tim boyd

Drew...sounds excellent. Looking forward to it! Cheers....and great to see you back at the model bench after your extended leave. TIM

Terry....smile! Great compilation, and thanks for encouraging everyone to dig out their completed hot rod models for some photography, and encouraging us to model box dive and start (or finish) some new ones. Cheers...TIM

Drew, I certainly respect your opinion here, which comes with extra validity not only due to your extensive 1/25th scale model car journalism over the years, but also your well-known 1/1 scale track roadster, which has certainly proved photogenic (in terms of the number of magazine appearances over the years) as any 1/25th scale hot rod model that has been created. But I strongly disagree with your judgment about this kit (that is is not up to the standards of other recent Revell introductions). I think that the Channeled version is slightly less appealing than the Highboy - and the radiator core on this version is twice as deep as it should be, which pushes the grille shell forward and compromises the aesthetics accordingly - but that also can be fixed with two minutes and a razor saw. And we've discussed before that the kit was designed to be more of a contemporary interpretation of a traditional hot rod rather than a 100% true-to-theme traditional execution (e.g, coil overs on a Ford axle vs. a transverse leaf and Halibrand Quick Change, and the relocated rear fender cutline upwards in the quarter panel),which some of us would have preferred. But it the overall scope of the kit, the engraving quality and finesse of the parts (a Hilborn fuel injection setup with a fuel block AND individual fuel lines???), the ease of assembly, the encompassing of two very different build variations within the same box and at a very mainstream price point, the subject matter itself (who ever dreamed we'd get a detailed '29A Highboy Roadster kit???) and the fact that the model encourages kitbashing both modest and ambitious in scope, I believe it not only compares but in fact surpasses most other recent Revell kit intros. Yes, there are detail errors (I didn't use the four speed shifter decal either, but I sure used the highly detailed flying eyeball shifter decal that was also provided in its place), but to focus on those I think misses the overall scope of what was attempted and delivered. Bottom line, I think at this point that this kit ranks right up there with the best hot rod kits of all time. Two different kit builders, two different opinions, I guess. Personally, I recommend you build the Highboy version next and see if your opinion changes. In the meantime, I think your build looks super-sharp. Cheers...TIM

Very nicely done. You overcame all of the minor problems associated wtih this AMT kit in a very convincing manner. Your additions/tweaks to the final build add a lot of character, too! And I really like the Honduras Maroon/flat clear approach (I did the same thing with my box stock build of the channeled version of the Revell '29A a few weeks back). Congrats...TIM

Thanks Chris. I finally got the header extensions finished. They're slightly cut down from the 390 T-Bird "megaphone" style header extensions from the AMT/Lindberg '34 Ford pickup custom version. The ends were drilled open, I finally got a semi-decent Alclad Chrome Finish on them. After two attempts to glue the driver's side header in place....as of last night, finally....success! Working now on the how-to article. This model, its flat dark blue finish, seems to photograph really well against a plain white background. For those of you planning to attend the 36th(!) NNL Nationals in Toledo ext weekend, I plan to have it there in the "Traditional Hot Rod Cult Theme" table on the back wall, adjacent to the model car magazine photo booths. Cheers....TIM

Thanks Dominik. I'm trying to visualize this one jamming down the Autobahn between Koln and Frankfurt (when the traffic is light and the speed limit zone signs are off), and somehow the imagery just doesn't mix. But I'll bet there are still plenty of backwoods German roads where it would fit right in, not to mention some of the coastal European and UK rod runs I've seen covered in the rod magazines here in the States. Cheers...TIM

Steven....great work....particularly that interior, but also the engine and paint/BareMetal work. I really enjoy seeing old kits brought to life like this. Makes me think that all those craftsman back in the day who created these kits, would be smiling today if they knew the level of detail and effort we put into building their old kits today. Best Regards...TIM

Thanks Richard...TIM

This subject was referenced in several JoHan ads in Car Model Magazine c. 1967 as "coming soon" but I have never heard anything that metal was actually cut. I even asked Dennis Doty, who was very close to Joe Haenle (sp?) during the early 1970's, and he never saw any evidence of its development during his factory visits. Richard, do you recall in any more detail what Okey said about this subject? Needless to say, a 1934 Packard done to the JoHan Gold Cup series level of detail and fidelity, would have been a favorite with the modeling community and a treasured collectible kit today. A real missed opportunity, for sure. TIM

Without taking up space to thank each of you that commented individually, I really do appreciate the feedback and comments on this build. As I alluded to, not everything turned out exactly the way I wanted, but the overall build theme (yes, it was inspired in part by what our UK and European hot rodding brethren are doing these days) I think was largely achieved. Of course, my hope is that the model, and the commentary that has followed so far, inspires many of you to take up the cause and do your own kitbashes using this basic kit, and to later share your work iwth us here. This is what really charges me up about our hobby and motivates me personally to continue to build models, share them here, and show how to build something similar in the pages of our two excellent model car magazines these days. Cheers...TIM

Danno....thanks for that. The gunmetal metallic HIghboy coupe was the subject of an eight-page how-to in the other model magazine about a year ago, for those that might be interested in building something like it. It also uses the Replicas and Miniatures body, and a "J2"-style early Olds OHV V8 largely from the Revell '50 Olds Custom kit. The interior is heavily kitbashed from parts in that Rat Roaster kit referenced directly above, which also provided the wheels and rear tires. Best regards...TIM

Chris...thanks for noticing. Yeah...I wouldn't have thought of that myself, but it is one of the cool factoids revealed in the feature on four '30 A Chopped Five Window Coupes in the current issue of Rodder's Jpurnal (highly recommended for those that like this building style). It actually was a perfect choice....just had to remove the bottom edges (since the model is channeled instead of Highboy-style), and cut a modest relief for the top of the tranny. Simple and effective. And a good way to use parts from the Rat Roaster kit, which while being a not-great choice for a model kit (IMHO) actually has excellent value as a source for kitbashing other hot rod models. Best regards...TIM

Dennis and Mark...thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I had painted this body about a year ago and quite frankly, I had forgotten that I had painted the '34 Ford Truck grille shell with the project (I remembered it being a Deuce grille shell). I was frankly concerned that it would appear jarring when paired with the upright '30A Coupe body, but I was actually relieved when I did the mockup as I was nearing final assembly. Appreciate hearing it's not just me who thinks it looks good. Dennis...thanks for your other comments on the project....much appreciated. And Mark...thanks also for the comments on the wheels and tires...I had those painted and set aside for this project months ago, but didn't really have any definitive plans to complete the project until the Revell '29A kit came along, with those extra interior parts. Then it pretty much demanded completion! Cheers all....TIM

Thanks.....if you can, be sure to post pix of yours when the get completed. I am really enjoying seeing what everyone is doing with these kits, as I know many of you are too! Cheers...TIM

Mike...the plan was always to add it. I was just saving it to final assembly, after I mounted the windshield and windshield frame. In retrospect, that was a mistake, as it was a royal pain to secure to the body. It took three attempts with Five Minute Epoxy, and it's still not entirely perfect. I should have secured it with CA++ glue prior to painting, which would also have eliminated any chance of it warping due to the automotive paint I used. I am still learning, even after 50 years of building model cars. By the way, for those of you not familiar with Norm's Replica and Miniatures '30A Five Window Coupe, he includes two visors - the stock one shown here and one with large holes drilled in it. He also include both the plain decklid I used here, and the louvered one I used in my earlier build a couple of years ago, of this same body, perched on '32 frame rails. Thanks for your comments/feedback...TIM

Not to mention this one from last year's NSRA Street Rod Nationals North in Kalamzoo, MI....(Bone...this is the car I referenced in response to your email a copy of days ago)..... Cheers....TIM

Luis...that's a WAY cool idea for those door panels!!! TIM

Thanks Gerald...do you know if its an enamel? (For those of you who don't know, Lacquer doesn't work as a basecoat for Alclad (according to the instructions and my own experience), it rubs off when handled). Thanks for the suggestion...TIM . Thanks Gerald for the clarification...TIM

James....yes I am planning to be at the NNL Nats in Toledo this year. I'll be bringing this model and others....but please, anyone planning to attend the NNL Nats who has what would be considered at "traditional hot rod" model, either based on the new Revell kit or any 1920's-1948 kit and built with traditional hot rod design elements, please bring those models and put them on our NNL Nats "Cult Theme" table featuring Traditional Hot Rods. It's just to the left of the magazine photo area along the back wall. Even if you have a hot rod that model doesn''t quite meet the "traditional hot rod" definition but is close, bring it along and put it in the "friends of traditional hot rods" display that will be just to the left of the cult theme. If you are wondering what constitutes a "traditional hot rod", check out this 1/1 scale photo portfolio edited from my earlier coverage of the 2014 Lonestar Rod and Custom Roundup at Austin, TX, and the 2014 and 2015 Cobo Hall Autorama Extreme events. Thanks for asking James...see you there. ..TIM

Completed photos are posted in the "Under G'ass section at this link ).. here's one of them....Thanks for looking, your comments, your suggestions, and your questions....cheers...>TIM .

Thanks Gerald...do you know if its an enamel? (For those of you who don't know, Lacquer doesn't work as a basecoat for Alclad (according to the instructions and my own experience), it rubs off when handled). Thanks for the suggestion...TIM .

As of 9am this morning, I'm calling this one done - essentially. I still have the exhaust header extensions underway (thanks to that bad can of Testors Gloss Black), and I have the full hub cover caps from the Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland Wire Wheel kit ready to add if I deem appropriate later on. but other than that.... There are a few minor workmanship issues I'm not happy with, but that seems to be part and parcel of major kitbashes when you are working to a deadline (in this case, fitting completion of this one for our NNL Nats "Traditional Hot Rod Cult Theme" in a week and a half, with other near term obligations). I also see a few bits of flotsam and the such that need to be brushed away from the surfaces.... The paint is MCW Automotive Finishes 1936 Ford Washington Blue, with Tamiya Flat Clear on top. The engine is from the Revell/Monogram '59 Cadillac Elderado, with all add-on plated accessories from the Revell Cadillac V8 Parts Pack other than the dual air cleaner, which came from the ol' parts box. The interior is comprised of the '29A Highboy Roadster side panels and bench seat, mounted on the extra floorpan (part #13) and extra instrument panel from the Revell '29 A Roadster kit (which are a mostly perfect fit to Norm's '30A Coupe body (hhmmm....). Same Revell '29A Roadster kit provided most of the chassis other than the Halibrand Quick Change Rear and Model A Crossmember, which came from the Revell/Monogram "Street T" (you know, one of the countless reissues of the original Monogram Little T kit). Both front and rear suspensions and frame crossmembers were massaged for a lower ride height/stance. Those tall'n'taller whitewalls and wires came from Norm Veber at Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland. I used the smaller plated hub covers from the AMT/Lindberg '34 Ford pickup kit mounted in a recessed position in the hubs, which I kind of like, but the R&M of Md. stock hub covers are waiting to be added (as noted above) should I decide to do so at a later date. That same '34 Pickup kit provided the grille and grill shell, fitted to the highboy version radiator from the Revell '29A kit. I did shoot "how-to" pictures on both this one and the '29A on '29 rails ktibash shown earlier, and will eventually prepare a story for publication. Six pictures, including a closeup of the engine compartment, are shown here (start with image #13) Bottom line...the Revell '29A Roadster kit encourages....no....nearly shouts out to be kitbashed in so many different ways. In a message from Ed Sexton yesterday, he mentioned that providing model that encouraged kitbashing was just what Roger and he, as well as the many others inside and externally to Revell that worked to put the kit together, intended with their development efforts. As for me, I just can't wait for you to see what you all do with this kit yourselves. ( For those that missed my first kitbash of the Revell '29A Roadster, see here ). Cheers...TIM

Tom....that's the neat thing. Norm's wheels have the brakes molded in and those brakes match perfectly to the '29A backing plates. The only mod I did was BareMetal the front brakes. The rear backing plates came with the Halibrand Quick Change I used, and those also matched Norm's wheels perfectly. ( For those that are wondering, these wheels are not compatible with the finned Buick brake drums in the '29A kit, so those parts when in the parts box.) Needless to say, I'll be looking forward to your Build #2. Best...TIM .

Mike....I believe that intake is a Man-A-Fre or something very similar to it. The Cragar intake is similar but forming an exact rectangle with the four inlets, as opposed to the slightly offset alignment of the Man-A-Fre. In the pictures above, the Cragar intake (from the Revell Outlaw kit) is shown above on the Rat-Rot style maroon '27 Phaeton pictured above. Here's another picture showing the Caddy engine with the Cragar intake.. .Hope that helps..Cheers....TIM