Monogram '57 Del Rio Ranch Wagon has fenderwell cut-outs

[Matt T.]

I just noticed that, when comparing floorpans between sedan & wagon, the wagon has separate pieces now at the bottom back of the inner fenderwells.

I see a gasser version with fenderwell headers next!

[Guest]

I'm thinking they modified that area. The sedan's inner fenderwells in that area are extended way too far forward. Do you have a sedan to compare it to? I have one. But, I already fixed that area on my kit. Leaving that piece out will make a good spot to route some headers through.

[Sledsel]

Pics possibly?

[Guest]

I can't Andy. Mine's already in primer waiting for paint. Maybe Matt can take a photo.

[Chuck Kourouklis]

These shots err on the murky side to keep the white plastic from blowing out in the exposure, but they should provide a general idea.

Here is exactly what Matt is talking about:

The sedan for comparison:

The insert pieces:

To get at some other odds and ends, a steering wheel comparison:

The AMT Fairlane a '90s issue in gray.  The AMT wheel is very similar, but a bit larger in diameter and of course shaped to accommodate the separate horn ring.

Wasn't any too keen on breaking chrome bits loose unnecessarily, but I did have an AMT wheel back free.  Tried it in a Revell tire and this is how far it went in.  It's the inner tire rib that interferes and not so much the rim diameter, so it's not looking too demanding yet to dress up the Del Rio with the Fairlane wheel covers. This of course is the wheel back for the slicks and not the stock tire, so a stock AMT wheel back may fit a bit differently.  It was given a go with the Revell tire because it fit pretty neatly in the AMT stock one.

Edited July 20, 2015 by Chuck Kourouklis
Typo

[Chuck Kourouklis]

Just as the sedan's, the area that's supposed to be scalloped in the Del Rio around the wheel arches is a fender flare instead.  Where the wagon shows refinement over the sedan is in a crisper crease around that area, front and rear:

The shading differs between the two, but you can still see the Del Rio's crease (top) is sharper.  Also, in the area on the lower quarters just ahead of the front wheels:

which is notably slimmer in the Del Rio - it would seem, because the front arch sweep was pulled a bit forward.  This tends to mitigate that somewhat heavy look the sedan has around the front 3/4 view. There's also a proper panel separation line this time.

 

Edited July 20, 2015 by Chuck Kourouklis
typo

[Chuck Kourouklis]

We've been warned not to use model body shells as a basis for comparison to gauge a newer release's accuracy.  Not to question the authority behind that advice, but as with photo comparisons, my personal experience just differs.  The key with body shell comparisons, of course, is that you should establish that the reference body resembles the 1:1 more closely first.  It is agreed that the AMT Fairlane has a better resemblance around the wheel arches, so this area is what's compared between it and the Del Rio.

Overhead shots:

Because the Revell shell flares instead of scalloping in this area, it catches light at the rear of the wheel arch that the AMT body does not.

A look from underneath:

The shells are comparable enough in overall thickness that it's very plain where the rear of Revell's arch swells relative to AMT's, particularly at the outer surface.  From this reference, you might gauge the excess with a piece of masking tape:

This was pretty quick and rude, but it gives you a more specific idea of the excess in this area.  Viewed strictly in its raw dimension, that's maybe around a millimeter's variation and possibly not worth the filing.  Viewed proportionally in scale, there is about an inch's flare out that's not there in the 1:1.

Backing out for the big picture, though, the wagon's gross proportions, if anything, look even better than the sedan's in the aggregate.

Edited July 20, 2015 by Chuck Kourouklis
clarification

[Sledsel]

Great pics on the comparisons to the Sedan. They did do a little work the the body line in the rear on the Del Rio. It will still need a bit of sanding to remove the bulge tho. The lower part behind the tire needs filler still because the fender does not have the rocker indent. (The AMT is guilty of this also)

I believe the extra radius on the front of the wheel well is because the bumper was too short. 

I am still curious if the grill was raised to keep the header panel from being too fat. According to the valance line scribbed to the body, it was not. The area from the valance line to the body line above it looks too large.

Slam me if you wish, but I am very familiar with these cars and it is my observation.  

 

Edited July 20, 2015 by Sledsel

[horsepower]

Thanks for the 1:1 photo you posted of the red car. It does a much better job of showing the difference between the correct lines and what was done to try to correct the sedans mistake, maybe this should have been the photo sent to China to the tool makers.

But at least it's a lot easier now to see what we need to do on our kits, (unless we're making a short track Saturday night race car).

Now show us some shots of the engine you're putting in that beast, from what can be seen it looks interesting. Possibly what I have in mind in scale, the Revell '32 small block Ford with the C-4, or maybe the engine from the Saleen Fox body mustang, or the Monogram convertible so I can have an AOD trans. is what I'm thinking about.

Edited July 20, 2015 by horsepower
ad to text

[Sledsel]

I did send that pic and others to Revell.

That is why I posted, for anyone that wishes to improve their build, not to bash the kit.

The red one is not mine. The one we are doing has a nice hopped up YBlock with a 4 speed.

[Sledsel]

This shows it well, I can get a close up next time I go to my dads house.

Just a small lip at the lower fender

[my80malibu]

That's a nice car.

[Sledsel]

Those would be optional in 57, even the heater. Sounds like Revell used the basic Fireball Roberts dash. I think the Keith Marks decals has the items you want though

 

[Jairus]

All '57's and '58's came with a heater.

The differences were the deluxe models had a fresh air intake and a 3 speed fan. This became the standard later and is what is molded into the AMT dash.
But the standard heater from '49 to '58 was a single knob on the dash in place of the heater controls. 

Twist and it provides power for a two speed fan.  Pull out and it opens a door to blow air to the defroster vent.  No fresh air intake and no temp setting. The hot water circulates through the core all the time.

Unless it was optioned in, most Custom 300 models would receive the standard heater shown.

[Sledsel]

57 and 58 could be purchased "heater delete" A Custom 300 with heater delete sold on the Barrett Jackson auction.

Note, no hoses on the engine.

This car was built from a very dry, no rust '57 Custom from California. The engine was taken from a complete but rusty '57 "E" Code. Every piece of it was still intact including the air cleaner and carbs. No parts were added, but totally rebuilt and restored. It has some very hard to find NOS parts such as the radio, heater and clock delete plates and the heater block-off plate.

[ChrisBcritter]

So, has anyone started working on an Edsel Roundup kitbash yet? Should be interesting to see how the front clip lines up.

[Sledsel]

I do not have the Del Rio in hand yet, but have a donor AMT 57 Fairlane to correct the body and the scale to the Revell 57 is really close, therefore the Edsel should be also. I have a set of 58 Edsel wagon tail light bezels and lenses ready.

[Bob Ellis]

Edsel tail lights from the AMT 57 Ford kit?

You don't think about it, but a lot of the early '50s cars came without a heater.

[Sledsel]

Yes, the Edsel lights from the AMT 57

 

 

[John Goschke]

Yes, the Edsel lights from the AMT 57

 

 

Andy, would you be able to tell us what the upper inside front fender of the '57 Ford actually looks like? Revell's Del Rio still has that low inner fender well that interferes with lowering the model (and would seriously impede suspension travel if it were a real car!)

It's been a long time since I had my last real '58 Ford, so my memory's not quite clear on that aspect, but I don't think it had much of an inner fender well, which was why they always rotted out over the headlights.

[Sledsel]

Yes, the Edsel lights from the AMT 57

 

 

Andy, would you be able to tell us what the upper inside front fender of the '57 Ford actually looks like? Revell's Del Rio still has that low inner fender well that interferes with lowering the model (and would seriously impede suspension travel if it were a real car!)

It's been a long time since I had my last real '58 Ford, so my memory's not quite clear on that aspect, but I don't think it had much of an inner fender well, which was why they always rotted out over the headlights.

Does this help?   I could take other pics if needed.

It looks as if the Revell follows the fender opening and is too low above the upper control arm. As seen in the second pic, the inner fender is above the trim line (note the hole for the trim) 

There is about 3 1/2" from the flat area to the fender lip (area behind washer bag)

on the 1:1 it would be able to lower the car a good bit, but eventually would interfere with the tire.

[John Goschke]

Yes, helps a lot! Thanks!

[Sledsel]

Those would be optional in 57, even the heater. Sounds like Revell used the basic Fireball Roberts dash. I think the Keith Marks decals has the items you want though

 

I take this back.... my standard issue Custom does not have the heater, clock or radio details either. Kit has a heater though.

I checked, the Keith Marks 57 Fairlane decals have these items. 

Edited August 12, 2015 by Sledsel

[thatz4u]

Andy, the Edsel tail lights from the AMT kit are slightly oversized for the Revell-Monogram

version.

[Sledsel]

Andy, the Edsel tail lights from the AMT kit are slightly oversized for the Revell-Monogram

version.

Al, I noticed that after a trial fit on the Custom. I happen to have several sets of the Edsel bezels which were in the original AMT 57. I am going to modify a set for the Del Rio and resin cast them for future use. 

Thanks for the heads up tho

Andy