Bantam coupe street rod

[vtecfour]

I've always wanted to build the Bantam coupe street rod as featured in Dennis Doty's article in Car Model magazine, November 1967.

So after almost 50 years, I retrieved what parts I had collected from so many decades ago and started.

First up was filling in the optional coupe body's (Monogram Sizzler dragster kit) wheel arches, firewall and roof with .040" sheet styrene.

After many cycles of filing/sanding/spray primer, I got a reasonable body.

I'm more of a slot car builder these days, so this was prepared as a master for a silicone slosh cast mold too. I've got visions of a bunch of these running on my three-lane wood track.

The chassis as suggested by the article is from the old Monogram L'il Coffin show rod shortened 1/2" not the 3/4" as in the article build.  Needed that extra length to fit my chosen motor, a Hemi of unknown origin.

Body's test fitted and the stance is good for me.

I modified the custom quad-lit grille from the AMT Willys/32 Ford kit into a dual for fit and a better look in my view.

I haven't built a static car model in decades, so am pretty pleased with the progress so far.

Dan in Canada

 

 

[Snake45]

Very, VERY cool project! I too have fond memories of that article and have thought of trying to do something similar. 

We now know that the Sizzler is way oversized (closer to 1/20 than 1/24?), but the (real) Bantam body is so tiny that it really doesn't look out of place used this way. (I saw a real one at a car show a while back and it made a VW Beetle look like a '40 Ford.) 

I think a lot of us here will be following this project. Drive on! 

[Zippi]

What a kewl little project.  Nice work.

[Painted Black]

That is really looking good, I like!!

[dave branson]

very cool

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

I like it! Great idea. Definitely cozy quarters! -RRR

[cobraman]

I'm going to like this.

[slusher]

Awesome looking project

[afx]

Interesting. 

[vtecfour]

Got some paint on.  Sprayed Tamiya TS-59 Light Pearl Red onto the body, grille, chassis, rear axle and drive shaft.  Details done in red, gray, silver and flat black Tamiya brush paint.

. 

Missing a number of front and rear suspension pieces from the L'il Coffin's chassis but this'll do for now.

More engine work and then we're onto the interior.

Coming along well.

Dan

[vtecfour]

Covered the interior tray floor with adhesive-backed black felt from the local craft store. Seats, dash and steering wheel are of unknown origin but look appropriate. Gear shift is .032 piano wire and UV-cured adhesive at the end painted yellow.

The steering linkage interfered with the exhaust header (unknown origin) and engine mount but worked out after some grinding and hot knife work.

I'm missing some of the original L'il Coffin's front and rear suspension pieces but I think what's there is good enough for me.

Pretty much done.

I'm really pleased the 50 year stored parts are together and represent what was in my thoughts so long ago.

Now to build a slot car version.

Dan

[cobraman]

Looks great, the color suits it.

[TransAmMike]

Very cool ride Dan. I'm not a big old school street rod fan but I sure do like yours.  Good job👍

[Snake45]

Very different, very interesting, very very cool! But I can't be the only one here wondering how one gets in and out of it? Perhaps the body hinges up a la funny car/Orange Crate? 

[vtecfour]

I was very hesitant to scribe door shut lines as I find them difficult to get straight and making opening doors (as per the article) is even more daunting.

May try scribing on one of my eventual resin copies but will leave the static as is.

Dan

 

[vtecfour]

Finished off with these last details.

- trimmed a windshield from .020" PETG clear plastic with a painted flat black surround and spot glued in with UV-cured glue

- simulated front springs with thin solder wire

- attached light lenses at the back and a licence plate and holder (unknown origin)

 

l

Still can't find the L'il Coffin suspension shock absorbers so will adapt some from the parts bin.

Pleased with the results after such a long time.

Dan

[Paul Payne]

Really cool old school rod- pulled together from what's on hand, just like the old days- one suggestion-sand the slicks 'cause I'm sure a few burnouts were done to test out the drive and power train!😁

[Zippi]

I was going to ask you what kit that Hemi came out of but I went back and read what you said.  "Hemi of unknown origin"

[slusher]

Very nicely done!   

[bobthehobbyguy]

Very cool. Nicely done. I have one of those sizzler bodies and the lil coffin kits might just do one myself. Interesting I don't remember seeing that article. Thanks for showing it.

[stavanzer]

Beautiful Build. The colour is period perfect. The Bodywork is outstanding. I really like this.

[vtecfour]

Took three tries and finally got a clean slosh cast of the Bantam Coupe body and grille. 

The so-so ones are OK for slot car builds and the good one will be a static build.

Gonna try putting this body on top of the Revell Roth "Tweedy Pie" chassis.

Having lots of fun getting back into static building.

Dan

[Modlbldr]

Dan,

I just read through this post. What a cool looking little build. I have done similar body work filling the wheel wells and the roof hole on one of these Bantam bodies to build a modern version of this. However, after looking at your build I'm definitely going to have to do one 60's style. Too Cool!! 

Thanks for the inspiration!

Later-

[ewetwo]

Very Sharp looking.

[vtecfour]

In my attempt to slotify the body, I've ended up enclosing the engine bay and adding some trim detail on the hood and roof.

Quite pleased with the look, so I made another mold and slosh cast a few bodies.

After eye balling a glue bomb Revell 32 Ford  Orange Crate chassis next to the body, I think it'll work for a re-body. Will start another build thread for this.

Dan