Mr. Metallic

Edit- I changed the title of this thread because I figured it will be easier to just feature all of the builds I have planned in this series all in one thread since anyone that follows along with it will probably be interested in all the subjects I plan to tackle. I put true in quotes in the title because these kits are the ones (Son Of Ford/SweeTee/ Boss A Bone) with design updates by TD , but are based on the pre-existing Monogram tools in their Hot Rod only line (Little T/Little Deuce/Woody Wagon/Blue Beetle) meaning the kits never included a stock version like the 34 Ford/Model A Coupe/Model A phaeton and others did). TD partnered with Monogram to produce a ton of kits, but they are mostly show rods, so that's why I'm making the distinction. Now, lets get started: I have been in an extended build slump for the better part of the last 5 years, with little output since then, but especially the last 8 months. I had actual cobwebs all over my bench. The ideas are always churnning away in the brain but the desire and/or time just hasn't been there. I was able to wrap up the last of my outdoor projects for this year so I was able to carve out a little time over the weekend in my hobby room. First order of business was to clean off the bench. Of course, i'm still buying things, so first up was the pile of purchases to sort through and put away. it was like Christmas. All the old projects on my benches were just making me sad, so I needed a clean slate. That meant carefully gathering all the scattered parts for various projects of my one bench and putting them away. Once that was done and a little deep cleaning I was starting to feel better. Then I needed a project to work on. Something pretty straightforward and satisfying was what I needed. Not kitbashing, scratchbuilding or heavy detailing. The perfect kit in my mind ended up being this kit... Monograms SweeTee. Pay no attention to the second bench. This is what they both looked like before Operation Clean Slate For those of you not familiar with this kit it is the Little T tooling, with a sprinkling of Tom Daniel flavor to update it in 1970. The parts in this kit changed from the Little T are the wheel and tires, exhaust headers and the replacement of the 6 carb setup with a blower. Bob Spedding @TooOld did a great buildup of this kit here on MCM a few years ago, and it inspired me to do my own version. The plan is to do it mostly box stock with paint detailing, with a couple simple upgrades (most notably a pre-wired magneto from Morgan Automotive Details). I'm thinking about adding a thin "whitewall" to the slicks as was the style of the time in either blue or red. Haven't had much success using my Gelly Roll pen yet, but I'm going to do some more practice to see if I can make it happen.

Maybe this thread should focus on kits that were truly only issued one time and never re-released or modified into anything else? For example the Monogram Land Rover and AMT 1911 Chevy.

You are definitely the person to do that. I don't know that anyone has done that to completion.

Good to see this one back. I missed out on the fender work you performed. Stance is looking mighty fine, and that inspiration car is killer.

@tim boyd

Those tires would indicate these are originals. The "new" issue from a few years ago did not have plastic tires, but newly tooled rubber tires to match the 1:1 Black Widow showcar that was designed after the original model kit. It's all a big circle isn't it? Model kit inspires showcar, showcar inspires improvements to model kit ? Here's the showcar, complete with cool retro box art inspire display

The 49 Woody is actually an offshoot of the Revell chopped 49 Merc tooling. So those kits you mentioned are both part of the "version-ing" practice that Revell (and Moebius) does now where any new tool is created there are at least 1 or more additional versions planned. See also the Revell 57 Ford (sedan and wagon), 71 Mustang (BBoss and mach 1)and several others. Some versions are more extensive than others (like the complete new body and interior tooling for the Merc woody) but at least 50% of the kit is reused when making the next version. The exception to this practice would be the all new tooling Foose kits (Caddy and F-100 pickup). Both of which are still in the catalog 6-7 years after introduction. They are getting their moneys worth out of that investment.

Stunning paint, great stance.

Does anyone know of a source for a bench seat for this? I did find and order a flat hood from Missing Link. Does anyone know if the hubcaps from Fireball Modelworks would be correct for this kit to "downgrade" it?

I'm optimistic that putting the parts in a dehydrator for a day or two solves the potential durability issues. It looks great straight out of the can but we have to be able to handle the stuff, at least moderately.

Looks like you got your wish. Although, Revells "cheesy" whitewall decals have been much improved lately, as evidenced by Chuck Kourouklis hot rod build. He was blown away at how nicely they laid down. I'd link you to the build but the search function is not working for me right now, probably related to the boards other technical issues.

absolutely stunning presentation and execution as always. I particularly like the fact that you "downgraded" the trim level.

Congratulations. Welcome to the club!

Now that it's been announced, can we get any details on the 64 Chevelle. Separate hood is noted somewhere, how about clear headlight and taillight lenses? Anything else. And I'm assuming the Warlock was the hinted at MPC announcement?

Very nice work, great color. Those wheels and tires are SICK! What's the source?

Such a great idea. I've bypassed that kit every time I've seen it, even at $10 a couple times. Now I'm kicking myself for not grabbing one because I want to do the same thing! Great job.

Very cool. The flavor of the extended wheelbase of a T, but with an A body. Like Dave said, great idea on the interior.

Sometimes it take a couple tries to get a project to match our inner vision. Thanks for taking us along for the journey. I love the paint color.

Looks great. Nice color combo.

One of my favorite movies, and I love Falcons. Nice rescue.

It's just a way to generate capital outside the normal demographic. If you look at the kits in the Coke series they have all been reissued within the last 10 years as regular issues. 90% of those Coke kits will never get opened, much less built. But more money in the coffers means more money to invest in new/refurbished tooling.

Thanks for sharing James

What is the source for that sweet air cleaner/valve cover combo? Is it from the Revell 41 Chevy, something else, or aftermarket?

Rather than mini-tubbing it maybe widen the fenders slightly by adding material to the back. It looks like you're close to having enough space. I may have an extra set of fenders if you want to use a set to widen them?

The hood in the 2 AMT 40 Ford kits (sedan and coupe) used to fit really well but the fit has sadly degraded over time. Drag City Casting used to sell copies of the original issue hood because it fits better, not sure if they still do.