MPC 32 Ford America Graffiti Milner's car

[Snake45]

Bill what does your statement mean?..don't understand

I believe he's spelled it out quite clearly in words and pictures.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Sorry to have cause trouble..I didn't mean that.just learning about things I don't know about.If need be I can use email or messenger.if that or other ways are better for ya both..just let me know.

No problem. We're all friends here; nobody really gets bothered much about anything. 

now back to class.

Question 

1.what is a "reveal"  The "reveal" is the indentation on the side of the frame rail that I show getting carved in the photos above. It's a signature part of 1932 Ford frames. No other cars have it...just the '32 Ford. It's there because it actually shows as part of the outer body on stock '32s. It allowed Ford to eliminate making another separate part to cover the frame, like most other cars did.

2.what does zeed and pinched frame mean "Zeed" is a way the rear of a frame is modified to allow a car to sit lower on its suspension. Here's a link to a tutorial I did on just that.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/70728-zd-zeed-frames-simplified-tutorial/

"Pinched" is when a frame is narrowed to fit under a body better, or to allow wider tires to be used, etc.

 

3.why is one frame better then another as far as brands Revell,AMT,plusses and negatives. The Revell frames have the "reveal" molded in, so they look pretty good right out of the box. Though the AMT frames are the right shape and length and width, you have to carve the "reveal" in if you want it. The Revell frames are set up for non-stock coil-springs, but the old AMT frames are made to use the stock-type transverse or "buggy" spring. 

4.whats difference in whether a full fender or highboy. A full-fender car has pretty much stock fenders:   

A "highboy" doesn't have fenders and sits pretty high:    

A "lowboy", usually a "channeled" car, sits a lot lower:   

The frame "reveal" will show on a highboy or a full-fendered car, but usually not on a channeled lowboy.

5.whats the buggy springs mean. A "buggy spring" is just the stock-type transverse leaf-spring that old Fords up until 1949 came with. You can see it under the yellow car posted above.

Thank you for the help.Bill and Richard and any others......Chris

 

Edited August 31, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[Ace-Garageguy]

Bill what does your statement mean?..don't understand

That wasn't directed at you. I was just disagreeing with Richard as to the accuracy of the AMT '32 Ford frames. Their shape and dimensions are fine, but they DO lack the signature '32 reveal that's stamped onto the REAL frame, so they tend to look a little too simple and toylike if not modified.

[Nova-ss]

 

Thank you so much for spending the rime teaching me what i need to and want know.I now understand better.I wouldn't ask If I understood.thank you Bill.......Chris

[Nova-ss]

That wasn't directed at you. I was just disagreeing with Richard as to the accuracy of the AMT '32 Ford frames. Their shape and dimensions are fine, but they DO lack the signature '32 reveal that's stamped onto the REAL frame, so they tend to look a little too simple and toylike if not modified.

Thank you..i understand now...Chris

[stavanzer]

Chris, I have that MPC "Graffiti Kit" It does have crudely molded versions of all the body parts you need. The Fenders , both front and rear are in the kit. However the mounts for the front are both clumsy and fragile, and could be frustrating for a newcomer. The cut-down grille shell is in the kit with a separate insert. The real sticking point IMHO, is the lousy small block engine.The kit would have you use the pair of 4 barrel carburetors and odd looking tunnel ram that were an option on the original Switchers kits. That is totally wrong for the Milner Coupe, that had a Four Carb manifold, with four single barrel carbs. It looks like nothing in the kit. Fix the Intake/Carb issue (as it is the most prominent detail in the kit) and you can probably live with the rest. As far as the intake setup goes, the Revell parts pack Cadillac engine has the 4 deuce intake and carbs

There is an excellent article by Randy Hartman in the December 1996 issue of Scale Auto Enthusiast.  He builds Milner's coupe using the AMT 5-window body. He shows (in great detail) what it takes to convert the MPC kit to a fairly accurate replica. Lots and Lots of work in his build. But the end result is awesome.

 

Hope this helps

P.S. I have the MPC Milner Coupe/Graffiti kit in the garage if you need me to look for anything.

 

[unclescott58]

With all of this talk about the Milner coupe, which kit best represents the car straight out of the box? MPC's? Revell's? Who's? I know neither the MPC or Revell one is perfect. But, is one better than the other? Or is there something else even better out there?

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

With all of this talk about the Milner coupe, which kit best represents the car straight out of the box? MPC's? Revell's? Who's? I know neither the MPC or Revell one is perfect. But, is one better than the other? Or is there something else even better out there?

Right out of the box is going to be the MPC kit. It's already chopped about right, has a chopped grille shall and kinda right fenders (as noted so kindly above by Alexis). So to get a loose interpretation of the real car by just glooing parts together, it's the one you want.

If you want to go for something a lot more accurate, I'd recommend you start with the Revell 5-window. But it will be a LOT more work.

[Muncie]

If you don't mind die cast, the Revell 1/25 die cast Graffiti coupe kit is the best one right out of the box... It's not a current kit, but shouldn't be difficult to find

Edited September 2, 2016 by Muncie

[Snake45]

If you don't mind die cast, the Revell 1/25 die cast Graffiti coupe kit is the best one right out of the box... It's not a current kit, but shouldn't be difficult to find

I've never built that, but I did do their AG '55 Chevy and was VERY favorably impressed with it. Was pleasantly surprised to discover that it's 1/25, too, not 1/24 as I assumed it would be.

[Ace-Garageguy]

If you don't mind die cast, the Revell 1/25 die cast Graffiti coupe kit is the best one right out of the box... It's not a current kit, but shouldn't be difficult to find

That's probably pretty good advice if you want a decent-looking but low-effort model of the car. I have one of those missing parts, and the body isn't bad...plus, the frame is MUCH better as far as the visible parts on the sides go. The photo of the completed model below was posted here by spencer1984 about a year ago.

   Real car...   

[Greg Myers]

Both great kits, easy builds and with a little added detailing, wiring etc, turn out to be great kits.

[Longbox55]

I thought they were both pretty good, too. The Deuce is more accurate to the actual movie car than the '55 is, though.

[Snake45]

I thought they were both pretty good, too. The Deuce is more accurate to the actual movie car than the '55 is, though.

The '55 is actually probably more accurate to the concept of the movie than to the actual movie car. The movie car was essentially a car of the '70s with, among other things, a BBC of 427 or 454 inches (accounts vary). The Revell metal-body kit has stock(ish) front suspension and IIRC a W-block (348 or 409), which is more true to what you might actually see on the street in 1962.

As I mentioned, I was very favorably impressed with the '55 kit. If I were building it "seriously," I'd probably do something about the thick glass, especially the side windows.

[GT4494]

The '55 is actually probably more accurate to the concept of the movie than to the actual movie car. The movie car was essentially a car of the '70s with, among other things, a BBC of 427 or 454 inches (accounts vary). The Revell metal-body kit has stock(ish) front suspension and IIRC a W-block (348 or 409), which is more true to what you might actually see on the street in 1962.

As I mentioned, I was very favorably impressed with the '55 kit. If I were building it "seriously," I'd probably do something about the thick glass, especially the side windows.

I always thought the gist of the movie was the flathead is dead due to the OHV 265ci Chevy engine. 

Wouldn't it make more sense for the 55 to have a non oil filter small block? Not sure what the movie car would be though.

Edited September 4, 2016 by GT4494

[RancheroSteve]

The '55 is actually probably more accurate to the concept of the movie than to the actual movie car. The movie car was essentially a car of the '70s with, among other things, a BBC of 427 or 454 inches (accounts vary). The Revell metal-body kit has stock(ish) front suspension and IIRC a W-block (348 or 409), which is more true to what you might actually see on the street in 1962.

And of course, Falfa's '55 is the same car that was used in "Two Lane Blacktop". One of the three anyway . . .

[Nova-ss]

Chris, I have that MPC "Graffiti Kit" It does have crudely molded versions of all the body parts you need. The Fenders , both front and rear are in the kit. However the mounts for the front are both clumsy and fragile, and could be frustrating for a newcomer. The cut-down grille shell is in the kit with a separate insert. The real sticking point IMHO, is the lousy small block engine.The kit would have you use the pair of 4 barrel carburetors and odd looking tunnel ram that were an option on the original Switchers kits. That is totally wrong for the Milner Coupe, that had a Four Carb manifold, with four single barrel carbs. It looks like nothing in the kit. Fix the Intake/Carb issue (as it is the most prominent detail in the kit) and you can probably live with the rest. As far as the intake setup goes, the Revell parts pack Cadillac engine has the 4 deuce intake and carbs

There is an excellent article by Randy Hartman in the December 1996 issue of Scale Auto Enthusiast.  He builds Milner's coupe using the AMT 5-window body. He shows (in great detail) what it takes to convert the MPC kit to a fairly accurate replica. Lots and Lots of work in his build. But the end result is awesome.

 

Hope this helps

P.S. I have the MPC Milner Coupe/Graffiti kit in the garage if you need me to look for anything.

 

Thank you Alexis,

pictures would be nice.I'll go look thru my scale auto's to find my issue and read that articule.i-m just looking for heip on what to do on what kits to get.to build the milner coupe...thank you....Chris

[Snake45]

I always thought the gist of the movie was the flathead is dead due to the OHV 265ci Chevy engine. 

Wouldn't it make more sense for the 55 to have a non oil filter small block? Not sure what the movie car would be though.

Did they ever discuss engine size of the '55 in the movie? If they did, I don't recall it. Anyway, it was supposed to be a real badass car, so I doubt it would have had an original 265 in it. A 348 or 409 (which would have been just about brand-new in 1962) would have made sense.

[Snake45]

And of course, Falfa's '55 is the same car that was used in "Two Lane Blacktop". One of the three anyway . . .

Yah, that's why I said it was basically a car of the '70s.

[louie]

I've always considered myself fairly intelligent, but I did not know 1/10 of what I know now after reading all the posts here. What great information here. Nova ss's questions and Ace Garageguy's answers have helped me tremendously to understand the differences in the 32 frame. Actually, everyone here has helped. Thank you.   Jeff 

I have a question for anyone who could answer for me.  Is there any books not magazines that covers frame and suspension work in great detail on any and all makes of car's. I really would like to learn more about this stuff. Again, Thank you everyone.     Jeff 

[Greg Myers]

Did they ever discuss engine size of the '55 in the movie? If they did, I don't recall it. Anyway, it was supposed to be a real badass car, so I doubt it would have had an original 265 in it. A 348 or 409 (which would have been just about brand-new in 1962) would have made sense.

Growing up in that era I had several friends with "W" motor '55's, all 348's, they fit right in and remember, if some is good, more is better, and too much would be just about right.

[Greg Myers]

I always thought the gist of the movie was the flathead is dead due to the OHV 265ci Chevy engine. 

Wouldn't it make more sense for the 55 to have a non oil filter small block? Not sure what the movie car would be though.

Considering Chevrolet was already up to 327cid by 1962 , and the Falfa '55 was "Bad ASS." it would figure he had something a little more, I.E. a "W" motor, more than likely a 348.

[GT4494]

I hate it when I do research and my child hood memories are wrong. 

http://www.americangraffiti.net/the-cars/

Quick synopsis

'32 ford - small block chevy powered

'55 chevy - 3 cars, one used in race scenes 454ci big block (one of the cars was also used in "Two Lane Blacktop")

'56 T-Bird - stock

'58 Impala - stock. 

'51 Mercury - custom

Oh well, back to my "happy place". 

 

[Muncie]

of course, in real life, that two lane black top Chevy with the big block (even in Graffiti form) would have thoroughly wasted Milner's coupe. oh well.. still enjoyed the movie

[Snake45]

I hate it when I do research and my child hood memories are wrong.

http://www.americangraffiti.net/the-cars/

Quick synopsis

'32 ford - small block chevy powered

 

 

I knew that, but was gonna let it slide, just since it's a nice day....