Bernard Kron Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) Radical tube framed ’29 Ford Pickup rat rod built for the Rats ‘n’ Cats theme of this year’s NNL West. More pictures below. This build was a pure Parts Box special with a scratch built frame and 100% spare parts. It started with a Photoshop “sketch†of a concept for an ultra-light tube framed radical rod based on a leftover Revell ’29 Ford pickup cab I had: (Click on picture for larger image) The motor, transmission and headers (reversed) are from the Revell Parts Pack Caddy with a blower adapted from the AMT HemiSphere dragster kit. The exhaust pipes are scratch built from aluminum tubing with a dull coat. Aftermarket parts are limited to the American Racing 12 Spoke front wheels and rubber tires from Competition Resins, the gas tank from The Parts Box in Australia, the seats from Early Years Resin and the rear drum brakes, the ignition coil and a photo-etch instrument panel from Replicas and Miniatures Co. of Maryland. The front suspension is from a Revell 37 Ford, the rear spring from an AMT ’34 Ford, and the the rear axle and driveshaft from a Revell ’32 Ford. The steering arm is scratch built and the miscellaneous shocks, control arms, Panhard rod, etc. are fabricated from bits and pieces from the parts box. The steering wheel and headlights are from the AMT ’29 Model A Ford Roadster kit and the taillights are the Appleton spots from the Revell ’49 Merc kit with clear red paint on the lenses. The W.I.P. can be found here: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17223 Thanx for lookin’. Edited February 12, 2009 by gbk1
fordh8r Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 Pretty cool build! I wonder if I have enough stuff in my parts box for such a build? .......hhhmmmm? Well, it looks like another fun build for the ol'shelf, heh? Nicely done I really like the Rat Rod style, it has really grown on me after going to a couple of Rat Rod shows recently. Also after seeing some of the builds here on the forum. I guess one nice thing about a parts box build..... it's like building a model you didn't have to go out and buy.
Raul_Perez Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 This picture totally sells the "Evil, Wicked, Mean and Nasty" look in a very menacing and sinister way!! Like you said, "meet the Future Rat's evil twin!" Way cool, Bernard!! It'll definately stand out on the table of rat rods at the NNL!! Later,
Bernard Kron Posted February 11, 2009 Author Posted February 11, 2009 (edited) Thanx guys. It certainly true that building a "rat" can be a lot of fun because it allows a certain exaggeration in style that replica builds don't permit. Plus it's a total gas wandering through the parts box looking for likely candidates! Raul's reference to the Future Rat's "evil twin" is based on a conversation we had where I mentioned that my build was the exact opposite of the '32 Ford Sedan "Future Rat" he built for this year's NNL West, It has a Flat 8 "future motor" and represents a current hot rod 30 years in the future. It occurred to me that my Tube Rat car represents a 60's Show Rod that has been neglected and was "enjoying" a second life in 2009 as a Rat Rod - the Future Rat's evil twin with it's ultra-gas-guzzling retro blown Cadillac. as compared to Edited February 11, 2009 by gbk1
Raul_Perez Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Cool new avatar, Bernard!! Maybe we'll have to find you the, (now old and ratty), truck/trailer combo that the Tube Rat once rode to the shows on in it's glory days with a picture of it on the side!! Later,
Bernard Kron Posted February 13, 2009 Author Posted February 13, 2009 Cool new avatar, Bernard!! Maybe we'll have to find you the, (now old and ratty), truck/trailer combo that the Tube Rat once rode to the shows on in it's glory days with a picture of it on the side!! Later, You mean the Future Hauler's Evil Twin?
RJWood Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 The Tube Rat is Awesome. This is how you build a Rat. With parts from where ever they can be found. Great execution. You've inspired me to try a build like this.
Bernard Kron Posted February 13, 2009 Author Posted February 13, 2009 The Tube Rat is Awesome. This is how you build a Rat. With parts from where ever they can be found. Great execution. You've inspired me to try a build like this. Thanx RJ. I've never built an offcial "Rat" before, but I love the spirit of the things. They are Hot Rods after all!
curt raitz Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Very nice build, Bernard you and Raul are having way - way too much fun with these ratters'... I'm lookin' forward to meeting you at the NNL West
Bernard Kron Posted February 13, 2009 Author Posted February 13, 2009 Very nice build, Bernard you and Raul are having way - way too much fun with these ratters'... I'm lookin' forward to meeting you at the NNL West Thanx Curt. I'm looking forward to it, too. Count me in as a real fan of your great builds!
Raul_Perez Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 You mean the Future Hauler's Evil Twin? Yep!! That's the one!! I like the name you chose for the Tube Rat back in it's glory days; "The Beast"!! All the hauler needs is a mean and nasty blown Caddy engine sitting under the hood and some serious side-pipes to bring the entire look together!! Later,
Raul_Perez Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 ...Bernard you and Raul are having way - way too much fun with these ratters'... Curt, When it comes to model building, especially rats, there is no such thing as "too much fun"!! Later,
prostreeter69 Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Hey guys! I like the rod, but I would really like to see more pics of the Ford trucks. Got any?
Bernard Kron Posted February 13, 2009 Author Posted February 13, 2009 Hey guys! I like the rod, but I would really like to see more pics of the Ford trucks. Got any? Their is no Evil Twin and the Future Hauler is many good years away. The the picture is a Photoshop mockup but the Raptor Hauler on which the picture is based is very real, part of an epic build by Raul. Here's the link to the workbench thread: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.p...3&hl=Hauler and here are some pics: Raul promises us he'll have this done in time for the NNL West!
Dennis Lacy Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Your little truck turned out awesome, Bernard. It is a quintissential rat rod!
Bernard Kron Posted February 16, 2009 Author Posted February 16, 2009 Likeing your builds Bernard don v Thamx Don!
Don Banes Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 Radical tube framed ’29 Ford Pickup rat rod built for the Rats ‘n’ Cats theme of this year’s NNL West. More pictures below. This build was a pure Parts Box special with a scratch built frame and 100% spare parts. It started with a Photoshop “sketch†of a concept for an ultra-light tube framed radical rod based on a leftover Revell ’29 Ford pickup cab I had: (Click on picture for larger image) The motor, transmission and headers (reversed) are from the Revell Parts Pack Caddy with a blower adapted from the AMT HemiSphere dragster kit. The exhaust pipes are scratch built from aluminum tubing with a dull coat. Aftermarket parts are limited to the American Racing 12 Spoke front wheels and rubber tires from Competition Resins, the gas tank from The Parts Box in Australia, the seats from Early Years Resin and the rear drum brakes, the ignition coil and a photo-etch instrument panel from Replicas and Miniatures Co. of Maryland. The front suspension is from a Revell 37 Ford, the rear spring from an AMT ’34 Ford, and the the rear axle and driveshaft from a Revell ’32 Ford. The steering arm is scratch built and the miscellaneous shocks, control arms, Panhard rod, etc. are fabricated from bits and pieces from the parts box. The steering wheel and headlights are from the AMT ’29 Model A Ford Roadster kit and the taillights are the Appleton spots from the Revell ’49 Merc kit with clear red paint on the lenses. The W.I.P. can be found here: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17223 Thanx for lookin’. Pretty daggone warped I'd say, but I like it a lot! Great model making my friend!
Bernard Kron Posted February 18, 2009 Author Posted February 18, 2009 Thanx for the kudos, Mr. Banes! Very much appreciated. That spare blower setup from the HemiSphere that someone gave me, with the really sweet belt drive detail, sure made the difference in bulking up the Caddy to right degree of Beastliness... There's still a '37 Chevy in my future after the run down the coast to the NNL!
Raul_Perez Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 ...There's still a '37 Chevy in my future after the run down the coast to the NNL! Now I want to see that!! There are so many cool ways to build a 37 Chevy, but my favorite is a salt flat racer!! So, what do you have in mind for it?
Bernard Kron Posted February 20, 2009 Author Posted February 20, 2009 (edited) Now I want to see that!! There are so many cool ways to build a 37 Chevy, but my favorite is a salt flat racer!! So, what do you have in mind for it? Still not sure. Somehow I acquired a Stone, Woods & Cook Revellogram Willys ( ) that would yield a great chassis for a detailed out gasser. On the other hand the AMT kit comes with a very nice blanked grill shell that just screams Bonneville. A full custom, on the other hand would take massive bodywork intervention. And I think the kit body is too pretty to risk that sort of thing. I doubt that I would rat it out either. One thing I'm certain of, it won't be box stock because nothing I build ever seems to be that way. Edited February 20, 2009 by gbk1
Raul_Perez Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 (edited) Actually, the blanked out grille was originally made to build the model as a gasser!! Here's some old box art. There was also a salt flat racer, but it was only issued with the special fill panels for the front one time as the "Salt Shaker". I've only seen the '37 Chevy built this way one time. The guy brings it to the NNL West show. Later, Edited February 20, 2009 by Raul_Perez
Bernard Kron Posted February 20, 2009 Author Posted February 20, 2009 Actually, the blanked out grille was originally made to build the model as a gasser!!... There was also a salt flat racer, but it was only issued with the special fill panels for the front one time as the "Salt Shaker". Thanx for Salt Shaker pic. I've seen it before but it's been a while. In the back of my mind I think I must have had that image which made me consider a Salt Flats car. If I build a Bonneville car I would leave the front fenders on, sit it lower than that, and generally go for a more streamlined look. I would also use skinnier salt flats tires. I wonder if the blanked out grill didn't orginate with the Salt Shaker and then migrate over to the gasser version? It would make more sense since gassers generally don't emphasize the aerodynamics much. Blanking the side panels would be no big deal. The other item that may be missing from the gasser version is the dropped front axle which gives the Shaker it's sexy rake.
bsoder Posted February 21, 2009 Posted February 21, 2009 Very cooool ...I'll look forward to seeing it in March
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now