20 replies to this topic

[Cheater]

Here a link to a fabulous hardbody chassis build by west coast racer and Slotblog member, Keith Tanaka. Keith's been doing this kind of thing since the '60s, so pay close attention as a master demonstrates how it is done.

Building '55 Chrysler - step by step

 

It is assumed that this car was built to compete in the D3 Hardbody racing that happens at Buena Park Raceway in CA.

 

Couple of pics from the build website...

 

 

[Tim Neja]

Keith has some amazing very clean, great-handling builds for our hardbody classes!!

And you can see the TSR motors we have moved to for most of our classes as the 36D stuff is just too hard to come by anymore - and the TSRs and Falcons are just as fast!!

Check out the BPR hardbody D3 classes - they're fun to drive and easy to build!!!  

Nice job, Keith!!

[Bill from NH]

This is a great build article! I "hot-listed" it when it first came out, a year or two ago.

Unfortunately, the local club doesn't allow scratchbuilt chassis to be run in their hardbody stock car class.

[JimF]

Unfortunately, the local club doesn't allow scratchbuilt chassis to be run in their hardbody stock car class.

 
That's too bad. Seems like vintage hardbody is just a natural for scratchbuilding.

[Keith Tanaka]

I recently added two more hardbody builds to my Phanfare website.
 
These builds are not as detailed as the '55 Chrysler step by step build, but they use the same building techniques.
 
Here's a link to a hardbody Jalopy build: 

Jalopy step by step build
 
And here's a link to a hardbody NASCAR build: 

#88 NASCAR build
 
All of these cars are built to the D3 Hardbody rules we use at Buena Park Raceway.
 
I also have a D3 hardbody racing forum which includes many other hardbody builds: 

D3 Hardbody Racing at Buena Park Raceway
 
Keith

[Rick]

Nice to see your name again on the Blog, Keith. Your presence has been missed...

[bbr]

Keith,

The tires are rather large diameter. What brand of tires are being used?

[Tim Neja]

I use the BPR drag race tires a lot. That way you can true them down to the diameter you need!

[Foamy]

Lots are using Pro Track Stockers, as they have both natural rubber and SBR.

The latest Drag tires from WRP and JDS use a natural/SBR blend. These have slightly less grip than natural rubber, so there are three kinds of rubber to try.

The Pro Track Drag tires also are natural rubber.

[olescratch]

Totally beautiful cars, and excellent step-by-step articles. 

I notice that these cars don't seem to have an awful lot of track clearance. This can be set using local track rules, I was wondering what are the rules for this at BPR. 

BTW, thanks for the idea of using "drag" tires for these cars, turn them down to the size you want. Learning something new every day, even at 60 years almost.

John

[John Gorski]

Great build, Keith "Mr. HardBody", always one of our best! 

[Keith Tanaka]

I notice that these cars don't seem to have an awful lot of track clearance.

The track clearance for D3 Hardbody racing is .050" rear axle, .015" front axle. These are the same track clearance rules as Retro racing.

Here are the http://d3hardbodyrac.../hardbody-rules for all of the D3 Hardbody racing classes.
 
Keith

[Cheater]

The D3 Hardbody rules can also be found in Slotblog's Rules Library at this LINK.

[Michael Rigsby]

Beautiful cars, Keith. As an old time Mopar guy I can appreciate when anyone makes a model racer of one of these old warhorses and Tim Flock's ride was one of the best of it's era.  You have done it proud.  Thank you for sharing the build.

[Keith Tanaka]

Thanks guys. These old stock cars ('46-'56) are a lot of fun to build and race. I like the many different body styles of the older cars unlike today's NASCARs.

 

Keith

[Michael Rigsby]

Agreed,Keith.  That's back when the cars were like the individuals driving them.  Modern NASCAR vehicles are like modern day NASCAR...mundane and cookie cutter. Build on...

[Joe Mig]

I sure wish they raced that class here on the east coast.

[Lone Wolf]

Keith, true craftsmanship never goes out of style. Beautiful car, beautiful work.

[Dave Fiedler]

Keith,

 

Loved the build. Also love the other cars/bodies in the back round.

 

Thanks

 

Dave

[Keith Tanaka]

Keith,

The tires are rather large diameter. What brand of tires are being used?

Mike, as Tim Neja and Foamy posted I also use the ProTrack Stocker tires. These are 1.015" diameter tires which are perfect for our 1" minimum rear tire rule for these NASCARs. 

I also use some Drag race tires (available at BPR) which are wider than the ProTrack tires.

 

Keith

[Keith Tanaka]

Keith,

 

Loved the build. Also love the other cars/bodies in the back round.

 

Thanks

 

Dave

Thanks Sano Dave!

 

Keith