tim boyd Posted October 19, 2014 Posted October 19, 2014 The subject was a 1/25th Scale Track Roadster built by your writer from mid 1978-early 1979 and inspired by two similar 1/1 scale cars from builders Tom Prufer and Don Varner. Take a look at these freshly photographed color images (the original magazine article and cover images were Black and White only) and the associated photo captions (I recommend you use the "roll" feature to view it as one continuous presentation). Click on this link Questions and comments welcomed - and thanks for your interest. TIM
iBorg Posted October 19, 2014 Posted October 19, 2014 Okay.....a build up I remember. If you were to recreate it today, what parts would you use that are fairly easy to obtain?
unclescott58 Posted October 19, 2014 Posted October 19, 2014 Very nice Tim. Another beautiful build. Scott
Dale W. Verts Posted October 19, 2014 Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) I'm doing up one right now, assembling parts. Not big of a deal- I just can't believe I'm seeing one done up because I've seen no signs of a Track-T since I've came back to the hobby. Very nice car. I was planning on making mine a full race car. The hood panels are the only real issue right now, and powerplant options/vintage/reality is the next big step. Dale Edited October 19, 2014 by Dale W. Verts
Bernard Kron Posted October 19, 2014 Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) Run, don't walk, to Tim's link and click it! Then read the accompanying text with each of the pictures. You will be amply rewarded. Great to see you in "full cry", as it were, angling for that contest win at the time. No-holds-barred, knock-down, drag-out top shelf model building late 70's style. A real stunner in every way. Fascinating to see the "fingerprints" of the First Golden Age (I consider today's revival the New Golden Age) in this build done at the time of the initial NNL when the hobby was about to begin its gradual fade from popularity. Kit bashing taken to levels we can barely imagine today in the modern era of aftermarket parts, resin casting and styrene stock. The paint work is especially successful and interesting, working so ambitiously with spray cans and hot rod paints. And of course the car itself is absolutely contemporary with it V6 and the whole proto-hi-tech rod thing goin' on (the full-on Hi Tech/Billet madness was to explode a few short years later in the 1:1 world but the greats were already building their Indy-inspired dream machines by then while wrestling with the realities of galloping inflation and not one but two Oil Crises...). Thanx for this... Edited October 19, 2014 by Bernard Kron
oldnslow Posted October 19, 2014 Posted October 19, 2014 That model is still one of my favorites, I have the issue it came out in and have always wanted to build a similar car. Great looking car Tim.
James2 Posted October 19, 2014 Posted October 19, 2014 Well done Tim, always enjoy your data base and attention to detail. If I'm not mistaken there was a glimpse of this piece in your faded paint article!
cobraman Posted October 19, 2014 Posted October 19, 2014 Very,very cool. Wouldn't mind having a real one like that.
tim boyd Posted October 19, 2014 Author Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) 1. Everyone: THANKS for your enthusiastic reaction and comments. Much appreciated! ************************************************************* 2. iBorg (Mike) asked "how I would build it today"? * Mike, use the body and interior from the AMT Trophy Series Double Kit (the Round 2 circa 1965 reissue from about two years ago) for the body, turtle deck, and interior/IP. * Use the basic grille shell from either of the Revell Kurtis Midget kits and shape to fit. * The hood might require two Model T era hoods, with the second one narrowed and placed in front of the first one, then cut to fit the remaining opening. * The belly pan could be created from Sheet Styrene. * The Capri V6 is a bit of a tough one. These are not used in today's hot rods (they fit correctly, but just don't put out the power expected today), and the kit sources are long out of production. Your best bet would probably be to use a four cylinder (2.3L SOHC Ford I4 from Revell's recently reissued '85 SVO Mustang; Olds Aerotech DOHC, Revell Ford SVT Focus 2.0L Duratech revised to fit a north south RWD vs, east west FWD application, or even '28-31 Model A, '32 Model B, or '33/'34 Model C Ford four bangers with appropriate vintage speed equipment), or perhaps the 260 Ford V8 from the reissued Round 2 Cobra kit or the 289 Ford from the Revell Buttera series - the latter of which may require dropping or ballooning the side panels to fit. * Most suspension parts are still available, but the front hairpins would need to come from the Revell '32 Ford 5W Coupe and the friction shocks from Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland. * Paint could be applied with modern acrylics from Tamiya and Testors, or use MCW Automotive paints to match. That should at least get you started. It's still a major project, but probably a little easier to pull off today given the modern resources we have at hand. Hope that helps. TIM Edited October 19, 2014 by tim boyd
misterNNL Posted October 20, 2014 Posted October 20, 2014 I have always considered this model to be the benchmark piece that achieves the pinacle of modeling skills.Very few if any builders today would be willing to devote the time and effort necessary to replicate this well crafted piece.Unless of course someone was to offer the whole thing as a complete kit by simply opening a box containing everything necessary either cast of resin,white metal and photo etched parts. If only we could find some way to inspire a new generation of model builders to strive for anything that approaches this level of perfection.
iBorg Posted October 20, 2014 Posted October 20, 2014 THANKS......worst thing is until a few months ago when I lost most of my parts boxes, I could have dug out everything on your list except the motor. At least I know what to start looking for.
Dare1 Posted October 20, 2014 Posted October 20, 2014 Wow, simply incredible. What beautiful flames on that one. Blown away.
mrknowetall Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 I remember that! It's still in great shape all these years later! Thanks for the color look-see.
Skip Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Tim I remember this one as well. It was a jaw dropper then, just as it is now. That paint has held up beautifully.
tim boyd Posted October 21, 2014 Author Posted October 21, 2014 Thanks again guys for all the great feedback. Back when I built this model, only the very top echelon of model car builders were actually using lacquer paints on their model cars. The best selection, in quantities that were appropriate for model cars, came from the Metalflake brand of paints (many colors were sold in Pints, presumably for motorcycle builders/customizers and van murals.) A number of my late 1970's contest models, and those of my competitors, used Candies, Pearls, and Clears from Metalflake. The clear, in particular, was just about the only one at the time that stayed clear (vs. yellowing) over the long run. Ah...the memories. Best regards...TIM
1930fordpickup Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 This car still looks in person. I was checking it out at the NNL.
rmvw guy Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Congrats on a great model and a great career.
jbwelda Posted October 22, 2014 Posted October 22, 2014 great little rod Tim, I especially like the before-its-time use of the V6. jb
geemoney Posted October 24, 2014 Posted October 24, 2014 loved your articles in Street Rodder, miss TRM
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