crossfire 2004

Now completed and in the Under Glass section.

Finally finished this one up, it’s the lower body from the sedan with the upper section from the wagon which was then chopped into a Ranchero. Some minor trim shaving and tunnelling the headlights sorted the exterior, while the entire inner body was recessed up into the outer. The suspension is at stock height on the frame and the rolling stock are from Pegasus.

There are more details of your inspiration ‘57 here Ray. https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/lofty-ambition-1957-ford-gasser

I forgot this one, the TF motor has scared the heck out of Shaggy !

A decision was made regarding the paint, hopefully it’s all downhill from here.

Still very much a work in progress this Ranchero is the child of a previous ‘57 marriage , Gladys, my sedan build that required side spears only found on the Revell wagon body. Body bodies were cut up to achieve the desired trim level on the sedan leaving me with the mis matched remains that were combined to make another wagon. Still with me ? then read on, I have now removed the upper rear from the wagon to give me a Ranchero with stock cab height rather than the odd looking chopped offering from Revell some time ago. To achieve the low stance I’ve recessed the entire floor and chassis up inside the body, lowering the front inner wing tops and sectioning the bulkhead as necessary. The axles remain box stock and the chassis is above the rocker panel lower edge. Heres Gladys, the cause of all the work. And here’s where the bodies were cut. This is where the Ranchero currently sits.

Just the one from me.

I’ve no idea why I felt the need to get this kit out of my system as it’s not my usual subject type but I’m glad I took on this build. Pretty much out of the box, added a pair of door handles and my amateur attempts at weathering. I have added the missing radiator cap since the photos were taken.

I managed to make this from an original Bullhorn with help from the Serpent kit.

Now that’s a fantastic build !

This was a enjoyable quick stress free build that turned out quite nice. There are numerous variations available straight from the box, my only modifications were to add a belt tensioner for the blower and some plug wires as the motor looked a little bare. Hope you guys approve.

Thanks Martin, just read through Richards build thread and found it both inspiring and depressing. No way will my build ever reach the detail or standard of his roadster. I’m trying to fine a suitable colour to get the painting under way, I feel like I’m treading water at the moment. Do you know anyone who could reproduce the lettering as decals ?

It seems we are talking about the same guy, I just assumed that he still owns the roadster. The more pictures that I see , the more things I have to redo, interior, both axles, mag not distributor, this could take a while.

Good to see you back Martin and with such a cool project, I’ll be following your progress with the build. I have looked at those IFS kits from Motobitz and look forward to your feedback on them. I like the instruction to ‘clean off flash’ when it’s hard to spot the parts amongst the excess plastic.

Wow ! Thank you for the photos, there are some great interior shots that will certainly help the build. I have no idea how I’ll reproduce the lettering, just trying to build something resembling the car is tough enough. I am in contact with the owner, Mikael, but will respect his privacy and not disclose his surname . Your friend built a stunning roadster , he should be proud of his work.

Thanks Tim, I have a couple of the Rat Roadsters in my stash but this build will be strictly sans fenders as per the photos.

I have no idea to be honest Snake, the car is in Sweden and the owner’s English is only slightly better than my non existent Swedish. I don’t believe that it’s a restored survivor with history, more a really cool toy as his serious race car seems to be this beauty.

So would I Mike, so would I ......

That’s turned out fantastic John, the Troublemaker is one of my favourite TD designs. I built one several years ago but the decal sheet was toast so a change of direction was in order.

After seeing a shot of this roadster on a FB forum, I knew that I’d found the basis of my next build. I’ve only managed to come up with a few more pictures despite contacting the owner in Sweden who failed to reply, so some of the build will be total guess work. Here’s where I reached so far, Revell ‘32 roadster body with louvered deck lid from the 5 window and hood from an AMT deuce. Revell chassis, engine and rear end, rolled rear pan from a ‘51 Chevy rear seat, Parts Box resin straight axle with transverse spring from the Mod Rod. Hilborn injection manifold with metal stacks and home made headers. Not shown is the front mount mechanical injector pump, hoses and Moon tank.

I came up against this very problem with my current build and solved it with this..... the top of a ‘51 Chevy rear seat. Narrowed slightly with a slight V to follow the curve of the ‘32 rear panel I think it looks just fine. I appreciate this only works if you have a suitable donor in the parts box but it’s an avenue to explore.

Thanks Casey, I did consider them ( in fact I would have preferred them) however they were far more expensive than the resin items and after adding postage to the U.K. they’d have cost far more than the kit.

Finally received my resin Moon discs from The Parts Box in Australia so calling this one done. Revell ‘37 Ford kit with engine, trans and front axle from the Speedwagon kit, diamond stitched bench seat from a ‘40 Ford pickup. Decals were supplied by My Custom Hot Wheels in Australia. I think it would make a great tow truck for my Futura Bonneville race car.

My last real build of the year, AMT’s classic ‘36 convertible, pretty much box stock except Parts Box resin wheels and tyres. Paint is Vauxhall Cool Grey Pearl.

I seem to have had a busy year at the bench with the help of several periods of lockdown here in the U.K. I’ve included a shot of the Moon panel van despite it lacking the all important Moon discs that are held up somewhere between The Parts Box in Australia and the U.K.