Phildaupho

Thanks Bernard for your comments. Regarding the Phantom Phaeton k-member I thought it would drop right in. Of course right from the start I lost some width with my saw cuts. I used a k-member from a pre-painted Phaeton so you can see the parts I used. By cutting off the short central pieces and replacing them with new pieces of proper length I was able to bend the rest to fit. I used the aft engine mount from the Deuce kit cross member to support the transmission and locate the rear stabilizer bars. A new aftermost tubular cross member was also added. I am pretty sure I can use the Deuce kit exhaust. I have separated the pipes just ahead of the mufflers and have drilled and pinned the pieces for rejoining. The mufflers had to be trimmed somewhat to fit between the tubing. Regarding the front wheels, in this case I cut off the outer most contour then sanded the diameter down by chucking the wheel in my moto-tool. I also trimmed the inner diameter of the tire until the wheel fit. At that point I trimmed the back of the wheel to the proper width.

A beautiful model of what I consider the best looking 1959 North American car.

I am using the kit dropped tube axle and hairpin tie-rods from the 5-W kit. On the 5-W build I have replaced the tube center section with an I-beam.

I am building a model inspired by Bill Peratt’s Pinkee built Chopped 3-Window Deuce Coupe as one of two Deuces that will appear on the poster for the Deuce Days in Scale Model Car Show that will take place in Victoria BC Canada Sunday July 24, 2016 in conjunction Northwest Deuce Days which happens every three years and has become one of the premier hot rod events. It attracts over 800 pre-1952 cars. Of those over half are Deuces. Once the Deuce Days in Scale poster is ready I will post more information on the model car show but first I have to build the models. There are great portfolios of the real car at http://pinkeesrodshop.com/projects/past-projects/1932-three-window-coupe/ http://www.hotrod.com/cars/featured/0803rc-pinkees-1932-ford-coupe/ Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki My model will hopefully resemble and be similar in many ways but I am not attempting to build an exact replica of the Peratt/Pnkee Coupe. - Top chopped about a scale 3 ½ inches - Louvered trunk lid from 5-Window kit, which was not a drop in fit. Had to adjust the curvature and fill the 3-W side seams - Buick style brakes from Custom Styling Studio - Grill shell and grill from Rat Roaster. Shell altered for chrome strip - Replicas & Miniatures door hinges - Firewall from Rat Roaster - Steering wheel from 5-W - Engine block from Rat Roaster, transmission and headers from an old Corvette kit, carbs from 49 Ford - Quick Change and carb trumpets from Double-T - Added pleats to door panels and seat - I made a departure from the real car in that I did not incorporate a beam front axle as I am saving those for highboys where they are more visible Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

I am building a model inspired by Vic Edelbrock’s Chopped 5-Window Deuce Coupe as one of two Deuces that will appear on the poster for the Deuce Days in Scale Model Car Show that will take place in Victoria BC Canada next year - Sunday July 24, 2016 in conjunction Northwest Deuce Days which happens every three years and has become one of the premier hot rod events. It attracts over 800 pre-1952 cars. Of those over half are Deuces. Once the Deuce Days in Scale poster is ready I will post more information on the model car show but first I have to build the models. The build of the real car is chronicled on the Brizio website http://www.roybriziostreetrods.com/progress/edelbrock/index.htm Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki My model will hopefully resemble and be similar in many ways but I am not attempting to build an exact replica of the Edelbrock Coupe. - Top chopped scale 2½ inches, insert cut out to paint separately. If I had been the kit designer I would have had an open insert area with the option of a fabric or flush insert. [Recently learned that Ford could have stamped the Coupes without an insert but did because the Sedan required an insert and they want similarity amongst the versions] - Dash from Phantom Phaeton - Pegasus wheels mounted on AMT Phantom Phaeton tires. Front wheels narrowed and diameter reduced - Frame – adapted cross tubing from Phantom Phaeton which was more complicated than I thought it would be. Rear end supported only by coil-over shocks and four bars - Engine – Ford small block with 5-speed from AMT Wagon Rod - Testor’s Dark Red enamel - Flame decals from Revell ’49 Merc Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

Great project Tom. I have built the Watson and Lotus in the last couple of years without the use of after market parts or decals and they turned out fairly presentable but if I was to recommend anything I would say get the after market decals. I look forward to seeing the Rutherford car. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

I have been wondering what you have been up to. Obviously you have spent your time well building this incredible model.

Thanks everyone for your comments. It was a fun project and I even enjoyed the Trumpeter kit inspite of its inaccuracies. I had a nice 65 Falcon 289 4-speed hardtop with front disc brakes and good suspensions a few years ago and I always imaged doing it up similar to this model.

Now that it is noon Pacific Daylight Saving Time April 1, I have to confess that as far as I know Lotus never built a Falcon.

side view Hosted on Fotki

[The following is almost all true but as far as I know Lotus never built a Falcon. The model is an April Fools Phantom.]This is a model of the one and only Lotus-Falcon that was a prototype for a stillborn effort by Ford to homologate Falcons for international rally competition. It is an often forgotten and unappreciated fact that Falcons spearheaded Fords assault to dominate international car racing when Falcons were entered in the Monte Carlo Rally. It started in 1963 with the first generation Falcon, which showed great potential. In 1964 there was an all out attempt by Ford for an outright victory. As it turned out a controversial rule interpretation gave the victory that proved legendary to Paddy Hopkirk in a Mini Cooper S. Although a Falcon won all the stages it was relegated to second place. Falcons were entered in subsequent European rallies but it became obvious the powers that be were not happy with the performance of this North American interloper and declared the Falcons as entered did not meet homologation regulations. The Falcon Sprint version was not that different from a stock Falcon. In an effort to correct this Ford enlisted the help of their Indy 500 partner Lotus to come up with a Falcon version that could be produced to meet the homologation requirements. Lotus had already developed a performance version of the Ford Cortina so had a recipe to follow. The rally versions of the Falcon were prepared by Holman & Moody who interestingly enough also built 427 powered Econoline support vehicles for the team. This Lotus-Falcon was basically a rally car de-tuned and civilized as a road car. Unfortunately time marched on. Ford decided to end its effort to win the world rally championship so the Falcon homologation project was not pursued. Ford had other international championships to conquer like Le Mans, F-1 and sports car racing. Besides the Mustang had taken over as Fords sporty car. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki more photos at http://public.fotki.com/phildaupho/models_of_sports_cars/1964-falcon-lotus/ Modifications and additions to stock Trumpeter Falcon INTERIOR - Wood rim steering wheel - Hurst shifter with wooden shift knob - Sportier front bucket seats - Enhanced instrumentation ENGINE COMPARTMENT - Dual four-barrel carbs - Chrome valve covers - Monte Carlo bar RUNNING GEAR - Lowered suspension - Wider wheels and with Goodyear Bluestreak Sportscar Special tires - Disc brakes up front, larger drums in the rear BODY - Trim removed - Lotus badgeing - Talbot rear-view mirror - Quick opening gas cap - Wimbledon White with green side coves [Model Masters Custom Lacquer System Wimbledon White, Tamiya Olive Green Flat Acrylic & Acrylic Clear Top Coat]

An extremely beautiful piece of art. I went to an exhibit in London in 2001 at which all the models were made of silver and this model would have fit right in.

Fabulous model. Looks like it came off the page of a 1964 Mercury ad.

I have posted photos from the Vancouver BC Automodelrama held yesterday Saturday March 22. The theme class was convertibles. http://public.fotki.com/phildaupho/model_shows/vancouver-automodel-1/

Looks to be very well done.

Photos and models turned out fantastic

Another fantastic model. I always like to see your work.

I'm digging this. Great review. I remember coming across a Hot Rod mag back in '71 that had an article on the new California phenomena of fixed up vans. I joined the trend but went the VW split window route while my best buddy bought a brand new GMC 350 4-barrel, dual exhaust van. It was a fun era. Looking forward to seeing more vans at model shows.

Awesome paint on a great looking car. It is pretty amazing some of the limited production cars that AMT did kits of once upon a time.

It is always great to see a model of a classic. I have a few I want to build someday. Do you have any photos of the V16?

Great to see these two very well built Mercs. I really like how this forum has become so international - the United Nations of Model Cars.

I love this. I had a 65 sunroof non-micro split window that I actually went on a surfing trip in with surfboards on the roof. I considered applying wood-grain mac-tac behind the side windows but sold it to buy a 510 station wagon to tow a Hobie Cat.

Just spotted this. You beat me to it and are doing a fabulous job Looking forward to seeing it under glass

Another great historic Ford Steve