Streicher Hawk Midget Die Cast Conversion

[Art Laski]

Usually I like to build serially, but lately I've been getting the itch to try some other things while I'm hung up on other projects. I have been dying to try working with some brass since I was given a rack of metal last year. I thought a good first project might be a rework of this die cast midget I bought a few years back. I wanted to see if any of the parts would be a help to me in building my dad's midget he had back in the '80s. I'm not quite ready to start that project, but I thought instead I might modify the die cast to reswemble my little brother's midget he raced in Indiana back around 2008. The more I think about the project, there will probably be less diecast and more scratchbuilding, starting with the frame.

Since I will likely want to enter the finished model in the Modified Die Cast classes at shows when there is one, I am going to use a few things, like the metal tail tank, the hood, the engine, tires and the rear end. That's probably about it, though.

Here's a few shots of my brother's car:

[Art Laski]

Here's the die cast:







This my first attempt at scratchbuiling an open wheel chassis and my first attempt at brass work. So far it's a lot of fun.

It's not dimensionally correct to the real car, but is consistent with the die cast so that the parts fit.

[sandysixtysfan]

Art, this is going to be a really cool build. That midget must be awesome to race.

Sandy

[indy]

Always enjoy the craftsmanship of brass cages. Will be fun to watch this one come together.

Jordan

[clm1545]

This one is going to be fun, to watch.

[Gary Davis]

This is looking good ART! It's nice to see you building something from the family racing.

[Calvin]

This is going to be very fun to watch!

[2lapsdown]

This is going to be fun, and the result will be great because of who's doing it.

John

[Art Laski]

Thanks for the comments, guys, and thanks for looking.

[Art Laski]

Oct 14, 2014 15:39:31 GMT -5 2lapsdown said:

This is going to be fun, and the result will be great because of who's doing it.

John

John,

That is just super nice of you to say, my friend. Thanks for the compliment!

-Art

[Art Laski]

Oct 14, 2014 14:09:12 GMT -5 Gary Davis said:

This is looking good ART! It's nice to see you building something from the family racing.

It certainly helps inspire, doesn't it, Gary? Seeing your sprinter lit a fire under me. I had been planning this one for a while now.

[kip]

Some WIPs are awe inspiring. Some WIPs are just plain fun. A few are both and this is one of those. And I love the subject.

kip

[Art Laski]

Thanks, Kip. We'll see how it goes. There will be a few "firsts" with this one, but it should be fun (and slow).

[Art Laski]

I managed to get the other side built. Amazingly, it matches up pretty well with the first side!

[Gary Davis]

That's looking good ART. You're moving right along on this. What engine are you going to use in this puppy?

[2lapsdown]

Oh how I wish this project could be mass produced. I love midget racing. I went to IRP back in 1989 and saw some kid named Gordon run his first race there. I fell in love with midget racing. Not sure what ever happened to that Gordon kid. I heard he went south to pursue a career in another type of car.

John

[clm1545]

He was really special in a midget, John. He never got a tryout in the CART series because he had no sponsorship dollars to bring. He ended up in some obscure series down South, and I understand he is doing very well. That was a long time ago, but it seems like yesterday.

[Art Laski]

Oct 18, 2014 12:27:19 GMT -5 Gary Davis said:

That's looking good ART. You're moving right along on this. What engine are you going to use in this puppy?

Thanks, Gary! I'm probably going to start with the engine from the die cast, but I have a Ford valve cover for it already from a stock car kit that fits perfectly and matches the real car. I'm also going to use the water and oil pumps from a Monogram sprint car kit.

[Art Laski]

I saw that Gordon kid at IRP in 1990 when he got up on two wheels and still won. It was thrilling to watch, but he was no secret to me at the time, as I had known of him since I raced quarter midgets. My dad knew his stepdad as they had bought some mag hubs from us my dad was making at the time. In all honestly, even when he was about 8 years old, there was a buzz about him. It was always a big deal when he came down to our track in Pomona from Vallejo. Indy car racing's loss for sure.

[Art Laski]

Not all the bars are in place, but the two frame rails are connected...

[racerbrown]

great stuff art!
thanks for sharing.
duane

[2lapsdown]

Oct 18, 2014 19:22:36 GMT -5 Art Laski said:

I saw that Gordon kid at IRP in 1990 when he got up on two wheels and still won. It was thrilling to watch, but he was no secret to me at the time, as I had known of him since I raced quarter midgets. My dad knew his stepdad as they had bought some mag hubs from us my dad was making at the time. In all honestly, even when he was about 8 years old, there was a buzz about him. It was always a big deal when he came down to our track in Pomona from Vallejo. Indy car racing's loss for sure.

I was at that race too! I looked at my buddy and asked, "Did he just do what I think he did?" I think I have an old tape of that race someplace.

John

[Art Laski]

Small update- I added a few more bars. The anti roll tubes on the ends will get trimmed later. Not much different visually, but this actually took quite a bit of time to get the rear cage braces done.

[clm1545]

Very impressive, Art.

[Calvin]

Its a work of Art! (A double meaning line! )

[Gary Davis]

This is looking real good Art. Are you going to use the engine from the diecast car?

[Art Laski]

Craig, Calvin, Gary, thank you guys for commenting.

Gary, I am going to use the block, head and injectors from the die cast engine, but nothing else. I will use the water pump and oil pump from a Monogram sprint car kit, and I have a new Ford valve cover from a stock car kit to match the real car. I contemplated halving a stock car Ford V8, but I don't have one, and the die cast block and head are actually decent.

[Gary Davis]

Art...If you need a Stock car V-8...I've got a few here. I can send you one with all the trim'ins if you want it. Just let me know.

[Art Laski]

I got my dirtmodeler.com order in today  

I got the Kirkey seat, rod ends, spindles, radiator logo masks, and all kinds of goodies.



The seat is a perfect replica of the Kirkey in the actual car.

[Art Laski]

It's an improvement over the die cast seat, for sure!