AMT 1932 Ford Roadster: Chanelled Hotrod!

[Dennis Lacy]

I'll preface by saying this is my first build in 10 years, finished or otherwise. I decided to re-enter the hobby with a relatively simple kit and build so I could focus on myself and getting comfortable again. I did my best to keep the modifications simple and to a minimum, but you all know how that goes...

The car started out as (what I think is) the most recent re-issue of AMT's '32 Ford Roadster. When compared to the technical advances of more modern-tool '32 kits available this kit is quite primitive, but it has a lot of character.

Chassis: I took a couple deep breaths and forced myself to use the kits frame with molded in rear axle and stock exhaust system with the justification that when the car's sitting on the shelf and it can't be seen, it won't matter. However, the front crossmember and frame horns were removed and the front crossmember and frame horns from one of Revell's '32 kits grafted in place. Rather than the seperate, plated spreader bar I molded in a bar made from plastic tubing. The entire chrome suspension from Revell's '32 kits was used, save for replacing the disc brakes with period-correct early Ford drum brake plates from the Monogram '32 Roadster. The wheels, hub caps and rear tires from AMT's '40 Coupe were used with the fronts modified to mate-up to the Revell axle. The front tires are from the spare box and are a good match. The frame is painted Testors Model Master gloss black.

Engine: The engine is from AMT's '32 Ford Coupe and is an overly simplified early small block Chevy and was a good choice for my "keep it simple" theme and the six-two setup with angled scoops looks period-perfect. I changed things up a bit with some finned Corvette-script valve covers, cut off the molded-on generator and used a chrome one from the spare box and used the Corvette exhaust manifolds from the Monogram '32 Roadster kit and the front tubes that come molded to them. The tubes are long enough to reach about halfway under the car for a simple open lake-pipe look. The engine is painted Testors dark red along with the "mouths" of the carburetor scoops and generator end plate. Details like the oil filter, starter and pulleys were hand painted Testors gloss black. The exhaust system is Testors silver.

Body: I chose to use the fenderless, channeled option. A lot of time was spent cleaning up the body by removing mold seams and sharpening the body lines. The cowl vent was "filled" and the working rumbleseat converted to a non-functioning trunk lid. The firewall was made from the optional flat firewall found in Lindberg's '34 Ford Pickup. The radiator shell and insert are heavilly chopped Revell '32 parts and the radiator comes from Monogram's '32 Roadster and was equally cut-down. The windshield frame is out of the box but with new "glass" made from clear acetate. The headlights are the optional smaller pieces from the Revell '32 kits and the taillights are '39 Ford teardrops from the spare box. The body (as well as the shell, wheels, dashboard, steering column and wheel) is painted Testors Colors by Boyd kandy purple pearl over a Testors silver base. Thinned flat black was flowed between the grill bars.

Interior: The kit interior, for the sake of cutting to the chase, sucks! To remedy this the side panels and seat from Revell's '32 Roadster were utilized. The bottoms of the side panels were trimmed off to accomodate the channeled body. The seat was cut apart where the upper and lower cushions come together and was minipulated to fit and the head bolster trimmed so that it would fit over the top of the body lip. The dashboard is from AMT's '40 coupe and fit with a lot of massaging. The steering column (with column-shift) and wheel come from AMT's '49 Mercury Coupe. The kit floorboard and pedals were used. The "upholstry" pieces are painted Tamiya matt white and the floor Tamiya semi-gloss black.

I'm very pleased with the outcome of this build, especially considering how long I'd been away. Hope you all enjoy!

(Sorry about the picture quality, I'm still trying to figure it out.)

[old-hermit]

Cool little rod. Welcome back to the hobby.

[mercuryman]

Sweet little rod. Love the paint!

[arby1949]

nice work, hope you will not wait another 10 years for your next one.

[Berk765]

Awesome Hot rod!!

[Nick F40]

Now this is pretty cool

thanks for the tips

[RodBurNeR]

sweet hot rod! color and stance are perfect!

[RadRidesByDan]

true looking HotRod. its perfect in every way to suite the days. Great work .... and yes ....welcome back to the hobby

[Dennis Lacy]

Thanks for all the kind words! It feels good to be back and I don't see the next one taking 10 years, haha. With any luck I'll have #2 wrapped up next weekend.