Dennis Lacy

Right On!!! It just goes to show how a few basic changes can have a dramatic effect, It's nearly straight from the box, yet looks nothing like what's on the box.

Nice!

Thanks, guys! Glad you all are digging it. I'm looking forward to finally seeing this thing get shiny.

When I last left off on this little guy (last November, 6 months ago!) it was very close to being ready for final prep for painting. It just needed a few hours worth of details worked out. Yesterday I got inspired to get back on it. To wrap up the full-race ARDUN A engine I added some spark plug wire organizers to the side of the block and the edge of the valve cover. In addition I added a fuel line tee to the intake manifold, a fuel hose retaining tab to the frame rail, changed out the carburetors to a pair from Revell's Ed Roth Tweedy Pie (because they have those killer vintage scoops) and an oil dipstick. Hosted on Fotki The other final fab work was building the steering linkage, making a floor filler panel (since the frame kit did not provide one, which is kind of lame because the yellow Mooneyes version of the frame kit does) and mounting a tachometer on top of the cowling. At this point after a lot of off and on and feet dragging, this little guy is finally fully fabbed and ready for final prep work to start the paint process. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

You've got my attention.

To elaborate on Bernard's post, Chuck at Altered States or "oldmandowntheroad" on Ebay also offers a variation of the '27 Roadster body to fit the Monogram Slingster chassis. I used on of those but modified the center opening (wider, longer) to fit AMT's Double Dragster rail chassis. Hosted on Fotki

The mufflers in these Revell flathead-motored kits are representative of Smithy glass packs which have always come painted hammertone blue since the 40's. Definitely a correct traditional hot rod detail.

For a straight out of the box model, this is about as nice as it gets! Beautiful early custom.

The word filters won't let me accurately express how much I like this project! All fairly subtle changes that add up BIG.

Fantastic color choice. That, the engine color and the chrome wheels go together perfectly.

Absolutely fantastic! I love that you combined the chassis parts from both the stock and hot rod versions to create a completely traditional early rod. I also like the other subtle changes like the '48 steering wheel and custom wheel covers. Totally classy all the way.

Since I broke the car down today and did all of the fine clean up work to get ready for primer I decided I'd offer a quick overview of how the wheels & tires were adapted to the kit axles. In the front I'm using the tires from Revell's Ed Roth Beatnik Bandit. They are a perfectly sized 50's/60's bias-ply front tire. I used the front '40-'48 Ford style "steelie" wheel outer rim halves from Revell's '32 5-Window. As luck would have it, the outer halves fit right into the tires. All of those '32 kits (except both versions of roadsters) come with the American 5-spokes. Using the inner wheel halves from those, I cut away the centers and glued them directly to the inside of the outer wheel halves. That takes care of mounting the wheels to the front axle. With the tires being considerably narrower than the '32 kit series tires, I thinned the remaining wheel rings down considerably until they were the correct thickness to fit into the tire and butt to the out wheel halves. Hosted on Fotki On the rear I'm using the wheels and slicks from Monogram's 'Lil Coffin show rod, which is a heavily modified '32 Sedan. These are what the wheel and tire parts look like. Hosted on Fotki I smoothed out the back sides of the 'Lil Coffin wheels then, like the front, I cut the centers out of the '32 series rear wheel inner halves and glued them to the back sides of the wheels. No other modifications were necessary. Hosted on Fotki And, for a parting shot here's a box full of cleaned up chassis and engine parts ready to go to work with me in the morning for primer. (I do all my painting at work.) Once they're finished I'll paint the body and interior parts. Hosted on Fotki

Remains of the chrome being stripped off. Under the chrome is a lacquer clear coat which doesn't always come off completely. On the carb scoops and valve covers I just need to get in there with a toothpick and knock the yellow junk off.

Yeah, actually, you can! But, not in this case.

Spent some time at the bench yesterday and addressed the interior. Using the floor pan, seat and '40 dash from the Revell '32 5-Window and cut down side panels from the Revell '32 Sedan. Made a steering column from .060" rod and put a parts box Bell sprint car wheel on the end of it. The strip across the firewall is a positive stop for the floor and will also make a nice area for glue. It doesn't show when looking through the side windows. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki I had been using an intake/carbs from another project for previous mock ups so I made up the log intake and carbs that will end up on this car and also got the valve covers with the Moon breather stands mocked up for a look. It's not shown but I also found a mechanical fan that will fit and replace the modern electric and a generator to replace the modern alternator. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki At this point I have most everything in place. Hoping to get some bench time today so I can do all the fine prep work to get ready for primer.

Was this kit molded in... Blue??? If so, I had no idea that ever happened.

Yes. Absolutely yes!

I have one of these bodies in my stash and can vouch for the quality. Ed is one of the best casters out there. If you are on the fence about ordering one of these, do it! You won't be disappointed.

This is a freakin' rad idea. One of the things that's been said about the channeled version of this kit is that there's too much "air" under the car but having those 1/4 elliptic springs and long trailing arms hanging under there takes care of that problem. The Orange Crate wheels & tires look perfect. If you're sticking with kit supplied intake choices, Hilborn injectors all the way!

Ed Fluck @ Drag City Casting was offering a repop of the louvered lid from Revell's '32 5-Window but not sure if it's currently available. I have one, very high quality piece. Would be a good question to ask in the resin section...

Thanks, Chris! I know the Moon tank can be a love/hate thing. It's definitely not for every hot rod. I decided to sit it up there for a look because I was thinking it kind of ties together with the slicks and tough-looking Hemi. I always paint the tanks because I feel like it tones down their presence and they came from Moon in a satin, spun finish. (Although I realize quite a few got polished out.)

Thanks for the comments, guys! Looks like the Moon tank is staying. Thanks! Yes, there's all kinds of room in there and that's where it will be implied that the tank is in this one.

Quiet, you!

Had some free time this afternoon so I spent a couple of hours on this. To start off, I decided that the body looked a little plain so I fit the louvered trunk lid from Revell's '32 5-Window. A 3-Window has a wider lid and the curve of the rear of the body isn't as sharp as a 5-Window. I used the lid as a guide to mark the horizontal cuts then re shaped the lid to match the 3-Window body curvature by manipulating it by hand. The plastic is pretty soft and re shapes easy. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki I also smoothed out all those nasty mold parting lines that a couple of you pointed out. Hosted on Fotki I then turned my attention to the back end of the frame. The gas tank was cut out previously and the rails shortened to just under the lip of the body. I cleaned up that area, added a frame spreader bar made from .080" rod and made a floor panel out of .040" sheet. I also added the cool little nerf bumpers from the 5-Window. Hosted on Fotki These are the valve covers from Revell's Mazmanian '41 Willys. They are the same M/T design that comes with the Hemi I'm using from the 5-Window but have the really cool Moon breather stands. I figured these paired with the 6-carb intake should make the engine look plenty tuff. Hosted on Fotki Here's some mock ups after today's work. All of the chrome has been stripped from the chassis components. I also added a frame spreader bar to the front made from .060" rod. I put together the really nice Moon auxiliary tank from the 5-Window and propped it up to see how it would look. Should I leave it? Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

That for the comments, everyone. I think this thing should end up being decently cool when it's done. Yeah, those parting lines are pretty rough, aren't they?! From what I hear the first run of the 3-Window kit was supposed to be pretty good with each subsequent release getting worse. But, that doesn't make sense because this is a first issue body and it needs a lot of help. I'll be spending lots of time with files and sandpaper.