Eric Macleod Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 This is by far my longest running WIP. In 1982 or 1983 I was attending the Straits Area Antique Auto Show in St. Ignace, MI. There I overheard two moder builders discussing their projects. One happened to ask the other "how are you coming on your L-29 Cord project?" "Slow," was the response. I couldn't help myself and butted my way into the discussion. "They're coming out with a Cord L-29 kit?" "No," one of the modelers replied. "I'm making mine from the MPC Chrysler Imperial kit." Well, I thought to myself, if he can do it, I can too. So off I went to find an MPC Imperial Convertible Sedan. That took a while but finding the right 1:1 L 29 was easy as there was a local car that was a fresh restoration, and a 100 point car to boot. The gods of model building smildd upon me as I stumbled upon the book The Olympian Cars, still the best book ever written about Full Classics, IMHO, which had a close to 1:24 photo of a L-29 Phaeton Sedan. This photo was both a gift and a curse as I was able to clearly see just how different the two cars were aside from the obvious front vs. Rear wheel drive. Fast forward to the release of Automodellos L-29 Brooks Stevens roadster . I was able to buy two in distressed condition, enough to provide wheels, bumpers, hood, grill and surround as so on. Here is where I am today. It will very likely not be a show winner, but should look the part of a 1930 Cord. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Bartrop Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 I'll definitely be following this one. I managed to find some pages online of a L-29 brochure that included some illustrations of the chassis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted September 14, 2019 Author Share Posted September 14, 2019 5 hours ago, Richard Bartrop said: I'll definitely be following this one. I managed to find some pages online of a L-29 brochure that included some illustrations of the chassis Long ago I planned to do a full detail model but have since lowered my sights to a curbside car. Likely I will build an engine and transmission for display as a separate project because reality hit me; either finish it curbside style or don't finish it at all. Given that I am quite good at starting models but struggle to get them done, this seemed to be the best compromise. Thanks for coming along for the ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pico Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Bartrop Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 2 hours ago, Eric Macleod said: Long ago I planned to do a full detail model but have since lowered my sights to a curbside car. Likely I will build an engine and transmission for display as a separate project because reality hit me; either finish it curbside style or don't finish it at all. Given that I am quite good at starting models but struggle to get them done, this seemed to be the best compromise. Thanks for coming along for the ride. A perfectly sensible approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted September 14, 2019 Author Share Posted September 14, 2019 I did some work to make the cowl match the front clip. I had to narrow it by about 1/4 inch. I also had to narrow the top about the same amount. The rear portion of the top needs to be fitted to the body next. Lots more adjustments to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 Tonight I made good progress on the fit of the hood to the cowl and made the louvered sides of the hood. This probably doesn't look like much but will pay big dividends in the appearance of the car when I am done. Thanks to all of you who have taken a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 This is really cool! I'm looking forward to seeing how this comes out. I've heard of The Olympian Cars, and I think I have seen exactly one copy, ever. As far as car books go, it's pretty much my grail purchase. Copies seem to be quite hard to find, and cost dearly when they do. Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 I didn't do much yesterday; just looked to see if the sidemounts would fit. The original Olympian Cars is indeed very pricey but the Minnesota Region of the CCCA reprinted it maybe 20 years ago and it can be found much more reasonably priced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 I just recieved an invitation to have dinner with the founder of Automodello, who was instrumental in mu procurement of the distressed L-29s. So now the pressure is on. I have to demonstrate that I got something done with them. Ideally, I want to show him a finished model. So, here it is with the guide coat sanded off and another round of putty on. If I say so myself, it's starting to look like a Cord. Clearly there is more to do on the front passenger fender but tge others are getting pretty close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted September 20, 2019 Author Share Posted September 20, 2019 Today i did some sanding and began working on the fit of the convertible top. The top is a large and essential part of the overall look of a Cord L-29 so it really needs to be right. I am also facing a bit of a dilemma. From day one my plan was to build a replica of a local car, done in silver over blue, with red wire wheels. It's a visual knockout though I have always wondered about the silver color from an authenticity perspective. In researching the L-29 details I came across Blondie, a very authentic L-29 in cream with dark tan hides. I almost have myself convinced that I like it better. If I can post photos of the two cars I will and please tell me what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted September 20, 2019 Author Share Posted September 20, 2019 Here are the two color schemes I am considering. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pico Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 Silver has a bit more "pop". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted September 21, 2019 Author Share Posted September 21, 2019 22 hours ago, Pico said: Silver has a bit more "pop". It does "pop" quite a bit more doesn't it? Before I finish it, I may try a set of red wires on one side and chrome on the other to compare the appearance. While that wouldn't be 100% authentic to the car I am replicating, the chrome wheels might cut a good compromise between "Blondie" and the Saddler car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted September 21, 2019 Author Share Posted September 21, 2019 This morning I went over the whole car with 1000 grit sandpaper and gave it a good wet sanding. I continued with fitting the top and did some small refinements of the front clip. Finally, I epoxied the hood louvers in place. I have a long way to go but feel good about my progress so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pico Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 3 hours ago, Eric Macleod said: It does "pop" quite a bit more doesn't it? Before I finish it, I may try a set of red wires on one side and chrome on the other to compare the appearance. While that wouldn't be 100% authentic to the car I am replicating, the chrome wheels might cut a good compromise between "Blondie" and the Saddler car. That car may not be authentic - always a problem with we classics builders from the days of black & white photography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Interesting project. Nice work with the modifications. Interested in what your final color choices will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Bartrop Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 I'm kind of biased toward the silver and black one, mostly because of the red wheels. As far as authenticity goes, it's not unusual for a classic to go through several colour schemes over it's lifetime. If there is a trend with L-29s is that they are not subtle cars, and E. L. Cord seemed to be a big fan of flambouyant paint schemes, like this screaming orange and cream L-29 at the Gasoline Alley museum here in Calgary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted September 24, 2019 Author Share Posted September 24, 2019 Today I did some work on the windshield frame. This will be critical to the fit of the convertible top. I am going to use a peice modified from the Johan Cadillac V-16 Cabriolet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted October 2, 2019 Author Share Posted October 2, 2019 Progress with this continues albeit slowly. Here I am closing gaps in the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted November 17, 2019 Author Share Posted November 17, 2019 So two steps forward and three steps back. I have been sidelined FCC or quite a while because of family matters but decided to get back on this one. I wasn't happy with the mating of the body and the hood/grill assembly so I've been working on that transition. It will be better with the cowl molding in place. Also the beltline molding wasn't lining up with the hood so that needed work also. It doesn't look like much but is heading in the right direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted November 17, 2019 Share Posted November 17, 2019 On 9/16/2019 at 7:08 AM, Eric Macleod said: I didn't do much yesterday; just looked to see if the sidemounts would fit. The original Olympian Cars is indeed very pricey but the Minnesota Region of the CCCA reprinted it maybe 20 years ago and it can be found much more reasonably priced. Really? I'll have to keep an eye open. If you know who might have a copy for sale, don't hesitate to contact me. Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted November 17, 2019 Share Posted November 17, 2019 On 9/20/2019 at 10:16 AM, Eric Macleod said: Here are the two color schemes I am considering. What do you think? That cream-white with the black accents is pretty. Tamiya Racing White is an almost perfect match for it, too. Idea on the cream theme....maybe use cream with accents in something like Forest or Brunswick Green or Navy? Vermillion might be a nice choice, too. Not too oranage. Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I Am Posted November 18, 2019 Share Posted November 18, 2019 Love seeing all these classics being built right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted November 18, 2019 Author Share Posted November 18, 2019 2 hours ago, Sam I Am said: Love seeing all these classics being built right now. It is sort of a fun renaissance. I still have dreams that one of the model makers will drop one more classic on us but don't hold a lot of hope. In the meantime the Cord has become my one and only model project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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