tim boyd

The Y-Block engine in '55-'57 T-Birds located the sump at the rear of the oil pan, so Fred's representation has a 1/1 scale equivalent, and how it appears on his model is exactly how it appears in the all three of the 1/24th/1/25th scale '55-'57 T-Bird kits.....and yes, the Y-Block is also one of my favorite engines! TIM

Peter..sorry we missed each other. Got me meet and talk to Mat at the Moebius booth....I need to order a copy of his book. And as you probably already know, I featured a number of Dean's replica stock builds in my own book published earlier this year…. Best......TIM

I've used that ZZ top axle assembly on many of my scale rods because of its appearance, its shocks, and the overall stance it delivers. It's a really trick piece. According to the original article in Street Rodder, and visually confirmed tonight at home, the front axle in the '27 T pickup inspired by the 1/1 scale Owl T actually came from the Monogram '37 Ford, with kitbash sources for other components of the assembly. Thanks for keeping after me, guys, to find out the final correct info.....TIM

Tom....you are correct. Sorry 'bout that, some auto industry lingo slipped in there.....TIM

According to Dave at the NNL Motor City yesterday, tentative kit intro timing is Q1 2019......TIM (Display model at NNL MC yesterday seen below is near-final content and was built by Steve Goldman....TB)

Fresh photography of the new Moebius F-100's from the NNL Motor City earlier today click here....

Wow.....not sure how I missed this one.....lookin' great, Dennis! BTW your work has captured the attention of the 1/25th scale RodFather himself, Mr. Tom Woodruff.....and he heartily approves. Looking forward to seeing further updates when you are ready.....TIM

Well....Fred finished it last night at 10:45pm! Fred plans to do a studio quality photo session later today or tomorrow and post here at the forum, but until then, here is a sneak peak at the finished product as displayed at the Motor City NNL earlier today. You don''t me to tell you this is one spectacular piece of work....the photo says it all.... Mega Congrats, Fred TIM

The 2018 edition of the NNL Motor City is underway as this is being posted, and appears to be a smashing success. The event organizers report that 324 exhibitor tables were sold, with 322 vendors actually present. This is an increase of 40 vendors from the spring,2018 show, necessitating yet another show floor expansion. The NNL Model Display is somewhat smaller than other NNL events, but the quality of models was outstanding. Just as we did back when I was on the staff at Street Rodder magazine and we'd be given a bag of film rolls and instructed to go photograph all the cars at the Street Rod Nationals that we thought coverage-worthy, I've photographed each model and then immediately followed that with a photo of the builder's name. Thus, each model is followed with the information on the builder. I still think it is important to identify who does these great works of art, even if in the 1/1 scale world today that practice seems to be going by the wayside. Also, you will see extensive coverage of the product line of Moebius models, including a number of new kits. Several of these kits will be available by early next year; watch your favorite columns and websites for more specific timing as the introductions as they occur. Grab a cup of coffee, a cold beer, or whatever other refreshing drink you choose, and use the "Roll" Feature to rapidly scroll through all these images in full size form. And consider adding the NNL Motor City to your travel plans next year......TIM

UPDATE - It was Chris Dansie, not Alan Barton, who showed his conversion in his "Scale Rodding" column in Australian Street Rodding magazine, issue #204. Per the article, Chris used "the cowl, windscreen frame, visor, and doors from the [Revell John Buttera Model] T Sedan body and combined them with the roof, floor, and rear cab section from the [Revell Model] A pickup". He also used the Buttera T fender unit, but simplified his project by also using the entire Buttera kit frame and suspension, and avoiding the Pro-Street style rear treatment i used in my project. Chris' resulting model looked, very, very cool. TIM....

Tim.....I've had several requests the last few days on another Forum to photograph that '30 Closed Cab pickup; adding yours to the list suggests I better get busy doing just that. When done, I will post the pictures here. Best Regards.....the other TIM !

Thank you Bob! That's the answer we were looking for. TIM

Dave.....looking at that front axle....I am stumped. Guess I need to find the Modeler's Corner where I did the build and find the answer there. I thought I finished this model around 1988 or so, but then I recalled that I lost the tailgate when I moved to Atlanta in 1987 and did not find it until December, 1988 when I did my last walk through of the house after the moving van left, on the way back to the Detroit suburbs. There was the tailgate, at the bottom of the floor and wall at the back of my (now disassembled) model room. Whew! With the tailgate back in hand, I finished the model around 1989 or 1990 before I was moved again by my employer. So it must have been in the magazine sometime in late 1989-1990.....TIM

Hi Alexis.....as I recall my break point was between the cowl and the front door. Alan Barton (IIRC) of Australia did his behind the front door of the Tudor kit if I am remembering correctly. I used a Model A frame, with a scratchbuilt (from Evergreen square stock) rear clip. Hope that helps.....TIM

Got it, Chris. Good suggestion for all of us to keep in mind as we add ignition wiring to our models....thanks....TIM

Lee....I disagree, but I appreciate your critique nonetheless.....TIM

Hmmm......let's see what I can do for you....oh yes, here you go! Thanks (smile) for the request, Dominik.....TIM

Davey, your wish is my command.....thanks for the suggestion....TIm

A few more pictures...… Thanks for looking....TIM

Per Dave Darby's request in another thread in the "Under Glass" Forum, here is a portfolio of pictures of my loose replica of the "Owl T" as featured in a 1970's issue of Rod Action magazine. This project was a "how to" feature in my Modelers Corner column in Street Rodder sometime in the late 1980's if I am remembering correctly. The cab was a combo of the Revell 1929 A Closed Cab pickup with the cowl section/fenders/grill of the Revell John Buttera 1926 T Tudor. The pickup bed was from the AMT 1925 T Double Kit The fenders and bed were modified to add "tubs" to frame the Pro-Street style rear tires The engine was a small block Ford with a Hilborn-style injection system finished with simulated Blue Anodizing (Testors Candy Blue with a DullCote overspray). The wheels were from an MPC funny car kit (probably the 1970 Mercury Cyclone "Cyclops" kit). The frame included a scratchbuilt rear clip with a rear suspension lifted, I recall, from the AMT 1975 Nova Pro Stock kit. Paint was the old 1960's Testors Ed Roth "Orbitron" Ice Blue pearl color over silver, while the fenders wore Testors Candy Blue over a dark blue base. This was a model I had wanted to build for a long time, and I was very happy with the result. It was not an exact duplicate of the "Owl T" (for instance, I didn't replicate the original's Blue Velour interior) but the inspiration for the model is very clear if you look at the 1/1 original. Thanks for looking....TIM

Chris...you are of course absolutely right. Your feedback gives me the opportunity to expound on one of my philosophies of model car building which probably differs from many who read this forum. I am referring judgment call I make on every model I build. Which is: "Do I take the extra time to wire an engine? Or is detail painting the engine enough on its own?" (As you can see from another thread in the "Under Glass" forum (on my "east coast '34 Five Window), I do from time to time execute a full engine wiring exercise.) In the case of this model, this was a "hurry up" project that was kitbashed and assembled over several weeks to be ready in time for the NNL Nationals #38 last month. Could I have spent the extra time to wire the engine and still finished the model in time? Maybe so. But in this case, it was more important to me to finish the model without a wired engine, than not to finish it in time due to adding a wired engine (or a number of other changes that would have further improved authenticity - such as swapping in a Columbia two-speed or Halibrand Quick Change differential). Giving myself the flexibility to not do certain detail additions on a given model, I realize, flies in the face of the view of many modelers that every model project must reflect the best abilities of the builder. I respect those that take that view, but for me personally, I have allowed myself the flexibility to vary the detail levels of my models for over 40 years now, and I am personally happy with the decision. It has certainly allowed me to complete more kitbashing projects than I would have otherwise. And it has made building model cars a more enjoyable hobby for me personally. Just my view, of course, And yes, it would look even better with engine wiring, no doubt! Thanks for the comment and feedback...TIM

Bingo! Thought I was going crazy there for a minute. The second set of (mystery) headers are in the first picture above, on the far right side of the top parts tree. Thanks Ron...….and James, I hope this is the answer you were seeking. TIM

JC.....tend to agree with you. Probably the closest we have are the ones in the (currently MIA) Revell 1929 Model A Roadster and 1930 Five Window kits, which are very nice but still miss out on the super tall and narrow aspect of those shown here.

OK David and Tulio, you bet.....here you go: and thanks everyone for your interest and comments.....TIM PS - I did some touchups after these pictures were taken (for instance, around the roof insert and the on the intake manifold),,,,also forgot to mention above, the interior floorboard was surfaced with real wood instead of carpets or mats....TB .

Plus a few detail shots.....