Paul Payne

Has anyone put a fifties hemi in a postwar power wagon?

Years go I bought a set of white metal disc brakes with calipers from Herb Deeks. Also, a lot of Nascar kits had pretty generic disc brakes- maybe someone has some to trade.

I finally resolved the area of the inside front fenders. I realized that plastic spoon tips might be the answer! So, out came the razor saw, then the sanding sticks, and the resulting fit was nearly perfect! Sadly, I learned from another thread that Ted "Chopper" Lear passed away late last year. Another grievous loss to our modeling community. This thread is now dedicated to his memory and his love of long, sleek, and low customs. Now I HAVE to finish this project!

Sweeeeeeeeeet!

Bill, thanks for the additional info- forum members love to share!

The instructions are pretty vague except that it's a hemi- no displacement mentioned. The date range you suggest would be consistent with the time line of the first release of the kit, which was the early -mid sixties.

Do any of the hemi experts know what year the hemi in the AMT 1953 Studebaker represents? I want to use one in another project and the date could be important.

I just learned from browsing another thread that Ted "Chopper Lear has passed. A true master of the long smooth custom.

There is the possibility a kitbasher could eventually come out even- all the parts used, nothing left over, no more parts stash- naaaaaaaaah!

Those are all great drawings! You should get them framed! By all means, try drawing again!

Astounding! Will be following and waiting for more!

Not one to make new year's resolutions, so I'll keep it simple. Keep working on the egg crate grille and the car behind it. Keep working on the big boat ,trailer, and also do some detailing on the power wagon. Keep working on the 62 T-bird, Opel GT, and Lincoln Continental with a cut down 32 Ford grille. Eventually start on the new 29 Ford model A. Maybe start on the AMT 3 in 1 runabout. And can't forget my vision of the ultimate deuce roadster. Oh yeah, the Maisto Bugatti Chiron that needs disc brakes........ Then there's my stash!

Sawed off the rest of the superstructure and began grinding down the raised deck details. I suddenly realized some of you might not realize how big this boat will be. Here's a comparison shot between the project and the AMT 3 in 1 boat kit.

Well, let's look at the boat first. I have removed all the details on the deck, prior to sawing off and sanding down all the details except the actual planking which will be left as much as possible for a guide for the real wood. Many of the deck details were molded in relief, which meant a depression was created on the deck underside. Most of these have been filled with epoxy. I have also marked out the general cockpit locations and the windscreen location. The hull will also have some recesses on the inside filled with epoxy as well, primarily the prop shaft indentations and the inside of the bow, since I plan on some major rework in both areas. The runabout I am creating will have 2 propellers instead of 3, and 2 rudders as well. Once the cockpit and engine areas are cut out, I will probably add some filler plastic for strength. So, out comes the saw, with more progress pix soon.

Jeff, thanks so much for sharing! Now that I know what to look for, I will keep an eye out for one!

I think I heard some later Cords had 8 bars for a higher hood, and larger, more formal body work- limousines and such.

I have an idea about this, but no hard evidence. Anyone else with sure knowledge please correct me! All molds have parting fluid applied before each shot. Is it possible that a too generous application actually got incorporated into the styrene, causing a difference in the material? This would explain the paint failure. As far as I know, styrene doesn't need to cure like resin does- it gets heated to where it flows, then cools before ejection from the mold. If it's too warm during ejection, that is when warping can occur.

Tom, any chance you have a picture of what you started with? That little gem is really inspirational- still another project to put on the list!

Patrick, that art deco teardrop is to die for! Excellent design and creativity, great workmanship!

I'm going to follow this- great work on the body and great styling- looking forward to where this is going!

Christopher, the custom headlight treatment looks very interesting- I may have to track one of these down! I was toying with the AMT 57 T-bird styline front end with the triangular headlight covers, but not yet committed. Mark, the chassis is the T-bird one piece unit, cut and lengthened to fit, since the front end is longer to accommodate the v-16 engine. Will mostly be belly pan with minimal detail on the front suspension. I also tore apart the hood because I couldn't correct the mismatches between the cowl and forward section of the hood I was grafting to.

Everything has to be somewhere. If you start looking, try looking in the last place first. They need to add small ferrous particles to styrene so we can find them with a magnet.

Nobling, I have always wanted to build a larger speed boat, but didn't want to shell out for a Dumas or similar kit. The old pt boat allows me more flexibility in cockpit and engine compartment arrangement. Once I got that far, I realized I would need a trailer and tow vehicle. Now I have to figure out how to display it and keep the dust off!

Great interpretation of the inspiration! Shiny black paint is always good! I like your detailing on the engine and suspension components.

Larry, thanks for the encouragement! Still a lot to do, many details to work out (headlights, tail lights, etc.). I would be more than happy to consider any suggestions for these!