Pair of 29 Ford Glue Bomb Restos (WIP)

[talon63]

While at a the show in Houston, TX a few weeks back, I picked up a couple of glue bomb 29 Fords in a bag for $10.

 Kits were nearly complete with some 32 Ford spare parts in the bag. 

They went up on the shelf until I got bored one day and started surfing pics of 29's on the Interwebz. Found two sources of inspiration.

 

And while not exact replicas of the above pics, I thought I might try and come close, using only things I had on-hand or fabricate myself. Basically, a dual build without spending any more than the $10 for the two cars.

So here is a first glance of the WIP for this pair.

First step was a quick inventory of what I had to work with.

Then break them down, trying to do as little damage as possible, since I only had one other 29 kit on hand to borrow parts from.

 

So, with the exception of breaking the springs on one of the rear ends, I was able to get everything apart except for the fenders on the yellowish one. Both kits were dirty, so that had a bath, then I got to sit down with a very sharp blade and some very small files, and clean up the aged glue.

This one will be close to stock. I will be replacing the tires and rims, here it's sitting on some 32 Vicky rims and parts box tires.

None of this is glued down yet. All dry-fit. Fabrication on this one will include restoring the front bumper mounts, the "rock guard" radiator cover, the original windscreen was replaced with acetate, and the side glass will be acetate as well. Making the rear view mirror and the horn from bits on-hand. Made the convertible top frame out of flat stock. Will need to fab the real tail light. Get the toght rims and tires on. I'm trying my hand at casting repaired rims, using the new rims to make molds, but using the broken pieces and fresh material to make up the rims I need to complete this build. Door handles are in the parts box, just need to dig them out. 

The other build, while appearing simpler, was technically harder, and required more scratch building. It's a copy of a more period correct gentleman's racer.

Had to trim the fenders off of the floor, keeping the skirting that curves down over the frame. Lots of time with the back side of the 11 blade here, slowly carving those fenders off.

Next up was replicating the twin Stromberg 97's (parts box) and the Speed Gems aluminum intake (scratch-built, really more like hand carved styrene). Then re-working the exhaust to something resembling the inspiration vehicle. Note, the exhaust does attach to the exhast, it's not attached to the bottom of the intake manifold. I had to scratch up the exhaust pipe bits, and it's the only support all of that horizontal exhaust has.

Note that the cowl cap and the hood ornament are also scratch builds using bits-o-styrene, flat black and alclad II ALC 107 chrome paints. Rather than chop the 29 windscreen, I used a donor 32 dash from the parts box, and it had the right top edge. The front grill and shell are also parts box donors, with the small cross bar added using some very thin styrene rod. The yellow rim bits will be replaced with recasts, like the stock version above. I did try and replicate the duller, brush painted look of the inspiration car, and while it looks brush painted (color coats were sprayed, but the matte coat was brush applied) it's still a little shinier than the 1:1.

 

So again, here they are. Two works in progress. Lots of fiddly bits, fabrication, and detailing left to do. But, as always, your feedback, criticisms, or general comments are always welcome. Happy building!

[GerN]

Good work!  Keep it going!

[DumpyDan]

Good work!  Keep it going!

X2