Nigel Chapman
So planning a future project. Ever optimistic I thought the Sidewinder chassis would fit with minimal alterations then I found these resin wheels on eBay and they are big! So a major chassis build is needed.
I have measured the body and wheels and drawn up a floor plan so I have measurements to work to.
The Viper engine being narrower helps but I think It will have to be a scratch built chassis, air suspension and narrowed rear axle.

Jv
Nice one
Love your new build
Crazy as always
Can't wait
Taking a front seat

Richard Cheals
"There's no substitute for cubic inches" 👍👍

Brandon H
Ah yes, classic Nigel! Looking forward to following this one!

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Chaps - I haven't actually done anything yet!
This is my first Mopar project so trying to keep all the parts related.
I think I have chassis issue sorted but will sleep on it. I also need to re-watch Texas Metal (Ektensive) on TV, their chassis builds are fascinating and a great inspiration.

Nigel Chapman
After some research and drawing a design on paper I am going for it and scratch building the whole chassis and suspension - I never make life easy for myself!!
Evergreen strip and others bits to be revealed now on order.
The Sidewinder chassis will return to the parts stash.

Jv
Well you are never boring interesting to see how you build it

Nigel Chapman
Thanks JV. This is something I've been wanting to do for ages. It's all in the measuring. Actual construction should be fairly easy.

Nigel Chapman
So take a perfectly good body and cut it up with the Dremel!
I am now committed to this build. Made a start on the chassis which has as much brain work as cutting and gluing.
Today is my birthday so it will it be finished before next year's?

Brandon H
Can't think of a better way to spend a birthday, covered in dremel dust! Best of luck with the chassis!

Bozzer
Nigel, I don't know what's in the water, over there, but you should bottle it, and send some over here! This is gonna be a crazy build, from the start! But like a certain fast food advert, I'm Lovin' it!

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Bozzer I'm in the zone at the moment.

Nigel Chapman
More Dremel destruction with removing the floor from the interior tub to accommodate rear chassis.

Nigel Chapman
Belated thanks Brandon, there is Dremel Dust everywhere!

Nigel Chapman
Rear clip attached to chassis using 1 mm metal rods for locating pins. C notch created by cutting rear section with the Dremel and turning it up side down. Visually looks better and helps position rear interior tub.

Brandon H
That's a solid looking frame so far. Nicely done.

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Brandon. It just seemed to look better with using the two strips glued together rather than the strip. It's probably a bit over scale.

Brandon H
Solid as in well designed and executed haha... but yeah I'm sure it would need to be pretty substantial to keep that V10 from twisting it right up!

Nigel Chapman
Your right Brandon.
Second attempt for front clip and it's looking good. Some final tweaking still needed to get it just right. Engine cross member/ support will be next. The theory is to build the entire front clip as one unit so front end parts can be just added without any need for further adjustment.
Early indications are both front and rear clips should match up.

Nigel Chapman
Fourth attempt at front clip and I've done it by using the narrower strip and changing the angle of the uprights.

Nigel Chapman
Woke up this morning, didn't like what I built last night so cut it off and started again. I'm sure there's a blues tune in there!
So attempt five and the front clip is just right. Now I keep looking at the rear hmmm…….

Nigel Chapman
2mm brass tube will now fit through my now modified rear axle which has been drilled out.
Resin brake discs also adapted to accept the 2 mm tube.
Prop shaft made from 4mm Evergreen tube with the ends from a 1933 Cadillac.

Bozzer
British engineering at its best! That reminds me, I need to get myself some rod, for a missing axle, in a kit that I've just started. She's looking good, Nigel! I love that stance.

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Bozzer

Nigel Chapman
Exhaust position and mounts are now worked out using Evergreen tube. There's a million and one things to think about ensuring everything fits in the space available.

Bozzer
Nigel, I said exactly the same thing, to the Mrs, as I presented her with flowers, chocolate, fine wine and expensive lingerie.

Nigel Chapman
Fantastic! 😂😂 I hope she appreciated it.

Nigel Chapman
A chance to try something new that looks cool, thanks to YouTube and that's building air bags using rubber O rings. The fronts are 4.5 x 2 mm and rears 5 x 2 mm, glued to piece of brass tube with Evergreen tubes inserted. 20 minutes work and I have authentic looking deflated airbags!

Brandon H
Some impressive engineering indeed! Very well thought out.

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Brandon. I'm taking my time and thinking things through at each stage. Also the amount of research I've done, TV shows, YouTube and websites has really helped.

Nigel Chapman
Airbag mounts now done. Lower control arms done using 2 mm brass tube with 1 mm rod inserted. 2mm plastic tube drilled out for the bushes.

Munkyslut
That looks proper good mate! Motor & trans are the bollox too 👍

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Munky. It's coming together rather well.
I've gone for triangulated upper control arms which now almost sorted.

Nigel Chapman
Started on the front suspension and found my current airbags were too big so built another pair using 3 4x1mm O rings. These now fit in the first pair of scratch built A arms.

Nigel Chapman
Found the A arms would not fit with wheel position so out with the Dremel and rebuilt the the front clip.

Munkyslut
You torture yourself don't you??? 😄

Nigel Chapman
I do but then it would be no fun

Nigel Chapman
Back on nights so spent the odd hour experimenting with 0.80 styrene rod with the MK2 A arm version which looks more accurate.

Alexander Grivonev
Bread and butter modelling, what a grind👍. Great scratch building.

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Alexander. There is something satisfying when building it yourself rather than buy in Resin parts though I may do that for future projects

Nigel Chapman
Slow but steady. A arms finished and awaiting paint.
Starting on the interior with more Dremel work to reshape the wheel area.

Nigel Chapman
Interior coming along in fits and start depending on work shifts. Floor and rear panels cut and shaped with tunnel next.

Munkyslut
Coming along great mate! Suspension components are proper good, luv the axle housing 👍

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Munky, good to hear from you. Yeah I'm rather proud of my efforts

Nigel Chapman
So far everything fits snugly all because of my careful planning….well a bit of luck was involved!
Interior tub revised to accommodate the rear wheels. I worked out they a scale 23x12 for the rears and 23x9 for the front. Home stretch now in sight.

Bozzer
That's always a good feeling, when you know that you're on your last lap! That's usually when I screw things up though, so steady in pace, r kid, and let the good vibes flow smoothly 🙂

Nigel Chapman
Nice one Bozzer, thanks. Patience is something I've had to learn

Brandon H
Hell yeah, coming together nicely!

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Brandon so far so good. Trying to work the exhaust pipes at the moment.

Nigel Chapman
Interior almost complete. Pleased with tunnel easily done by bending styrene sections to match the floor.

Bill Newcomer
I am late to the party (again). Way cool project. Following.

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Bill

Nigel Chapman
Interior tub now completed. Rather pleased with the centre tunnel. Black piece is the top of the engine cover from a Ford Econoline van - good job I keep all the parts that are cut off! To do: Steering column needs to be repositioned, gear stick and handbrake from the Viper kit, foot pedals from the parts stash.

Jv
Keeping a eye on your build
Looking great
Always interested what you do
Always interesting to see what you get upto

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Jv

Nigel Chapman
Getting on with the front suspension. Fingers crossed all the parts and angles work with the front wheels!
I went back to the original airbags I made as these look much more to scale. Got work out a front spindle arrangement with very little space!

Bozzer
Things are coming together well, now mate. I bet you can't wait to get some paint on this?

Nigel Chapman
Absolutely, next project already in the pipeline

Bozzer
I can imagine mate. I'm looking forward to the long weekend, that's coming up. Unfortunately I have some 1:1 jobs to do, oddly enough, involving suspension, but after that, I'm back in the cave! Currently trying to get some progress on my Lonestar build, and it's going well. If you can get your hands on one, definitely grab one! I really like the way it's working out, but it's definitely an oily kit. Wash all parts, extremely well.

Nigel Chapman
I wouldn't mind a Moebius truck kit but the price puts me off.
Good luck with the 1:1 jobs

Nigel Chapman
Time to carry on with this project.
This afternoon:
Tweaked the engine mounts so engine now fits under the stock bonnet. Sanded down the firewall area.
Removed the old radiator surround with the Dremel to fit a resin one from Iceman Collections. I used some Evergreen channel top and bottom to locate the radiator.

Munkyslut
Cooling fans are lovely aint they? Motor looks so good in there, just gets nicer & nicer mate 👍

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Munky good to hear from you

Bill Newcomer
I see this has been resurrected. You have a lot of work into this one. Following.

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Bill, yes I wanted to have a go myself and found the principal fairly easy with some careful measuring.
For a couple future builds I have though cheated and bought 3d printed front and rear suspension parts and a complete lowered chassis from Iceman Collections.

Bozzer
It's always good, to have some Munky Magic around. Munky, you still get mentioned in the odd thread, by fellow mates. Isn't it time you sniffed some glue with us 1/25 freaks?

Munkyslut
That Iceman stuff is very good 👍

Yeah Boz I gotta start on a vintage 1/25 soon or I'll get WW2 plane disease 🙂

Nigel Chapman
Had a rummage through the parts stash and found a pair of resin air filters from Hiroboy. Now fitted and bent slightly to clear the bonnet.
Engine bay coming along slowly.

Munkyslut
They look bloody brilliant!……. u gonna paint em in that K&N style reddish purple?

Nigel Chapman
Not sure. I had wanted to colour coordinate everything.

Nigel Chapman
Onto the engine bay with scratch built inner wings and front grill modified to fit. I also had modify the front of the chassis for a better fit. Some Final finishing and it will be ready for paint.

Munkyslut
Looks great mate 👍

Brandon H
Exciting stuff! Shaping up to be a badass build!

Nigel Chapman
Thanks guys. Almost ready for paint

Nigel Chapman
Wow last message was February!?
Oh well, managed to get all the primer done. Two coats and rubbed down with 1200 grit paper.
It's good to get back into the build.

Kyle DeHart
Always nice to pick back up!

Maurits van der Aa
I wiil follow. A great scrarch build project my man! A lot of work, and I'm curious about the result.😀

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Maurits

Maurits van der Aa
Realy cool project, honest!

Kyle DeHart
Very cool

Nigel Chapman
Thanks guys.

Bill Newcomer
Love those wheels. They would look wicked on a Bandit Trans Am Pro Touring build.

Nigel Chapman
You're right Bill never thought of it. Found them on eBay

Nigel Chapman
VW Uranu Grey topcoat applied today, I used two 300mil spray cans and managed to get around 3 coats of paint for the whole body.
There are a couple of tiny annoying spots to touch up by the rear pillar, where my wire frame touched the body whilst painting the interior
Clear coat will be a satin finish to tone down the gloss.
Next up is the chassis, bumpers and front grill - Matt black, engine and running gear - gloss black & interior- semi gloss black.

Munkyslut
Bloody hell mate that's the bizzo! 👌👌👌

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Munky good hear from you

Bozzer
Some say, he planes his plastic, with his budgie smugglers?
All we know is....
He's our Nigel!!! 100%

Christian W
Sweet project 🙂

Nigel Chapman
Started work on detail painting - engine headers, airbags, rear lights, and window surrounds.
I've used matt black for the surrounds and used some of the window mold lines to create a contemporary look. Judging by the photos, some tidying will be needed!
The lower body lines have been left colour-coordinated, for the visual effect.

Bill Newcomer
Nice to see some progress. 🙂

Nigel Chapman
A week's annual leave for some modelling time - I've managed to find the valve covers unpainted in the engine parts stash and lose a painted traction arm so had to fabricate another one, and it's only Wednesday!
Waiting for paint to dry then I can start construction.

Bozzer
Lol, I took off 2 weeks, and ended up a married man!
Work should be a part of every man's staple diet! 🙂

Bill Newcomer
I have noticed that when I am off work, I spend money. It is making me afraid of retiring.

Kyle DeHart
This little thanksgiving work holiday has me wanting to spend money too. 😬 I definitely need to keep working as long as I can. Lol.

Nigel Chapman
Back at it again guys, making a start on final assembly with rear axle, airbags and four links fitted.
Rather pleased with the results so far.

Munkyslut
Nice👌👌

Bill Newcomer
I am lovin' those rims. They would look awesome under a Bandit Trans Am

Nigel Chapman
Yes they do look similar. Pro touring Bandit Trana Am anyone?

Nigel Chapman
Found the rear axle had moved leaving it crooked. Had to carry out some surgery to correct it, not perfect but much better.
Trying to figure out the front suspension, so more surgery required.

Bozzer
I learned the hard way, to pin things like that. I hold it in place, and insert my vice drill, remove it, add glue, then a tiny piece of wire or the thinnest piece of brass rod I have. Then I repeat, on the other side. Measure twice and cut once, my friend.

Munkyslut
What's the issue with the front then Nigel? Rear end looks very good mate, stout work👌

Munkyslut
Good tip Boz……… I think I once cut 1/2" off a cotton needle to do the same

Bozzer
Exactly that diameter, Munky mate 👍

Nigel Chapman
@Munky the engine mounts were extended to locate the front air bag however they foul the top arm link so it's just a case of removing some material putting the air at mount lower.

Nigel Chapman
Having had another look at the front end things are not as bad as I first thought.
Broke couple of the front mounts so decided to restart again with front suspension. The original fit was really tight so have widened the space for the front mounts a little and made a larger gap in the inner wings for a better fit.
The chassis picture shows the unpainted areas that will need a repaint.

Munkyslut
I gotcha Nigel, luvly clean mods tho👌

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Munky