Straightliner59 Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 (edited) This is an idea I have been pondering/wanting to build, for some time. At some point, while working on the Surfers' chassis, my vision for it became clearer, so, I took a while, and began to pull it all together. I have been wanting a traditional hot rod, for several years--not a rat rod, but, just a nice, clean old school rod. This features the Monogram body and chassis. I think the front axle is from Monogram's Model A Woody. I did the front wheels over 20 years ago, and have been shuffling around between possible projects. They'll finally find a home, here. The rear tires are castings that someone made from some (I think) AMT Indy car tires. I chucked them in the lathe, and narrowed them, to better suit this project. I'll use the rear axle and rear wheels from Monogram's '37 Ford pickup. Engine will be the four banger with a simple header, and a two-carb downdraft manifold. I'll play with the stance, a bit. I will likely open the roof and install wood cross braces. I was thinking of a TROG racer, but, until I look deeper into the rules, I will hold off, on that. Anyway...so far, it looks like I have planned. Questions, comments and critiques welcome (as always!). Edited August 28, 2019 by Straightliner59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbill Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 Dig this idea, and it’s looking great so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 I really like your concept here. I also would like to build a TROG type early something. Something that came to mind looking at your project and noticing that you live in Colorado. I saw an article on a long standing Hill Climb that is held somewhere above Denver. Similar to the TROG idea but with a local flair. The point made in the article, I think it was Hot Rod, was that many contestants were coming in from the East Coast as well. Just a thought and maybe your build could fit in with either event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 David, there's a hill climb up Guanella Pass, at Georgetown. That is something I should try to check out, one of these days. You're right! This might be a good candidate, for that. Thanks for the kind words, gentlemen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterNNL Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 I love that classic Model A Ford profile and find it interesting that we still find it attractive 8 decades after it was introduced. There are literally nearly endless possibilities for building these cars. Have fun with it and please share your progress with us as it develops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rider Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Fantastic job on the front wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 Thank you, Tom. I will post updates, as they happen. That may or may not be frequent, as I am concentrating on my Surfers' dragster. That said, I am never far from being sidetracked! Thank you, Curtis. I simply removed and replaced them with wire, one at a time. I am pretty happy with they way they turned out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabDriver Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 This looks great already! I love it! Can’t wait to see more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryR Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 COOL! A great project, keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 29, 2019 Author Share Posted August 29, 2019 Thank you, Jim and Gary. I appreciate it! Still a couple of things to work out, but, I am happy with it, so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Lacy Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Off to a great start. Those laced front wheels are bitchin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 29, 2019 Author Share Posted August 29, 2019 7 hours ago, Dennis Lacy said: Off to a great start. Those laced front wheels are bitchin! Thanks, Dennis! They were pretty easy to do. I used .008" brass wire from Detail Associates. What's mysterious to me, is that I only did three of the four. I guess I decided that I would never need four stock Model A wheels, for one car! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 30, 2019 Author Share Posted August 30, 2019 I know, same old, boring angles! I began filling the fender cutouts. I will also add the rolled detail. Got the rear wheels opened up. The tires had to be opened by a fair amount, so, I used the rotary table on the mill to enlarge the openings to accept the wheels. I plan to split both wishbones. Questions, critiques and comments always welcome! I think it's gonna' be pretty cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnslow Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 Looks like you have a good start on your version , also need to move the top forward to line up the door lines . I also added a piece of half round to hide the seam and strengthen it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted September 12, 2019 Author Share Posted September 12, 2019 On 8/30/2019 at 6:04 AM, oldnslow said: Looks like you have a good start on your version , also need to move the top forward to line up the door lines . I also added a piece of half round to hide the seam and strengthen it . I did that, then promptly forgot to be watchful of it, when I cemented it! i think I can fix it with some judicious scribe work, as it's not too far off. Been playing with some brass tubing, to make headers and a new intake manifold. I'm leaning toward a pair of Strombergs, for carburetion. Thanks for the heads-up! it will help me remember to fix that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 Somehow I missed this one. Love what you're doing, love that old Monogram kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted September 12, 2019 Author Share Posted September 12, 2019 11 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said: Somehow I missed this one. Love what you're doing, love that old Monogram kit. Thank you, Bill. I appreciate that! I enjoy your work, quite a lot. It's really a cool kit. I was supposed to keep it simple, but am already making springs, and brass engine assemblies, wondering if I should just scratch build the engine block. I'm friggin' hopeless! I should be working on the Surfers dragster, but... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 I'm glad to see you're back working on this. I was relooking at your pictures and I now noticed the jig you're using. Is this to hold the model in place or is it to help with the front wheel alignment ? Maybe some insight as to how and why this was put together, it really looks interesting to me and I'm sure others might also feel the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 27 minutes ago, Straightliner59 said: ...I was supposed to keep it simple, but am already making springs,.... I'm friggin' hopeless! ... Hey, story of everything I build. But we're having so much fun, right? I get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted September 12, 2019 Author Share Posted September 12, 2019 10 hours ago, espo said: I'm glad to see you're back working on this. I was relooking at your pictures and I now noticed the jig you're using. Is this to hold the model in place or is it to help with the front wheel alignment ? Maybe some insight as to how and why this was put together, it really looks interesting to me and I'm sure others might also feel the same way. Thanks, David! It's not a jig, really. It's just a hunk of balsa with some t-pins to keep the front axle and wheels in place. I stacked stuff under the rear of the car, to get it close to the desired elevation. I have and do use , balsa and pins to build jigs, once I get a bit closer to finalized ride height, and begin work on the suspension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted September 12, 2019 Author Share Posted September 12, 2019 10 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said: Hey, story of everything I build. But we're having so much fun, right? I get it. Indeed, we are! I had a feeling you'd understand. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted September 13, 2019 Author Share Posted September 13, 2019 I made this simple jig, to build the intake manifold. I've also begun drilling the holes, to build the header. I'm trying to turn an acceptable taper, for the header pipe. I think I will use the carbs from Mongram's '40 Ford pickup. They look proportionally correct, with the manifold. I still need to add flanges to the manifold. Sorry for tthe crappy photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 I used the same jig to build the header. I turned brass rod in the lathe, to make the tapered pipe. Here are a couple of shots of the intake manifold, and the header. I removed the rear fender arch panels, and will be redoing those. This won't be a TROG build, as I am using some finned brake drums, on the rear, along with hydraulic brake "inners". I will be replacing the molded-on shocks with a set from the Revell Model A pickup. The front axle will also come from that kit. Still need to clean up these parts. I cut three different tapers, before I got one I was happy with. Sorry for the poor quality of the photos. I am more interested in the model,just now! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2 Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Nice project you have here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted September 17, 2019 Author Share Posted September 17, 2019 8 hours ago, James2 said: Nice project you have here... Thanks, Rooster! I'm hoping to finish it, by April. We'll see how that works out, for me! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.