customline

I bought this kit, I dunno, like 15 years ago and almost immediately envisioned turning it into a phantom El Camino. I realized then that I didn't possess the skills at a high enough level to accomplish it. I still don't, but I'm not getting any younger so here goes ?. This is the inspiration: I like the extra room idea. El Caminos seem a bit cramped with so little space behind the seat. It seems the builder of the above "El Nomado" had found a way to make that extra space. The Monogram '57 NOMAD, as you probably know, is not a great kit. I like the fuelly set-up but I may elect to drop in a 409 because I have a few sitting around. The body has some issues but no deal breakers. The roof, though, is too flat and in fact a bit concave over the front seat area. That was the first ? I needed to deal with. I added two layers of .010 to give me a guide for subsequent bondo work. Note to self: get contour guage. I won't bore you with all the details unless you want them but have a look at what I have so far and feel free to comment, chastise, commiserate, or chuckle. I can take it! OK, this is going to push me a little: the kit interior is of absolutely no help to address the bed- it's all scratch work. More on that later. It may not be useful to know but the '57 is my least favorite tri-five. In fact, it is probably my least favorite Chevrolet. It's nothing personal. They are just way too ubiquitous and unreservedly revered. I know, take your shots, but the '56 is a much better looking car in my mind. I even like the '59 more ?Anyway, the hood on the '57 makes me wonder what they were thinking. You can see below what I'm thinking:

I hope you stick with those rims, Mike!

Yes, of course! Why didn't I think of that? Well, in my defense, this is my first Model A with fenders, but next time....well, next time the fenders stay in the box, dammmitt!! ?

Thanks, Dave. Its a home-built hot rod and it's street driven so it's got to be legal. I covered that issue okay but I can't recall ever seeing a tail pipe anchored to a running board either in photos or at shows. The exit location would cover safety standards in most cases. Maybe I over-think this stuff too much. ?.

I would like to confirm everything that Pete said and add my $00.02: consider ambient temperature because it affects the pressure of the propellant. I decanted an almost-full can of Extreme Lacquer recently at around 90 F into a 8 oz. Ball jar, left the lid loose for a few hours then capped it tight and it stayed in the summer heat over night. The following day, I checked it to see if there was still pressure and there was a small release when I carefully cracked it open. Also, if you are intent on emptying a full can, you may need to warm (not "heat") up the can once or twice as the can cools and you notice the pressure dropping off. I use a hair dryer for that. I also use a pistol-grip thingie on the Testor's cans. It keeps my fingers free of paint and enables me to push the valve down which I could not do otherwise . Very helpful ? The first time I decanted, I used a very small jar and capped it tight immediately. I got a big surprise when I opened it later. The paint foamed out of the jar and all over me. I should have known better. ?

Thanks, Bob. I would hate to bust another Starliner. It's good to have some choices. Good info!

Has anyone used the AMT '58 Edsel chassis/floor pan to upgrade other AMT screw-bottom Ford/Mercury kits? Inquiring minds want to know. ?....and how does it compare to the Starliner setup?

....but the ends of the u-bolts and nuts and washers would be staring you in the face. ?. The brackets could easily be mig welded without any serious damage on the top side except for some burnt paint. It's just that it seems a bit gaffey ?. I think our imaginary teen builder wouldn't see it that way though. He got tired of hearing the pipes slapping the boards driving on the bumpy pot-holed roads in New England back in '55 (gotta keep up the narrative ?)

Bolted through the boards? Oh the horror....?

Don't encourage him, Alan ?

Thanks for the video, Len....very inspirational! ?

I appreciate your concern for the little 'Bird but it's going to be weeks (or months maybe) in the purple pond. I could try to wet-sand the whole body back down but I'd rather spend my time getting other stuff done right now. I started a new project that I'll be posting soon but I'm trying to push the '29 through. The 'Bird will return one day....or maybe it will end up on Ebay. ?

I don't know if the running boards are a very proper place to anchor the pipes but it seemed like maybe one could get away with it. The hangers would necessarily have to be welded to the bottom of the boards. Right?....it could work ?

Here's a few shots just so you don't think I'm getting lazy ( I am, but I don't want anyone to know that...) there's not much of a channel for the glass to sit in. I spread a thin layer of epoxy then thought I should clean the "glass" with ipa. By the time I was ready to lay the glass in place, the epoxy was almost (I hope) too far along to stick. The up-top is almost done, it just needs a bit more detail. The exhaust was easy, the mufflers are parts box items and the tail pipes are aluminum, mounted to the underside of the running boards with hangers made from molotow painted evergreen angle. Gotta find some '39 tail lights now. Thanks for looking in.

Thanks, Alan. I've been trying to wrap this one up all weekend. Almost there....

This is a dead thread now, friends. The 'Bird is in the..."'Bird box" ?...for now. Thanks for all the input, I appreciate your help on this project and maybe a re-paint will bring it back when the dry weather comes this Autumn. I recently "won" a Mono '58 kit that will undoubtedly need y'all's assistance. The body is kinda warped which will undoubtedly cause problems for the opening doors ?. I need to stay off Ebay.

Sanding out those small, extremely concave areas would make me crazy, David. I admire your perseverance and attention to detail. Removing ejector marks and copyright script from floor pans is something I need to be more diligent about. I find them when it's too late. Even if I found those marks on that bumper, I'm pretty sure I would just live with them. I would be concerned about damaging the grille.

What are they made of, Len? They look like aluminum in the photos

Welcome home, Gramps, glad you had a nice time. ??

Oh heck yeah, Len! I like it. But what's the dog gonna do?

I have two woodies waiting for my attentions; the AMT '41 Ford and a resin '53. The'41 has a pretty impressive interior. The '53 is a Flintstone unit. Problem is that there's always something else I'm itching to build. I think it's a personality flaw. ?.. I'm OK with it. ?

All kidding aside, Len, the woody looks great. The wood grain is amazing. ? (that's one of my good thumbs)

Since I am "all thumbs" anyway, Len, it's not a problem ?

How do you do that, Lenny? When I try that, I end up with a pile of Evergreen scrap, three bodies that need to be re-painted, and band-aids on my thumbs. ?

Oh I hear ya ?