I had this crazy idea of taking a 1:25 scale model and building a vintage style digger. Measuring the parts and multiplying by the scale it's close to true dimensions.
First off have you been watching old movies Phoenix?... Would this be a full scale model or a running driving clone/racer Both would be great challenges... If your building a functional clone there is obvious things that you will have to alter from a very simplified model format. One more thing this is and I'm sure your aware not a new thing. I featured some work of one of these individuals whose handiwork still exists as part of his legacy...I will post a link when I find it. The Late Fred Schritt Remembered in a thread by @OLDSMAN https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/another-good-one-left-us.1007134/#post-11366491 Credit to Photographer, Owner
There are also some Hambers who have built around an artwork with dramatic results. Perhaps this could be called building to a model box cover. An Inspired Weesner pickup comes to mind... Built by quite an extraordinary metal shaper Hamber @Jimmy Hervatin... Showcased in a thread below by Hamber @193257 https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/another-weesner-inspired-hot-rod-lit-up.549162/ While you are poking through the thread above there is a link to another art inspired creation equally stunning... I guess my thoughts to you are have fun and go for it whichever way you see fit...
..........That's not surprising. Those model-makers went to great lengths to make their products true to "full-size" dimensions. It always amazed me at just how complicated the task is of creating a scale model kit. The licensing thing aside, it's no wonder model kits cost so much these days. Not that I like it mind you, when you consider most of the one's I built back in my youth were $1.39! Good luck with your project. Keep us in the loop.
They just copied a full size car and scaled it down, so I imagine you could just scale it back up. For the most part model manufacturers did a good job scaling down things. Some things sometimes seem to be off scale. Some of the small things like antennas, and maybe tie rods seem to be a bit heavy.
Rough layout of model chassis dimensions on shop floor. Just to see if they are realistic. Believe it or not they are close to the Chassis Research drawing. The Chassis Research drawing calls for 130 degree angle on the hoop. Model was a 115 degree angle. Also laid out the body lines. The plan is to build wood bucks and form aluminum body to fit model chassis. I know it's been done many times. Just a fun fun project.
Is that drawing with the 115 degree or 130 degree angles ? On faceboook theres a chassis research group. Here on the hamb there are dimensioned drawings somewhere,
Hello, Those Chassis Research dragsters were very popular when they first came out in the West Coast. In my research, here is a link to an extensive grouping of catalog measurement pages from Chassis Research as provided by @wsdad from the HAMB. GREAT JOB ON THE CATALOG FIND...wsdad... Jnaki
Ditto on the prices of model kits..... It's not a kid's hobby anymore.... It's for old guys like us trying to re-live our youth...