"Unsafe @ Any Speed" Corvair matchracer

This is a Corvair matchracer from the late '60s. Basically, too much is not enough. So I'm going to combine a Corvair and the Hurst Hairy Olds. I call this build Unsafe @ Any Speed.





The first thing that I did was narrow the track 12 scale inches, by removing two six inch wide strips from the Olds' chassis. The Hairy Olds used Olds Toronado power-trains. In the 442 body they were a foot too wide for the Corvair. I had to narrow it in two 6 inch strips, because the engine and trans mounts are in the center of several of the eight cross-members.

Next, I shortened the wheelbase 15 inches. And finally shortened the rear floor pan another 11 inches. A tweak here and there and it fits.





Later I had to remove another 4mm from the rear, to center the wheels in the wheel wells.

Good start. What an idea.

I love it! I'm tuned in. 8)

Bring it on home, Don !!

cool build....i like how you did that chassis make over to fit the corvair 8)

Thanks guys. I hate to say it, but I completely forgot about this thread.

So, I finished the wheels and tires. The tires are a strange two-piece affair. They consist of a hard vinyl tire and a styrene wheel back insert that has part of the sidewall molded to it.

The tires had to be buffed in order to square them up. I then added some ancient Shabo dry rub M/H markings. Those are not hub caps, but custom front wheel drive wheels.



The suspension needs to be narrowed, a lot. I started by cutting the spindles back 2" on one cradle. If I go much further, it wouldn't have enough clearance to steer the front wheels.



The front cradle was narrowed 3/16". The rear cradle was narrowed 1/4" and the rear torsion bars were shortened 10mm. I think the rear frame rails were shortened another 4mm so that they would tuck inside the reattached rear grill.

Looking great Don. I bet this thing would be a hand full.

Stunning! You are sure are making excellent progress. Keep'em comin'! 8)

No. You're not seeing double. That's double trouble in the form of two blown, alcohol burning, 500 cu in Cadillac Eldorado engines and trans-axles.



The Hairy Hurst had two small fuel tanks and the frame rails held 33 quarts of water. There is no radiator. My car has an empty original engine compartment and back seat area to hold these things.

Got the chassis, suspension, and engines worked out. The ends of the zoomies are not installed yet.



Pretty much have the chassis and body mods worked out. Here is the latest mockup.

Looks awesome. Great idea on this one.

Nice work, Don !

Glad you all like it.

Stunning work! Lovin' it. Keep up the great work! 8)

Got some paint on the body. This was a long process, since it was done with rattle cans.



I used Silver Flash Krylon Glitter Blast. Then I smothered those huge flakes with seven coats of Folkart clearcoat. Both of these were bought at Michaels with 40% & 50% off coupons.



This was an exercise in learning new paint techniques. So I got stupid and hauled out my $5 HF airbrush. I have owned it for at least 6 years. Until today, I only used it once, 4 years ago, because I hate cleaning it. The taping was an unexpected success. My skill with the air brush wasn't even close. That's Tamiya X-24 Clear Yellow and black. Tried doing a fade. Had no control (skill) and mucked it up pretty good.

This is the taping for the silver areas. Anything covered in blue tape will remain silver.



All the silver areas, were painted with clear yellow, because I didn't have any kandy yellow.



Then I had to tape out the yellow and silver, so that I could spray the black.



I was in a poorly lit and cramped space with no experience, so the fade is rather poor. Removed all the tape and rattled canned four more coats of clear and it looked like this.



I have one tip that I saw somewhere for the glitter. Spray it at an angle. Not straight on. This is supposed to help it lay flatter.

I have one tip for using Folkart clear. Only do two coats at a time. This stuff is solvent based and will soften and buckle lower coats. Mine had dried for three weeks and were softened when I did four coats in about an hour.

Thanx for the tip! That paint job sure rocks! Looks great!! Keep up the great work! Can't wait to see the next update! 8)

Different looking paint scheme. Not bad just different, but then again so is the whole car. :lol!:

I do think that I have finished the interior. Scratch built things like 2 Sun tachs, console, fire extinguisher, parachute release lever, if you look real close, you can see the return spring beneath the blue cable, trans and throttle cables for rear engine, Moon Big Foot pedals for both gas and brakes, and a Plastic Jesus and Madonna. After all, it is unsafe at any speed.







Sadly, the Plastic Jesus hit the windshield and had to be re-located to the console.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHf7TD4qwjk

Super interior, Don. I am enjoying this build a lot.

Great lookin' interior. Nice and comfy with "God as your Co-Pilot!" LoL 8)

Looking good, might still need a St. Christopher medal for backup.
Cheers Eh!

Glad you guys liked the interior. I'd never seen anyone make a scale plastic Jesus before, so I thought I'd give it a try.

I also needed some drag chutes, so as long as I had one , I made a couple of copies. I used a simple open faced mold made by pressing the original chute into some silly putty that I got at a $ store.



This time I used some resin for the parts. Worked a lot better than the super glue that I used the last time, since it dried in an hour and was easier to clean up.



Detailed the drag chutes and made 16 zoomies.

The chutes look awesome, Don. Nice work.

Very very nice. Loving this man. It's a work of art

Installed the homemade decals and I think she's done.

Great lookin' car! Awesome on the Chutes! Great detail too. Keep up the great work WisdonM