1/16th California Charger T/F

This my first 1/16th dragster that I am doing

Box Art



Been working on it off and on since the first of the year and here is the progress so far. Got the body panels all fitted and in primer



Got the basic frame together and have to put super glue on the joints yet for strength



Got the basic engine together with the block painted black and the bellhousing, oil pan and fuel pump painted gold. Put the super charger together and installed on the manifold, by my ref. pictures they didn't run the port injection so I filled the holes and painted the manifold



while these where drying I put the rear wheels and slicks together with a filler so they wouldn't be so soft
and this is how I do the dragster and funny car slicks from Revell.
First I glue the wheels together



then I take two and one half cotton balls per slick and stretch them out



then you stuff the cotton inside the slick and work it till it's all in like so



then you slide the rim on and push any cotton that came out back in and that gives you a nice firm slick that will hold some weight



Here are the front and rear tires ready to install



well I have to put the white lettering on the slicks. Going to take my time on this one and see how close I can get it to the 1:1 dragster.

Thanks for looking

Great idea for filling the tires. A lot quicker and cleaner than using putty. Thanks for posting.

Sweet trick with the slicks.

Been looking forward to seeing this one start. I will have to remember that cotton trick as well.

Thanks for the comments guys

Here is one of the ref. pictures I have



I took the lt. blue I had and lightened it up with Silver Pearl Metallic and got it close to match then painted the body panels







Got the frame painted dark blue metallic



I'll be working on the engine and the frame for a while so when I get more done I'll update then

Nice idea on the tyre stuffing John. Will have to remember that tip! Thanks.

Nice start, John! I'll be watching this one, for sure.

SOOOOO NICE!!!!  Thanx for the updates!

Been working on the engine some and here is a ref picture I'm using



and you will notice that the fuel lines are hard tubing and not A&N with braided lines and how the fuel pump is set up so I redid the fuel pump and have to find the lines for it yet. Here is where I'm at now







not sure if you can see the blower belt clear but it is not the kit belt, it is a cogged belt from an old printer that was the same size. The kit doesn't have an oil pump or system with it so I got one from a funny car parts kit I have and installed it



Going to be working on the chassis next and maybe put the decals on.
Thanks for looking and the kind words, so till next update  

Looking good John. Engine detailing looks great. It looks like the cogged belt is cut to the correct length at the bottom, and then glued on. Where do you find the old printer belts?

I have this kit too.

pete s wrote:Looking good John. Engine detailing looks great. It looks like the cogged belt is cut to the correct length at the bottom, and then glued on. Where do you find the old printer belts?

I have this kit too.

Hi Pete, the cogged printer belts come from old printers that don't work any more and I take the belts out and then scrap the printer. That's how I put them on in 1/25th and 1/16th scale, they are like a vinyl so I use super glue to put them on.

Good looking engine John

WOW, This size should be a beauty when detailed out !!
Neat idea in filling the dratted hollow tires. I'll have to remember that.

Looking nice John. The engine detailing is right on target.

Fueler coming along beautifully!  I can't wait for time travel, I'll be at SoCal circa 1968 or '69!

I agree with Harron about time travel! Reminds me of the days of going to Carlsbad Raceway in my home town (in So Cal), and seeing all of the top racers of the late 60's. Loved every minute of it.

I'm late to the party here, but the cotton wool tip is a great idea.
Now I just have to remember it............

Looking really good John ......... can't wait to see this one finished

Looking good John and that's a great idea for the tires. That thing must long!