[A Snake]

Get an expert opinion from one of the Kirkhams, but if I remember right, the "originals" could be off as much as an inch in length from front to rear of the body.

If I remember my Kirkham "history", they had the Poles scan one side and made the opposite side a mirror to match. They ARE the same on both sides.

Contemporary was supposed to be one of the "good ones" in it's day. Mine was off enough that even with a real expert doing the set-up of the body and chassis, it still wasn't square. Contemporary used an original S/C for their molds and I think ERA did too. That said, it ain't gonna be perfect, no matter what you do. It just shouldn't be off as much as you indicate. Chassis to body fit does sound like the culprit.

Al