Paul Payne

The top chop begins! I started by drilling two relief holes in each C pillar. Starting on the passenger side, I cut down where the rear window opening became horizontal. Next came scribing with my trusty mini saw, staying as parallel as possible to the drip molding. The next cut was to create the tapered cut to remove a curved wedge shape. Finally I cut free the rear of the window opening to preserve this for future use. Now for the driver's side!

Great to see all the interest in this project and I appreciate the feed back from all of you. Confirms that my ideas are on the right track!

Thanks for reminding me where I found pix that inspired this project! Right now I am supergluing my fingers as well as gluing everything back together. Once the body is solid gain, I will start the top chopping. I have decided to lay back the windshield area, and since the B pillar will be removed and replaced with curved framing, I may also make the doors wider by rescribing the lines. Onward through the fog, forward never straight! More pix when I get more done! Warm enough today for a second coat of primer on the 62 GT Hawk as well (winter project).

The goal is to get the top and bottom of the body glued solidly together for stability, then go for the top chop- still haven't decided to lay back the windshield- any thoughts?

Had to superglue the cowl first to line up the front door lines. Will try to coax the rest of the body bit by bit into position- sort of tack welding in plastic!

My initial attempt to glue the upper and lower body pieces was not successful, primarily due to difficult alignment at the door lines as well as the tendency for the lower body at the rear migrating away from the rear fenders. I will try taping the lower body to the fenders, and possibly adding a temporary spacer piece in the area. For radical body work like this similar procedures would be used on a real car!

I think these are altered photos showing different ideas. They are Mercuries, but I will probably build mine as a Ford- add a hot rod dash, banjo steering wheel, maybe bucket seats and of course a healthy flat head!

While I am waiting for it warm up enough to primer another project, I decided to start a project I have had in mind for quite awhile. A couple of inspiration photos included. I started by roughing in the various cuts, then wrote down the best order to proceed. Today I got out the saws and removed approximately 3 scale inches from the hood and body. My goal was to keep as much of the body attached before finishing the cuts. The pix show the hood sectioned and glued together and the body pieces set in place. Final sanding will prepare the body for gluing. Next will be the top chop- debating whether to lay the windshield back or keep the same angle. I plan on using the Columbia two speed rear axle, since I want to display this model towing a tear drop trailer.

Magnificent!

That is one beautiful custom! Everyone else has said it all, so- ditto!

Great hot rod! Beautiful workmanship and right on paint!

PM me about the group with the 1936 Ford.

PM sent.

I recommend the weathered look on the truck. This is a great project!

Interior is finished! Door handles and window cranks made from wire and slices of styrene rod, arm rests made from 1/8" quarter round styrene, more work on the seats for a proper fit. Added door locks and a groove on top trim to simulate the door division.

Looks about as real as you can get!

Awesome deuce- maybe my favorite!

Be interesting to see what direction this one will take. Will follow!

Been working on interior stuff. Dashboard is completed. Steering wheel is in process. Chrome panels are completed. Paint on the rear seats and center console- created an ash tray for the console. Started the first arm rest from quarter round stock- 4 altogether. Second bucket seat still ongoing. Next big project is creating door handles and 4 window cranks from silver wire and slices of rod stock.

Love the little figure you constructed- great for testing fit and position! Will be following!

Swell looking rod- looking forward to more!

Reminds me of a foundry pattern!

Classy looking ride! How about dual sidemounts?

Charles, I am in need of some 1962 Studebaker GT Hawk emblems. No drawings, but you should be able to do an approximate scale model from the hand held ones. Reference photos attached. PM me if interested!

Jim, I have had really good luck using artist's pastels for weathering.