Here a new project, alongside the other brass FED. The other dragster project is not abandoned, meantime several things have been changed....motor among others.
I felt the need to make more of a race car, not a "restored" old race car for only cackle events.
Here a Woody Gilmore design, 150" with a 392 motor, set back much further in the chassis, with a degree or two more of downward tilt.
This is the look I need to do. Vintage 1965. This one modeled after the famous and successful "Brissette and Sutherland" AA/FD from the day.
The original 144" chassis was lengthened to 150", my choice, the 150 is my favorite FED wheelbase.
I hope you can find some interest.
Mike..
Last Edit: Mar 30, 2021 10:52:50 GMT -8 by mickgee
Post by Chris K. Hale on Dec 31, 2020 5:48:33 GMT -8
Nice comparison shot, shows the length difference very well.. Great work on the fabrication and soldering on both. When in Jr High School about 1967 I was soldering a chassis in my bedroom, sitting in the floor cross legged. Well I needed to set the Soldering Gun down to adjust a part on the chassis.... Lets just say 50 something years later I still have that Scar where I set it down on my Leg!!! a learning moment! OUCH !!!!! Chris
Last Edit: Dec 31, 2020 5:53:10 GMT -8 by Chris K. Hale
@bernard, thanks for approving. For me, 150" is maximum length for a while, I've finally come to appreciate the 144 and 150 cars, mid 60s has tremendous jump in performance, yet still within the 150 range. Here a look at the "Brissette and Sutherland" car, probably early 1964. Pie crust slicks, Woody Gilmore at 144". This car has it all, my opinion.
@chris, thanks for looking, always appreciated. OUCH! Burns just hurt, I'll bet you'll never forget the incident. Just the other day I got in touch with a hot iron again. It never ends.
Here a look at the "Brissette and Sutherland" car, probably early 1964. Pie crust slicks, Woody Gilmore at 144". This car has it all, my opinion.
It's interesting that the wheelbase on this car, viewed from the side, actually looks quite long - long but not excessive. I think it's because of the deep setback of the motor and the underslung driver's position. As the power of these cars increased, along with improved tire traction, wheelies brought their havoc to the startline (note the wheelstand wheel on the back of this car) and builders and teams began to adjust the weight distribution by lengthening the chassis and moving the motors forward. Also, the need to sight clearly past the motor brought about the higher, "legs over", driver's position which actually shortened the cockpit area somewhat and emphasized the ever-lengthening wheelbases. Contemporary sports racing cars are the most recent example of how improved knowledge and technological progress can ruin the aesthetics of intrinsically organic and beautiful designs. Such was the case throughout the 1960's as FED's evelved. It's somehow fitting that they were at their peak in beauty in the middle of the decade.
@bernard, yes I agree. The 144" car still looks great. 150" is less than half a front wheel radius, so there's not much difference in the overall. I do believe these cars are perfect length for the dragster era.
UPDATE: The Woody Gilmore chassis is finished, ready for paint. At this time I can't think of anything else to solder up, so some areas can be sanded smooth and some filler/base coat can be applied.
Presently a problem deciding the paint scheme, just I feel unable to paint the chassis a simple gloss black. After checking the airbrush paint supply, a color will be decided.
I do like this color scheme, also a 144" Woody Gilmore car from the era, a nasty ride from Texas! Candy blue I can do if the paint is still doable.....then maybe a silver chassis? This photo from their FB page.
UPDATE; Today the spokes were soldered onto the brass rims. This is the first wheel. The other will be done tomorrow. These are 40 spokes using 0.25mm silver coated copper wire. The rims are 0.5mm brass sheet, the inner rims are 1mm brass sheet.
All in all I'm happy with the first one, just in the last minute a clamp slipped and bent a wire to the outer rim, I'll cut it and try to glue it back. I'm still using this wheel though.
Last photo shows the 2 spoke rims and outer wheel rim with tire. Later on all will get chrome paint.
Here you can see the goof at about 2 o'clock;
Here the 2 inner rims that receive the laced wire along with the outer rim and tire;
Next up the other wheel, both will get some chrome paint.
@jc, great to see you....and many thanks for your approval. @joel, much appreciated, I'm happy both are done now!
UPDATE: Here the complete pair, happy they're fabricated. The plan was to go ahead with 2 more for the other car, but this was an intense session and a break would be a good thing now.
This build segment was by far the most difficult and tedious to accomplish. Still a learning process involved but better than the other 3 builds to date. I do believe the larger scale has an advantage here, yet making it more difficult. Anyways, the chassis done. All that is left to complete is the motor and paint. I'm very happy with the project so far.