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'53 Ford Cannonball Pro-Touring


Phildaupho

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I have long been a fan of the Carrera Panamericana Road Race both the original and the revival and the cars that participated. Other open road races in the USA have created a style of automobiles that that have become known as Pro-Touring. A couple of years ago I built a ’64 Fairlane Thunderbolt as my take of a Pro-Touring version of the Holman and Moody road course 427 Fairlane. At the time I had the intension of doing similar modifications to a ’53 Ford.  The incentive to finally build this model was the 2023 Cannonball Run-What-You-Brung Community Build on Model Cars Magazine Forum.

’52 to ’54 Fords have participated in both the original and revival Panamericana, so the back story on my model is that it is a car that was initially built for the Panamericana and then later modified in the pro-touring style.

MODIFICATIONS

BODY

All lower body trim removed and filled

Headlights and taillight housings Frenched

Wheelwell openings raised but kept the same shape

Bumpers dechromed and molded to the body

Air dam and splitter added below front bumper

Lip spoiler added to trunk

Quick release fuel cap

Extra driving lights added to grill

Updated side mirrors

CHASSIS

Adapted the optional lowered suspension from the Revell ’56 Chev which includes big disc brakes Wheels and tires also from ’56 Chev kit

Side exit exhaust

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INTERIOR

Custom seating from AMT 57 Ford

Centre console with drink holders, armrest storage compartment and shifter

Photo-etched auxiliary gauge panel and navigation screen added to dash

Sporty steering wheel

Roll cage

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ENGINE COMPARTMENT

Battery removed

Dual master cylinder with booster

Bigger radiator with electric fan

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ENGINE

Thunderbird Y-Block from Revell ’57 Ford with a Latham supercharger and four side draft carbs from the AMT ’25 Model-T

Alternator

5-Speed transmission from AMT Phantom Vickie

 

Here is the ’53 with her younger ’64 sister

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5 hours ago, espo said:

Beautiful looking body work and paint scheme. Very comprehensive chassis and engine setup. Interior is well thought out and looks comfortable. 

 

4 hours ago, KWT said:

Well thought out and nicely executed.. Very nicely done

 

Hope to see you one race day...

 

3 hours ago, Flatout said:

Cool concept Phil…nice job on all the bodywork and interior mods!

 

3 hours ago, Rattlecan Dan said:

Man, looks like you poured a ton of work into those fine looking cars. Great builds! Thanks for posting.

Thanks guys. I have always enjoyed doing body modifications and it may be my favourite aspect of model car building. 

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On 5/30/2023 at 11:41 PM, Koellefornia Kid said:

Great build with a cool overall concept and very nice executed! The Thunderbolt looks great, too!

 

On 5/31/2023 at 2:54 AM, XYHARRY said:

Nice work on both these pro tourers. I love these "what if" builds. Well done Phil and thanks for posting. 

Cheers, 

David. 😎👍

 

On 5/31/2023 at 4:54 AM, Zippi said:

Nice looking 53 Ford.  I like the added spoiler to the deck lid.  Great build.

 

22 hours ago, ChrisR said:

Looks great!

 

19 hours ago, SpikeSchumacher said:

Very nicely done Phil!

 

13 hours ago, karbuildr said:

That's one mean looking Ford. Very cool build. Great job Phil.

Thanks - I really appreciate your comments. Here are a couple of additional photos as tributes to both the Carrera Panamericana and Cannonball.

2v2e6HKAJximYT.jpg2v2e6HKBEximYT.jpg

 

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30 minutes ago, crazyjim said:

Looking good.

Thanks Jim

9 minutes ago, thatz4u said:

Nice Ford, original ideas, well done........(if I were racing in the Cannonball, I would not advertise it)

Thanks Al - The decals are temporary and will be removed before posting on the  Cannonball  finished build thread for the race the middle of November but for now they advertise the event.

 

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