New Project for 2017!! 1957 Fairlane 500 Sunliner

[Fast Floyd 2]

I didn't have a plan to building this one. I was sitting at the bench and every time I looked up, I would look at this new 2007 issue AMT 57 Fairlane 500 kit. The Next thing I knew it was on the bench, and the Top was off!!   LOL!!   I've had this resin Up top, for years laying parts box. So, Here's my newest project. AMT 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner, Mild Custom Cruiser. It will probably end up with Chrome Steelies WWW, a set of Skirts from a Original AMT 57 kit, and a set of lake pipes. I'm not sure about a color yet, but it will come!! IOII I'm good with anything but Red, since I have 3 Red 57 already. hehehe Yeah I like 57 Fords. I had to glue the Doors shut to keep the body form sagging down in the front, and have started Scratch building a Continental kit for it. I'm thinking I'll have to re-group on the Conny kit though, Not really liking what I have so far.

[Ron Hamilton]

I like where you are going with this one Floyd! If I were doing this one with a cone kit, I would shorten the depth of the Conne Kit to about 1/16" past the tire, leaning it forward ever so slightly.

Great minds think alike. Here is mine from over 20 years ago.

[espo]

I did the convertible conversion several years ago. I was replicating a '57 Ford convertible I had owned years ago. These are really good kits especially considering the age of the kit. Are you going to use the custom interior or stay close to stock?

[Fast Floyd 2]

I did the convertible conversion several years ago. I was replicating a '57 Ford convertible I had owned years ago. These are really good kits especially considering the age of the kit. Are you going to use the custom interior or stay close to stock?

David this kit has that late 80's-90's dated custom style interior, and since I'm Leaning towards more of a 60's theme, with the Skirts, WWW chrome Steelies, & lakes. I really don't think it would look right. My buddy Ed did a roll & pleat for the revell 57 Custom. thought about maybe trying to incorporate something like that in it. I was surfing the net looking at some pictures of 57 Sunliners, and ran across a really cool looking Pink & white one.

 

I like where you are going with this one Floyd! If I were doing this one with a cone kit, I would shorten the depth of the Conne Kit to about 1/16" past the tire, leaning it forward ever so slightly.

Great minds think alike. Here is mine from over 20 years ago.

That's Awesome Ron!!!!!!!!! I love it!! Yes, I agree it's way to long, and need to be raised up to the top of the bumper and sink down in the middle to follow the conture of the bumper. So a little re-designing. No big deal.Like I said I didn't have my plan together before I started, it just kind of Happened LOL!!

 

Edited January 9, 2017 by Fast Floyd 2

[Sledsel]

Looking good. One day I will do one also. Love 57 Fords and the AMT is a great looking kit

2 bits of advice to do what you want with. The continental wheel needs lowered, All the ones I have seen are dropped down and stick just above the decklid.

The only flaw on the AMT body is in front of the rear tire. Some shaving and sanding fixes it in no time

Edited January 8, 2017 by Sledsel

[espo]

Floyd. Andy H. has pointed out some very good info on the Continental Kit. All of the ones I remember seeing the bottom edge of the tire was well below the rear bumper and stood more upright. Two reasons I can think of are the view to the rear for the driver wouldn't be obstructed and the tire could be tilted to the rear to access the trunk. The picture of the Quarter Panel seems just wrong to myself. I looked back at pictures of the two '57 Fords that I owned and the molding from above the rear wheel opening does in fact extend all the way to the bottom of the body. I think if you look at maybe restored 1:1 cars on line you'll see what I mean about this body feature. It does get very faint toward the bottom of the body feature but looking at my shelf model it is almost identical to the pictures of my old cars.  The picture that Andy shared with you is a perfect prototype to work off of.

[Fast Floyd 2]

Floyd. Andy H. has pointed out some very good info on the Continental Kit. All of the ones I remember seeing the bottom edge of the tire was well below the rear bumper and stood more upright. Two reasons I can think of are the view to the rear for the driver wouldn't be obstructed and the tire could be tilted to the rear to access the trunk. The picture of the Quarter Panel seems just wrong to myself. I looked back at pictures of the two '57 Fords that I owned and the molding from above the rear wheel opening does in fact extend all the way to the bottom of the body. I think if you look at maybe restored 1:1 cars on line you'll see what I mean about this body feature. It does get very faint toward the bottom of the body feature but looking at my shelf model it is almost identical to the pictures of my old cars.  The picture that Andy shared with you is a perfect prototype to work off of.

Of Course what I have in the Pictures is my starting point. I too, have been schooling myself, by studying pictures on the Net. LOL!! and by fitting My plastic to the Bumper. I was wanting to move the tire back away from the trunk lid a bit, also, and stand it up a bit more vertical. there will be a hole cut into the Base Plastic for the tire to set in, which will lower it to desired height. Now that I have looked at several real cars, I see how they're made, and will add two boxes to fill in around the top of the bumper, and flow with the contour of the rear bumper.

Looking good. One day I will do one also. Love 57 Fords and the AMT is a great looking kit

2 bits of advice to do what you want with. The continental wheel needs lowered, All the ones I have seen are dropped down and stick just above the decklid.

The only flaw on the AMT body is in front of the rear tire. Some shaving and sanding fixes it in no time

 I just love that 57 you used in this post!!  

[Fast Floyd 2]

Thanks guys for the tips and Help!!  I need all that I can get, All these really Cool car were gone for the most part by the time I became old enough to appreciate them like I do now. 

[gtx6970]

A friend of mines car

 

[Sledsel]

. The picture of the Quarter Panel seems just wrong to myself. I looked back at pictures of the two '57 Fords that I owned and the molding from above the rear wheel opening does in fact extend all the way to the bottom of the body. I think if you look at maybe restored 1:1 cars on line you'll see what I mean about this body feature. It does get very faint toward the bottom of the body feature but looking at my shelf model it is almost identical to the pictures of my old cars.  

The body line on the 1:1 does fade away. There is one in my dads garage that I can see. Now, 4 door cars are deceiving because the door follows that body line This interestingly enough is the only part Revell got right on their 57 Custom body. The remainder is a mess IMO.

[Fast Floyd 2]

Well I'm not to worried about the front of the rear fender well at this time, got my hands full, with trying to build the Continental kit right now. Thanks for all the tips and Pictures. I have lowered the tire to where I think  it need to sit.and have started building the upper level parts that box in the inside of the bumper, and follow the contour of the rear bumper. Just a Couple of shots to keep everyone updated.

[afx]

Great start.

[Fast Floyd 2]

Great start.

Thank you JC

[Sledsel]

Floyd, I may have a set of the Cruiser skirts for this kit. If I have them, they look like these

 I'd need to dig tho.

[Fast Floyd 2]

Floyd, I may have a set of the Cruiser skirts for this kit. If I have them, they look like these

 I'd need to dig tho.

Whooa!!! Drooooooool !!! I have a couple of these, but none had the Cruiser skirts with them. That's a sweet looking Ranchero..... here are mine

[espo]

Well I'm not to worried about the front of the rear fender well at this time, got my hands full, with trying to build the Continental kit right now. Thanks for all the tips and Pictures. I have lowered the tire to where I think  it need to sit.and have started building the upper level parts that box in the inside of the bumper, and follow the contour of the rear bumper. Just a Couple of shots to keep everyone updated.

I looks like you got the continental kit dialed in. If you haven't already tought of it, when you get to the interior you will want to create the area where the top bows fold into when the top is down. Not hard since they were not much wider than the rear seat arm rests. I just extended the arm rest shape up to the level of the sill with styrene, and with the top down and a cover from the '65 GTO kit reshaped it look correct.    

[Fast Floyd 2]

I looks like you got the continental kit dialed in. If you haven't already tought of it, when you get to the interior you will want to create the area where the top bows fold into when the top is down. Not hard since they were not much wider than the rear seat arm rests. I just extended the arm rest shape up to the level of the sill with styrene, and with the top down and a cover from the '65 GTO kit reshaped it look correct.    

Thanks I'm working on it. Thanks for the tip on the Very boot , and the Dog legs, I've been thinking about how to build those too.. Of course I found a set of wheels I like on a 1:1, so I had to go looking thru my kits finally found a set. 

[Fast Floyd 2]

I'm thinking these Wires instead of the Chrome steelies, What do you think?

[Sledsel]

Looking nice. You want me to search for the cruisers?  I think the connie is too far from the trunk still. Could be me, just looks it tho.

I like the Rancheros. For as old as that tool is, it is more correct than the current Revell 57's. I am trying to locate some glue bomb chopped Rancheros to use the sides on the Del Rio. Piecing the sides to correct is time consuming

[espo]

I'm thinking these Wires instead of the Chrome steelies, What do you think?

The Wires look great and very in keeping with your build style. They were a very popular dealer installed option, usually on the Thunder Birds, at that time. If your keeping with the heavy accessory look  Ford offered a chrome bar that ran from the top of the two front bumper guards. As I recall it is in the old AMT '57 Ford kit. That kit offered a lot of dress up options from that era including the Edsel station wagon tail lights. The tail lights may not look good with the continental kit. As I mentioned before I had a '57 convertible when it was just another old car, but I really enjoyed it. So you can see why I'm enjoying your build so much.  

[Fast Floyd 2]

Looking nice. You want me to search for the cruisers?  I think the connie is too far from the trunk still. Could be me, just looks it tho.

I like the Rancheros. For as old as that tool is, it is more correct than the current Revell 57's. I am trying to locate some glue bomb chopped Rancheros to use the sides on the Del Rio. Piecing the sides to correct is time consuming

I'm thinking your right about being to far back, I may try to move it toward the deck lid a bit. Love the Club Victoria you posted.

[Fast Floyd 2]

The Wires look great and very in keeping with your build style. They were a very popular dealer installed option, usually on the Thunder Birds, at that time. If your keeping with the heavy accessory look  Ford offered a chrome bar that ran from the top of the two front bumper guards. As I recall it is in the old AMT '57 Ford kit. That kit offered a lot of dress up options from that era including the Edsel station wagon tail lights. The tail lights may not look good with the continental kit. As I mentioned before I had a '57 convertible when it was just another old car, but I really enjoyed it. So you can see why I'm enjoying your build so much.  

Thanks David, I'm wanting to stay with something that you might run across going down the street, Rather than a "Show Car"  I'm a little young to really remember seeing a lot of these style cars on the road as daily drivers.I just turned 51. I thought about Hockey Stick chrome, but I don't think it would go with the Lake Pipes. I did grow up riding in a 58 Custom 300, my dad had for years. It would out run, his new 70 Torino Cobra LOL!! 

[PARTSMARTY]

THIS WILL BE SO COOL-CAN'T WAIT TI SEE MORE.

[Ron Hamilton]

Speaking of '57 Rancheros...

I did this one from the Revell '57 Ford Custom Sedan. And yes those Kelsey Hayes wires will look great on your build, in my humble opinion. It's strange, but I have yet to build a '57 Ford straight from the box in a replica stock fashion.I still have several of the AMT, Revell, and a couple of resin kits of the '57 to do one day.

One of these days, I am going to whip this one out to do a build.

It's going to be like this one...

but not as crusty.

[bisc63]

Maybe a little late to the game, but didn't the AMT 58 Edsel have a nice continental kit that could be easier adapted to this ride? Or am I off on that...? ( My memory ain't long as it used to be)