I
haven't done a project car for a long time, or a group build
off. So this one seemed like a car I could tackle on the
limited time I have. Per the loose "rules", I
could use any 'Cuda kit representing the years 1970 to 1974.
I could also use any kit manufacturer, any scale, and even
a resin body. Just about anything goes.
Now,
while I like Mopars, I don't know a whole lot about them
when it comes to 'Cuda's, so the choice of a specific kit
wasn't too hard. I actually own a Nash
Bridges kit, but I don't really like convertibles. Detailing
the interior when it's right out there in the open isn't
my style or something I get into. So a quick trip to the
local hobby store, and I ended up with a kit that is for
the most part, identical to the Nash model, but not a convertible.
It also included centerline type wheels (and a pair of rear
slapper bars if anyone is interested in those for a project).
Now
I had the kit. But what direction to go? First, I wanted
it to be a daily driver. No drag racer or custom. (I hate
body work, so that kind of modification was definitely not
going to happen). For the most part, I wanted it to be an
easy, low stress project.
I
wanted the car to be able to handle. After all, if you drive
it around everyday, and it's packing a Hemi, you still want
the car to be able to take a curve. Like a street version
of a TransAm
racing car. Maybe a modern version of Pro Touring.
This
would mean, the old torsion bar front end just wasn't going
to cut it. There's not much there to work with, and not
many ways to make that kind of suspension better. With some
Googling, I found a company online that actually makes a
new front end (Tubular K-member) for real Cudas, Magnumforce
Racing. Pretty hot setup. It's a bit complex to replicate
in 1:25 scale, but gave me a good baseline on what to do.
With upper and lower control arms, and coil-over shocks,
that gives you several ways to tune the front end. Just
the idea I was looking for.
With
this in mind, I cut off the torsion bars from the kit. I
used a cross member with upper and lower control arms from
a Testor's Boyd Hot
Rod (there are 3 Testors Boyd kits, all have the same
suspension, so anyone of them will do). I did have to cut
the cross member to make it work. This cross member had
the spindles molded in as well, one of the reasons I chose
it. I also cut and used coil-over springs (from my parts
box) between the control arms (to small to see, but they
are there).
I
used a rack and pinion off a Revell
2005 Mustang. The stock K member was retained, without
the torsion bars, and I had to cut / modify the front sway
bar. I made new connections for the outer tie rod ends on
the rack.
The
important thing here to remember is to get it all lined
up. Try and get the spindles to be just where the stock
ones would have been. Same distance apart (width) and same
height. You want to make sure your wheels will fit (whichever
you choose) and that the car sits right (hopefully level).
Here
below I have primered it all to see how it looks and make
it all one shade of color.
I
painted the entire chassis with a coat of white primer.
I then painted on the car /body color (Tamiya Orange). From
this picture, you can see the final result of the front
end with some detail painting done.
The
exhaust system on this kit is molded into the chassis.
I
don't always primer, but there were many various parts made
of different color plastics used, so to give it all a uniform
color, I needed a uniform base. Orange is a light color,
so I used white primer.
(if
you have read my articles before, you know I don't use an
airbrush: just spray cans.).
Boys'
Toys of the 70's & 80's: Toy Pages From the Legendary
Sears Christmas Wishbooks 1970-1989 - This thick, 192
page book is jammed with authorized reprints of rare Sears,
Roebuck and Co. Christmas "Wishbook" pages. Organized
by year from 1970 through 1989, these selected pages have
all the great toys collectors want to know about: Star
Wars, Marx playsets, electric trains, GI Joe, Action Jackson,
He-Man, Transformers, Hot
Wheels and much more. A "Must Have" for all
toy collectors and perfect for everyone else who wants to
bring back happy childhood memories !
Hemi
Muscle Cars - Chrysler's Hemi-powered muscle cars were
quite arguably the most coveted and outrageous vehicles ever
unleashed on American streets. During the height of the muscle
car era, fire breathing Hemi V-8 engines set performance standards
that all other manufacturers desperately attempted, but miserably
failed, to attain. Featuring a gallery of all-new color photography
by veteran MBI author Robert Genat, this history of Chrysler's
Hemi muscle cars focuses on production automobiles like
the Road Runner, Charger,
Challenger,
Super Bee, Super Bird, and Barracuda, but also includes coverage
of the motorsport Hemi's that dominated NHRA drag strips and
NASCAR ovals.
Hemi
- This book is the definitive history of the Hemi engine.
With a well laid out format, and wonderful rare photos and
diagrams, the reader will learn all there is to know about
the technical history of the mighty motor . This book is a
must for the Mopar fanatic!
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