Paul Payne

Very tasty work! The engines look particularly healthy! Wood work looks great and the finned cover came out really well. As always, looking forward to more!

More progress, of a sort- the primer I used seems to not like drying and hardening- still sort of rubbery, and really clogs the sanding stick. First time for re-scribing panel lines. Decided to divide the rear window opening reminiscent of 49 Mercury, using 0.10" half round stock. Got a lot of chassis work done including installing the fishtail exhaust tips. Still need to fiddle with the rear suspension- not sitting low enough- already reversed the arch of the springs (shades of torching springs back in the 40's and 50's)- and need to add shocks. Started laying in the tuck "n" roll upholstery- we shall see if this stays, I'm not yet thrilled with the outcome- definitely will need more paint to pull it together. The 53 Studebaker wheel covers now have chrome trim rings and brake backs. Mocked up the Avanti headlight buckets and DeSoto bumper from Revel 49 Mercury to be used as the front grille. More pix when I get more done!

Great progress! Those fifties fins on boats were pretty wild! Looking forward to some engine mock ups too! Nevertried vacuum forming- I understand the process, but never gathered tools and materials to do it.

Gary, I do- truck, boat and trailer in wip.

Saltie, go for it! Want pix!

Again, thanks everyone, the encouragement means a lot because sanding putty is about my least favorite modeling activity, but you do see your vision taking shape! I'm thinking metallic black for the exterior, maroon and ivory for the interior.

Great old school build!

pics are not showing up- would love to see your work!

Amazing how much gets sanded off. Anyone figure out a way to recycle the dust? Meanwhile, more pix when I get more done!

Spectacular!

All my hot rods are customized and all my customs are hot rodded! No lead sleds!

Sanding and filling and sanding. Pie cut the interior vertically at the rear, then pie cut again horizontally to fit inside the new roof. Trial fit shows things fitting pretty well. Need to dial in the ride height. Rear fenders are shaping up nicely. Will be adding 0.10" half round as upholstery on the rear seat, similar to the new front seats. Engine will be an Ardun with fuel injection, and a Columbia 2 speed rear axle with lowering blocks. More pix when I get more done!

Beautiful model, beautiful paint, beautiful detailing!

Progress and putty.

I agree, just tried that myself! Will probably add a filler piece to the side window areas similar to door window on the Matranga Merc. Also added filler pieces at the back of the removed roof area, just got the super glue applied. Also cut the front roll pan off the mild custom grille surround and moved the roll pan back to tuck in the front end. Do you notice, from the top, how the slight teardrop shape of the body is accented by the top contour? Cutting down the windshield frame (narrower at top) and tidying up somewhat sloppy cuts to lay in the frame, which will dictate the final length of the roof and also any alterations in the B pillar area. This is getting fun!

I'm leaning toward skirts as well. We shall see!

Thanks for all the comments! I will probably modify the top to flow more smoothly into the trunk, and maybe modify the side and rear window openings. Many possibilities and directions at this point!

Again, thanks all for looking . Enjoy!

Jantrix, the final sectioning is already done- had marked some other ideas but decided on a wedge section to reduce the rear fenders. We shall see if that is the only body mod! Opinions wanted- should I radius the rear wheel openings? use skirts? other ideas? Want to do a late 40's- early 50's look but maybe with up to date paint?

Thanks, Zippi, was going to chop the stock top but changed direction when I found the coupe top.

Decided to customize a 1949 Ford. Sectioned on a slant to reduce the height of the rear fenders. In the parts stash I found a coupe top and glass from the AMT 1957 Thunderbird and decided to graft it in. The windshield will be laid down to match the new top. Headlights are stock Avanti with the stock bezels filed down at an angle. Pix next to a stock Ford for comparison. More to come when I get more done!

The Hallock windshield is from Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland. Thanks much for the kind words- Fun project that came out well!

This one came together quite fast, even with changes to the- well- everything!

All of a sudden things began to really fall together, so- didn't get more in progress pix, but- it's done! Teaser pic here, more in under glass!

Great weathering and rescue of an old toy!