Projects Replica of the Ivo's Showboat dragster

Ken, Welcome to the HAMB, really like the Ford, look forward to your Showboat build. Bob

 

Thanks for the videos I just watched them all brought back some memories.

 

Bob, great picture, interesting that no clinchers on the wheels. I used the replica in the Gilmore Museum, in Kalamazoo, MI for reference for my build.

 

Absolutely incredible! The Showboat is one of my favorite cars. I've been fantasizing building a 1/8th scale model of it, but it's honestly beyond my ability. So i'll be watching the progress closely. Do you have a build journal anywhere?

 

I'd love to see them, i'm very interested in how the car was built.

 

Woh!!!!....

 

Here is a link to the detailed build, also you can find the complete build of the Model T racer there as well. However, you may have to register with email.

http://www.scalemotorcars.com/forum/hot-rods-and-customs/138197-tommy-ivos-showboat-1-8-scale.html

 

I used to be a member there some years back.... Also a moderator... After a while, I started having problems logging in....

 

I just clicked the link and could see it fine with no sign in.

 

Same here.... They must have changed the place around a bit since the last time I tried to visit....

 

Are some of the inside exhaust ports siamesed? I am sitting here trying to figure out 14 exhaust stacks for 16 inner cylinders.

 

This is where Mr. Geometry and Mr. Physics come in to play. To get the angle back on the center row 16 will not lay down together, however to solve the problem two of the stacks on the left bank of engines are pointed straight down. One on each engine the second from the front exhaust ports.

 

Here is a picture showing the two down pipe locations.

 

I have moved on am starting on the mechanical fuel injection units and here is an "in progress" update with the right bank of engines with base units test fitted. The left side units have the bracket that holds the fuel manifold. The linkage rods are 1/32" brass rod. The velocity stacks are formed from 1/4" aluminum tube with the flanges hand hammered into shape. Now onto the left bank of engines and bring them up to this stage before moving on to the fuel lines.

 

Just finished up the left bank fuel injection bases and velocity stacks. Next to sort out the fuel manifolds and fuel connection lines. I will also prime and paint the bases per the original in photos.

 

In building the clone, I had the original exhaust headers that were saved when the car was re-bodied and the pipes changed. I used those pipes to set the engine angles and spacing to get it all lined up. would have been a ton of work otherwise

 

coupler covers between the motors

 

Wow awesome pictures and will be using them for more reference. These are the kind of pictures and details I really need since most online photos are stand off beauty shots. Like the coupler covers and will be adding them as well. I had to guess at the engine mounts down the center since I could not find good pictures showing them. Please keep posting your pictures I am sure besides me there are others who would enjoy seeing your wonderful build.

 

I know that Showboat was used for exibition runs, instead of racing, but I'm sure Tommy must have raced it a few times. I have searched for information on it's top speed or best 1/4 mile time, but have found nothing.Does anybody know what it's best time was, and how it compared to the fastest cars around the time it was finished?

 

I continue to be amazed at the incredible workmanship of today's modelers. The time spent sometimes equals the real deal. I have never been into models but have a whole new respect for you guys with the invention of the computer. Some of the details and the time spent are jaw dropping. I can see another one in the works. We all have different passions. We are fortunate your is modeling Ken.

 

I no longer can work on full scale due to serious back issues. So at 72 I work Models as a form of pain management. Here are pictures of my 1962 XKE I restored from a rusted out hulk, disassembled but with all original parts. It was a driver never trailered to any show and usually 99.7 scores at Jag concours.

 

Times were not mentioned and there were no electronic scoreboards. The car weighed 3 times what the other cars did (3500#) and limited to singles as if the other car got in front of Ivo "tank" it would be serious