AMT '51 Chev Coupe custom wip

[Farmboy]

Time to start another one.  This time going to customize the AMT  '51 Chev Bel Air 2 door coupe.  Here's the stock body mockup.

Quite a few body mods are on the agenda, but I'll get the ball rolling with a chop based on not changing the windshield angle. I'll post pics as I progress. 

Edited July 12, 2017 by Farmboy
error correction

[crazyjim]

I'm going to watch this one.

 

[Farmboy]

To start the chop and eliminate the mailbox slot syndrome, I'm going to remove the entire rear window assembly with the back of an Xacto blade before the chop so that when I put the top back on, (indexing it to the windshield frame), I can slide it up for a nice fit to the rear chop and extend the tulip panel.  At least that's the theory....

Comments and observations welcome

[Farmboy]

...10 or so minutes with the back of a knife blade....and voila.

I used a purple background so the camera would know what to focus on this time lol. 

Comments and observations welcome.

[DumpyDan]

Nice work Mike, and your good with a knife.  Cutting that rear window out is not easy, you made it look easy......Nice.

[Foxer]

I like the chop theory, pulling up a chair ...

[Farmboy]

Thanx Dan.  Thru great experimentation with hobby knives, I've found the 2nd most important use for CA glue!  Seals cuts real quick lol!!  Anyway, on with the show....

I've chopped the top 1/8" and  slightly bent the A pillars to line up correctly, and from that through lots of test fitting, found exactly where the rear window frame should fit.  Here it is drying.  The roof gets mounted next.

comments and observations welcome

[Can-Con]

Nice project Mike. 

Were you at the Atlantic Nationals in Moncton this past weekend? 

[Farmboy]

Yessir Steve, I was there.  Good show all 'round.  Got an updated photo of yours truly with Gene Winfield too! 

[Farmboy]

  Quote

This is the dry fit.  The top is not glued yet, just seeing how it goes together.  I've removed 1/8" from the rear of the top, allowing the rear window to sit forward but in so doing you can see I have to file down the upper edge of the window frame. The 1/8th trim also eases the flow from roof to window.

 Just some filing, filling, and trimming to go.  I have plans for the trunk, rear fenders, hood and a few other things as well.

Here are a couple of views of the larger tulip panel.

Comments and observations welcome

 

[bisc63]

Nice progress so far; a very tasteful chop - so many are overdone. I think I'd re-shape the side window opening to avoid the down-and -back angle, I like 'em level! Just my 2 pennies! Carry on...

[Farmboy]

I'm thinking about that Rusty but I intend on nosing the hood and think it might continue the sloping line of the car as it is.  If I do modify the window opening it will be one of the last things before paint.  I have however decided the quarter vent window post has to go.  I removed it from the driver's side for comparison and like the look much better.

[TarheelRick]

Going to watch this build closely.  Chopping these older bodies is a real art form and I need all the instruction I can get.  So  keep those updates coming.

[Farmboy]

Rusty, got to thinking about the roofline.  I think you're right.  I gave it a trim to more parallel the top, but not quite.  Kinda like the Moonglow '54 Chev.  He kept his 1/4 windows, I didn't.  A little more finesse and I'll glue the top on.

Comments and observations welcome.

[Lowlife ! !]

Coming along well, its tough getting a chop 'just right' but you nailed it !

Think I'd still add those quarter windows back in though !   

[maltsr]

Great start Mike and thanks for the tutorial - it really helps we amateurs!

[bisc63]

I think you made a good choice; that is VERY attractive. Yes, a certain "Moonglow" vibe here, but all your own at the same time. As for the window post, looks good either way, but my personal preference agrees with yous; the open look is NICE, it really visually lightens the heft of the top, and it's a bit of unexpected to spice up the traditional. Keep it going!

BTW, down here, that's a '51 Chevy Bel Air. (Your first post calls it a Pontiac)

Edited July 12, 2017 by bisc63
omitted info

[Farmboy]

Corrected.

[Farmboy]

I'll be sanding and filling or a short while.

 

Comments and observations welcome.

 

 

[Farmboy]

Moving on to another aspect....I planned a boat tail.  I had a spare hood and some fenders off a parts car....why not?

Here are the part I have to work with

...and here are a couple of very crude mock ups...

more to come...

Comments and observations welcome.

 

 

[Farmboy]

Looks pretty messy, but it'll come together eventually!  The first thing to be made is the 'fall'.  That's the slope that is the base for the actual boat tail.  Here it is made from a square of styrene.  Note the slope is intentionally made to fall short of the fender/trunk line.  This is where the inner fender pieces will be cut to fit, and sidewalls will be added to the boat tail then shaped to the slope as well.  Sorry for the blur,  autofocus strikes again!

€

This shows how the boat tail will fit.  Lots of work yet.

The rear deck on the chassis in the kit will be modded a bit to stick out to go under the point on the tail kind of like a continental kit.  Also note the larger tulip panel curved to match the hood part.  The join of these two pieces will be filled and glued to the edge of the rear window frame after much test fitting.  The chop is almost done.  Just some slight sanding.  More to come.

Comments and observations welcome.

 

 

[bisc63]

Interesting choice; can't wait to see where this goes!  More please...

[Spex84]

Crazy! This is very interesting so far.

I assume you are lengthening the rear fenders to match the long boattail?

[Farmboy]

Hey Chris.  Lengthening the fenders is not on the agenda, though I don't think I'm done with them either as I was thinking of moving the wheel well openings back about 1/4" or so.  We'll see.   As for the tail, it's in mock up stage right now, probably a bit over-long following the rule of easier to remove than to add.  I do have the option of shortening it a bit thanx to the extra width of the end panel. I'm going to spend some time cleaning up the fender area then deal with the tail..  Thanx for the kind words everybody. 

[bisc63]

Hows about an art-deco feel from a double stack of rear fenders transitioning to the boattail? 57 Chevy-ish wheel opening for lightening the heft.

Just wingin' it; tossing out some what-ifs!