to this one! Thank you John So am I, I've been looking forward to building this model in 1/16th for decades Edited 12 hours ago by Ian McLaren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian McLaren Posted 12 hours ago Author Share Posted 12 hours ago On 12/19/2024 at 3:59 PM, NerdmanB said: I will be following this build. I enjoy all your builds , so much to learn from someone as talented as you. I am planning on doing some scratch building with brass . So very interested in following along . Brian Thank you Brian, I'll be showing some of the process regarding the brass fabrication in future up dates as well as other construction methods I use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian McLaren Posted 12 hours ago Author Share Posted 12 hours ago The chassis is progressing, I will some of the process further into the project regarding the fabrication, I have also fount wheels and tires in the spares box for this project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted 7 hours ago Share Posted 7 hours ago That's a great-looking body, on that car. I usually hate those front wheel bubbles, but they look good, here. This will be cool to watch come together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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