I started hacking on the '55's I got from Bob on Friday, some of them are going to be saved for later stuff but I started surgery on the worst one first. Since this car is going to be mounted on a magnet chassis (more than likely a Tomy Turbo) I shaved all of the body mounts out of the inside and radiused the wheel wells very wide. There's a reason for this I'll get to later in this string. Once i got it down where I wanted it I marked the inner body and rebuild my own mounts. I'd say I probably dropped the roofline by 1/4" or slightly more.

http://home.earthlink.net/~amg_bodies/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/mvc-155s.jpg

I removed the wing window framing which now leaves only the very thin "A" post supporting the front of the roof. Since this car will have no windows that makes the top very fragile, so I'll be building up the inside with a complete roll cage and simulated driver. The cage will actually make contact with the roof to provide needed support.

I filled in the hood scoop opening and the hood will be sanded flat, and all exterior chrome will be removed. I moved the lower lip for the windshield forward just a little for a rock screen to be installed when the painting is all done.

http://home.earthlink.net/~amg_bodies/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/mvc-154s.jpg

Crush panels will be built in the wheel wells so you won't be able to see right through them and a double exhaust exit will be on the passengers side just in front of the rear wheels.

This car is actually being done as a replica of a car I watched race as a child. It was sponsored by a local radio station in San Antonio, KTSA 550AM. The car was orange with a white roof and numbered 55 in orange on the doors and roof with the stations call sign superimposed over the numbers slightly. Ricci Ware Sr. drove the car for a lot of years until his son took it over in the mid 1970's. When I left Texas in 1982 the rusting hulk of the car remained in the infield of the speedway ruins, which had closed in 1980. Two years ago my daughter said that the car is still there but as the city moves north and east the speedway will be overrun and developed....if it hasn't already.

In June we will start our summer series on Saturday nights with modified hard bodies on magnet cars using 7.5 volts. I have 5 of the beloved 55's now, I'm sure I'll ruin one or two along the way but as long as I get mine done it's all good.

You go!
Circle track cars are great arn't they?
Scott

Pete this is gonna be a good one. I like the bones already. I remember the old days too. I was just a kid, but I remember the races at the now defunct Danbury Fairgrounds ( it's the Danbury Fair mall now...sheeesh) here in CT back in the 60's. Wish I had some pics. I have a serious soft spot for the old stuff. Keep posting this one as you go. Love this kinda stuff. :thumbsup:

nuther dave

Great stuff Pete! Always enjoy lurking along on your builds.

Try not to drop your track on this one. :cry:

Really like the new ride height, cant wait to see it de-blinged and screened :cool:

Like so many, it reminds me of bygone days.

Pete.

That sucker looks great. I'll pm you my address. :devil: rr

looks nice and low .:thumbsup: Any of you guys added damage to the bodies ?:confused: That Chevy would be cool with some dent and dings .
ROAD RASH MAN!:roll:

Willy, I was considering that but to do them "in scale" would be tough.

RR, I'd love to do more hard body conversions, the problem is I just don't have that many now. I had 13 total running slot cars before the donations began pouring in, I had a total of 66 cars and most of them ran at the peak of the donations, I now only have 9 running cars. I have a few more hard bodies I got from Bob and I think one or two in the parts box to play with.

I recognize those bodies. Glad you are putting them to good use and can't wait to see the finished oval racers.

My Dad took me to the dirt oval races all the time as a kid. Loved it and my favorite driver was the 8 ball driven by Glen Robey. It had a 8 ball on each side of a white Modified Racer. Vrooooooooom baby!

Bob

I haven't done much since these photos were taken, it's a project that was put on the back burner for now. I've been spending a lot of time sleeping lately, it's the only way to beat the pain in my feet. I have a '65 Galaxie and a Ferrari 330P4 to paint and detail so that'll be my project for the coming week. I just don't have the energy yet to dive into anything.