Ad Astra model club 50's build.
http://www.shorttrackmodels.com/index.php?topic=1556.0 Kit manufacturer: AMT/ERTL
Scale: 1/25
Original kit: 1956 Ford Victoria
MODIFICATIONS:
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
.. Installed a complete 6 point main roll cage with seat bracket and front hoop assembly made from Evergreen
styrene rod
.. Replaced kit's tires and wheels with scale 8" tread width tires and a set of Holman/Moody stock car wheels from
Plastic Performance Products
.. Converted the kit's rear axle to a Ford 9"
.. Reinforced the frame with Evergreen styrene rod and added an after market drive shaft safety loop
.. Replaced the kits drum brakes with after market front and rear disk brakes
.. Installed an after market break master cylinder
.. Installed break lines from master cylinder to front and rear brakes made from floral wire and wire
insulation
.. Installed upper and lower shock mounts for the Left rear shock and repositioned the Left rear shock
behind the rear axle
.. Removed floor pan from trunk area
.. Installed fuel cell frame made from Evergreen styrene rod
.. Installed a scratch built fuel cell made from styrene plastic
.. Installed fuel cell frame straps made from Evergreen styrene strip
.. Installed steering shaft from firewall forward to where it would mount to steering gear box
BODY AND INTERIOR
.. Body backdated from a 1956 Ford Victoria to a 1955 Ford Custom by raising the roof 4 mm. and
adding 2.82 mm. to rear portion of roof using kit's rear glass as filler and adding "B" pillars
.. Scribed doors, trunk lid and "B" pillars
.. Removed radiator cowl and inner fender wells
.. Cut out wheel well openings for tire clearance
.. Bobbed front bumper
.. Installed reinforcements between front bumper guards and front hoop
.. Channeled body 4 scale inches by lowering front fire wall and converting rear seat area to a fire wall
.. Installed Evergreen sheet styrene to front fire wall and rear fire wall to close the gap between the
body and interior
.. Raised center portion of hood for engine clearance
.. Cut hole in hood for air cleaner and added a mud shield made from sheet styrene
.. Installed resin cast hood pins to hood and trunk lid
.. Added body damage to hood, Left fender and Left door areas
.. Removed all switches, gauges, radio, speaker grill, ash tray and glove box lid from dash
.. Removed turn signal lever and gear shifter from steering column
.. Installed wiring on gauges and tachometer connecting them to sending units on the engine block and ignition coil
.. Installed scratch built head rest on seat
.. Installed Black fabric ribbon to kit lap belts and shoulder harnesses and routed fabric ribbon thru the side
bolsters on seat and mounted them to the roll cage and seat bracket
.. Installed a fire extinguisher to diagonal bar next to drivers seat
.. Installed an after market foot shaped throttle pedal
.. Installed a fine mesh micro screen to horizontal dash bar and roof halo in front of driver
.. Installed mud screen in front of radiator made from window screen
.. Installed fender braces between front hoop and fenders
.. Applied decals created using Microsoft programs Photoscape, Microsoft Works Word Processor and
Microsoft Paint
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
.. Replaced the kits 292 cubic inch "Y" block engine with a 429 cubic inch big block. Engine block
scratch built from various pieces of styrene plastic
.. Installed resin cast water pump with fuel pump, heads, stock intake manifold and 7 quart oil pan
.. Installed headers made from solder and added after market header collectors
.. Installed air cleaner with the top and bottom pieces being scratch built from kits air cleaner, scratch
built paper element
.. Installed after market valve cover breathers
.. Installed pre wired distributor from Morgan Automotive Detail
.. Installed an after market Accel Super Coil . Wired the positive side to battery and negative
side to distributor
.. Removed generator from belt and pulley assembly and shortened belt
.. Installed a cross flow radiator with shroud scratch built from a down flow radiator , brass tubing,
Evergreen styrene strip and rod
.. Installed upper and lower radiator hose made from insulated wire
.. Installed radiator hose clamps made from flattened floral wire
.. Installed throttle rod between fire wall and carburetor made from wire
.. Replaced the kit transmission with a Muncie M-22 "Rock Crusher" transmission
.. Corrected the length of the drive shaft