Post by roadhawg on Mar 25, 2013 12:37:03 GMT -5
As far as I'm concerned, the late Buck Simmons of Baldwin GA was the best dirt late model driver in history. His first win was in 1960 at the age of 15. His last win was in 2009 at the age of 64. Between those two, he had 1022 other main even wins....yes, that's right, 1024 feature wins in a 50 year career. He is in both the National Dirt Racing Hall Of Fame, and the Georgia Auto Racing Hall Of Fame. He won just about everything there was to win on dirt at one time or another, and was one of my all time racing heroes.
I've decided to build a few of Buck's most famous rides, starting with the black (Buck's trademark colors were black and gold) "Jig-A-Lo" Camaro, owned by Billy Thomas. Buck drove this car from 1979-1981, when he picked up his first NDRA National championship. This car also won the very last race at the historic Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta.
I built the model up from an AMT Nascar chassis...totally inaccurate for a dirt late model, I know, but since this is meant as a curbside model it worked out just fine. I did have to build a new upper roll cage to match the body, and lower the suspension slightly. I also had to make a new rear frame section and fuel cell, along with the interior "tin".
The actual body is one of Jackie Sims' vacuform Camaro bodies, my first time working with one...a little tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it works out good. The wheels are some I cast myself and had chromed, but I'm not sure if I like them or not...this is one case where Alclad might have been a better choice, to look more like polished aluminum. Paint is plain ol' Model Master black, decals are my own.
I have a few more of Buck's rides in the planning stages, but since this was probably my favorite, it's the first.
Thanks for lookin'!
I've decided to build a few of Buck's most famous rides, starting with the black (Buck's trademark colors were black and gold) "Jig-A-Lo" Camaro, owned by Billy Thomas. Buck drove this car from 1979-1981, when he picked up his first NDRA National championship. This car also won the very last race at the historic Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta.
I built the model up from an AMT Nascar chassis...totally inaccurate for a dirt late model, I know, but since this is meant as a curbside model it worked out just fine. I did have to build a new upper roll cage to match the body, and lower the suspension slightly. I also had to make a new rear frame section and fuel cell, along with the interior "tin".
The actual body is one of Jackie Sims' vacuform Camaro bodies, my first time working with one...a little tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it works out good. The wheels are some I cast myself and had chromed, but I'm not sure if I like them or not...this is one case where Alclad might have been a better choice, to look more like polished aluminum. Paint is plain ol' Model Master black, decals are my own.
I have a few more of Buck's rides in the planning stages, but since this was probably my favorite, it's the first.
Thanks for lookin'!
Really, what a nice job you did Tommy. Would love to see a group picture some day. You really have a knack with these dirt cars.
