Funny Car Mini Group Build

[DPNM]

As I mentioned in my proposal thread I plan to start on a 1/16th Hawaiian funny car kit. It will NOT be the Hawaiian funny car. I have other plans for it. I plan to concentrate on the paint. I've wanted to two tone paint something and I was able to find one bottle of nail-polish that I can use for one of the colors. I'd like to find another bottle just to have, in case. I now hope to find the other color I am looking for. I've kept my eye out for these two colors for years. At least I'm half way there.

I have not started it yet. Just so you know, I am following a build of this kit on another forum. The guy building it sure looks like he knows what he is doing. He has made adjustments to the rear of the car as the way it builds from the kit the rear end sits way too high. I can see that just on pics in the instructions. He has given me some of his measurements but there is at least one more he will be giving me. I'm sure there are other things he will need to change and I should be able to build mine behind his.

I had planned to start by painting the body but in retrospect I think I should at least get the frame done first. I can do the engine later (should be step one lol). Who goes by the kit instructions anyway?

It is this kit:

[JCON]

Excellent choice, Bucky will be along with his build and mine will be later...

[JED]

Here's me thinking something wild and whacky, not that the Hawaiin isn't but not in the way I was thinking, 😬😳😬😳

[JCON]

You mean a car that's funny like this Jed?

[JED]

Haha exactly that Joe

[JCON]

I figured with the name Jed...

[DPNM]

I did get started a bit today. I began to sand the mold lines, ejector pin marks and the flash from the frame. I did the smaller pieces and did a bit on the right side chassis. I cut off the rear end mount and relocated it where the other builder put his. It came out fairly decent. I still have some tiding up on that piece and I will need to do the other side of the chassis.

Pic shows how much I moved the axle location. Kit casting is on the right. You can see the right side piece still has ejector pin marks and such.

[JCON]

Good start!

[DPNM]

Well at least I got started Joe . That was a hurdle unto it's self .

This being larger scale my mold lines are longer and it's dotted with more ejector pin marks. I needed to get going on it.

Putting the chassis together has me nervous. I "built" a 1/16 FED a good while back. I couldn't get the twist out of the frame. This one is similar so here's hoping... I know, take my time, align as best I can etc. I have a couple thoughts that may help.

One thing I need to do since I raised the axle location is to cut out about 1/16th inch from the top part of the roll cage. Getting all three pieces cut even might be a challenge too.

[JCON]

If the tires are hollow put lead weights in them and it will hold it flat to the table... just like a tail sitter plane by filling the nose with weights...

[DPNM]

Not a bad idea Joe, thank you.

I've seen a guy who is using a thin metal tray and magnets in a build of this same kit chassis to keep it in alignment. This looks like a decent idea. I need to round up some magnets that will work. I should have something metal here I can use to stick them to. I might give the magnets a go first.

This is a pic from his post:

[JCON]

Very cool idea!!!

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

[DPNM]

If you have one you can join in Bruce instead of watching. If you'd have a dragster I wouldn't mind turning this into a Nitro build. That would depend on the other two participants being OK with it.

And don't it figure. I get started and and the night guy at work decides to just up and quit. I may not be posting much 'til they can find a replacement for him. I've gotten some of his hours to help cover but it makes my day longer. The bright side is it should look better in my paycheck .

[JCON]

I have no problem expanding to dragsters also, I believe I have 1 or two line dragsters in the stash...

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

I have several. What I don't have is time, but thanks for the thought. I'll just watch.

[DPNM]

I did ask this to not have a time limit. If/when you would like to join that would be cool dogfish7.

If you want to build a dragster Joe, that's fine by me. Bucky has to chime in first I reckon. I'll change the title to Nitro Car build if so.

[JCON]

No I'll build the original Funny Car...

[BUCKY]

Good start, Jim. I have narrowed my choices down to the Boss Nova funny car. I'll try to get some pics posted later this evening.

[JCON]

This is the dragster I have in my stash...