1948 Ford coupe

[jeffs396]

Here's a project I really need to finish by April...replicating my Dad's first car, a semi-custom "leadsled" he built around 1959-60? I started this thing back in 2004, with the R-M promodeler 48 convertible and a Perry's resin deluxe coupe body. My Dad's 70th birthday is in April, I'd like to hand him the completed car as a surprise!

His 1:1 was a rust-free example he paid $75! for...he stripped it of all of it's trim, only keeping brightwork for the bumpers, lower grille, headlight rings, and 49 Merc taillight bezels. All trim holes and upper grille bar were gas welded and smoothed with pounds & pounds of good old LEAD!

Without asking my Dad too many questions as to not give the surprise away, here's what I know...after all of the welding, shaving, and smoothing, he put 49 merc taillights on it and painted it Regal maroon? I've searched for that color name in every online source I could find, doesn't seem to exist! It was a GM color (he thinks), non-metallic, and by his description, sounds more like a dark tomato red than maroon Here's what I got done six years ago!

Couldn't find any original pics of one of these, before I wire the flathead, does anyone know what color these engines were originally?

Looks like he may have had it lowered also, gotta get the ride height down some...

Lots of hubcap makin', smoothin', etc. to do before completion...hope I can get it done!

[RodneyBad]

Looks like he lowered it a good 6 inches at least.

Great looking car and a nice project.

I've built 2 of my dads cars for him (model wise that is )

[Foxer]

My favorite type of build! Looks like you have the corr4ect hubcap in the last photo.

[mageckman]

Jeff, I googled regal maroon paint and according to what I found it was a 1952 Chevrolet color. I think the numbers shown wioth them were factory color numbers. The one listed is 479 Regal Maroon. Chrysler also had a regal maroon back in the 40's. looks like it was quite a bit lighter than the chevrolet version. Hope this helps.

[charlie8575]

479 would be the GM Code. MCW has that available.

Another possible color it might have been was Copper Maroon, a 1955 Chevy color. I don't believe that's a metallic.

Show us progress, Jeff. Sounds like a great project.

Charlie Larkin

[roadhawg]

Totally awesome project!!! As far as engine colors, if it was the engine that came in the car, dark blue. Pre-war flatheads were green.

[Dr. Cranky]

Ooh, I likes it. I love fat fendered Fords.

[jeffs396]

Thanks for the info & positive comments everyone! Internet searches have come a LONG way since 2004! I'll use the dark Ford blue on the engine, and procure a few ounces of the 52 Chevy "regal maroon", that's gotta be the color!

I dropped this thing down quite a bit in the rear, but I think it's gotta go more & some in the front also to match the old pics...I believe both of these pics were taken the same day back then, looks like regular whitewalls on the driver's side, and the "portawalls" on the passenger side, I remember him telling me he had those on it, must have lost two at high speed or couldn't afford four!

Anyone recognize those front hubcaps?

Edited November 16, 2010 by jeffs396

[Salvo]

Looks like a nice project, your dad should really be surprised!

[Guest GreggH]

Great build....old kit though

[Casey]

Time to bring this one back out onto the workbench. 

[mod3l Lover]

On 11/14/2010 at 6:37 PM, Dr. Cranky said:

Ooh, I likes it. I love fat fendered Fords.

  I agree with Doc!!  Those big fenders always

look kool to me!!

    David S.

Time to bring this one back out onto the workbench.  

   Yeah, that too!!

 

Edited December 19, 2018 by mod3l Lover

[carmad1957]

I love these fat fender lead sleds, you can take them in so many different directions! looks like you're off to a great start. Count me in! 

Edited December 24, 2018 by carmad1957
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[66belair]

Very cool!