CabDriver Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 Wow, that was a long title! I felt like building something for a contest, but not necessarily GOING to a contest (even if a bunch of them weren’t cancelled anyway). I saw the Desert Scale Classic is all-online this year so I figured I’d try throwing something together for that... Also this year I wanted to build an AMT Deuce, and there was some graffiti right near our local station in New York that I’d always see that just read “Joker Is Wild” (?) and I thought that’d be a cool showcar name. Throw those all together and here comes another project! I picked up the Pro Shop AMT Deuce and figured that would make a nice change from the much more popular Revell kit if I’m going with a 32. Unfortunately, it’s fair to say there’s nothing too “pro” about the frame in this kit. Was kinda hoping it was the one WITHOUT all the moulded-in junk... I do have a bunch of the optional Deuce frames from the Revell 29 kit tho... The AMT axle drops right in there too! Now, I know I’d be better off just building a Revell 32 Roadster kit, but I kinda wanna do something with this AMT body, and I’ve been wondering how the new Revell frame would would with any of those older bodies, so here’s a chance to try it out... I zee’d the Revell frame at the front to get the nose down somewhat, made a new crossmember for mock-up purposes and then modified the AMT axle to accept the Revell 29 fined brake drums. Oh, and drilled it out too: I’d like to use the AMT Hemi that comes in the kit...but the Revell take is much newer and better too so I’ll be going with that too I think: Quick mock-up - it’s a start! More soon! 🃏 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedShift Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 Looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabDriver Posted March 26, 2021 Author Share Posted March 26, 2021 Wow, I’m making REALLY slow progress on this one 🤪. Had a busy few weeks (and a couple more coming up). Did a tiny bit tho... I was putting off making the floor, and then realized I have an extra Revell 29 floor that will fit right on the frame. Duh. Had to make a little tiny hump so it would clear the trans, but it’ll work like it was made for the task (because it was): Ordered some resin copies of the Revell 30 Coupe bomber seats and some I beam styrene so I can make some runners to mount them on: And I figured I haven’t done frenched taillights on a rod build before, so I drilled appropriately sized holes - wonder if I can find some cool clear plastic rod that I can machine to make some cool pointy lights to go in there? Definitely going to need to do some surgery on that steering column hanger - it’s about touching the floor with this combination of parts (although I’ve got some room to drop the floor closer to the frame too... Just a mini update - more soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kromolly Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 Looking good! I'm anxious to watch this one progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modelbuilder Mark Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 Good progress on this kit so far. I agree that the term "pro" for this kit was VERY loosely used. Good luck and carry on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldscool Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 (edited) I like what you are doing here. Using all these parts from different kits is just like building a real period hotrod. Will the old AMT valve covers fit on the Revell heads? I just think it would be a more period correct look. Edited March 26, 2021 by oldscool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plowboy Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 It's coming together nice Jim! If you have an AMT '57 Fairlane, it has several bullet tail lights inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldscool Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 50 minutes ago, Plowboy said: It's coming together nice Jim! If you have an AMT '57 Fairlane, it has several bullet tail lights inside. So does the AMT 64 Mercury Marauder kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Lacy Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 As much as I’m way past using those old out of proportion AMT ‘32 bodies I have to admit this has a really good look to it so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted March 27, 2021 Share Posted March 27, 2021 Looking good Jim, keep it going friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabDriver Posted March 28, 2021 Author Share Posted March 28, 2021 On 3/26/2021 at 7:43 AM, Plowboy said: It's coming together nice Jim! If you have an AMT '57 Fairlane, it has several bullet tail lights inside. On 3/26/2021 at 8:34 AM, oldscool said: So does the AMT 64 Mercury Marauder kit Good tip, thanks fellas! I’d like to try making some, but those are great leads for if I don’t manage to (which is entirely possible 😂) On 3/26/2021 at 12:35 PM, Dennis Lacy said: As much as I’m way past using those old out of proportion AMT ‘32 bodies I have to admit this has a really good look to it so far! I think aside from the height of the sides the cowl is the most clunky looking part - but it’s less noticeable when the windshield is on there at least. Fun to mess with one that ISN’T a Revell though (even if about everything underneath it is, now 😂) On 3/26/2021 at 7:07 AM, oldscool said: I like what you are doing here. Using all these parts from different kits is just like building a real period hotrod. Will the old AMT valve covers fit on the Revell heads? I just think it would be a more period correct look. Good idea! Those AMT valve covers are a little small compared to the Revell ones, but I did find these which I like some more...smoothed out the top of the heads and drilled them to accept the new (old) ones: Needed to figure out the interior next - I’ve got a BUNCH of these Revell 29 pieces and they actually fit right inside the AMT body perfectly! I sliced a little slice out so the doors line up, but it was a pretty easy job to get them to work perfectly. Exactly the length and height I needed! With that done, I added some H channel strip to the rear part of those interior bits so I can slide a back trunk wall in there so you can’t see right into the back of the car from the interior: And I decided to put an aluminum fuel tank back there, so I spun up some round stock on the lathe: And came up with this: Which will sit like this, with a battery box next to it to somewhat balance the weight out, if it was real: Those little indents will be for some kind of hold-downs when I figure out what I want to do there...more soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldscool Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 Oh yeah! This is getting good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Those Revell interior panel look like they was made for an AMT kit. Nice fuel tank Jim... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabDriver Posted March 31, 2021 Author Share Posted March 31, 2021 Thanks fellas! A little more progress...got the suspension and all that stuff mainly figured out - I think I’m going to go through and detail up all the Revell 29 bits for this one. Still not 100% sure if I want to swap out the axle for something more interesting. That engine bay soon filled up with that Hemi in there! Also stuck on ideas for the exhaust system - maybe some lakes headers? Mate the kit headers to the pipes from the 29 kit? Find some block huggers? Any ideas? 🤔 The Revell ones I’ve got totally aren’t going to fit under the frame nicely (but they do hang over it ok!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Metallic Posted March 31, 2021 Share Posted March 31, 2021 The headers from the Ford motor in the AMT Phantom Vickie are actually great for a Hemi too if you have one of those kits in your stash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Killer paint. First paint was nice but the second is stunning. One question how are you going to get the wheels to fit the tires better there is quite a gap between the tire and rim, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabDriver Posted April 8, 2021 Author Share Posted April 8, 2021 On 3/31/2021 at 9:16 AM, Mr. Metallic said: The headers from the Ford motor in the AMT Phantom Vickie are actually great for a Hemi too if you have one of those kits in your stash. I do NOT have one of those in my stash, but it’s on the to-get list! Great lead, thank you! On 4/3/2021 at 10:17 AM, bobthehobbyguy said: Killer paint. First paint was nice but the second is stunning. One question how are you going to get the wheels to fit the tires better there is quite a gap between the tire and rim, That pic was actually from a different build (since completed)... Back on this one, the DSC rules require mufflers if you’re building for the street rod category, so lakes pipes were out - found some headers in the parts box that had the right spacing (as best I could work out, anyway) so I did some choppin’ and gluing and managed to get a serviceable exhaust setup made: One final test fit of all the major components before I blow it apart again: Everything fits ok and I’m happy with the overall look - now I get to start prepping some parts for paint and REALLY dig into some of the details. Got the frame in Bondo already to get it really nice and straight and fix all the little sink marks and imperfections...got some sanding ahead of me 🤪 More soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve H Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Nice work Jim. That Hemi looks fantastic nestled in there. Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David G. Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 Excellent work on this! There's always room for one more classic hotrod. David G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan barton Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 That Revell stuff is doing a good job of correcting AMT's shortcomings on this kit, Jim. I like the overall theme a lot. One suggestion, the AMT windshield frame is very thick in all dimensions. With a sharp X-acto followed by sanding sticks you can put it on a diet which helps immensely! Cheers Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabDriver Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 Thanks fellas! 14 hours ago, alan barton said: One suggestion, the AMT windshield frame is very thick in all dimensions. With a sharp X-acto followed by sanding sticks you can put it on a diet which helps immensely! You’re not wrong! Definitely needs some thinning down before I get as far as chroming it! A little progress the last couple of days - got the major components which will be body colored smoothed out and ready for primer: The dash and headlamps will match these bits too, but didn’t need quite so much Bondo... Shot with some filler primer just to give me something to sand into to level them out nicely - looks WAY better already! I’ll give them all another round of sanding and Bondoing and some more sanding tomorrow to get them a little closer to being paint-ready and see where we’re at then. Meanwhile, my acrylic rod arrived so I could start machining the taillights: This stuff machines really nicely - you have to be careful not to melt it and work nice and slow - I used an angled cutting bit and got it to where I could make a kinda bullet-shape to match what I had in mind: Tada! Not done yet, need to round the tips up by hand and then polish them up but they were relatively quick and easy to make. I might make some little chrome rings to go around them - but also that kind of defeats the purpose of those openings I made for them to emerge from...we’ll see how they look when I get to paint. More soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan barton Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 (edited) Those lights look magic - and you are right about the chrome rings, it needs them. Just drill your holes a fraction bigger and recess the chrome ring inside the frenched tunnel - yummy! Cheers Alan Edited April 11, 2021 by alan barton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabDriver Posted April 22, 2021 Author Share Posted April 22, 2021 (edited) On 4/11/2021 at 6:32 PM, alan barton said: Those lights look magic - and you are right about the chrome rings, it needs them. Just drill your holes a fraction bigger and recess the chrome ring inside the frenched tunnel - yummy! Cheers Alan Sounds like a plan buddy! Had a fun week painting this thing...took a while to get all the layers done (and there weren’t even THAT many of them 🤪). First up, lime ice green: Then cut and applied a set of masks: That tiny lettering was particular tricky 🤪😂. Then, a base coat of black: Followed by blue/purple flip-flop: Then followed by rainbow pearl with pink mixed in to make the highlights even brighter once it’s cleared (hopefully): Then a little Testor’s pearl purple mixed with white for some highlights at the tip of the flames: Then, moment of truth, time to de-mask and see what we’ve got... It’s good practice to de-mask as soon as the paint is starting to set up so you get nice clean edges...but I couldn’t do that with this particular sequence of painting and layers so I need to tidy the edges up a LITTLE, but it’s nothing major. Once that’s done, we can shoot some nice glossy clear coat and really see this thing sparkle! More soon! Edited April 22, 2021 by CabDriver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve H Posted April 22, 2021 Share Posted April 22, 2021 Stunning paint Jim !! Should look killer cleared and polished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Lacy Posted April 22, 2021 Share Posted April 22, 2021 Very cool! I like the simple flame pattern this time around and the lettering on the deck lid turned out awesome. Can't wait to see it sealed in shiny clear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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