56 Tbird mild custom

[Modlbldr]

Now that I finished the Willys I am working a bit harder on this one. I came across a sketch in a mag from a few years back of a Bobby Alloway 56 Tbird. So with the basics of that in mind I started this.

I began by lowering the headlights by cutting off the bezels and then pie cutting the fender. Then I reattached the bezel. Here you can see the passenger headlight on the left has been lowered. Driver's side is stock.

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 I also chopped the windshield frame, molded in the side vents and opened up the rear wheel wells and installed fender lip.

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Lastly, I removed the hoodscoop.

More coming.

Later- 

[Modlbldr]

Today I was able to put the final coats of color on. It is a dark blue nail polish called Navy Fleet. I got a couple of coats of Wet Look Clear on it too.

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Hopefully I can get some time this weekend to polish it out.

Later- 

[slusher]

Looking great...

[espo]

Great job on the headlights. I like the smooth hood look, but the 1:1 T-Bird had the hood scoop added because the hood line was so low it wouldn't clear the air cleaner. What engine are you thinking of using ?  

[Modlbldr]

Thanks for the nice comments.

I haven't really given any real thought to an engine yet. Obviously it will need to sit low. Got any ideas?

I raised the mounting pins on the front suspension to lower the front and am building a triangulated 4 link system for the rear. Nothing special. The tires and wheels are from the parts box and not sure what kit they are from.

More pictures this coming week. I didn't bring it home with me this weekend. I figured that would give the clear enough time to harden without messing it up. I figured I will hit it with 6000 or 8000 grit and then clear it again. Then I'll  hit it with 8000 and 12000 and then polish it. Should work.....

Later- 

[DumpyDan]

SWEET!

[Modlbldr]

Small update.

I forgot to bring my polishing kit back to work this morning so my lunch break was enough time to paint the wheels and get them mocked up. Hopefully I can get this to sit like this once completed.

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Terribly dark photos. I'll try some with the flash.

Later- 

[Dogfish_7]

The stance and wheels are looking good. Does it have a chassis?

[Modlbldr]

It does. I am in the process of building a triangulated 4-link for the rear. I took the easy way out and relocated the pins higher for the front suspension. I realized not long ago that I am about the only one who ever sees the underside. With that I have decided to try to make it look realistic but not go overboard.

As it sits in these pics the rear tires are hitting the underside of the body, so, realistically, it can't go any lower.

Later-

Edited September 26, 2016 by Modlbldr

[Modlbldr]

I just had an idea. I may add a chrome (or same color as the wheels) rocker panel strip to help lower the look of the body. Any thoughts?

Later-

[Modlbldr]

I got a chance today to hit the body with some 6000 grit and I just got another couple of coats of Wet Look Clear on it.

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Now to finish up work on the rear suspension.

Later- 

[MeatMan]

Nice start.

[espo]

The paint job looks fantastic. Since your going with a modern suspension and all, the engine question and hood clearance may dictate a later model drive train. I just pick up a 2013 Mustang Boss 302 on closeout at Hobby Lobby. I'm using the engine for another project that also has hood clearance issues. Just a thought.   

[Modlbldr]

The paint job looks fantastic. Since your going with a modern suspension and all, the engine question and hood clearance may dictate a later model drive train. I just pick up a 2013 Mustang Boss 302 on closeout at Hobby Lobby. I'm using the engine for another project that also has hood clearance issues. Just a thought.   

Thanks for the comment on the paint job. Going to do the final polishing either this weekend or early next week. Giving it plenty of time to harden. I've been working on the interior and chassis.

That is exactly the engine that I have been thinking about for this project! It has the modern look I want and seems to sit low enough. Now to find one. Going to post for one in the Trade section.

Later-

Edited September 30, 2016 by Modlbldr

[espo]

You might check all of the model shops in your area, some parts of town these don't sell and in others they are hot sellers. The local Hobby Lobby's are bringing in some new models and several of these were left over and were discounted.

[Modlbldr]

Do they have any left? Hint...hint.....Lol

Later- 

[Modlbldr]

Got a bit of time this last week and today to get somewhere on this. I managed today to hit the body with some 12000 grit and some Tamiya Fine and Finish polishes.

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Nowhere near perfect, but good enough for me. Got some done on the interior. Still a bit to go. Made a third pedal since it will be a manual tranny- whatever it ends up being. Still looking for a powerplant.

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Still having fun with this one.

Later- 

[Modlbldr]

Worked in this project a bit last night. For a bit of back story, I started this project after seeing an artist's rendering in an older magazine that i had. After atarting the build I stumbled upon the finished car in another magazine. Here is the car that this build is "loosely" based on.

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Finished the dash last night and made  a shifter.

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I have been modifying the bumpers. I removed the Connie section on the rear and made a full length smooth bumper. No pics of them yet because they are at work.

Last night I realized that in order to get the front end to sit as low as I want I had to modify the front fender wells...aaarrg! Always something else.

Later- 

 

 

[Joe Handley]

What was the name of the magazine car's owner? 

[Modlbldr]

Joe,

The article is in the Dec 2004 Popular Hot Rodding. The owner is Kathy (and George) Lange. The car was built by Bobby Alloway's shop and won Street Machine of the Year for 2004.

Later-

[Modlbldr]

Last photo for now. Got the very tops of the wheelwells cut out and ready to tub.

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Comments welcomed.

Later- 

 

[espo]

Glad to see this is back on the work bench.

[Modlbldr]

Thanks espo. Been bouncing between three different builds depending on my interest and motivation.

Later- 

[Joe Handley]

Joe,

The article is in the Dec 2004 Popular Hot Rodding. The owner is Kathy (and George) Lange. The car was built by Bobby Alloway's shop and won Street Machine of the Year for 2004.

Later-

Ok, thanks, reason I asked is that it reminds me of the '57 T-Bird owned by a local sports anchor.

[Modlbldr]

Ooh! That's nice Joe. I think I like it more than the silver one.

Later-

Edited January 15, 2017 by Modlbldr