traditional Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 (edited) I've just completed building this traditional '40 Ford Custom rod using a $24 1st Gear CarQuest Auto Parts promo as starting material. This promo from a couple of years ago is, in my opinion, the best proportioned '40 coupe ever.......better than any of the plastic kits and considerably better proportioned than even Danbury Mint's coupe. The promo comes as a Chevy powered, relatively hi-tech, '90s era rod with updated suspension, steering, interior, and trunk, but since I'm partial to more traditional rods from the 50s and early 60s, I decided to modify all those components back to the simple transverse spring, I-beam axle, old-school pleated interior, and traditional wheels/wide whites etc. The model was completely disassembled, stripped of paint, any unused holes filled, and the unwanted hi-tech components went into my parts bin for possible future use. The original dog-leg door hinges were ground off and discrete original Ford style hinges fabricated to replace them. The engine is now a super detailed 50s Cadillac (starting from a basic Revell engine kit) with hand made tri-power manifold, mesh filters, fuel lines, and linkage. The double core rad is fabricated from polished sheet brass, the transverse springs/shackles (front and rear) are made from individual leaves of aluminum sheet, and the steering front i-beam axle is done in soldered brass starting with a model RR brass rail. The interior pleated panels are done from model RR grooved styrene siding, the carpet (interior and trunk) is done in white felt, and the custom exhaust is fabricated in polished aluminum tubing, as are the '50s style front and rear nerf-bars. The front and rear windows are made in poly-carbonate sheet with the gaskets done in black wire from a craft store. Paint is custom mixed automotive two-part basecoat/clearcoat. Like all models, I'll probably fiddle with a few details over the next while but for all intent, the model is now complete. Edited February 12, 2013 by traditional Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Foxx Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 This looks beautiful - you have done a lot of really nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 looks great! love the color!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOld Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Wooooooooooooooooooooow ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagercr Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Clifford very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slammedi'am Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Very beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geno Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Cliff my friend, you know I don't even have to tell you what I think. I can't wait to see more of your vehicles in person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Doan Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Spectacular! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helix Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Outstanding Cliff, hell of a nice job ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 WOW, a really detailed build. Super nice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmvw guy Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 First thing I noticed, the chrome fender welts, nice touch. I never see these on plastic models although, I have added them on a VW Beetle and a"37 Ford, not easy to do. Beautiful paint! I really like the suspension. The engine is like jewelry and the Nerf bars are really cool. Nice job overall on the whole project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RatRod Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Absolutely, extremely gorgeous!!! That my friend is one beautiful Traditional '40 built with love, and passion. A true piece of art. I do however think the rear nerf bars are a tad bit to long, but that's the only thing I see. The radiator is stunning, the detail is stellar. and the whole build is just perfect!!! What did you use to replicate the Merc caps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffs396 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Very cool Cliff! I'm diggin' all your usual details, neat use of the eyelets for exhaust hangers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixties Sam Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Beautiful model! Superb metal work on the radiator and everywhere! The color is just right too! Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Very, very nice! Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albie D Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Clean,clean,clean. Clean build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ningoth4 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 The finished model has turned out beuatifully! Very nice paint job. Love the radiator you built. Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Svendsen Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Wow. That is really nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrknowetall Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Stunning! Very impresive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggon Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Amazingly outstanding work. The piping between the fenders and body is an especially nice touch rarely seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drifterdon Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 That looks like a million bucks! Very nicely done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenn67 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Amazing work!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 One of the best looking '40s I've seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drodg Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Beautiful job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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