alan barton

Going back through your build I think I will redo my roof. I have a spare and I really like the way you did the bows on the underside - that is a nice detail, a surprise as it were for people who go looking further. I also used a luggage rack but just the standard one out of the AMT kit. I also like the grab rope across the back of the seat. Interestingly, my phaeton came with the correct style front seat, not the buckets that you got. Maybe AMT swapped things out over the years? Cheers Alan

Back in the seventies, a resto rod just had to run a set of chromed wires. This is the set I came up with to suit the phaeton. The deep and deeper Borrani style wires came from a Monogram Street Stalker Camaro. I picked this kit up many years ago at a clearance sale and I reckon it just might be the best parts kit I ever bought! The front clip went onto a forty frame, as did the leaf spring rear end. The nicely detailed SBC went into another forty coupe, which also got a very sliced and diced version of the Camaro interior. The nose and hood went onto a dirt track late model and I cant really remember where the back half of the body and floor ended up but they are about the only parts I didn't use! Unfortunately the wheels suffered some rim damage from my youthful exuberance decades ago but a bit of Molotow pen did a reasonable job of hiding that. The wires for the spares came from the yellow version of the the Monogram 32 roadster. It was the only way I could get a reasonable looking wire that would fit in those wells. As you can see, I had to take a file to the back of the front Borranis as well as the spindles to try to get everything tucked under the front fenders.

Just going backwards a bit here, you can see how I got the somewhat largish Monogram engine to fit.After gluing the floorboard in place I hogged out as much as I could for transmission clearance but it wasn't enough. This car had already suffered from overcomplicationitis for way too long so I took the down and dirty way out and filed off the top of the transmission until it fitted. Yeah, I know, I should have fabbed up a floor hump but I always intended to have the roof glued onto this one so I didn't bother. I also had to do some massaging on the block hugger headers from the 37 kit as the AMT frame was very tight in that region.

This was easily the most complex suspension install I have ever tackled but I am glad I persevered as it it the right style for the era. I did end up with one slightly wonky wheel that I am going to have to go back and manipulate. Surprisingly the setup off the Model T was the right width to keep the tyres well under the crown of the fenders. You can also see in these undercarriage shots that I used a small block from a Monogram 37 Tudor as well as the exhausts, albeit extensively modified! You can also see that the early fender units don't have running board braces moulded in but I figured anything I glued on to imitate them would interrupt the flow of the running boards when viewed from alongside so I chose to ignore them.

If the rear end install wasn't hard enough, the front end was a nightmare. You need at least seven hands to balance all the bits to try and establish the very critical front wheel positioning. I decided the only way I could be assured of getting this to happen was to glue the frame to the fender unit at this stage. The car was always going to be two toned black and silver so this worked out as reliable way of keeping everything where it belonged. I cut the too-short front frame horns off and then fabricated some new ones to match the fenders. This left a gap that eased the pain of installing bits of the Buttera front end mounts. I dug a gluebombed assembled front end from the parts box and this definitely aided with front end setup. When everything was locked in place I went back and filled in the gap in the frame horn that you see here.

As you can see, the fender unit wasn't in mint condition but I managed to clean it up fairly well. As you probably know, the first series of AMT Deuces had no fuel tank at all and the second series ( Vicky and Phaeton) had something that looked like bean bag furniture! Anyhow, many years ago I was shaving one morning when I realised that my Wilkinson Sword disposable razors had a cover that looked remarkably similar to a Deuce fuel tank so after buying another bag of them on my next shopping trip I was assured of never running out! You could just stick the razor cover straight on but it is more accurate to shorten it about 3mm. Being clear styrene it is quite easy to fix. I also extended the frame horns to make the rear of the frame look more convincing. I then began construction of a reasonably modern style centre crossmember to stiffen the frame to keep the independent underpinnings working as they should. I used Evergreen styrene channel to accomplish this modification. I first removed the centre of the AMT crossmember but kept the front legs as a foundation. The photos also show where I relieved a big chunk out of the transverse rear crossmember in preparation for fitting the Buttera Jag crossmember. And it hasn't been done yet in these photos but if you want to get reasonable sized rubber under the back of the AMT kits you need to hog out most of the rear wheel inner fender panels. I see Misha had clearance issues on his stunning red tub but I had fortunately already crossed this bridge on my black Tudor from last year.

This is a project that has been sitting unloved for at least 10 years, probably more, so after finishing a Vicky and a Tudor I thought it would make a good addition to the stable, if only it was finished. It came from the worst AMT box art in history, the one with the ugly orange hiboy on the front. Sheeesh, that must have put a lot of people off buying it! At least it had the correct interior tub, unlike some later releases. I have had in my stash for, easy 40 years, the dual side mount fender unit, from , I think, the second release of the AMT 32 roadster. It seemed like a natural for a full seventies style resto rod so that is the theme of this build. But one of the reasons that it took so long to finish was that I chose the Jag style front and rear suspension from the Buttera 27 T kits and that took a lot of fiddling.

Nice job Misha. I was just about to show my WIP of an AMT Deuce phaeton when I stumbled on your build. Not often you see two of these at the same time! At least you got yours finished fairly quickly - mine was stalled for at least ten years! Cheers Alan

Hi David, easily the most critical part of any model car in turns of finished appearance is the tires. Size and shape, in my mind, are infinitely more important than tread or sidewall detail. If those PPP tires look good on your car, they are right for your car! I would much rather run tires on my models that make the finished product look right than use a tire that is technically more correct but maybe not quite the right diameter or profile. So yes, they can be a credible alternative. Cheers Alan

Really enjoying this build Geoff. The printed discs are sheer genius - I am going to have to try that one on my next build! Cheers Alan

Daniel, I built one when they first came out, must one about 10 years ago,, maybe more. I don't have the car as it was done to help out a friend so I cant go and check it but two things I remember are as follows. Firstly, i painted one smooth coat of Testors spray can blue and that was enough to make it impossible to fit the chrome trim for the side mouldings. The job was done quickly and I seem to remember that I used no primer. The chrome on these kits is so tough that you just abut need an angle grinder to remove it . Proceed with caution. As it happened, I broke one of the strips at a door join but believe it or not, the chrome plating did not break and I managed to get it onto the car still in one piece. The second thing was that I recall that there was either no rear parcel shelf or an undersized shelf and you can see through into the trunk. Otherwise I remember it being pretty straight forward - I only had a week to get it done after work so It can't have given me too much grief! Cheers Alan

I must have missed this before, Phil.. What a courageous effort! I looked at building this car many years ago but when the Danbury mint version came out, I took the easy route and bought one - it is trlyan outstanding example of the diecast industry art and easily my most prized diecast in the collection. I think you have done a credible effort with the interior , especially the buttons. I have a friend that does clinically accurate piping with jeweller's wire but I haven't tackled it myself yet. As you say, sitting on the table it should look very nice. It s also neat to see this car with the axle behind the spring as in all post 35 Fords. It is a feature you rarely see in a model. Good luck with your deadline! Cheers Alan

Hi Jose, love your truck. Shortening those pipes must have been a challenge! I'm not particularly fond of the appearance of the Edsel based grille but it just seems to look so cool and right for period show rods of this era. It's definitely been growing on me since I started my project. Maybe this post will end up being a repository for all the AMT custom grilled hot rods out there? Cheers Alan

Dennis, I am in awe of your craftsmanship around the window openings! I have been modelling forever and have a reasonable skill set but the biggest obstacle I come across to completing my chop top projects is getting all of ol' Henry's window mouldings back to perfect. It seems like just one extra swipe of the file or sandpaper and you have a gouge or a groove or some mark that requires more putty and then you're back to square one. So here you are with a car with no less than six windows and no less than eight posts and you have them looking absolutely flawless. That is a skill that I will continue to dream of mastering. My hat is off to you, sir, that is truly magnificent. And, might I add, that is a very fine chop. We have a fair few chop top 4 doors here in Australia, simply because very few two door sedan anythings were sold pre-48. 1928, 29 Model A Tudors and 39/40 slopers are about the only ones I can think of. Go to an Aussie rod run and you are bound to see at least one chopped 32 4 door and a maybe a few more chopped 33-34 four doors. Cheers Alan

Thanks for the photo Norman, that definitely confirms that I need to go with a dropped axle. That Tudor looks sweet even without the fender running board unit. It looks like he also might have used the Revell 29 Hiboy nailhead, judging by the pipes. It is an interesting twist on the original. And oldschool, you are dead right about the whitewalls - gotta have 'em! I am very keen to use the AMT parts pack ones as they are so nice and period perfect but I will decide for sure when I get a better front axle happening. It's great to see all the love for this old girl from everyone and I am very keen to get it just right. Final completion might be delayed a bit as we are in the middle of winter, not conducive to painting candies! I will keep the chassis and interior updates coming. Cheers Alan

Thanks for the comments and support guys! I am enjoying this one even if it has had a few small challenges along the way. Got a bit done last night. First, I made a paper template of the roof opening and then transferred it to some clear celluloid that will eventually be used to produce a coloured insert. This should be a lot more accurate than a floppy paper template. Then I carefully glued a strip of thin evergreen along the inside edge of the roof opening to produce a ledge for the clear insert to eventually rest on. While that was drying, I went scrounging for a suitable radiator. I found this chromed one from unknown source and with a minimum of filing it fit inside the custom grille shell. With everything looking good I dusted a light coat of primer on and this is where I am at now. But man, that stance! I just can't see getting this puppy to fly with the straight tube front axle. Do I go with a dropped axle or is that veering to far from the AMT spirit? Cheers Alan

Thanks Rodney. It is a fairly simple build but there are some details that will take extra effort to get just right - and stance is a big one! For once bodywork should be the least of my issues! By the time I get the chassis squared away I'm hoping there will be some warmer weather for a nice day of painting. Cheers Alan

Hey Craig, that is absolutely stunning! Sorry for the tragically late reply, I have been focussed on some other projects, both 1:1 and !;25 and hadn't got much more done so just tonight I thought I would post something and I find your drop-dead gorgeous Vicky! I love the Radirs, I adore the recessed insert in the rear and I can't hep thinking there is something tricky going on with the grille. if I get anywhere near close to this high standard of finish I will be a very happy camper. Last time I posted I hinted that something was about to change my original plans. I really should have got back earlier but anyhow, one of our fellow forum members who goes by the name of muncie got in touch with me and generously offered me a near-mint Tudor body to help with my project. To say I was gobsmacked was an understatement, I mean, who gives up such a rare part? Steve, I am indebted, believe me. To further the surprise, when Steve's package arrived in Perth Western Australia he had also chucked in another grille, saving me from sawing off the front of my coupe! And some lights, and the original instructions. It just doesn't get cooler than this! Meantime, my work has had me travelling a lot so modelling has slowed down a bit but I wanted to show you how this old showcar is shaping up. I very gingerly removed the top insert and will be putting a narrow flange around it to allow a tinted roof insert to drop in place so that all those beautiful pleats don't disappear. I'm not sure whether I had trimmed my pipes as I once had them fitted to a childhood Paddy Wagon build but there seems to be a bit of conflict between the pipes and the frame so I will need to massage these. I am using pins to line them up with the heads so hopefully I will get everything where it should be without too much stress. Steve just proves how good people are and what a great place this is for like minded people to hang out. I'm not sure when I will get the next installment done but thanks everyone for following along this far and I hope I can do the old girl justice. Cheers

I am really enjoying your conversion work here, Geoff. I'm currently midway through a conversion from an American Ranchero to an Australian XP ute and I can really relate to the challenges you are facing here. Your rear pillar conversion is looking very convincing, can't wait to see it with the trim in place! Cheers Alan

With slightly skinnier tyres and a four door B pillar that Valiant stock car could have raced at any number of Australian speedways in the early seventies. Nice work Tom! Cheers Alan

Here's a Fronty for you from the amazing engine collection at the American Museum of Speed in Lincoln Nebraska.

Thanks Ace, I really enjoyed that. I was always aware of the shortcomings of a flatmotor but never fully understood exactly what caused them. That guy made it beautifully simple to understand. I have been a teacher and a trainer my whole life and it is always a joy to hear someone who can deliver as smoothly as that and with such clarity. And I wouldn't mind that monster of a flatmotor in my cabinet either! Cheers Alan

Tommy, that is easily the best weathered engine I have ever seen. Those rusty exhausts are incredible and the greasy shine on the rocker arms is totally convincing. If I were to pick up that gearbox, I can just feel the grease on my hands and then wiping them off on my jeans.! This is automotive art at its finest. Cheers Alan

I should have guessed! When you were doing Bench Racer we were very much on the same page as far as short track builds go. And I love your A modified. Another thing I love about my glass top is that I can be a complete slob with glue, paint or putty and a few seconds with a scraper and I am looking sweet again! Cheers Alan

You know what, they are just fun! Anyone who looks at these two can't help but grin. No rare classic cars were cut up to build them and it wont start some crazy new trend. It really doesn't matter if they run or not, they are just to look at and enjoy. I'm a hot rodder but I think he did a better job on the Kombi but hey, it's a personal choice. Cheers Alan