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Post by mickgee on May 31, 2021 23:23:53 GMT -8
Hello guys, back to the roots time again, Fuel Altered time!
An all brass car on the bench, chassis and body along with plans and original photos of one of the most iconic race cars from early 60s. The famous "Pacers Auto" '23 Ford T. The pearl white with gold lettering has been a race/show car and one of my all time favorites since first seeing it back in 1963.
The current owner/driver is the son of the founding family, and is still active with the 3rd creation of this car. I have contact with him and he's been kind enough to send me original photos of the car and all it's internals, along with chassis plans!
Here's what I have so far, the tub in brass. Will get brass sheetwork as soon as the chassis is done and the body fitted.
Original "clone" of the 1963 to 1970 car;
Body dimensions are true scale to original 1923 Ford T with the "turtle deck" rear version.
Let's build a model T...!!
Mike..
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Post by tatocorvette on Jun 1, 2021 6:28:06 GMT -8
What a gorgeous start! That is a beautiful era car!
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Post by mickgee on Jun 1, 2021 8:52:21 GMT -8
Hi Ismael!
The private photos keep poring in and I'm really up about this project. All parts are there, some on the way...just have to find the right sized front tire.
Mike..
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Post by Chris K. Hale on Jun 1, 2021 10:07:30 GMT -8
Nice Mike, a project that has my attention. While browsing Shapeways the other day I noticed several guys that are doing 1/16 12 spoke Halibrand front wheels and also rears as well as tires. A lot more stuff out there in 1/16th than there was a few years back. I picked up some nice blowers, engines and etc from Greg Anderson and Paul Rowe , dont know if Paul is still making parts though. His engines and parts are cast made of Bondo! Nice stuff but a bit different to drill and detail.. Keep the updates coming. Chris
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Post by mickgee on Jun 5, 2021 14:10:02 GMT -8
@chris K. Hale, thanks for the info. Meantime, I'd just ordered CompResins 12 spokes. They'll need lots of work to get smooth though. 1:16 is indeed lacking in aftermarket parts, a shame.
Further along now, finished the chassis today. This is all according to original plans, never seen this design before and meantime can spot a car with this chassis design. Old school, stout and sturdy....this is light years from a delicate rail dragster. But I love it!
This is also a big car. 120" wheelbase, when most of the competition was using 94" as standard. As I understand, the car handled well.
Here with body tub in position....
Mock-up with slicks and wheels, not the wheels to be used though....
Next up is the trunk/deck. I have the correct measurements for the real fiberglass trunk....but at this time I haven't a clue on how to attach it. We'll see.
Mike..
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Post by tatocorvette on Jun 5, 2021 17:34:05 GMT -8
That chassis is a work of art in itself!
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Post by mickgee on Jun 7, 2021 8:39:11 GMT -8
Thank you, Ismael. things are going very well and without a glitch so far, great to have perfect real photos to work with, like this one of the brake assembly, a Scott Snizek photo;
Several dozen, with all areas make a perfect "instruction sheet".
UPDATE: Today the chassis got a clutch and go pedal, a brake handle assembly and a steering unit.
Next up is the seat.
Mike..
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Post by mickgee on Jun 16, 2021 11:22:05 GMT -8
Lots done with chassis in the meantime. A printed motor (very smooth parts) is on the way, and lots of digital photos, showing all details of this car have made me slow down.
Not using a Revell Chrysler 8.75 rear axle, but making a scratch, full brass replica. All bolts and sub-assemblies will be built to scale.
This car is really an iconic beauty, all of the close up photos demand this one to be a very scale replica model. I'm figuring final completion will take much longer than the usual 3 months. I'm very proud to add that Scott Snizek has told me per PM that he and his father, the builder of the Pacers car early 60s, love the progress. I'm humbled.
Chute release handle w/ locking nut. Both brake and chute handles work, pedals too;
The front chassis firewall was too square, the top bars (shoulder bars) in cockpit hit the rollbar too deep, needed to be more outside the roll bar. All corrected, a major operation. Mr. Snizek told me the shoulder bars are OK, won't be seen later on and are not detrimental to chassis integrity. Still, I want things right. Flaws will come up, just I want them eliminated before it's too late.
Firewall and shoulder bars;
This car has me hooked, like no other project before. All the photos, the family history of racing, and the love shown in their real cars, can only demand I do the same, showing some love. I feel up to it and have a very good feeling with this iconic race car model project.
Mike..
PS: Obviously the seat is done, shown here in this update. For fun, thought it might be fun to have it tilt forward too. Just a cheap trick, but fun to do...
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Post by afx on Jun 17, 2021 2:01:58 GMT -8
Great looking project Mike.
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Post by Joel_W on Jun 18, 2021 4:46:07 GMT -8
Mike, Just got caught up on your iconic build. The chassis and tube are top notch. You dedication to an exact replica is really paying big dividends for sure.
joel
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Post by mickgee on Jun 29, 2021 3:11:23 GMT -8
afx, greatly appreciated, many thanks. @joel, i'm really enjoying this iconic project. Seems like everyday I learn something new bout this car and its history.
UPDATE; Today a few things added. Like a tilt seat, which is utterly useless, just kind of fun to do. Plus some upholstery and a steering wheel....
Further now, the rear end. The revell 8.75 Chrysler just doesn't look right, my opinion. too small and skinny, the back dome plate is too small and the pumpkin is not too exact. So, made a new one. Housing is copper plumbing pipe, rest is brass tube and sheet. Ride height is established, the rear width will need stretching, but can't do that until the body is done, so later for this. 1st photo, the real car as it was being built, by Scott Snizek.
Here the driveshaft tunnel and a rear mockup;
Studs added to replicate ride height throughout build;
OK, this project feels good. Already on the bench is the sensational and exquisite front axle setup.
Mike..
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Post by Joel_W on Jun 29, 2021 5:02:30 GMT -8
Mike, I'm just speechless. the rear end you fabricated looks exactly like it does in the real picture of it. the level of your work is certainly in the Alien class for sure.
joel
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Post by mickgee on Jul 7, 2021 7:55:08 GMT -8
@joel, I'm thrilled the real car photos are so clean and clear, alone the abundance allows for a fairly exact replication. This project has me hooked like none before.
UPDATE: Front axle and suspension on the agenda. When I first saw closeups of the car it was by far the most intricate I've ever had on the bench. Luckily Scott Snizek had the insight to keep the front axle photos away from me at first, feeling it might be too overwhelming. He was right. Having scratched the entire rear axle, now it's time to move up to another level of modeling an intricate front, hotrod suspension. Apprehension be gone with you, here we go....
First 2 photos of original car, by Scott Snizek;
On the bench is the rest, then the transverse leaf pack.
Mike..
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Post by Chris K. Hale on Jul 8, 2021 5:21:04 GMT -8
Man, talk about nice brass work!! I have a hot rod suspension that is similar to build but I am not going into the depth you have, Nice Job.. Chris
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Post by tatocorvette on Jul 8, 2021 10:44:24 GMT -8
I'm not worthy!
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