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Roger
"Riceman" Lee has established himself as one of the finest builders of
scale dragster replicas. His models of The Surfers', Gerry Steiner's,
Fuller's Magicar fuel dragsters, and many others have wowed folks at many
venues, including the CHRR (California Hot Rod Reunion). Riceman's many
years crewing for Gerry Steiner, and his acquaintances with many of drag
racing's most influential characters has helped him to compile an extensive
knowledge of dragsters, and their design. He has been kind enough
to share his knowledge with us. Thanks, Roger!
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Kent
Fuller
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Top and bottom 180-degree seat tubes, 1"-1 1/4" diameter to radius
rod mounts* . Single center rear upright tube. 24"-28" upright spacing.
Large radius rear cage upright. *Some Fuller cars were constructed with 7/8" tubing from radius rod mounts to torsion tube. Suspension/Radius Rod Configuration:Fuller axles were typically short-radius bends with a three inch drop. Fuller's "Magicar" chassis featured a rubber puck mounted front axle with a deep center bend (later copied by SPE) with a 6" drop. For a period, Fuller used three radius rods. Steering: Early '60s Fuller cars implemented right hand steering via a Ross forklift steering box. Notes: These are general characteristics of Fuller's cars. Since every car that Kent Fuller built was different, be prepared to research the particular car you are modeling. Notable Cars: Greer, Black & Prudhomme, Vagabond, Ivo's Twin Buick AA/GD, Nancy's 22 Jr., Stellings & Hampshire, '67 Greek/Kendall GT-1. Many more. Fuller built over 200 dragsters during his career. In Kit Form: 1/25th scale kits; Revell Tony Nancy 22 Jr. and '23T Modified Roadster. Revell Parts Pack kit no. C1122 Dragster Frame (can also be used for early Ivo/Pellegrini chassis. See pic below). |
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Revell Parts Pack #C1122 is an
excellent representation of an early Fuller "skid bar" chassis.
(Click the image for info about Revell's Dragmaster chassis.) |
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Frank
Huszar-Race Car Specialties
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| Style:Top
and bottom 180 degree seat tubes. Single, center rear upright. 24"-28" upright
spacing. Suspension/Radius Rod Configuration:Three radius rods, ala Fuller. Torsion bar. Steering: P&S box. Notes: Notable Cars: The Surfers, Freight Trains 2&3, Waterman&Hampshire, Odd Couple, A&W Root Beer Spl. And many more. In Kit Form: The best place to start is with the AMT/MPC American Grafitti/Ramchargers dragster kit (The Ramchargers real car was a Woody). |
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Speaking
of the Ramchargers' car--below is Riceman's Conversion of the MPC Ramchargers
Dragster kit to a 175" Don Long chassis; His comments follow:
“Go for it! I have joined the Ramchargers build up (Yuck,
plastic!) . Oh well.If you read my message to Mark, I reworked the Ramchargers
chassis into a Don Long 175'' FED. Motor is out 28''.
I
used a Revell F/C 'Long' type front axle,and scratchbuilt the 6'' torsion
bar arms. I used the Polar Lights F/C radius rods& bat wings, filed
a 1/8” radius on the inside of the batwings and then decided the
radius rods were too short, cut them off and made four radius rods from
four steering rods from two Revell Tony Nancy 22 JR kits (2- 1/8''
long). I used the Polar Lights F/C chassis main rails and diagonal chassis
tubes to construct the longer wheel-based chassis. I made the body
from two Revell Jeb Allen REDs using two cowls and four drivers side panels.
Two under the motor side panels were also made from the leftover body
pieces . IT LOOKS BAD!!
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Woody
Gilmore-Race Car Engineering
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Style: Single, upper 180-degree seat tube. Lower frame tubes curve up to form double rear uprights.
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Race
Car Engineering Pamphlet
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Riceman sez:
Wheelbase:
140 in.
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