'64 Ford Falcon T/A

[espo]

Great picture Mike-thanks.

Glad you are enjoying the show Joe - I'm here all week, try the veal. 

Great picture, looks like the top of the hill before you drop into the  "cork screw"  at Laguna Seca. The blue car clearly shows a very stock looking fuel filler. The subject you're using in your build looks to have the stock filler and a quick fill in the trunk. The gold car may have competed in events from different sanctioning bodies that allowed the use of a quick fill. The gold car also appears to have a small tube type bumper that may have been allowed since the fuel tank is so exposed. I think your modifications to this kit have been outstanding and I have enjoyed watching your build.   

[RancheroSteve]

Thanks Steve.  I don't have a spray booth to allow me to shot solvent base paints so I have to stick with rattle cans I can spray outside. 

Ah OK, got it. That makes what you do even more extraordinary - I don't know how I'd build without an airbrush!

[afx]

Ah OK, got it. That makes what you do even more extraordinary - I don't know how I'd build without an airbrush!

I have an airbrush, which I don't mind spraying Tamiya acrylics through at my work area.  I just don't want to spray solvent based paints in the house without a way to exhaust the fumes. Maybe someday I'll have a better setup.

[afx]

Although the rule book posted seems to state otherwise, Trans-Am allowed quick fill fueling in '67 (based on period photos) so it's a little confusing.  None the less Gary's great period photo clearly shows a quick fill in the Falcon's trunk lid so that's what I'll be installing.

This is '68 but it's a great photo of re-fueling in action.

 

Edited June 9, 2017 by afx

[RancheroSteve]

I have an airbrush, which I don't mind spraying Tamiya acrylics through at my work area.  I just don't want to spray solvent based paints in the house without a way to exhaust the fumes. Maybe someday I'll have a better setup.

That's for clarifying - make sense. (I really should pay closer attention.)

[afx]

Engine permanently installed.  I created a slot above the shock tower brace that would feed cool air into the engine bay from the cowl vent.

[afx]

I've cropped and brightened Gary's Mid-Ohio picture.  What's puzzling me about the orange enclosure if that is indeed what it is doesn't appear to extend under the car.  That's what leads me to believe it's a protective plate of some sort - possible a piece of angle. Not sure why you would expose the fuel tank mounting straps (?) to potential damage though. 

From The Cars of Trans-Am Racing 1966-1972:

Edited June 4, 2017 by afx

[Dennis Lacy]

This is a killer project! I always enjoy the attention to detail you put into all of your projects. 

I've liked '64/'65 Falcons for a long time. My best friend in high school (we graduated in '98) drove the '65 Ranchero that his dad bought brand new 6 months before being drafted to Vietnam - 289 hipo / 4 speed / 4.11 rear axle. Silversmoke paint / white interior / buckets / console. Two weeks after he bought it he put headers / custom exhaust and cheater slicks. Unfortunately, the original motor was long gone and the car was a bit worn down. My friend did some research a found that as-built, the car was one of a handful. Right after high school I acquired a really straight original white paint '64 2-door wagon. I had it for about two years but sold it to fund another project. Looking back, I wish I had built the wagon instead.

[afx]

Thanks for the comments Dennis.  That 2-door wagon sounds sweet.

[afx]

Quick Fill.

[afx]

Hood pins installed.  Drilling into the edge of the core support (its only 0.75mm thick) was like threading a needle!

[Fast Floyd 2]

Awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Phildaupho]

This is a great thread. It was started while I was away so I am very glad I discovered it. It got me motivated to get back to work on my '67 Mustang Trans-Am. Especially valuable is the link to the Trans-Am rule books. Was surprised to find out batteries had to remain in stock position.

I have always been a a first and second generation Falcon fan. In the early 2000's I was fortunate to own a very nice 65 hardtop cloned as a Canadian only Hi-Po 4-speed. It had front disc brakes, was slightly lowered with American mags. I still miss it. I got to do three fairly quick 'Parade" laps around Pacific Raceways Kent Washington. I built a model of that Falcon based on a Modelhaus resin and more recently built a phantom Lotus-Falcon based on the Trumpeter kit.

Keep up the incredible work.

Edited June 7, 2017 by Phildaupho

[mustang1989]

Those hood pins are a great touch JC. I can't help but laugh (in a very good way I mean) at how this is all gonna come together in the end. I'm on the edge of my seat pal.

[afx]

Thanks Floyd.

I remember your "Lotus" Falcon Phil-great project.

Thanks Joe - getting close to final paint.

[dublin boy]

Fabulous work as usual JC!

[afx]

Thanks Shay.

Couldn't find the Tamiya paint I wanted so bought Model Master Champagne Gold Metallic.   According to the builders of these Mustangs this is the paint they used.

[mustang1989]

If it's gonna be gold then that's about as good as it gets right there.

[Randy D]

That engine compartment looks great JC !!!!

Looking forward to the paint !

 

Randy

[KWT]

JC, It's really looking good, bro..

[afx]

Thank you gentlemen.

Finished interior.

Edited June 10, 2017 by afx

[afx]

Reading the rules more closely, it looks like the fuel filler type can be changed...

but the location where the filler attaches to the tank must be stock.

[John Goschke]

Amazing work on this project, JC!

[geetee66]

Fascinating project and beautifully executed!

 

[afx]

Thanks John & Guy.

I was unable to determine exactly what the orange structure was at the back of the car so I built my own version trying to make it strong yet light as possible.  The legs attach to the frame rails with some flat stock to tie them together and a piece of angle protruding downward to protect the fuel tank from a collision from behind.