Dennis Lacy

UPDATE! Back at it and now it's time to focus on updating the chassis. The first order of business was to modify the under bed supports to accommodate Z'ing the frame. The original front-to-back supports would be in the way so I installed a pair of left-to-right braces made from Evergreen rectangle rod then removed the middle sections of the original supports. (Original top, modified bottom.) Here you can see in the original article that Tim Z'd the back of his frame to help get the back end low. He was able to do this using a single frame and then trimming the rear cross member to still fit beneath the bed. I approached mine different by cutting off the back end of the frame and building a new rear section from Evergreen rectangle stock. I stacked the front edge on top of the original frame rails and then angle cut the tops and bottoms to create the "Z" look. I then added an aditional cross brace and fore/aft member which will make more sense later. Here you can see how the Z'd frame fits up into the modified under bed structure. Tim used a modified Monogram Jaguar XKE independent rear suspension which he fit the modified original rear cross member. I don't have a Jag IRS on-hand so I decided to go with another staple hot rod IRS, a Corvette unit. This one comes from AMT's 1934 5-Window Coupe Street Rod. The whole reason for running a Jag or Vette IRS in one of these Model A pickups is the impressive wide open view from the rear to show it off! Tim built his transmission mount and center "X" structure using pieces cut up from Monogram's '37 Ford creating a very stout and realistic looking frame. I started to modify the center cross member the same way Tim did, by cutting the center member out of a Monogram '37 Ford frame (left) and trimming it down to fit inside the stock Model A center member (middle). A stock Revell A frame is shown (right) for reference. I didn't get to creating the "X" braces yet, that will have to wait for next time. I made some front engine brackets from .040" bottom plates and .020" side gussets. I had to get the engine as far forward as possible so the tunnel ram induction will clear the firewall. I don't have the rear wheels adapted to the Corvette IRS yet and I didn't get to the front axle set up so I simply taped the frame to the fender unit and then set the fenders onto the wheels and tires. With the engine located and mocked up we can at least get a look at how that stacked tunnel ram small block fills the engine bay with the air filters just above the top of the cowl. I couldn't have hoped for a better result! That's where I ended up this afternoon. Let me know what you guys think! @tim boyd

Nice to see another one of Ed's bodies getting built. Looks great so far! (Also dig the Drag City '32 Fordor in background!)

UPDATE! A small update but progress is progress. I was able to get the floor "carpet" and inside of the firewall painted. Did a quick mock up to see how the final interior paint scheme looked together. Very pleased. I also sprayed the underside of the floor and hood panels flat black. Getting closer...

Nice, clean build of this kit. Like Alan said, nice to see someone get the trim correct on the hood and rear windows. I have one of these in the works right now so this is good inspiration to keep on it. ?

Sweet! Always liked these old Willys trucks and wagons. Looking forward to seeing it come together. What’s the spice for the cab?

After reading this I went straight to eBay to see if there were any reasonably priced. ? No dice at the moment but I’ll keep my eyes peeled. I’ve actually never owned an issue of this kit! Guess I better get with it. ?

More, more, more! (Because I know you’re farther along than this) ?

LMAO! Those exact words left my fathers mouth countless times in my youth. Looking back on it as a 40 year old, if what I was doing in school was half as interesting as building models I probably would have made a better effort. ?

I absolutely never imagined that which proves that there are actually some positive attributes of the internet. ?

Thanks, Chris! For someone who has only witnessed me build strictly traditional hot rods you’re about to witness my hidden inner 80’s emerge. ???

This turned out absolutely fantastic, Roger! The meshing of the two truck looks so seamless it's as if the kit was engineered like this, along the lines of AMT's Phantom Vicky Or Revell's Foose FD100. I love the colors you chose and that you stuck with the steelie wheels and dog dish caps. It looks like an old truck but at the same time it's immediately obvious it's a hot rod.

I know nothing about any era of Mopar vehicles but I know an excellent model when I see one! I also enjoy the kit-bashing noted as it shows what all it took to get to where you wanted to be. You pulled out all the stops on the detailing, the engine and chassis look fantastic.

Excellent Model A, Phil! The full scale car is the quintessential street rod. Good looks and a well upgraded chassis that will make driving enjoyable. Your model is a terrific replica of it. There’s some really clever kit-bashing going on here which I greatly appreciate. ?

I was hoping this would excite you, glad it did! I’ve been wanting to get going on this project for a good while now and actually the clincher was recently picking up a complete Revell ‘67 Chevelle Pro Street engine parts set from eBay which included the Supertrap exhaust like you used. While I’m changing some things that is one of the must-have details. I also appreciate the sentiments regarding my abilities and not to get all gushy here but your influences over the years is a big part of what got me to where I am with model building, so thank you! ? And, while my truck won’t be pink rest assured that it will definitely be some equally obnoxious 80’s colors!!! ?

I’m glad you shared your truck and hoped you would after seeing those pics this morning. ? I love everything about it! Who knows, maybe someone else will pop out of the woodwork with a version they did? Let’s hope so!

Glad you like it! And thanks for the heads up on the wheels, that probably wouldn’t have occurred to me. I’ll give it it a look.

Many of you should know the name Tim Boyd @tim boyd by now as he has been a regular contributor to model car magazines for decades. One of his biggest focusses in the hobby is scale Hot Rods and Street Rods and the pages of those magazines have been filled with his how-to projects. He also used to do a monthly column for Street Rodder Magazine called "Modelers Corner". One particular issue, the May 1990, left a huge impression on me and remains one of my favorite scale Street Rod how-to articles of all-time. I was 10 years old when this issue came out and actually didn't discover it until I was 13 when I spent a summer reading through my Dad's entire back catalog of Street Rodder. I ended up keeping the May 1990 issue aside and over the years read it until the binding came apart. Not only did I love the scale Street Rod that Tim created and the detailed how-to that he provided, I also loved that the Editor saw fit to print the article all in one shot rather than break it up over 2 or 3 issues as Tim has stated was the original plan. Here is the intro to the article. Note that with this being printed in 1990 this means the model was actually created in 1989 using the best Street Rod kit bashing parts available at the time from such kits as Monogram's 1937 Ford Sedan and ZZ Top Eliminator Coupe, as well as, AMT's controversial 1933 Ford Sedan Street Rod - Not to mention Revell's 1929 Pickup kit as a foundation. Current pictures of this model can be found in Tim's Fotki account and today it still looks to be in pristine condition: https://public.fotki.com/funman1712/tim-boyds-124th--12/boyd-street-rods-ra/boyd-closed-cab-hot/ When I was about 16 I finally felt decent enough at model building to set out and build my version. While it wasn't an exact copy it borrowed heavily from Tim's ideas and parts sources. my version turned out pretty nice but, unfortunately, didn't stand the test of time and no longer exists. This new version isn't going to be an exact copy either but, like the first one 24 years ago, will be heavily influenced once again by Tim's article. Starting out with an initial mock up I decided to deviate on the wheel selection. Tim used the Boyd Coddington "billet" wheels from Monogram's original '37 Sedan release. I am going to be using these equally 80's correct 3-piece style wheels from AMT's (not so great) 1957 Corvette Flip-Nose Gasser. I've been hanging onto these wheels for about 25 years now(!) and I've finally found the just-right model for them. I stripped the chrome and they will be treated to a satin finish down the road. I'm using the same rear tires as Tim, the FAT BFG radials found in many of Monogram's kits in the 80's and 90's. The front tires are from AMT's Gasser wheels and tires parts pack of a few years ago. The wheels were a loose fit in those big rear tires so I wrapped them in 1/8" wide strips of .015" Evergreen sheet to tighten them up. I then took a pair of front inner wheels from Revell's '32 Ford kits and cut the spokes and hubs out to create the inner wheel halves. Up front I thinned down the inner wheel halves from AMT's 1949 Ford Coupe. I also took care of the engine set up today. In Tims article he has a close up of his finished engine and states, "Now get bust on your version of a small block Chevy...", encouraging you to have your own ideas. Tim used the engine block, trans, heads and front cover/water pump from AMT's '33 Sedan Street Rod. I am using the same pieces although in reissued form from the 5-Window Coupe follow up to the Sedan which used the identical chassis and engine. This engine was great for fitting into early Ford hot rod frames because of the easy to use mounts coming off the front corners of the oil pan. My version uses the Weiand valve covers and tunnel ram intake set up from AMT's 1966 Nova Pro Street along with the same engines timing cover / water pump. The belt drive, accessories, oil filter and headers are from the original issue of Monogram's 1937 Sedan. The air filters are from Revell's Stacey David Rat Roaster. I also added separate breathers to the valve covers which come with the '34 5-Window engine. I modified the header flanges by thinning them down to a more realistic appearance. I also cleaned up the radius' of the pipes that this exposed. Prior to doing this access to the inner spark plug locations were obstructed so that was my main motivation. Also note that originally the oil filter was molded together with the oil pan. I cut that away so a separate, better detailed filter could be used. That's as far as I got today as I didn't have the full day at the bench I usually do. Definitely more to come soon!

This is awesome, Tim! I remember the black and white shot from Modelers Corner showing the group of bodies you were working on at the time, this one among them. You definitely nailed the old hi-tech look with the finished model. All the body modifications I remember seeing on the full scale feature cars in Street Rodder, in particular the hood top and sides blended into the grill shell. It also makes me extremely happy to see the “Posies Two-Tone” roadster. I fondly remember that Modelers Corner how-to and how you showed sinking the springs into the cross members to get the slammed stance. You better believe I dig into one and built it just like yours, wheels, tires and all except mine was solid red. At the time I wasn’t confident enough to mask and spray the upper half black. My model is long gone but this makes me want to build a modern version.

Thanks, Alan! The exaggerated scrub radius is partly my fault because of the way I built the back side of the wheels. If you read my previous chassis post you’ll notice I plan to correct it, mostly because the track is too wide keeping the wheels and tires from fitting up into the fenders properly. Keep in mind I modified the spindles with the mounting stubs and disc brakes from the Revell 32 kits whereas the 37 kits have simple flat wheel back.

UPDATE! Over the last few days I was able to spray color and clear on this project. I dared to be different. A couple friends and I joked that I should put Taxi Cab decals on it, hahaha. Love it or hate it, though, this is it! Tamiya TS34 "Camel Yellow" with their black and clear as well. Still need to foil the windshield frame and black out the rear window rubber seals. Let me know what you all think!

UPDATE! Today I was able to sit down and assemble the entire chassis. For the most part things went good. I was expecting to get frustrated by the fiddly front suspension but it turned out to be no problem at all. Two problems I did have was that the drivers side exhaust pipe connection came up a bit short where the two pieces are supposed to overlap. I obviously got it wrong during the fabrication phase. I don't care to redo the pipes so it is what it is. The other issue is that the front track is a bit too wide and the faces of the tires are up against the insides of the fenders. This is actually keeping the fenders front going all the way down over the tires. I have a plan to modify the wheel backs so they will go on further and free everything up. Anywho, here's some chassis shots and a mock up showing the car up on all 4 wheels for the first time ever. The body is in its final primer coat and ready for color.

@larman @alan barton @krassandbernie One of my 2 surviving childhood models is a Monogram 1:24 ‘32 Roadster (Built around ‘93 and very telling of the street rod trends back then!) so I pulled it out and offered up a top. As you’ll see the shape of the top follows the shape of the body (curves and arch) really well but the body in this example is just a touch too wide to let the top sit all the way down. A little relief work on the body, inside edges of the top or both would be needed but are easy enough to do. Then, of course, the windshield would need to be chopped.

@restoman NICE! ??

I don’t know about that but very kind of you to think. Thanks!

UPDATE! Got a little more done on this project. The frame is now painted and clear coated, the interior pieces are in color just needing some detail painting and the body and related pieces are in primer. Forgot to take pictures of the body but everyone here should know what primer looks like by now! If you take a second look at the interior panels folks who are familiar with this kit will note the I removed those God-awful molded-in 80's Lincoln Town Car looking door pull straps. I also removed the God-awful giant head rests from the front seats leaving them looking more vintage. I kept the stereo and speakers, though, because this is a retro-rod after all, not a hard-core era correct traditional car. Hoping to have the body in color soon...