Thanks guys. I would have been concerned if any modifications to be made might ruin an otherwise stock example of a manufacturers kit. The varying degrees of component quality lead me to believe this wasn't once a complete box of parts offered commercially.
The mechanical construction seems very sound. Axles ride in sprung bronze journals within nicely machined steel frames. Quartering appears good with no notable rotational binding. Driveshafts ride in ball bearings. The upside down cross frame on the trailing truck was an attempt by someone to gain clearance around the rear frame, I suspect rather than notching the steel. Note the tops of the truck bolsters are also ground down at the rear for the same purpose...none to successfully.
Where to take this project is a dilemma. Not too many, if any Challengers had spoked drivers as on this model and earlier simple articulateds had drivers much smaller than the existing 78" . Perhaps 2 models from one? No doubt, this ain't no weekend project.
Bruce
