Late 40's Traditional '29 Ford Roadster on '32 Rails Update: 3/4/17

[squirrel886]

Oh man, I really like where you're going w/ this Dennis!

[Dennis Lacy]

UPDATE!

Exhaust system is essentially made. This can sometimes be a tedious pain in the ass but this time proved to not be so bad once I figured out a plan of attack. (Coming up with the plan took twice as long as actually making the pipes!) The complete pipes and mufflers are made of sections from the Revell '48 Custom Coupe exhaust. The pipes were shortened and the shape tweaked where they go through the front legs of the X member and attach to the headers. Sections were removed between the hanger brackets just beyond the mufflers and tailpipes to move the pipes forward to where they would snake around the axle, spring and cross member. The only thing I didn't get to was cutting the tails down because the dinner bell was ringing. 

To make room for the mufflers I removed the short cross pieces from the center X member. Most of the time in the real world when these later X's are installed in early frames these pieces are left out anyway. 

Also, while I was at the back of the frame I cut off and smoothed out where those goofy raised axle locating tabs were.

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Up front I tackled setting up the steering and shocks. For the steering I added a bracket to the top of the frame rail (something that was and is sometimes done in the real world.) This allows the steering gear to sit up and clear of the headers and also allows the steering pitman arm to hang down without getting fouled on the split wishbone. I also made a traditional hairpin style steering arm at the axle out of one of the front upper A-arms from the Revell '37 street rod kits. The pitman arm / drag link are from the old Monogram '30 Woody. The steering box is a modified Revell '40 Ford.

The lever shocks are from the Ed Roth Tweedy Pie T. I did nothing to them other than insert some mounting pins and drilling corresponding holes in the frame.

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It's getting there. To wrap up the chassis setup I need to finish the tail pipes and install rear shocks then do an all around fine tuning and clean up.

[modelfink]

That's some resourceful kit bashing!! I love it.

[John Goschke]

Outstanding engineering and craftsmanship, Dennis!

[Draggon]

Great detail on the running gear. I make mental notes on how you set up the steering on your early fenderless cars. I'm not so good, nor creative in that area. Must be because you've built a lot of 1:1's. The detail on the exhaust hangers is something I don't remember seeing before. Looks a lot better than the usual pipes just sitting there in limbo. 

[slusher]

This is very cool, I like the direction your taking this.  

We are all learning from this Dennis. 

I could not agree more. I build box stock so your builds is something to learn from as i am trying to do some custom things..

[tim boyd]

Sweet!!!!   TIM

[Dennis Lacy]

Great detail on the running gear. I make mental notes on how you set up the steering on your early fenderless cars. I'm not so good, nor creative in that area. Must be because you've built a lot of 1:1's. The detail on the exhaust hangers is something I don't remember seeing before. Looks a lot better than the usual pipes just sitting there in limbo. 

Actually, the only one I've ever set up in this manner with a bracket above the frame is on the '27 T Roadster I built for myself 10 years ago. But, I've seen lots of examples over the years. You just have to make sure the bracket is stout enough.

Here's an example on my friend Frank Barone's '29 Roadster. Talk about a car that's been riden HARD!

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Edited September 23, 2016 by Dennis Lacy

[Intmd8r]

Would LOVE to be the proud owner of that one!

[exesivefire]

Another build you are just hitting out of the park, I must have went back and looked at that front 3/4 shot about twenty times. 

Thank you for including your source of parts, it's really helpful for taking mental notes of kits to keep an eye out for. 

[Dennis Lacy]

Another build you are just hitting out of the park, I must have went back and looked at that front 3/4 shot about twenty times. 

Thank you for including your source of parts, it's really helpful for taking mental notes of kits to keep an eye out for. 

Thank you! The sad thing is that I remember where all these parts come from. Couldn't memorize anything for school to save my life. LOL!

[Ace-Garageguy]

As always, your scale engineering takes into account what it would take to make this model function if it were scaled-up to 1:1.

That's one of the things I particularly like to see on model cars, and you get it right.  

[Dennis Lacy]

Roadster Progress!

Over the past weekend I managed to finish up the remainder of fabrication for this model. Out back I finished the exhaust pipes by cutting the tails off, drilling the ends out and inserting pins into the pipes which insert into corresponding holes in the rear-most cross member. I also installed rear shocks which (like the fronts) are from the Ed Roth Tweedy Pie T

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Here's a look at the underside of the front axle and suspension which shows better how some of it is put together and mounted.

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Here's an overall view of the chassis with fabrication complete. Here you can also see that I added a master cylinder bracket to the frame and installed the master cylinder from the Revell '48 Ford's.

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Up front modified a Revell '32 series radiator as needed and made up the lower hoses from modified versions of those from AMT's '41 Woody.

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I loaded up the firewall with all the necessary hardware which includes the beehive bypass oil filter from the Revell '32 Sedan, homemade 2-port fuel block and the voltage regulator from the Revell '40 Ford's. 

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Finally, here's a couple final mock ups. Aside from a few small details the roadster can now be broken down for final clean up and prep for paint. 

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[maltsr]

Great stance and terrific work all round, Dennis.

[Intmd8r]

[Jim_Kampmann]

Thanks for sharing the construction photos! Can't wait to see it in paint!

Jim

[Modelbuilder Mark]

coming together nicely

[geewhiz]

Very well done!  Gonna be sweet in paint! ????????

[Johnny99]

Any updates?

[DrKerry]

Hey Dennis, looking great so far.... Check out Rep. + Miniatures Of Maryland they have the open fish mouth air scoops if you want the better look a top a beaut of a flattie!!!!

Photo is borrowed from the web... to show the air cleaners...

[Dennis Lacy]

Any updates?

Working on paint off and on. Looking to finish it before the end of next month.

[Dennis Lacy]

UPDATE!

Getting really close to having this one finished. Here's how it currently sits. Just need to attach the grill / radiator, make the upper water hoses, paint / install the windshield and install the taillights. Just gotta stop being lazy! 

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Edited March 5, 2017 by Dennis Lacy

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

Wowie Zowie!!!! I just read through this whole thread. This is your best to date! Keep up the good work. Ya got me wanting to build another rod!!! What to do is the question. Actually I have another started project to finish (in addition to finishing the Flying Wedgie) before I tackle another project. -RRR

[bobthehobbyguy]

Very nice. Like the color combo. 

[DrKerry]

Lookin' awesome!!!!!!!!!