How far is too far... ?

[CountryJoe]

Gentlemen...

   How wrong would I be if I wanted to build the 55 Jukebox Ford from Revell with a lift-up type body {without making a whole new chassis for it}? I've "never" modified anything before and don't want my first attempt at it to get me laughed right off the forum.

   I have much respect for the people on this site who have helped me before and for the work I have seen done here - so, your complete honesty would be greatly appreciated - no matter how brutal it may be.

   I love this hobby - and don't look forward to being the laughing stock of it.

[disabled modeler]

Michael... You wouldn't be a laughing stock with any build...its all up to the builder to build anything the way they want to..it only has to make the builder happy in the end.  You could find a funny car chassis to use on it...it would save you a lot of scratch building and make the build a bit easier for you to do..?  Id say dare to be different...you might be surprised at what you can make. 

[restoman]

I'm not a good enough builder to be able to laugh at someone else's work... Build it and post progress pics!

[MeatMan]

I agree with Mark on subbing out a funny car chassis.  I bought that kit for parts and I think it would be a major undertaking to alter that chassis for a flip top.  

That being said, you can't hit a ball unless you step up to the plate.  Like Mike said, post your pics as you go.  I'm sure you'll get advice as needed.  Good luck Michael.

[Tom Geiger]

Hi Michael,

Depending on how much of a funny car you want it to be.  Do you want a late 1960s professionally built chassis, then you'd be doing what was suggested above.  Find a funny car kit and use that chassis.

If you want to go early funny car,  try something like the Revell 1953 Studebaker Miss Deal funny car.  It's pretty simple and probably would give you acceptable results as a first project.  See photos below...

This chassis is pretty simple and if you look at the red bar in the last photo, that's the hinge pivot for raising the body.  I never attached it. I prefer to take the body off when I display.

Also, I see you are in Brooklyn...  I'd like to invite you to our club meeting.  The Tri-State Scale Model Car Club meets the 2nd Saturday (this coming one!) in Perth Amboy, NJ. We meet in a church that is within a block of the railroad station so you could take a train in from NY.  See our website for details.  There is nothing like meeting with fellow modelers in person to get your skill level up.  No judgement, just pure help and encouragement.  I know when I first joined my model skills quadrupled overnight!

TSSMCC Website

[CountryJoe]

Tom,

  First of all... thanks for the invite, I would love to come one day and check it out. I will keep and eye on your site and let you know when I'm gonna be able to make it.

  Second...  The photos helped me understand the chassis option a little better. However, whether or not this makes any sense - I'm not really wantin' to make the 55' into a funny car...  I just really kinda like the option of the lift body. {plus, I've got me some overall design plans where I'm sorta needin' the original chassis}

  But, I do appreciate all the suggestions you guys've given me already.

[Ace-Garageguy]

One option is always to declare your intentions, with a logical supporting position, and then stand by them.

You can always say "I know a removable-or-flip-up-body isn't technically correct for the racing-class this model represents, but I like having the ability to show off the internal parts, so I made it to hinge to do so."

Problem solved.

[Tom Geiger]

For a lift off body, see how the chassis etc fits into the chassis.  In some cases the fit is good enough that I don't have to glue it in.  So I don't and I know if I ever want to get in there to either show off detail or fix something, I can.