My second completed Revell '29A Kitbash - a '30A Five Window Coupe Traditional Hot Rod

[tim boyd]

As of 9am this morning, I'm calling this one done - essentially. I still have the exhaust header extensions underway (thanks to that bad can of Testors Gloss Black), and I have the full hub cover caps from the Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland Wire Wheel kit ready to add if I deem appropriate later on. but other than that.... There are a few minor workmanship issues I'm not happy with, but that seems to be part and parcel of major kitbashes when you are working to a deadline (in this case, fitting completion of this one for our NNL Nats "Traditional Hot Rod Cult Theme" in a week and a half, with other near term obligations).  I also see a few bits of flotsam and the such that need to be brushed away from the surfaces....

The paint is MCW Automotive Finishes 1936 Ford Washington Blue, with Tamiya Flat Clear on top. The engine is from the Revell/Monogram '59 Cadillac Elderado, with all add-on plated accessories from the Revell Cadillac V8 Parts Pack other than the dual air cleaner, which came from the ol' parts box. The interior is comprised of the '29A Highboy Roadster side panels and bench seat, mounted on the extra floorpan (part #13) and extra instrument panel from the Revell '29 A Roadster kit (which are a mostly perfect fit to Norm's '30A Coupe body (hhmmm....). Same Revell '29A Roadster kit provided most of the chassis other than the Halibrand Quick Change Rear and Model A Crossmember, which came from the Revell/Monogram "Street T" (you know, one of the countless reissues of the original Monogram Little T kit). Both front and rear suspensions and frame crossmembers were massaged for a lower ride height/stance. Those tall'n'taller whitewalls and wires came from Norm Veber at Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland. I used the smaller plated hub covers from the AMT/Lindberg '34 Ford pickup kit mounted in a recessed position in the hubs, which I kind of like, but the R&M of Md. stock hub covers are waiting to be added (as noted above) should I decide to do so at a later date. That same '34 Pickup kit provided the grille and grill shell, fitted to the highboy version radiator from the Revell '29A kit.

I did shoot "how-to" pictures on both this one and the '29A on '29 rails ktibash shown earlier, and will eventually prepare a story for publication.   Six pictures, including a closeup of the engine compartment, are shown here (start with image #13)  

Bottom line...the Revell '29A Roadster kit encourages....no....nearly shouts out to be kitbashed in so many different ways. In a message from Ed Sexton yesterday, he mentioned that providing model that encouraged kitbashing was just what Roger and he, as well as the many others inside and externally to Revell that worked to put the kit together, intended with their development efforts.

As for me, I just can't wait for you to see what you all do with this kit yourselves. ( For those that missed my first kitbash of the Revell '29A Roadster, see here ).  Cheers...TIM

Edited September 30, 2015 by tim boyd

[Exotics_Builder]

Looks great Tim.  I'm not a big fan of this era automobile, but enjoy well done examples.  Nice job.

[GerN]

That looks so right.

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nice work. Captures the look. Hopefully Revell will do a version with a quickchange.

[James2]

Looks great Tim, traditionally done. Mooneye stickers are my favorite. I like how you got'm looking back too.

The radi supports are a nice touch and the wheels are just fine. Always learning from your bank of knowledge.

Will you be at Toledo this year?

[cobraman]

I agree, very nice hot rod.

[MAGIC MUFFLER]

Everything sits just right!!!  nice job ..

[tim boyd]

James....yes I am planning to be at the NNL Nats in Toledo this year.

I'll be bringing this model and others....but please, anyone planning to attend the NNL Nats who has what would be considered at "traditional hot rod" model, either based on the new Revell kit or any 1920's-1948 kit and built with traditional hot rod design elements, please bring those models and put them on our NNL Nats "Cult Theme" table featuring Traditional Hot Rods.  It's just to the left of the magazine photo area along the back wall.  

Even if you have a hot rod that model doesn''t quite meet the "traditional hot rod" definition but is close, bring it along and put it in the "friends of traditional hot rods" display that will be just to the left of the cult theme.

If you are wondering what constitutes a "traditional hot rod", check out this 1/1 scale photo portfolio edited from my earlier coverage of the 2014 Lonestar Rod and Custom Roundup at Austin, TX, and the 2014 and 2015 Cobo Hall Autorama Extreme events.   

Thanks for asking James...see you there.  ..TIM
 

Edited September 30, 2015 by tim boyd

[geemoney]

so glad to see the visor, I was wondering if you were leaving it off!

beautiful!

[Dennis Lacy]

Absolutely fantastic, Tim! You know you've built a hot rod right when such a simple car is dripping with style. The color scheme suits it perfectly and the built Caddy engine and quick change rear make it look really tough. I also like the departure from the common by using the '34 truck grill. Those don't just work on anything but it really does work for this car.

[Mr. Metallic]

TIm, this is my favorite of the new A that you have built. I can tell you're having a ton of fun with this kit, and so are a lot of others.

I currently have 2 on my bench, hope to have one finished by Saturday for our local show.

Can't wait until we see some aftermarket stuff for this, but for now I've loving just kitbashing.

[Grumpa]

I really like this Tim! It came out looking great. I especially like the wheel - tire combination, and the use of the '34 grill shell. Looks pretty "period-correct" to me! Nice job!

[exesivefire]

Very cool, glad I'll get to see it in person, hopefully norm brings a bunch of those wheels and bodies...

[tim boyd]

so glad to see the visor, I was wondering if you were leaving it off!

beautiful!

Mike...the plan was always to add it.  I was just saving it to final assembly, after I mounted the windshield and windshield frame.  In retrospect, that was a mistake, as it was a royal pain to secure to the body.  It took three attempts with Five Minute Epoxy, and it's still not entirely perfect.  I should have secured it with CA++ glue prior to painting, which would also have eliminated any chance of it warping due to the automotive paint I used.  I am still learning, even after 50 years of building model cars.  

By the way, for those of you not familiar with Norm's Replica and Miniatures '30A Five Window Coupe, he includes two visors - the stock one shown here and one with large holes drilled in it.  He also include both the plain decklid I used here, and the louvered one I used in my earlier build a couple of years ago, of this same body, perched on '32 frame rails.

Thanks for your comments/feedback...TIM    

[tim boyd]

TIm, this is my favorite of the new A that you have built. I can tell you're having a ton of fun with this kit, and so are a lot of others.

I currently have 2 on my bench, hope to have one finished by Saturday for our local show.

Can't wait until we see some aftermarket stuff for this, but for now I've loving just kitbashing.

Thanks.....if you can, be sure to post pix of yours when the get completed.  I am really enjoying seeing what everyone is doing with these kits, as I know many of you are too!  Cheers...TIM 

[tim boyd]

Absolutely fantastic, Tim! You know you've built a hot rod right when such a simple car is dripping with style. The color scheme suits it perfectly and the built Caddy engine and quick change rear make it look really tough. I also like the departure from the common by using the '34 truck grill. Those don't just work on anything but it really does work for this car.

Dennis and Mark...thanks for the feedback.  Yeah, I had painted this body about a year ago and quite frankly, I had forgotten that I had painted the '34 Ford Truck grille shell with the project (I remembered it being a Deuce grille shell).  I was frankly concerned that it would appear jarring when paired with the upright '30A Coupe body, but I was actually relieved when I did the mockup as I was nearing final assembly.  Appreciate hearing it's not just me who thinks it looks good.  

Dennis...thanks for your other comments on the project....much appreciated.  

And Mark...thanks also for the comments on the wheels and tires...I had those painted and set aside for this project months ago, but didn't really have any definitive plans to complete the project until the Revell '29A kit came along, with those extra interior parts.  Then it pretty much demanded completion!  

Cheers all....TIM  

[Snake45]

Wow, Tim, that really looks GREAT! And I'm not even a fan of As.

[outlaw035]

really nice....

[bogger44]

I'm really digging this one, Tim.  Very nice!

[DumpyDan]

Nicely done!

[Spex84]

Pow! Killer build, tons of attitude. I've always felt the '34 PU grille is kinda clunky, but combined with the tall wire wheels, the squareness of the '30 body, and the stepped radiator support bars, I think I have a new favorite! The "V8" logo at the top of the insert is what grabbed my eye immediately...I spent a few seconds furiously reviewing all the deuce kits I could think of, wondering where it came from, haha. Not only do I have a couple '34 kits, I don't plan to use the kit grille shell on either of them, so that will free them up for an A build.

Love the paint colors and the simple decal work. It reminds me of some of the neo-traditional cars from Sweden/Finland/Norway, actually.

 

[slusher]

Awesome Tim

[Spex84]

...and I just noticed that this one is sporting a '32 firewall. That's a cool twist. I have always liked the stamped patterns on the '32 piece, and it looks right at home here.

[Danno]

The blue one is outstanding, Tim, but the gunmetal coupe is stunning!  

Great work on both!

[tim boyd]

...and I just noticed that this one is sporting a '32 firewall. That's a cool twist. I have always liked the stamped patterns on the '32 piece, and it looks right at home here.

Chris...thanks for noticing.  Yeah...I wouldn't have thought of that myself, but it is one of the cool factoids revealed in the feature on four '30 A Chopped Five Window Coupes in the current issue of Rodder's Jpurnal (highly recommended for those that like this building style).  

It actually was a perfect choice....just had to remove the bottom edges (since the model is channeled instead of Highboy-style), and cut a modest relief for the top of the tranny.  Simple and effective.  And a good way to use parts from the Rat Roaster kit, which while being a not-great choice for a model kit (IMHO) actually has excellent value as a source for kitbashing other hot rod models.  

Best regards...TIM