42 replies to this topic

[dc-65x]

I've always wanted to build a 1/32 rail dragster. I was inspired by Bob Braverman's 1964 Rod & Custom Magazine build article but I never seemed to get around to it:

 

 

That is until I stumbled across a vintage model kit I hadn't seen before on eBay:

 

 

 

It's a 1962 model kit from their "compact Model" series:

 

 

The other model cars in this series are described as 1/32 scale but I believe this dragster is a bit bigger. Nowhere in the paper work or on the box can I find any mention of what scale it is:

 

 

It's still smaller than 1/24 but bigger than a true 1/32 scale. Bob Braverman's build was a bit bigger than 1/32 scale too. He even used a 1/24 model kit motor in his rail.

 

I also found pictures of someone's beautiful build of this kit. I think it looks SOOOOOOOO cool: 

 

 

The first thing I had to figure out were the front wheels. I almost tried to use the one piece model kit wheels and tires.

 

Then I found some pictures of period rails with "full moon" hubcap fronts:

 

 

 

So.........here are the fronts I'm going with:

 

 

The full moon hubcaps are from the AMT double dragster kit and sanded down to fit. They'll be painted with Tamiya gloss aluminum. Also shown is a Dynamic 1/16" axle reducer for a wire front axle:

 

 

The model kit rear wheels/tires were cut down into wheel inserts:

 

 

I used 30mm Germans and Russkit wheels at first:

 

 

The 30mm (on the left below) were a bit smaller than the model kit's rears so I also mounted up some 40mm Germans (on the right below):

 

 

Next up is choosing a motor and starting the rails frame...........

[Tim Wilkins]

Looks cool Rick.  Should be an interesting project.

[Don Weaver]

How about one of John's "peanut" motors with a weak winding?  I played around with a 1/32 funny car once with a somewhat mild motor and all it would do was flip the thing over  !

 

Don Weaver

[racie35]

I like it!

[racie35]

I built one for a proxy race but didn't finish in time...1/32 rail also..used a HR 40,000 and it stay planted pretty well. Orig with my drop arm it would just wheelie out of the slot. Had to immobilize that

[dc-65x]

My thinking is to keep the project around 1964 so that's where the "Wayback" machine is set.

 

 

I've found an appropriate motor that fit's inside the body picked out. I'll take some pics...........

[idare2bdul]

You might enjoy checking out JDS racing on Facebook. He has vintage dragster. Gasser and altered chassis and bodies. They go together so well even i can build one.

Your local track can order any of these for you.

[endbelldrive]

...I've found an appropriate motor that fit's inside the body picked out. I'll take some pics...........

Verrry interested to see what you come up with.  Your public awaits.

[dc-65x]

Hi Mike,

 

I checked out JDS and they make some really nice modern stuff....thanks!  I'm still a lost in the 60's scratch builder though.

 

Here's the motor for the project Bob. Pretty anticlimactic but it's what fits, the good old Pittman 196A:

 

 

So far I'm going to leave it stock as this car is more about "the look" to me than it's ET's at the strip....but we'll see

 

Here's the start of the frame. Just some 1/16" pin tube and 1/32" flat brass sheet motor mounts set up in my Rick's Jig. I seem to be able to setup almost anything in this versatile jig:

 

 

With these screwed onto the motor I added a 1/32" brass sheet stiffener:

 

 

Here it is installed. I'm going to mount the plastic engine on top of this plate....I hope! That pin tube going across the back is the front body mount:

 

 

Next up is the front end..........

[racie35]

Pretty slick!

[endbelldrive]

I could get into a "Lost In The '60's" 1/32 Rail Dragster Pittman 196A powered scratchbuild project.  They wouldn't set any records but they could be the coolest thing on 4 wheels.

[SlotStox#53]

Doesn't matter if it doesn't melt the track, if it's got the look and feels like you dragged it out of the wayback that's all that matters

Crack on Rick

[dc-65x]

 

Crack on Rick.............

 

Right! 

 

I ordered some 1/8" square brass to make these main frame rail goodies for the front end...........

 

 

...............and the rest of the front end bits:

 

 

I wanted to make my front end look......kinda sorta maybe a bit like the model kit front end. Here's what I came up with (I still need to add the radius rods and steering arm):

 

 

Here's the chassis so far:

 

 

I'm going to somehow get the body mounted before I move on.............

[dc-65x]

Slowly making more progress. I decided to use these Dynamic bearings as the Pittman rear end had no bearings at all. I had to shorten the bearings over 1/8" but all that was reduced was the "oil reservoir", not any of the bearing surface:

 

 

The Pittman rear end was drilled for the bearings and a rear pin tube body mount:

 

 

Here are the rear body mount parts:

 

 

The installed rear body mount and the model kit "full pan" body cut for chassis clearance:

 

 

So the body is held on with pins instead of some hidden fastener which I couldn't come up with.       At least the rear pins are hidden behind the rear tires.     The front pins will be painted body color.

 

 

I wanted all the body mounting to be in front of the cockpit which this method accomplished. Hopefully, I can fit the rear seat, driver, roll bar and steering wheel in there:

 

 

Here's the first mock up of the dragster:

 

 

 

The guide flag install is next up.........

[SlotStox#53]

Love it Rick

The close tolerances of the body/mounts and motor, most excellent work .

[racie35]

Really cool Rick

[beardogracing]

Rick, you sure do perty work.

[Joe Mig]

Looking good,very good.

[dc-65x]

Thanks guys!  

 

Chris, I used your reinforcement technique of 1.6 pound fiberglass cloth and thin ZAP glue on the body. Once I made the cuts for the rear axle/wheel clearance it went from a strong 2-piece to a fragile 4-piece body. The reinforcement is holding strong.........thanks!

[dc-65x]

I wanted to hide the guide flag as much as possible and I also wanted to get some weight over the front axle. My idea was to mount the guide behind the front axle and cover it with the gas tank.

 

I made a sketch for a solid brass 3/8" bar stock gas tank the same size as the model kit piece:

 

 

The first operation was to radius one end with a 1/16" corner rounding end mill using it as a lathe tool bit:

 

 

Then the full length bar stock was aligned in a rotary fixture in my milling machine:

 

 

A flat was cut on the bottom of the "tank" then a 2-56 threaded mounting hole and a clearance hole for the guide post were drilled. The spin fixture was then rotated 180 degrees and the hole for the guide mounting screw-gas cap drilled:

 

 

 

 

A 1/32 brass strip with a 5/32 guide flag tube was soldered to the bottom frame rails. Shown is the gas tank and all the bits to mount it and the guide flag:

 

 

Here the guide and gas tank are installed:

 

 

I'm happy with the way it turned out:

 

 

Time to get this baby running..........

[SlotStox#53]

Wow Rick !! Just when you think "oh you'd use a brass guide collar /weight" you break out the machining skillz and create an exquisite looking fuel cell

Although I love all your other creations this little 1/32 dragster is just so sweet.

[dc-65x]

Hi Paul,

 

I knew I wanted to hide the guide flag as much as possible, hold the guide in place and get some weight over the front end. I fretted on how to do this for weeks until I came up with what, in hindsight, seems like a really neat and simple solution.

 

Me likey too!

[dc-65x]

It's in one lump.........finally!

 

 

It actually runs pretty well around my little road course

 

 

It's definately not a bullet down the straights, but it's just a little 196A 12 volt

 

 

The front wheels with the full moon hubcaps

 

 

and the rears with the model kit wheels cut down for inserts

 

 

1/32 piano wire radius arms dress up the front end a bit

 

 

At the right is a 1/32 piano wire steering arm which attaches the front axle to the model kit body. It's removable.

 

 

Time to start painting the body, motor and "little dude" 

[racie35]

That's just cool.

[Lone Wolf]

Imagination, concept, craftsmanship, all of the absolute highest quality.

 

Have you ever seen the Jose Rodriguez Jr. twin engine dual rear wheel Eddie Hill style 1/32 dragster?

 

I have pics and plans if needed.