Just thought I would update my Topolino project

[maddog]

Hey everyone, hows it going? I have been very busy but have been making slow forward movement on the Topolino.

Physical construction hasnt started, but I have collected some more parts and settled in on the basic direction for the build, and thats where the real news lies.

Some of you will remember the back and forth I did way back when I scored the body. I know now what I will be doing.

I WONT be building the 60's drag car. About a week ago I made the decision to go ratrod all the way. I just couldnt get inspired with the racecar version. I tried. I concidered selling the body for about 2 weeks and then thought I would give the old Fiat one more chance. I lowered the frame, pushed the front axle forward, channeled the body, tossed the hood, changed the headers to lake style and added a viariation of my 46 Chevy truck headlights and I'm in love and on fire once again.

The build will be easier and cheaper but most importantly its what I wanted all along, I just had to get there.

Love to hear what you think.
These pics are void of much of the detail as I am still organizing things.

 

[maddog]

I forgot this one, the all important side view.

 

[maddog]

Oh, one more thing, I wont even be thinking of painting it, at least till after it is out of my shop and on the road for a while. (and probably not even then)

 

[Gastrick]

Hey, Maddog's back in town. The car looks good to me Maddog, and most importantly, the new look has you inspired. I think it will look cool and be different than the other Topos, even though you don't see that many to begin with. Have you placed little Maddog in there to check leg room with that deep channel? I like the new look.

 

[maddog]

Hey Gastrick, How are ya, its great to be home!

I spent a good 100 hours playing with the parts in the 3d model, moving them around and studying things from every concievable angle. No, I havent put the little guy in there yet but I am sure I will find a way to fit me and a co-pilot in there. I havnt done it yet (in the model)but z'ing the frame will help a little. I am also concidering a slant to the chop. Shown is a straight 3". I think a slanted chop will have a bit more attitude.

Things might be different if I had a fat check book, but I dont. I dont even own a gold chain, so things like a blower that would be manditory for the 60's altered version just arnt gonna happen. Thats fine with me. It will be truly an original one of a kind.

I am also considering a cadilac motor from a doner car I am trying to get. That would be perfect and a little different than the SBC that I have for it now.

 

[gassersgarage]

Looks good. Were you at the Road Kings Show at Johnny Carson Park? There was a reconstructed Topolino of your Avatar there. The old Magic Muffler Topolino. There's a guy that lives in Rancho Palos Verdes with a Topolino. It's red with a blown sbc. I will try to snap pics when I seen it again.

 

[Gastrick]

I forgot to add that I think those headlights really set the new look off. Good choice in my opinion. That Caddy motor will be different and make tons of torque too.

 

[gassersgarage]

By the way. I found these for you as inspiration...

 

[maddog]

By the way. I found these for you as inspiration...
View attachment 4096

View attachment 4097

Thanks for the pics. Sure is 10 lbs of dung in a 5 lb box, isnt it?

 

[maddog]

Looks good. Were you at the Road Kings Show at Johnny Carson Park? There was a reconstructed Topolino of your Avatar there. The old Magic Muffler Topolino. There's a guy that lives in Rancho Palos Verdes with a Topolino. It's red with a blown sbc. I will try to snap pics when I seen it again.

Thanks. No I didnt make it to that show. I have been working like a fool, you know, make hay while the sun shines. The sun doesnt always shine in my shop if you know what I mean.

 

[gassersgarage]

This is off topic, but do you know Bottle Bob? I haven't seen him in almost 25 years. Just started e-mailing him this week.

 

[maddog]

This is off topic, but do you know Bottle Bob? I haven't seen him in almost 25 years. Just started e-mailing him this week.

No I dont. Should I ? Is he in the Valley?

 

[donsrods]

Welcome back Maddog. Glad to see you are getting your second wind on the Topo.


Don

 

[maddog]

Welcome back Maddog. Glad to see you are getting your second wind on the Topo.


Don

Thanks, feels good to be home. The second wind is on message boards, I cooled it for a while cause I was on about 6 different boards and I burned myself out. I never stopped on the Topo, just shifted gears. I have been working hard on it right up to the point a couple weeks ago I started to consider selling just the body and picking up a truck cab and bed to build a rat.

I went back to the guy I bought it from to see if he would like to offer it to one of the many other friends he had that wanted it when they heard he sold it to me. He encouraged me to try again and make it as radical as I could imagine and forget the whole racecar thing. I said OK and presto. I like it.

Are you on the road with you T yet?

 

[donsrods]

No, but getting close. Tonight I wrapped up a little steering column misalignment issue I had. I cut off the bottom mount and rewelded it on in a different place, and it now works fine. So I can pull the body back off and start final priming and paint.

I also ordered some little pieces for the engine like Lokar throttle and kickdown linkages, so I can start on the little odds and ends to get it fired up.

BTW, a member on another forum who is a sign guy was nice enough to color my body on the computer. It gives me a look at what the final paint scheme will be. Dan laid out some quick scallops, and I think I will do them in the same color as the wheels and engine.

Here is what he laid out.

Don

 

[Bonehead]

It is good to have you hangin round again. I love the 3D drawings of your plan. Looks really good to me. Please keep us posted as you move along.

 

[FlatBroke]

Maddog,
I like that new look you got going on the topo. Low and mean...

 

[chop509]

Hey dog,
New direction looks good.

Jeff

 

[maddog]

No, but getting close. Tonight I wrapped up a little steering column misalignment issue I had. I cut off the bottom mount and rewelded it on in a different place, and it now works fine. So I can pull the body back off and start final priming and paint.

I also ordered some little pieces for the engine like Lokar throttle and kickdown linkages, so I can start on the little odds and ends to get it fired up.

BTW, a member on another forum who is a sign guy was nice enough to color my body on the computer. It gives me a look at what the final paint scheme will be. Dan laid out some quick scallops, and I think I will do them in the same color as the wheels and engine.

Here is what he laid out.

Don

Don, that looks absolutly great! I bet you cant wait but then again your a builder and the building of it is half the fun. Love the pipes and fake paint.

 

[maddog]

It is good to have you hangin round again. I love the 3D drawings of your plan. Looks really good to me. Please keep us posted as you move along.

Thanks Bonehead, I have already clocked a few hrs reading and catching up. Here I go again So many post, so little time.

I think I want a roll cage like yours. the car is just too small. I can pick the doors (less glass) up with one finger. What size tubing did you use? Wall thickness? I think I want to attach the firewall to the floor/frame so the body can be easily lifted off. That should make roll cage construction a bit simpler. It will be different too. Go to the cruise friday night, park and instead of openg the hood to show people, just 2 guys lift the whole body off and set it down on the ground behind the car. Just gotta make sure it dont blow off on the freeway.