Post by Mr409 on Jan 31, 2020 18:20:05 GMT -5
As a Stock Eliminator racer myself, Stock, Super Stock and Factory Experimental cars have always been my favorites. Moebius Models released this kit a couple of years ago I guess and I bought one immediately. Just never got started with building it.
The real car was driven by Al Eckstrand and it was driven in this configuration in one event only, Winternationals 1965 in Factory Experimental class. After that it was converted into the more famous Altered Wheelbase Match Race car, which was just recently released also by Moebius Models. This FX car that the kit is representing, had some fiberglass body panels and plexiglass windshield and side windows with the stock vent windows removed and with Hemi power under the hood, it classified for the A/FX class.
The kit is really nice. Except that these kits have problems with body warpage, and mine is a good example. At first glance it doesn't look that bad, but after a closer look it's not that good... Front fenders, roof and rear end of the body are all warped and even though I could probably straighten out the front fenders, getting the roof and rear end of body straight so that everything will fit perfectly in the final assembly is probably pretty much impossible.
Luckily I had a stock version of this '65 Satellite kit on my stash as well. The body is identical to this Golden Commandos issue and it's in much better condition as well. The front fenders are warped slightly, but they straightened out perfectly when I installed the front clip on place (the part where grill and front bumper will be installed) with masking tape. So that was good.
Otherwise the body looked really good, but I wanted to make sure it has no warpage in any other areas. That way I can be sure there will be no surprises in the final assembly. So I test fitted the subframe and engine bay sheet metal to the chassis and the chassis assembly to the body. Everything fits just right, luckily...
To make sure that the roof is straight, I also test fitted the windows on place. The fitment was just perfect so this body is ready to be built!
Only problem is that the chassis itself is a bit warped from the rear end. Well, luckily, that shouldn't be much of a problem, as it will probably straighten out pretty easily with hot water. It just needs to be exactly correct, otherwise the rear axle is not going to be straight...
But as the main components were good enough, let's start building! Engine block halves were glued together and I sanded the glue joint smooth. Then some primer to engine parts.
The real car was driven by Al Eckstrand and it was driven in this configuration in one event only, Winternationals 1965 in Factory Experimental class. After that it was converted into the more famous Altered Wheelbase Match Race car, which was just recently released also by Moebius Models. This FX car that the kit is representing, had some fiberglass body panels and plexiglass windshield and side windows with the stock vent windows removed and with Hemi power under the hood, it classified for the A/FX class.
The kit is really nice. Except that these kits have problems with body warpage, and mine is a good example. At first glance it doesn't look that bad, but after a closer look it's not that good... Front fenders, roof and rear end of the body are all warped and even though I could probably straighten out the front fenders, getting the roof and rear end of body straight so that everything will fit perfectly in the final assembly is probably pretty much impossible.
Luckily I had a stock version of this '65 Satellite kit on my stash as well. The body is identical to this Golden Commandos issue and it's in much better condition as well. The front fenders are warped slightly, but they straightened out perfectly when I installed the front clip on place (the part where grill and front bumper will be installed) with masking tape. So that was good.
Otherwise the body looked really good, but I wanted to make sure it has no warpage in any other areas. That way I can be sure there will be no surprises in the final assembly. So I test fitted the subframe and engine bay sheet metal to the chassis and the chassis assembly to the body. Everything fits just right, luckily...
To make sure that the roof is straight, I also test fitted the windows on place. The fitment was just perfect so this body is ready to be built!
Only problem is that the chassis itself is a bit warped from the rear end. Well, luckily, that shouldn't be much of a problem, as it will probably straighten out pretty easily with hot water. It just needs to be exactly correct, otherwise the rear axle is not going to be straight...
But as the main components were good enough, let's start building! Engine block halves were glued together and I sanded the glue joint smooth. Then some primer to engine parts.