For the next few months, I decided to launch another 7-kit project devoted to Dragsters and Pro Street Monsters. The fourth is the infamous 1969 Dodge Charger Funny Car driven by Larry Reyes. Reyes became the first of many funny car drivers for Roland Leong, who jumped on the funny car bandwagon after having success in dragsters with such drivers as Don Prudhomme, Mike Snively, Mike Sorokin, and Danny Ongais. Leong had a Logghe built Stage II chassis with a full size Ron Pellegrini built Charger body and Keith Black built the engine. The car literally flew at Pomona, signaling the end of the full size funny car. Leong debuted a new mini Charger shortly thereafter. The new “Hawaiian” won all three races it entered the first weekend with Reyes driving. Reyes drove the car to a reported best of 7.35 at 208.31 by the end of 1969. Reyes suffered an accident at the wheel of the “Super Cuda” that left him in a wheelchair. Larry returned to race 20 years later in Super Gas. Leong went on to race and tune funny cars for the next 25 years with a seemingly endless list of drivers.

This kit was recently featured in last month's issue of Scale Auto Magazine and Model cars Magazine. Scale Auto did a good WIP on the entire build while Model Cars focused on engine detail and how to make it look authentic. Much as I would love to put that kind of "wrench" time into the project, I will not be putting that kind of detail into this kit. I believe this is a re-issue of an older kit and I have seen nothing but brilliance so far.

I did attach the hood to the body and putty'd in the seams. Not exactly sure why they made this two separate pieces, but we all move on. This kit is very similar (and yet totally different) than the other '69 Charger kit (Chi-Town Hustler). This may be a very quick build as well. I did have to bore out the rear 1/4 panel fender wheel wells... The plastic already had the mold lines ready for me... Just needed to cut and sand/file down.

Unlike the most recent Indy project, I have all the time in the world to focus on these next 7. Haven't had enough time to really take a look at what i want to do with this one, so I am open to any ideas...

Thanks for looking!

No, I have not fallen off the edge of the earth... Obviously I have been posting for the last 4-5 months, but I have not been building... September and October were spent hunting for and finding a job (since I hated my last one) while November and December were spent doing the holiday thing. Well, I am back and the WIPs are coming...

Pic #1: The body shell with Tamiya Mica Blue applied. Have not clear coated but I will once I have applied the decals.
Pic #2: The body shell from another angle
Pic #3: The engine with A LOT of work left to do!
Pic #4: Tires and Rims - A little work left to do here...
Pic #5: A mock of the painted chassis with the Alclad cockpit, engine, and wheels. Removed the seems from the rear tires but have not added any detail to rubber. Debating whether to apply the supplied decals or hand-paint the details myself.

Not bad for the first weekend back to the bench... Feels great to be back again! Been smiling ever since Friday night!

Thanks for looking!

So I was able to make some major progress on this kit.... First, the body is almost completed (minus a little work on the inside)... Absolutely no issues with decals on this kit... Clear coated and ready for the strip...

Thanks for looking!

And here is the chassis... The fit was perfect all around... Absolutely no issues...

Thanks for looking!

Looks good! It that a "L" decal on the wheel? Good job!

I still don't know how you can build so many kits a once, I'd get lost!
Great job so far.

Looks great so far! I did the Chi-Town Hustler kit and loved it. Definitely have to pick this one up sometime soon. How did you do the seat belts are those painted?

That looks like a great kit !

Nice job.

@ Ed: Yes, that is a decal... The other side has an R... Revell thought it was a nice touch to this kit...

Thanks Joe! I think I got a little lost this time with so many parts... Needless to say, I am done doing 7 WIPs at one time...

@ Blue: The belts are painted this time... Usually use ribbon, but decided to go with paint... And this kit is very similar to the Chi-Town and Jungle Jim remake kits...

Thanks builder!

The belts look great. The whole build looks awesome so far. I always slip when i try to paint them like that you definitely nailed it, good job!