Doug Bowen Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Well, this is my first model project in probably 20 years so here goes: AMT started as a hardtop, so it had to come off. I have to thin this out a bit yet, I can see... I started on the engine, but got hung up on making a "real" sway bar after I found a reference pic on the internet. Started with 14 gauge house wiring, which is .060" OD which equates to about 1-1/5" OD. This is a little "heavy" but I think still looks believable, scale-wise. Bent the thing to approximate the pic I downloaded, then "squashed" the ends with a pair of vise-grips, filed them round with my Dremel tool, then chucked the wire-gauge ferrule and drilled the holes to mount the "stand-offs" which are yet to be figured out. So this is just the beginning. I can see my problem is going to be knowing when to say enough is enough. I'm like a dog in a fire hydrant factory with this stuff. I will tend to enjoy the trip so much that I forget there is a destination here! My neighbor is in his late 70's and I want to be able to hand him a replica of his most "favorite car" he ever had. I can't begin to tell you all the incentive you have given me to start this up again. I am re-discovering the sheer joy of working on these little gems. Thank you. Wish me luck! D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Looking forward to your build. So many of us came back to this great hobby... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Mike Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Great start so far Doug, welcome back to the hobby! The scratch-built sway bar doesn't look bad at all, it may be slightly large, but unless you have some 18 gauge wire around, it'll do the trick. I'm not even sure if 18 gauge would be in scale either, but it would be a bit smaller...I'm gonna have to try some! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Nice project, and welcome back. The '55-'57 fords are some of the best looking old American irons going, to my eyes, and the convertibles are real traffic stoppers...especially two-toned. According the the wire-gauge tables, 18 gauge is .0403" in diameter. This equals right at 1 inch in 1/25 scale, which is just about perfect for a sway bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shardik Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I can see my problem is going to be knowing when to say enough is enough. I'm like a dog in a fire hydrant factory with this stuff. I will tend to enjoy the trip so much that I forget there is a destination here! Wish me luck! D ^Don't worry, this is a common mallady on this site. Some of us have it worse than others Welcome back to the hobby. I think we'll all be enjoying your return, based on what I see here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PappyD340 Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Real NICE start Douglas, looking forward to seeing this one come together, and welcome back to the hobby, just enjoy yourself!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 So far, so good, Doug. Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Mike Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 According the the wire-gauge tables, 18 gauge is .0403" in diameter. This equals right at 1 inch in 1/25 scale, which is just about perfect for a sway bar. Wow, I was right? Thanks Bill, now I'm gonna start hoarding all the 18 Gauge wire I used to throw out at work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Hamilton Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Looks pretty good so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Bowen Posted November 3, 2013 Author Share Posted November 3, 2013 Got a little bit more along the way. Roughed in the emergency brake cable setup... Also working on u-bolts/shock mount plates on the rear... Trying to make front springs and shocks. (yet to be determined!!!) Any tips or suggestions are greatly appreciated. I'll post more on the journey. Thanks folks... D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cesar Bossolani Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Cool project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webestang Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Very cool way to make a sway bar.....!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsc Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Great looking springs. Did you make them from wire as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geemoney Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 the sway bar is awesome! too fat? never! soft springs...big bars! looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Bowen Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 Thanks for the comments, guys.I made the springs out of some "florist wire" that I had lying about for years! Just wrapped them around a piece of tubing.Thanks for looking in on it. I'll continue to post as life goes along.D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 The chassis cleaned up nicely. Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Nice chassis work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Bowen Posted January 26, 2014 Author Share Posted January 26, 2014 Thanksgiving and Christmas are now behind us. Just wanted to post some pics so you know I didn't quit the hobby already!! Next on the body is sanding, clearing, then foil. Gotta figure out how my eyes and hands will work trying to detail the dash. (Had a heck of a time uploading these pics. Don't know what is going to post...we'll see.) D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordairgtar Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Good job , Doug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60s era Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Doug, Ford looks, great excellent work..Paint is real smooth, great job.Sway bar is very nice as is the suspension and interior...Have yet to try doing a sway bar or coil springs --- but do look wayy cool.. Keep up the great work.. Excellent job.... Tom Bowen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Excellent work, Doug. Those colors are marvelous. Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryan_m Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 nice work doug! love the e-brake stuff! cheers bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Bowen Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share Posted February 1, 2014 Just had a chance to get back on the site to check out the wonders you all have posted of your works-in-progress. I learn so much just looking at what you guys have thought of. Thanks for the kind words on the '56. Gotta get back on it soon! D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMPALA SS 427 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Beautiful colour choice and I like the fact that its a convertible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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