Hi guys, it's about time I got started on the Hemi vs Chevy campaign. I started my own build log thought it would be easier that way.

I have started with the Dodge dart, fist pic is of the kit box of course, second and third pics are of the basic engine assemble.

There will be as many details added as I can think of, I started with stripping the chrome from the covers painting them Testors flat black, drilling holes for the plug wires and removing the molded breathers as I will make my own.

Not shore if you can see it in the pics but I added a dip stick tube to the engine, I also drilled holes for the scratch built distributor and rad hoses.

Many more details to go, so I better get to work. Ok that was a little long winded. all comments welcome.

At least you started with the best.
I need to get home and get started myself.

Robert, welcome aboard ! I am looking forward to watching your builds progress, well, at least one of them. Get this trash tidied up a quick as possible and off the bench. Nobody is really going to pay any attention until you start on that superb piece of automotive engineering and iconic legendary cruising machine, the Impala !

It wouldn't have taken much effort to strip the chrome off the rocker covers, most of it has normally fallen off by itself before the car even leaves the showroom on a Dodge !

Good luck with your builds, and don't pay any attention to Hermon, hehehe.

Cheers, D

Damian, I am starting to get the feeling that you don't like anything Mopar, na that couldn't be it, lol.

Just to set the record straight I started life as a Pontiac guy, owned a few firebirds, now I own a Mustang not shore how that happened.

For the purposes of this Group Build, correct. In reality, I don't mind them, especially the '69 Charger, but Shhhhhhhh, don't tell Hermon!



I learned to drive in a 64 Laurentian and late 60's Parisienne. Never quite acquired a Firebird, but a good friend had just imported one from California. Will try to find some pics to drop in the main thread later.

Cheers, D

Off to a good start Robert. Looking forward to seeing, and get inspired by, your detailing of the mighty HEMI.

My brother has a 1969 Firebird, metalic burgundy, AMR torq thrust wheels and a new 383 crate engine. Beautiful car, just don't tell Damian I said so.

Thanks Jesper, sounds like your brother has a very nice car.

My first car was a 1967 Firebird it needed a lot of work, my second Firebird was many years later a 1968 400 turbo 400 automatic trans and a small posi rear, it was a California car blue with a black interior, wish I had that car now.

Chiming in here on your thread, my first car was a Firebird too, except I have to admit that it was originally my aunt's car-- a 1975 Firebird Espirit, white with vinyl top, blue interior, 305 V8 but automatic transmission and 2 barrel carburetor. I think my uncle cut off the shoulder belts too, and it ran on leaded gas, whether it was meant to or not. I got it when it was 10 years old, and rust had taken hold all along the bottom. I patched it in gray primer, and it died an inglorious death, T-boned by a wrong way driver.

Regardless, Robert, I'm actually looking forward to seeing how your Dart turns out-- I had a 1972 Swinger, 2 cars after the Firebird-- the trunk was too rusty to put things in, and the driver's door swung open on fast turns (wear that seatbelt!).
Do it proud!

Cheers,
Sean H.

Thanks Sean, I should have an update in a day or 2.

Time for an update, I got a decent amount done to the engine, lots of scratch built parts. I still have lots to do and a few things to fix that I don't like.

I have to repaint the carbs don't like they way they look, need to install the headers, fuel filters, fuel lines a small bracket to hold down the velocity stacks and a few more things. Scratch built list below, there will be more to come. All comments welcome.

1. Fan belt
2. pulleys
3. breathers
4. velocity stacks
5. distributor base
6. distributor cap

Very neat work Rob, love it!

Whoa! That's incredible! And 1/25 scale, right? I'm impressed with the metal finish on the air intake things (my apologies) and even the way your spark plug wires layed down.
Sean H.

Thanks Damian.

Thanks Sean, Yes 1/25 scale, I try to get the plug wire to sag and lay down as they would in real life, like they have some weight to them.

The velocity stacks, breathers and distributor base have a natural finish because I machined them on my lathe from aluminum stock.

Sean here is a pic of the machine I use to make my parts.

Random idea

This could become a hemi superstock



Courtesy of my inner hemi nerd.

I have seen picks of that hemi dart before, I think I will go with the box cover I really like the orange, it's more in your face.

Update time.
I got the engine pretty much done added the headers, fuel lines and filters, carb linkage and return springs, tach drive cable.

I could add more details but I am afraid the engine will get a little to busy. all comments welcome.

Beautiful details Robert.

Thanks Jesper, now I have just started working on the impala's 409 engine.

Time for an update.

This should make you Chevy guys happy, I got the basic engine work done on the Impala's 409 and I added the fuel lines and filter.

I have plenty of details to add, so stay tuned for an update in a few days. All comments welcome.

Sweeeeeeet!