Paul Payne

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!

Thanks again, guys! Challenging but enjoyable. Had it in mind to build a larger speed boat than the AMT boat for years, finally got around to it, then decided I needed a trailer and tow vehicle- so the rest of the project!

The carving of the body buck is seriously impressive! How do you maintain symmetry?

Looking forward to more!

Really nice- I like your pick for the interior color-one of my favorites! Are you thinking of doing the boat to match?

That is the beautiful Ford spoon gas pedal- a most choice item for a hot rodder! The pic also displays a Gordon Schroeder sprint car steering assembly, another very choice goodie and used in the Doane Spencer roadster.

Some kits omit the gas pedal for some strange reason (or its molded into the floor). One brake pedal for automatic, 2 pedals for clutch and brake, always 3 pedals for a true hot rod, maybe a starter button.

Thanks much, Kit- always a Ford in a Ford! Getting the floor and side panels painted, and glued the rear end in place- working on the tube shocks now- cleanup and then a trial fit to see about final mounting. Also completed the Molotowing of the headers- don't know if I'm brave (or stupid enough) to try a little heat discoloration.............. Working on the engine's front end- things weren't square and my initial idea of hard pipes to the radiator wasn't working- going to try soft rubber tubing from a set of Betsy's ear buds which died- she gives me all kinds of stuff which might be useful, including jewelry wire and other stuff- nice to have a very supportive wife- but after all, she was sanding wood spoke wheels on a family project car when she was six!

Starting one of my Revell 29 Model A's. Decided to use a Ford 427 side oiler I have had lying around. Interesting fit challenges since the water pump and pulleys are longer than the nail head in the kit. The paint is not black primer, it's actually Testors gunmetal, which is a very dark slatey blue. It will be dull coated after some sanding to even it out. Thinking of black and sea blue for the interior, and a Hallock V windshield from Replicas and Miniatures. Also plan on using the Cobra headers which were stripped, filled, and sanded and are in process for Molotow chrome. The chassis has a Model A rear spring cross member grafted in and the front spring cross member was raised. I like the stance- the oil pan hangs low enough that we need some clearance so not too low, and definitely level. The wheels are ancient- got them in a box of parts and no idea what they are from- molded in metallic blue plastic with the old style brake drums molded to the backs.

Amazing scratch building and mold making- modeling at its best.