1/12 FIAT TOPOLINO ALTERED SCRATCHBUILD

[Chris K. Hale]

I started this as a 4 way build project with Dale King and some others, The challenge was completely build a 1/12 Fuel Altered any year or style in 1/12. I got mine in reach of completion and I guess some day will get my stuff together and do just that. Here is the scratchbuilt engine based on the 427 Chevrolet block everything else...well you get it, the Body, although Dale gave me a early 60's Topolino I wanted mine to be a mid-70's car so I took a Lindberg body and cut it up and put it back together more in the style I wanted. The Tires are resin based on molds I made , the wheels came from Charles Fox and of course the chassis is a full scratchbuild based on assorted articles from Drag Racing, Hot Rod and other mid seventies magazines. So Enjoy and watch this space in the future for updates.
left is my body right is a resin by Henry

 
 
  In the Immortal words of Bugs Bunny " That's All Folks!"                                                       for now...LoL Chris

[Bernard Kron]

I dig the chop and the chassis design. Also the open grill detail. Build on!

[Chris K. Hale]

Thanks Bernard Both the body and chassis, after much research, in period picture Drag Magazines, are are of my own design..The front cover/timing cover and water pump block off, on the engine is a replica of a Cragar part used on a Prudome car from the same era, unique in that it incorporates the Idler pulley for the Blower belt system. I actually had a friend at Mr Gasket, who owns Cragar now, go back into their Archives and find me some photos so I could scratchbuild it. Since virtually every piece has to be hand made it may be a bit before I can call it Done.. Chris

[Chris K. Hale]

So here is the story behind this, In 2008 While at the NNL West Dale King, Charles Fox, Henry and another master builder were told by one of the Drag modelers " You Guys couldnt build a 1/12 Drag Car if You had to! " So Everybody took that as a challenge. The challenge was simple, It had to be a Altered, it had to be 1/12th scale, it could be any year or style and it had to be all scratch built!. Because of my knowledge of the subject Dale and Charles invited me to participate, they supplied me with a resin body , some misc tires and assorted wheels and thats it. I supplied them a huge amount of knowledge, since they are known world wide for their Sports Car and Motorcycle builds. Mine of course was a early to mid 70's build, Charles a 1961 392 powered Scott Blown, Altered, based on a Purple car he photographed at a Drag Race reunion at LACR, yes he scratchbuilt and cast a beautiful engine, and started a chassis (all brass) But never completed it, Henry's I never did see but he is a master resin caster, and Dale did a 1959 Small Block Injected Altered that with the exception of it never being painted was unbelievable attached are photos for All to Drool over. and thats about where it ended up, several members of our little Master Craftsman Group fell ill, and did recover jut never got back to this challenge. Check to pics out and be sure to wear a Drool Bib! LoL .. I have to say, Being asked to participate and used as a source for information, drawings and print articles, was like winning the Nobel Prize for Model Building. because these other builders are right there in the top 10 in the world. I know 2whls has seen Dales car and mine but I doubt if anyone else has. So here Goes, From the 2010 So Cal NNL in Chatsworth Ca. That was put on my yours truly !Charles Altered in its Infant State.

 Dale is no doubt the Master Model Maker , Using many materials and casting so many others. His Brass work is ultra clean, 
                      well that's it for now, I thought I had more photos and will look and share when I find them.      Chris                                                                                                                                                            

[mickgee]

This appears to be a superb project here!

Gotta love it when someone challenges you by speaking trash and idiocy.  Go for it guys!

Chris, the motor parts look excellent and chassis is flawless and super clean, a real treat.  A great incentive for getting back to the bench.

Watching now....

Mike..