Modelbuilder Mark

Thanks Danno! Giving it to my dad for Christmas.

Nice chassis there

Well, Tamiya primers both white fine and gray are avail from Hobby Lobby, so 40% coupon time there. Also, be sure to check out the VERY bottom rack of paints at Hobby Lobby, as they often have Testor's paints on clearance, including the lacquer primers etc. Otherwise, most all paints from the spray can are just way way too thick for my taste. IF you think airbrushes are too expensive, just keep in mind that you can pick up a decent double action brush for only $15 with free shipping from Amazon etc,.

Thanks, that pic is from a graphic design that was done by Zombie from Rod and Kulture magazine. It was a spread a couple years ago in their magazine, and inspired a project that I completed a little over a year ago. Here is a link to those pics.

Thanks everyone. I agree, a young guy could do a lot with a little car money back then. It was a fun build.It was my first chop of a 40 Ford, but I am glad I did it. Someday I would like to do a more extreme custom, like the El Matador.

Well, got it done this morning. Here is a link to the On The Shelf post. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=82776

Just a little back story. While this is not a replica of my father's car, it is inspired by a car he bought at age 16 living in Wise County, VA. The car sat higher than those that would have been in California during the same time period, as there are hollows that the cars had to be able to drive up in, ofter called "hollers" by some folk. It is pretty close to accurate using my conversations with my father and his memories. He bought it from a police auction and it was previously a bootleggers car, and still had a drum/tank in the area where there would be a back seat. As part of the purchase agreement, they had to cut the drum out and return it to the police. My father did not replace the rear seat. The bootlegger already had a Chevy 283 and started some body work. My grandfather taught auto-body, and while he did not give my father any money for the project, my father was given help, and allowed access to all the shop tools and supplies of course. My father was seventeen when he finished the car, and only had it a few months. My grandfather was a good man, but a very stern one. My father got caught racing his car, and my grandfather made my dad sell the car to pay the fines. This is the AMT kit, and while I am not super happy with the build, it will be a good shelf model.

Seems more like disintegration sometimes. But, once upon a time the word awful meant full of awe, so what do I know. http://www.etymonline.com/

I have and use the above listed product as well, but sometimes it is too blue for my taste. There are several other pre-made options but be careful as some are solvent based, just be careful what you are using. Solvent over waterbased is OK, water based over anything is OK, some enamels over Laq OK, just be sure to test. Some great stuff from AK INeteractive etc, but they are pricey. That being said, Polyyscale also has premade washes in both water based, and enamel in several different shades, but not a true black, more like grime, dirt etc. I know you said you did not have luck making your own, BUT... try using Pollyscale Engine black. It is water based, make as much or little as you need etc. And it has a nice final finish. I use LOADS of this stuff, when used alone has a nice flat/dull finish to it. I swear, this stuff mixes nice and easy to whatever degree of darkness you need. Finally you can use some brands of artist oils, thinned with mineral spirits, again this gives you smoe options for overcoating without harming the base color. Good luck!

That turned out really nice.

Looks really good. Did you use acrylics or enamels for the washes etc?

I think the fact that a forum like this, for hobbyists in what would mostly be a solitary pursuit, can be invaluable in so many ways. It is a social outlet for some, (I know of several that are mobility limited and do not get out to shows much etc) but a great resource for instant feedback, parts gathering, and overall can create a sense of community for some.

really nice work there

Thanks guys! Getting close to getting this one done, likely this weekend if I do not screw something else up. (I seem to have forgotten how important it is to test fit things, and it has come back to bite me multiple times on this build) Any rate, here are some shots from where I left off today. I will need complete the drive shaft, install the radiator and run the hoses, put in a coil, and mount the bumpers.

Given the original questioned posed, was he the most famous, I think it is probably safe to say yes. That does not have to mean that everyone likes his work, or that he was the "best" etc. Like him or not, I would say that most builders on this forum have heard of him.

will likely never build it, bought it when my boys were very little, and while not super weird, the weirdest I have.

OK, so she is up on her feet. The stance was not really low like that that would have been seen in California during the same time period, as this one was driven in Wise County, VA. A car needs to be able to drive up in hollows and at the time plenty of dirt roads etc. I also have a little more work done on the 283

Basically, that is the point tho. The builder LIKES the look, otherwise they would not have done it that way. To them, it is presentable. This question is really an odd one. "What would someone.____?" Well, usually because they like it. I have seen really well done Hot Rods, and thought to myself, "I would never have chosen that color" but the builder liked it. I go to cruise in's, and I am GLAD not everyone likes the same car style, same car color, same wheels etc etc etc.. That would be VERY boring. Motor Trend did a video companion piece to a write up/photo shoot they did comparing living with a RR, actually the Sailor Jerry rum car, and a Lamborghini Aventador. Basically, the visual "hit" when they stopped at various places, and the car most women wanted to check out and ride in, was the RR and not the Lamborghini. Now granted, this video backs up the point of a lot of people saying that these cars do not "function" and it should have had an air suspension. The Jerry Sailor car was designed to be a display piece, and not really driven much, so in this case at least, the "look" was more important than the function, and the preferred look was the Rough and Tough image. Maybe it has more to do with that than anything else. They look tough, and driven. Not like someone dressed up in their Sunday best and trying to look "good". The Rat Rods look aggressive, accessible, like the tough guys etc. Personally, I like all types of car styles, but not all of them. Some are more tasteful to me than others. I do not like the ones with toilet seats for chairs, rope for door handles, spare parts just welded to the bodies. I would be more inclinde to refer to those as Junk Yard Dogs than Rat Rods. Here is a link ti the Motor Trend video,

Yeah, never did to ride in one, I would enjoy that as well. Thanks! There are cars I really like from most major players, and have never been a fanatic about any one specific brand. There is just too much to like in too many different styles to single one out. I build various styles as well. Crowning up my father owned a body shop connected to the Chrysler dealer in my town. But, we lived in a GM Factory town, and while there were not as many, there were still a lot of Fords. But, since Dad had that shop, I got to see a lot of different cars.

hmm, talented AND smart.

BUT!!!.....under no circumstances let the car fail some crash test. Next, corrugated paper cars...They already have bikes made of them.

sharp!

around .015

VERY very nice