1929 Model A Roadster ArtDeco/Coachbuilt/Streamliner -DONE!

[Impalow]

Well now for something completely different.....   I decided to set my other projects aside and got started on my 1929 Model A Roadster build for the Buckeye Challenge. I really enjoy building the same kit as Andy, (exesivefire) its a lot of fun tackling the same kit and putting our own spin on it.   And since that show is in march, I really needed to get going.

This is a couple weeks of progress, mainly because this concept is a bit hard to explain.. and visually I feel its developed enough to be shown.

So the idea here is to build a classy classic coach-built touring car using the Model A as base.  Maybe a personal street car that would be built in the late 30s by an indy car owner/driver, out of spare parts and some spare time in the metal shop?   I dunno how valid that is.. but at least that's where the idea sprouted from.

Think this but with a Model A roadster as a starting point:

After a ton of planing in my head it became time to start laying things out, and putting the Xacto to styrene. I needed to get the body and shapes into the computer so I can design and draw all of the new components. I haven't invested in a 3d scanner, mainly because they are expensive, and I haven't seen any amazing results from an economical one. So I went oldschool/low tech and just set the body onto a flat bed scanner and scanned it at 100% size.  This gave me an actual size, side and bottom view of the stock 1929 body.

Once that was done I imported the images into adobe illustrator making sure to keep them at 100% size.  In illustrator I was able to draw the new components as lines on top of the images. These lines will be my cut paths for the cutter.  Keeping things at 100% size avoids a lot of pesky/time consuming measuring, basically anything you trace will be cut at that size

Here are the cut paths for the chassis separated into its own file.

And the roughed out assembled frame/chassis

The exhaust will run down each side of this raised center area, the plan is to add some trim and ribbed styrene to simulate some extruded aluminum accents under the car. 

 

Edited March 16, 2017 by Impalow

[maltsr]

As a big admirer of Delahayes and Delages, what a beautiful project and a great start - looking forward to this one.

[Impalow]

The engine will be the miller91 Supercharged straight 8.. So i picked up the last kit available from American Racing Miniatures.. and it is beautiful.

Started connecting and cleaning up the chassis and making motor mounts:

next up fender pod time... took the same outline i drew in illustrator and imported it into my 3d program, and used it as an underlay.

once the 3d model was made, I 3d printed a rough sample to assure my sizing was correct....   2 hours later... this grossness.

everything looked pretty good so i decided to max out the settings and give myself a nice hi res 3d printed halves... its still not that nice, but with some sanding it works..

After I sanded the halves smooth, I added a flange out of styrene, and threw them in the vac-former with some .030 styrene.   Cleaned them up pretty nice.

Then I just had to glue the halves together to make the pods....Here are all the pieces to make a pod:

 

 

Edited December 20, 2016 by Impalow

[Impalow]

Then it was time for the integrated trunk that elongates the body and gets that streamliner look without a ton of body work.  Since this is for a contest and is supposed to be based on the 29 kit.. I challenged myself to do minimal work to the actual revell body shell... just a personal challenge.

and here is where this thing sits currently... I'm still assembling fenderpods... but its starting to get the look.

[Ace-Garageguy]

TOO COOL !!!

Man, this is absolutely fantastic work, combining several technologies into making something entirely original.

Kit? We don' need no stinkin' kit.     

[Cpt Tuttle]

Now this is turning into something interesting.

[Custom Mike]

Wow Eric, this is awesome! I love the idea, and using every tool available is pretty cool too, can I borrow your stuff for a few decades...

[vintagercr]

I definitely will be following!

[TooOld]

It's not fair , I want your toys !!  Actually it's pretty neat to see what can be done them . 

[exesivefire]

And this is how things get interesting... glad you finally decided to share this one. 

 

[Spex84]

Dude. This is incredible so far, thanks for sharing it with us!
Love the combo of vac-form over 3D printing.
Makes me feel inspired to start a multi-technology, multi-material project. I don't have a 3d printer, but I could be making MDF/bondo and plaster parts and then vacu-forming them.  Had the opportunity to try that a while back, and it worked pretty well.

[doggie427]

Tremendously inspiring work. You're entering a brave new world of model building.

[Lowlife ! !]

I agree with everything above, wow its like seeing model building in the future ! !  Absolutely crazy idea ( I expect nothing else from you Eric!   )  but it looks really good !  Who would of thought of building this from a humble model A !?!   Looking forward to more mate , keep it going !

[afx]

Very impressive project Eric.

[landman]

This is absolutely fascinating. I'm on here as well. 

[Davewilly]

Very cool project you are doing! Cant wait to see the end product...I will have to follow along to see it progress!

[bobthehobbyguy]

Wow. Very impressive. You've made a great start. Great usage of the new technologies.

[Belugawrx]

Great stuff hereEric !!

Ill be watching and drooling

Cheers 

[1930fordpickup]

Yes Sir, Awesome. 

Edited December 21, 2016 by 1930fordpickup

[RyanK]

Loving it. Love how you are using technology to make various parts. Thanks for sharing all the various steps. By studying your pictures it will help others to try to do new things. To say that I'm impressed with your work is an understatement. Keep up the great work and please keep sharing!

[GerN]

Superlative project - inspirational.

[misterNNL]

Absolutely outstanding work!

[DrKerry]

Love what ya got started here. I thought of doing one of these art deco cars using a 34 Ford as a base... I'll be watching your build. Love the frame work!!!!!!!!!!!

[Codi]

Phenomenal. (have to try some new word to describe this) What a creative thread and use of your talents and today's tech. I envy  & thank you and the others such as Chris & Paul in showing what can be done.  I find all of this just fascinating.  Count me as one of your fans too.   cheers, tim

[Psychographic]

Not only do you have a great eye for what looks good, and the talent to pull it off, you have some very fun tools to play with.