Bernard Kron Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 (edited) Revell’s billet-era ’41 Willys Street Rod subjected to a serious case of de-blinging. (More pictures below) Friend and modeling pal Raul Perez has an expression for kits that are especially well engineered and that virtually “build themselves – Shake ‘n’ Bake. He says that with these kits all you have to do is open the box, put in a tube of glue and a can of paint, close the lid, shake, and out comes a perfect model! We were discussing such kits the other week and he mentioned the Revell ’41 Willys Street Rod as an ideal example of the concept. So he sent me one! (Thanx Raul…) It came this past Monday afternoon and I just finished it less than a week later, easily the quickest build I’ve ever done. It’s a beautifully conceived and executed kit with lovely detail, everything fits just right, the instructions are spot on, and great results are virtually guaranteed. Shake ‘n’ Bake! This is as close to an Out-of-the-Box build as I’m ever likely to come. Even so I’m no fan of the billet rod look and this model is a prime example of that style. It needed a serious case of de-blinging! So I made some changes… First off I can’t remember a kit with more chrome than this one. Except for the transmission, block and heads virtually the whole engine comes chromed. In addition tons of chassis parts and even the entire radiator are chromed. Except for the door handles, headlight rims, license plate and tailights, everything was stripped and treated to various shades of Testors Metallizer for a more realistic look. The kit interior comes with a center console and contemporary buckets seats as well as a prototypic late 90’s billet upholstery scheme. These had to go. So I cut out the console and substituted the transmission tunnel from the Revell Stone, Woods & Cook Willys gasser. The door panels and steering wheel also came from there. The seats are from the Revell ’32 Ford Sedan Rat Rod kit. On the outside those modern style mag wheels wouldn’t do so I ditched them and went for traditional Torq Thrusts, a Revell ’32 Ford kit providing the fronts along with the tires. At the rear I kept the gigantic kit tires but substituted the suitably wiiiiide wheels from the Monogram Stinger kit. Paint is DupliColor Primer Gray (actually a finish paint and not a primer) over DupliColor White Primer to make sure the Gray stayed nice and bright. Decals are from my parts box and the whole thing is sealed under Testors DullCote. I kept the chrome on the wheel rims for contrast to the body finish. The grille is the nice p/e unit from the Stone, Woods & Cook kit. Except for what I’ve mentioned everything else was OTB. I went for a streetified gasser look and I think it came out how I imagined it. Thanx for lookin’. B. Edited November 8, 2009 by gbk1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted November 8, 2009 Author Share Posted November 8, 2009 Here are some detail shots: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vizio93 Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Wow you did a really nice, clean build !!! I like the subtle details you've added to it. Can't wait to see the next one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raul_Perez Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Very nice build, Bernard!! It actually took me longer from the time we talked about it to get down to the past office to send it to you than it did for you to build it!! That's proof that it is one of the ultimate Shake 'n' Bake kits of all time!! The Torq Thrust wheels and the sponsor markings look right at home with the primer gray finish. The chassis shots with the engined dechromed look GREAT, too!! I like the way you modified the interior with the original tunnel and the de-blinged door panels to match the overall feel of the car. In the end, it all looks right together. I may have to build one similar to yours as one of my backyard diorama kits for this year's NNL West. Later, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 (edited) Thanx everyone (and thanx Raul for the kit ) as nice as this kit is and it's companion gasser, i've been only able to finish one! there's just something not right about either and i think it's the stance. the gasser rides way too high in the back and this one rides way too high in the front. ... I agree on both counts. The Street Rod really wants to be slammed. When I'm not in Shake 'n' Bake mode I plan to do just that! Edited November 10, 2009 by gbk1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Cole Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Now that looks like all business! Guess that makes it a business coupe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rider Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 That's a cool looking ride, the interior reminds me of Burger King, I like it. I really dig the wheels. Your going to get that hungry feeling everytime you look at it. Here's some usless Cliff Claven information. FACT; yellow, organge, and red trigger our feeding instincts, how many food chains can you think of that have at least one of those colours in them if not all three? Most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Goschke Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Cool! Very aggressive look, with the low stance and grey primer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Thanx again everyone. I knew there was something about the colors of the interior that "spoke to me"! I mainly did those colors to contrast with the exterior. Probably would have made more sense to stick with black and grey... Mainly this build was all about respecting the stance and proportions of the basic kit. I just felt that all the kit bling was just too "noisy" and I was trying to focus in on the the basic DNA of the '41 Willys gasser/street rod thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlzrocks Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Very Sweet looking Willys, love the look of the total package, Great Job!! I gotta try one o them kits....and some o that de-blinging one day.....was gonna try Alclad but don't have the patience for all that...guess it's gotta be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Very Sweet looking Willys, love the look of the total package, Great Job!! I gotta try one o them kits....and some o that de-blinging one day.....was gonna try Alclad but don't have the patience for all that...guess it's gotta be. Thanx! Actually I don't use an airbrush. The larger pieces, or where I need a very even surface, are sprayed using Testors Metallizer rattle cans. The smaller bits, despite Testors' statement to the contrary, are finished using Metallizer in the small jars with a brush. They say it's for airbrush only, but it flows on with a brush just fine. One tip, though. The "buffable" Metallizers can be polished to a high sheen using a fine cloth or tissue paper (I use facial tissue). However, if you don't let it dry thoroughly it can wear through rather easily. I find that it's necessary to apply a primer, then spray a coat of Metallizer and let it dry for a couple of hours, then apply a second coat and let it dry overnight. Then it polishes up very nicely although you must remember to rub very gently. The scoop and valve covers on this build are done in Buffable Plate Aluminum and the blower is done in Buffable Burnt Metal, all primered, painted and polished as described. Great stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 This is well Shaken and Baked to perfection! Small touches and it comes out looking different ... this is what model building is all about! Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Yessirree Bob. That is one cool Willys Americar (old Joeseph Frazer would be proud). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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