JustBill Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 (edited) Well it's been some time (1yr.+) since I've touched a model. I should start by saying hi to my friends, both of them, it's been too long it seems. About two weeks ago I started with the itch and ideas started flowing while I was working on other things not model related so I drug out this old coupe. It was one out of many models I picked up in a lot. There was a whole big box of someones old builds. Like 8 or so in the box with three of these '40's. Got the whole thing for like $5-10. Been a while so I can't remember exactly I just know it seemed silly cheap to pass up. The event that took place to get my brain moving with models again is an old custom car modeling book simply landed in my hands. In this book was an article from a fella that performed a step-by-step on how to chop the top on this very same kit. BAM! Light bulb!!! I have three of these kits!! Lets do something about that!! Hosted on Fotki First things first. Let's be rid of those drip rails. I like them and am considering putting them back on after the chop. Just gonna be a chore to scrape all that dust back up and glue together. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki So instead of traditionally stripping the car of its old paint I just started sanding. It makes for a gauge to see high and low spots and man did I find a bunch of those. My attention was quickly distracted from chopping the roof to molding the rear. I have an opportunity here to claim I carved this car from plastic. So sanding sticks, paper, scrapers, files, scibers and bobbers and doodads is what the past two evenings have been filled with. The trunk lid simply seemed nothing more than a mold line and it was wompy at that. I removed a bunch of material to pronounce the lid and flow the rear of the body to the rear fenders. Made a little guide line here to separate lid from body and show what I started with. Hosted on Fotki Here you can see some progress starting to take shape. I kept sanding till the body line showed up and also massaging the body to have a better flow to the fender. It was at this point I started thinking I must be crazy. You can also see the difference in hieght to were the body meets the fender. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Oh geez, round two... Hosted on Fotki OK, so now I have a trunk lid and the body flows to the fenders much more better. I'm still on the fence as to whether I'm going to mold the rear fenders to the body or simulate felt line. I will be lengthening the whole thing in the back regardless. Here is my progress as of now. Thanks for checking it out. Updates will be slow and steady is the plan. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Edited October 1, 2015 by JustBill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Well, looks love you've got a start. Also looks like a case of lacquer burn to that plastic too, might have to do a skim coat of filler to bury it, seems to come back like ghosting emblems. When you prime it make sure that you build it up in thin coats, (I've had it happen with primer by trying to do a heavy first coat). For me the trick is to get the primer flashed off and then dried very quickly.Back to your Forty, what are you doing for an engine? If the Buick Nailhead is still there it cleans up really well for '60's Nostalgia style if you use the triple carb version, the "Custom" Racing exhaust headers can be cleaned up and trimmed off to meet up with the dual exhaust systemm and looks good. Flathead can be cleaned up as well, maybe toss in a resin intake and some hi-compression heads, again use or fabricate a dual exhaust and you have another winning combo. Dressed up small block Chev, Olds, Caddy, Y-block all would look great in that engine compartment as well. Keep this one going, it's off to a great start! I have an AMT 40 Coupe on my bench right now too, Buick engine, Modelhaus Chrome Reverse wheels whitewall slicks and fronts, dechromed dropped front axle, no hood, went with a teal green which is close to a stock 40 color. Done up '60's Hot Rod style, simple understated forty. For a model kit that's been around since the early 60's it can be built up to make a really nice 40 DeLuxe, same with the Tudor Sedan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Looks like a lot of sanding going on. Now get to the top chop! I'll be watching. I've got one in progress too that I've chopped. Waiting to paint it.Later- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helper Monkey Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I need to do one of these soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustBill Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) Thanks for your interest fellas. Skip, I haven't decided on the engine yet. I'm leaning toward the flat head though. Norm @ R & M of MD puts out some real nice upgrades for those. Plus I love the way they sound! And thanks for the tips with the body. I will use due diligence. Tom, as per your request I sharpened my saws and slept with them under my pillow for good luck the night before. I present to you a chop topped roof.... Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki I removed two scale inches from the A pillars, three from the B to get my slope and the rear just rested where it landed. Went to the hardware store and got me one of them there five gallon buckets of floor glue to piece it back together. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki A little perspective anyone???? Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki OK, so now the fun is over and the real work begins. I'm in the process of filling, shaping, and sanding. Will update when I have something more presentable. Thanks for checking in. Edited October 1, 2015 by JustBill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2 Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Well I have been stuck in the wading pool for a long time wanting to build a 40 Custom. Your sir are drawing me to deeper water!Thanks for sharing this project, I am following. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUGIEDOGGIE Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 sweet looking ill be watching this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 That's coming out really nice, '37 - '40 Ford Coupes are really difficult to get the proportions down exactly right as in its not really a measurement thing it's a looks right thing. Looks like you've got the "Looks Right Thing" down pat!ive seen a '40 chopped, they added the material in the middle of the roof to stretch it, never looks right proportionally. Chopping is supposed to make the car look sleeker, not clunky like some do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sledsel Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Looking good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustBill Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 Well I have been stuck in the wading pool for a long time wanting to build a 40 Custom. Your sir are drawing me to deeper water!Thanks for sharing this project, I am following. Jump in James. After seeing your Merc you have my interest peaked as to what you can do. Thanks again for the comments and interest everyone. Sledsel, I love the name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2 Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Jump in James. After seeing your Merc you have my interest peaked as to what you can do. Thanks for the encouragement, Bill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrucha Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 The chop looks good so far. I can't wait to see this build done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustybill1960 Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Dude! I am really diggin' that Chop! It looks like it is goin' 100 miles an hour just sittin' there! Far Out Man! Thank You for sharing Later Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferbz Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Your chop looks good, keep going! I agree with Chip: 40 Ford chops are not easy to get right. It's a quirky top to begin with. Looks like you're on the right track! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2 Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Hey Bill, any updates?I was telling a friend a few weeks ago about your build and how I wanted to try the chop myself. Well last night he gave me a Revell 40 Ford kit and said go for it!I will be starting it soon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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