Ferbz

Thanks! I've built ONE scale replica of an actual 1:1 custom car. I discovered there was a lot of self imposed pressure on getting as many of the details as correct as possible. It was a labor of love as I've admired the 1:1 car since I was a kid but it was NOT much fun at all! lol

I don't normally build drag cars even tho I dig them alot, especially vintage stuff. My usual build topic is traditional customs, but I came across this cool rendering of the High and Mighty Ramchargers drag car by artist/designer Chris Piscitelli and it inspired me to build my own scale version! With the help of a couple 3D printed parts from forum member Steamboat(thanks again!)who has already built a bitchin' faithful scale version of the High and Mighty car, I am able to move this project along. Just for fun I thought I'd try building a shoebox ford version of this car. The plan is to keep the aggressive, caricature-y look and spirit of the car, but use a 49 Ford coupe body. I proceeded to chop the top by removing some material from the A,B, and C pillars and fill the rear quarter window openings to make it a 3 window coupe, somewhat similar to the look of Chris P's rendering. I slid the rear window and catwalk forward so the A & C pillars would line up, making the top not only lower but smaller. The stock AMT 49 Ford frame required some modification to accept the gasser suspension from the Revell 57 Ford wagon kit as well as the AMT parts pack Chrysler hemi motor. The wheels/tires are from various other kits. The rear seat area was boxed in using sheet styrene, a single bomber style seat is a parts box item, and a simple 2 or 3 point roll bar will be added. It's got a ways to go, but a quick mockup shows the progress and direction so far. Wish me luck as I venture out of my comfort zone and build this whacky drag car! ?

Such a bitchin' build! I really like the way you shaped the front of the trunk to match the back of the cab. It's one of those many details that makes this a top notch model ?

Great stuff! I am familiar with that Parts Pack 54 Chevy grill. So cool that you're using it! I've never seen anyone use it, prolly due to the fact that it's got to be super tricky to get all the teeth lined up nicely. How did you do it?

I really like how you've angled the B pillars farther forward than where they normally line up.....looks good! Do you plan to rescribe the side window trim lines? On my most recent merc chop project, I attempted to make my stainless trim from scratch for the first time using small diameter round rod. It was not easy lol but I got it to work out pretty well:

Your chop is looking good! I've chopped tops in the past angling the existing B pillars fairly successfully but I found it tricky rescribing the window trim lines. Someone suggested to me to try making B pillars from scratch like you've done here which I think worked out pretty well (pic attached). Looking forward to seeing your finished product!

I recently stumbled across this build....fantastic! I only learned about the 1:1 drag car a couple years ago. It inspired me to build my own version of it based on a 49 Ford coupe. I do not have access to a 3D printer so I'll have to scratch build many of the unique parts. I have a plan on how to do most of them with the exception of the air scoop. I think it's too small for me to scratch build it faithfully unfortunately. Do you have any spare prints of it available? I'd be happy to purchase one from you if so!

Thanks! Yeah, the 59 has speed lines already designed into it. The scallop design/shape lends itself well to it I think ??

Thanks so much!

Thanks! Yeah, builds like this can drag on but I was very determined not cut any corners and get all my ideas working together. It also helps that it's a curbside build wit no chassis/engine detail ?

Thank you!

Thanks! I'm so flattered it's worthy of your inspiration folder ??

Thanks! I have no shortage of ideas, just time! lol

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Thank you! With customs it's all about the lines isn't it.... ??

Thanks very much!

Thanks man!

Thanks! Yeah me too ? Prices for 1:1 59 El Caminos show how they are highly prized these days. Probably a good thing because if I could afford to own one I would surely ruin it by cutting it up much like this! ?

Thanks! I wanted to try something different with the front end that still looks traditional and era correct. The Chezoom grill bar worked well for this goal I thought ?

Thanks! The 59 Impala and El Camino have always lent themselves to customizing pretty easily I felt ?

Thanks! It's all about good taste when it comes to customizing, right? ? Change for the sake of change without regard to good design makes less of an impact I think.

Thank you!

Thank you! It's one of the rare times where the ideas in my head actually work out in the real world lol

Thanks man! ?

Thank you very much!