55 Chevy Dirt Slinger

[Gary Davis]

This is looking real good thirdgear. Your fab work is outstanding...

[Fordguy01]

I agree with Gary the fab work is super.  This has been a great tutorial. Is the gas tank a resin piece?

Al

[thirdgearspeedshop]

I agree with Gary the fab work is super.  This has been a great tutorial. Is the gas tank a resin piece?

Al

Thanks Al. No, the gas tank is something I pulled out of the parts box. I have no idea what its origin was, but it had the proper shape. I had to fab the top of it (which you wont see anyway) and added the mounting straps from strips of styrene.

[Bob P.]

Somehow I missed this one.
Excellent fab working taking place here.
Keep us updated, this is going to be a fantastic build when finished, I can't wait to see the finished project.

Bob

[thirdgearspeedshop]

UPDATE:
I have mocked up the engine using the stock 265 small block. Stock ram horn exhaust manifolds and scratch built exhaust pipes. Styrene rod was used for the upper and lower radiator hoses. The Air cleaner is a header block off cap from the AMT 32 Lil Vicky kit.

   

[Fordguy01]

Hey thirdgear this is looking better and better all the time. Thanks for keep us posted!

Al

[thirdgearspeedshop]

One last mock up pic before I break it down for paint

[Marty W]

Coming along very nicely! I can tell you put some well thought out, very clean work into this one.

[thirdgearspeedshop]

Progress:
Finally getting some paint on this one. The engine is wired and installed. Still need to dull coat the air filter. Wheels and tires are painted and installed.

   

[Dirtman]

One last mock up pic before I break it down for paint

What kind of glue do you use to hold it all together and then be able to tear it down? I have enough trouble putting one together, let alone tear it down and redo it.

Rett

[thirdgearspeedshop]

One last mock up pic before I break it down for paint

What kind of glue do you use to hold it all together and then be able to tear it down? I have enough trouble putting one together, let alone tear it down and redo it.

Rett

In that pic the chassis and roll bars are complete and attached with Tamiya liquid cement. The wheels and tires are set in place without glue. I try to use styrene rod that slides into the holes using friction to hold them in place so I can remove them for paint. The body is sitting on top of the frame using the angled stock I glued to the inside of the body. (see previous pics ).

[Dirtman]

Thanks man!
Rett

[thirdgearspeedshop]

Also removing the firewall from the body and attaching it to the frame helped make it easier to test fit the body during fabrication.

[thirdgearspeedshop]

UPDATE:
Finally getting some paint on the body. Next up will be decals, installing the seat and getting it weathered with some "dirt"

   

[Fordguy01]

WOW third gear that car is looking like a real winner. I can visualize this car roaring off turn four throwing a huge rooster tail of dirt in the air and taking the checkered flag. Thanks for the great tutorial and if it is o.k. with you I would like to put this in my favorites for when I try my hand at one of these 55's.  GREAT WORK!

Al