T lakester

[Mr. Metallic]

While I was working on my first buildup of the Revell 29 A I started messing around with putting other bodies on the frames from the kit. When I grabbed this Flintstone body and tried it out I was struck. So, I started throwing parts around, and here's what I ended up with...

I took the hood and chopped the nose off, and then attached the extra track nose from a Revell midget. Then I smoothed out the rough interior of the body with sheet plastic.

I made a lot of modifications to the frame with brass. I enjoyed working with the brass, it's much stronger without being bulky and holding a straight line while sanding. I also scratchbuilt the radius rods out of Evergreen. I used the friction shocks from a Revell Tweedy Pie. Made a belly pan from plastic sheet, and used the Columbia 2 speed rearend from the Revell 40 Ford. The wheels were made from washers I found at work. The front tires are from the Revell Orange Crate, and the rears are from rep+Min of Md

I've been wanting to try making the very rare Ardun conversion for the little V8-60 from the Revell midget. The conversion started with the heads from the new tool AMT AlaKart and then added plastic rod to the top. Then I very carefully removed the Ardun logo from the Revell 50 Ford pickup engine and grafted it onto the new heads. I also used the intake and carbs from the AlaKart (see, that engine can be useful for something) I sratchbuilt the radiator bypass tank and added a generator with bracket. I wired the kit distributor.

The interior consists of a leftover photoetch gauge set, parts box hand brake and fuel pump, and a scratchbuilt battery box. The seat is from Replicas and Miniatures of Md. I made a seat cushion from a piece of leather from an old wallet.

More pictures here. Thanks for looking http://public.fotki.com/crstan/finished_models_by_me/speed/t-lakester/

[Jantrix]

Very cool!. I think it looks very authentic. I will say this though, the pure white suspension parts makes it look unfinished. Like it's white plastic mocked up. Perhaps a pale grey wash added to bring out the detail?

[wayne swayze]

Looks very cool! I love the wheels!

[Mr. Metallic]

Very cool!. I think it looks very authentic. I will say this though, the pure white suspension parts makes it look unfinished. Like it's white plastic mocked up. Perhaps a pale grey wash added to bring out the detail?

It's actually antique racing white. Must be getting washed out by the lighting. Thanks for the suggestion

[cobraman]

Looks good to me.

[RatRod]

Great build Craig!!!

[bbowser]

That is awesome!  Great work.

[Skip]

"Very cool!. I think it looks very authentic. I will say this though, the pure white suspension parts makes it look unfinished. Like it's white plastic mocked up. Perhaps a pale grey wash added to bring out the detail?"

You've got a well executed T Roadster which I like very much.  '26 and '27 T Roadsters and Coupes are sort of my favorite Model T Hot Rods.  It's difficult to get the "Right" Look lots of them get the front from the firewall too long, yours is just right!  That Track Nose looks right at home on the front of your car!  Great job!

Agree 100% with Rob's point (above), though I recommend going even darker to allow the details to really pop.

Observation 2.  Looks like you had paint problems, no big deal, we've all been there too!   How about making some really sweet lemonade out of a few lemons.   So is this a street car? A Lakes Roadster, or even a B'ville Salt car.  Whichever you choose the paintwork could either be further distressed or add some grime from a day on the Lakes or the Salt, then once you have it looking well raced try making a base with either crackled dirt or fine salt.  Remember too that many old Hot Rods were painted with a brush and Enamel house paint.  Not all of them were total show pieces, their owners cared more about the go aspect rather than the show.

[Mr. Metallic]

Thanks for the thoughts fellows. The paint was kind of on purpose, to illustrate the rough and tumble ethic that went into most of the post war dry lakes efforts. If you notice the flat tow bar, this car will eventually be towed behind  another vehicle, headed to the open salt at Muroc or B'ville. I agree it could stand with a little weathering, but this one has just barely left the garage. She's been cleaned up a bit the night before her maiden voyage

[DumpyDan]

Wow that is so nice..............well done