Dennis Lacy

Lately, I've started to give away my older models to forum friends that I remember commented nice words about them back when they were fresh. As I continue to progress as a modeler and build (what I consider) better models (than I did 8-10 years ago when I returned to the hobby as an adult) I prefer my finished models in the display case to show consistency in quality and detail. The older ones I lose interest in and rather than shove them in boxes (to make room in the case for newer models) I'd rather give them to someone who will enjoy having them.

Actually, the Purple People Eater (above) is made from a '30 Model A Ford Coupe body with the whole trunk section removed.

Fantastic rendition of the old AMT / Lindberg '34 Pickup! Love the color scheme and Pontiac engine.

I think you nailed the stance and look of Fran's old 3-Window. It's all right-on! Even outside of the replica aspect, it's a period-perfect hot rod. Most people looking at this model have no idea all of the changes that were necessary to back-date the chassis and other details.

Looking good, brother! I think you should drill out the simulated holes in the foot board.

Yes. Very much, Yes!

I get what you're saying and since you were using one of their pay-to-play options then what I wrote doesn't apply to you. Its the users who not only used the free version, but additionally blocked the ads that generated revenue for Photobucket that allowed them to offer a free version that are the problem. These people screwed it up for everybody. Unless this is some major hack job, Photobucket basically just gave everyone the big middle finger, consequences be damned. When I started out sharing my models on forums I used Photobucket for several years but started to notice at some point that it became increasingly frustrating to use with all of their glitches and poor site design so I bailed and started paying for Fotki service. Other than some down time when they changed servers a few years ago I've never had a problem. Now I wonder if other free services like Flickr are going to get overwhelmed. I also wonder if MCM's internal storage, while it seems there's plenty of room now, is going to become a problem when all the ship jumpers look for a shore to swim to. For years there's been a bandwidth limit for direct uploading. Now suddenly it's okay to have a free for all? Hmm...

So, basically, because of all the "smart" people screwing Photobucket out of its ad revenue with ad-blockers, Photobucket just did a Big G.F.Y. I pay to use Fotki and couldn't be happier. There aint no free lunch.

Since I don't build out of the box I'm basing my vote on which one is most useful as a parts donor. First place is the 5-Window because: Hairpin Rods. Steelie Wheels. Louvered Hood and Trunk. '40 Dash & Wheel. Pleated Interior. Hemi. Decal Sheet. Second place (and not far behind) is the Tudor Sedan because: Flathead. Third place (still not far behind) is the Stacey David roadster because: Hairpin Rods. Wheels & Tires. Firewall. Blown SBC. Interior. Out of the many Revell '32 kits I have pillaged I have kept two complete small block Ford engines. One carburetor and one with the GT40 fuel injection. The rest automatically go right in the trash. They are not missed.

Awesome project! As a Fox-body owner for over 20 years I'll be following along for sure. It's also nice to see another proud two-tone GT owner. They're not easy to come by, especially in Reef Blue. Is your car original paint? Here's a couple shots of the '87 GT I've owned for over 4 years, another color combo that's very hard to come by. It's all original paint, trim and even the headlights. I found it completely stock and did the suspension, brakes and original Cobra R wheels. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

Very neat project. A lot of the time when people build rat rods like this the proportions get all wonky and exaggerated but they look really good here, they look right. The wheel & tire combo also work really well even tho on paper it shouldn't. The weathering and over all color scheme is just right, too! One of the things I love about building hot rod models is you get to do things that are cool yet pretty unlikely to happen full scale. Take that ARDUN engine for example. To build a real one like this is $25,000 all day long so the odds of seeing one in a rat rod truck (where the budget is typically low-buck) are extremely low. People would also probably stand there looking at it and make comments like, "What a waste of an awesome and expensive engine." But, it looks really cool in the truck! I hope with Dr. Cranky being your inspiration your not going to finish it off by gluing watch gears all over it... Oh, and out of curiosity. Why the "Z 28" license plate?

This stuff is right up my alley, happy to help! Since you're gonna order a fresh '29 Pickup kit, get the newest "Blue Bandito" version that I mentioned. It has all of the original 60's parts restored to replicate the first release "Blue Beetle." Lots of good retro parts in there for kit bashing. And yes, the distributor portion from the Revell '40 engine is essentially the same as a Lincoln, you'll just need to cut the coil portion off and make a wider one if you want it to look the part. Below is a Lincoln V12 distributor converted for Ford V8. You'll notice the tag says "Kurten" who was one of several that did this conversion back in the good old days. Hosted on Fotki

Excellent project! Here's some things I can help with: 1) The intake manifold is definitely Offenhauser, not an Edelbrock Super. The Edelbrock had a different shape to it overall and did not have those "W" shaped carburetor flanges, it's flanges were "D" shaped and not raised off the manifold. Model Car Garage offers this exact Offy intake and it is beautifuly done so grab one of those. Also, the fact that in the one picture "Offie Equip" is written on the hood with no mention of Edelbrock. 2) The front suspension is stock with the exception of the springs main leaf. The eyes have been "reversed" so that they roll over the top of the leaf, rather than under the leaf as stock. This was a popular modification that any spring shop was capable of doing, even before WWII. This lowers the front of the car one inch. 3) The best starting point for a stock '32 front axle is found in all issues of Monogram's 1:24 '29 Pickup, the most recent being the "Blue Bandito" retro reissue. The most common issue you see of this kit is the "Early Iron" with a yellow & black model on the box. 4) The front brakes appear to be early 40's Lincoln as opposed to Ford. The Lincoln brakes were far superior to the Ford and are still a coveted hot rod item today. There isn't a scale version of the Lincoln brakes available so the Ford brake plates from any of Revell's '40 or '48 Ford's will have to do. 5) The distributor is a converted Lincoln Zephyr V-12 unit. The tell is the wide (left to right) coil on top. 6) The picture with him posed by the chassis clearly shows a later column shift has been adapted with what is probably a '40 Ford wheel. 7) The belt drive that you need with the generator slightly offset is found in Revell's '32 Sedan or '48 Convertible. The belt drive in the Revell '40 kits has the generator offset way to the right. 8) The headlight stands are cut down '32 fender inner braces. They are mounted to the frame in the stock location, just chopped off with a flat cap for the lights to sit on. PS: The early Ford lever shocks are not "friction", they are hydraulic.

Out of curiosity, has anyone offered up this new chassis to AMT's '53 Pickup kit to see what would be involved in making it fit?

Here's some inspiration for you. I remembered that I had taken some pictures of a few different tankers at some shows 5-6 years back. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki And this last one is a bit funky... Hosted on Fotki

A vintage box art model doesn't get much better than this. Very nice! Did you add the tuck & roll to the interior sides?

I was just telling RRR that I don't think many people here understand what he's building and therefor probably can't appreciate the work involved to build one from scratch. I have no doubt that this will be one of the best scale belly tankers around once it's finished. RRR has "the eye."

This is a killer project! I always enjoy the attention to detail you put into all of your projects. I've liked '64/'65 Falcons for a long time. My best friend in high school (we graduated in '98) drove the '65 Ranchero that his dad bought brand new 6 months before being drafted to Vietnam - 289 hipo / 4 speed / 4.11 rear axle. Silversmoke paint / white interior / buckets / console. Two weeks after he bought it he put headers / custom exhaust and cheater slicks. Unfortunately, the original motor was long gone and the car was a bit worn down. My friend did some research a found that as-built, the car was one of a handful. Right after high school I acquired a really straight original white paint '64 2-door wagon. I had it for about two years but sold it to fund another project. Looking back, I wish I had built the wagon instead.

I didn't know this ever came molded in yellow, that's interesting. The old Testors one I had was all in white. As for the tires... After buying mine back in '97 or '98 off the shelf of a hobby shop and finally selling it just a year or two ago, the tires were in perfect condition. But, it sounds like tire issues are hit and miss. Guess I got lucky.

Thank you, Albert. Your roadster is super nice, too! They'd look good sitting next to each other.

Something with a cab? How'd you guess?

But, for a person like me who owned and daily drove one of these notchbacks for 14 years and has owned nothing but these Mustang's for the last 22 years (bought my first one at 15 and a half), it's a deal breaker. It was also determined the size of the rear wheel openings (length-wise) are too long, probably to accommodate the large drag tires from the follow-up version of the kit. There's other glaring inaccuracies for a person that's intimately familiar with these cars, too. In my opinion, the kit is a total let down and there's absolutely no excuse for it.

The nose grill is separate as are the sections on the hood sides and the doors. 5 separate chrome pieces total. The sections behind the doors are molded and need to be foiled. I had the original Testors release and never got further than doing some pre-paint sub assemblies and paint prep before loosing interest because I'm not really into modernized street rods like this, I prefer 60's and older style hot rods. I do think it was a well made kit. Good detail and parts fit and an incredibly accurate scale version of the real car which I have seen in person.

Wow, a fantastic version of the new Revell roadster kit! I love the color scheme and while I'm not usually a fan of bobbed / cycle fenders they actually look good here. It looks like a traditional rod you'd seen in Australia where they have to run some kind of fender, or, as they call them, "guards." I also like that you toned down the chrome by painting the front axle, grill, headlights, shock mounts and headers. All the chrome on these kits tends to give them a toy-like appearance. In the first set of photos I immediately noticed the radiator shell being too high versus the cowl. So glad you took the advice to drop it down, it made all the difference! The way you did it (notching the sides) is exactly how it's done in the full scale world. (The only other thing is a personal gripe with Revell because they should have made the front of these kits sit lower.)

The stance is perfect and the Halibrand wheels look awesome on it. Very tough looking! I also really like the sunken taillights.