Torpedo was reminiscing about Jimmy Clark the other day. Got me to thinking about the HWs Torpedo 71 Charger I've had laying around for over a year now. I decided it was time to do something with it. Cut the roof off to make a cockpit. I removed the rear deck for an engine compartment.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee168/clearhooter/F1DodgeChgTorp.jpg

I used copper foil for a seat back and then molded some QuikSteel for the rest of the firewall. I moved the rear wheels back by again using the copper foil as a backing and covering this with J&B KWIK. This is the first layer of J&B. Figured at this point I may have screwed up a good body. But nothin' ventured nothin' gained so I applied some more J&B and got the original door and vent lines out and felt a bit better about it.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee168/clearhooter/F11stJB.jpg

After searching through all my blisters and not finding anything suitable for a windscreen a drug out the ol' Vac.U.Form and made a mold from QuikSteel

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee168/clearhooter/F1WindScreenMold.jpg

After molding the plastic it was carefully cut out and trimmed down.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee168/clearhooter/F1Windscreen.jpg

I wanted to make a suspension rather than just have straight axle holding the wheels. A piece of tin was used for the front, upper control arms. Aluminum tube was used for the lower front and the rear. Guitar string was used for the radius arms. Wheels are from a SoCal Lakester...At least at present. The engine cowling is the hood from the old SE5 project that if you recall Torpedo wrecked when he took it for a spin (litterally) in a rain storm.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee168/clearhooter/F1Parts.jpg

That's where it stands at present. "Torp's" really wanting to get behind the wheel of this one. But there's a lot more to do to it before that happens.

Lookin good so far,really like some of the old racers you think of.

One word so far....:eek:

OK, that's not a word, but you get the idea. WOW am I digging this concept and build. The vacumformed window is just to cool. I have heard of them but never even seen a photo of it.

This is going to be a killer car!

Wow that does look cool cant wait to see it finished

The "Vac" is the best toy Mattel ever made. I got this one in early 1960 something. Can't get stuff like that today. TOOOOOOOO many liabilities. I had to make the clear plastic vacume table. I only use it as a last resort 'cause I'm running low on plastic. Got to try and get some more soon. Just never know when I can't anymore. Every so often they come up on Thebay at a fairly reasonable price. That's where I get the plastic as well.

Did you get a chance to see the finished Jack Rabbit aka "Beast?" I forgot to put "Finished" in the title line. Came out pretty good.

I had to paint the body then attach the upper suspension to it. NOT the way I like to do things but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee168/clearhooter/CHF1Body.jpg

Looking good CH. What are you using for an engine? I can picture that Hot Wheels Honda engine form that designer series in that car. I think it would look good with that bundle of snakes chasing it around the course.

Looking good CH. What are you using for an engine? I can picture that Hot Wheels Honda engine form that designer series in that car. I think it would look good with that bundle of snakes chasing it around the course.

It came out of HW's Corvair "Vairy 8." It was in my junk pile. I wanted someting with stacks and still had to be small enough to fit in that little space behind the seat. I covered the stacks with adheasive aluminum foil. Painted it "CHEVY Orange." I'll have to get a pick of it.