Double Kit Custom 32 Sedan

[Spex84]

Always happy to see one of these being built. It's looking good so far!

[ChrisBcritter]

How did I miss this one? Loving it! I've had the same idea about using the Vicky body, or the Orange Krate to get the chopped top/opening doors in one fell swoop,  or maybe the 5-window coupe, or, or, or...

[alan barton]

Thanks for the comments and support guys!  I am enjoying this one even if it has had a few small challenges along the way.

Got a bit done last night. First, I made a paper template of the roof opening and then transferred it to some clear celluloid that will eventually be used to produce a coloured insert. This should be a lot more accurate than a floppy paper template.  Then I carefully glued a strip of thin evergreen along the inside edge of the roof opening to produce a ledge for the clear insert to eventually rest on.

While that was drying, I went scrounging for a suitable radiator.  I found this chromed one from unknown source  and with a minimum of filing it fit inside the custom grille shell.

With everything looking good I dusted a light coat of primer on and this is where I am at now.  But man, that stance!  I just can't see getting this puppy to fly with the straight tube front axle.   Do I go with a dropped axle or is that veering to far from the AMT spirit?

 

Cheers

Alan

[TarheelRick]

Great job on the rebuild of this iconic kit.  As for the front axle, there appears to be some alignment problems with the grille and the axle, the grille appears to be a bit high; maybe that is just my perspective.  I realize that axle is an original kit piece, but to me it looks like a 4X4 axle without a hogshead, maybe you could substitute some thinner tube or a smaller diameter.  Just some thoughts off the top of my head.  Still, I really like what you are doing with it, and sure wish I could find one without having to mortgage the house.

[Muncie]

Hey Alan,

That's looking great - love it.  Good to see it back.  I like the transparent top and your other modifications.  Well done.

Just two cents - The original kit had staggered tire sizes front to rear.  The rear bigs were the old thumbprint Firestone slicks.  The front littles were the old implement style drag tires which were much smaller diameter than the slick or most of what we have available now.  It was a natural rubber rake, or in this case the chassis came out level with the straight tube axle.  The Willys gasser in the double kit also had these tires.  Replicas and miniatures has them available.  The whitewalls are a big improvement so I think a dropped axle would be appropriate - maybe something like the chrome axle in the AMT '40 Ford as an alternative to smaller front tires.

[Modlbldr]

Nice looking build so far. I like the fact that you are building it as a piece of modeling history. 

I'm glad I popped in to this thread. I have some of these parts that I wasn't sure where they came from. I have the interior bucket and the front grille/ headlight surround. I'll have to dig and see what else I can come up with.

Later-

[Oldschool4x4]

"The front littles were the old implement style drag tires "

The tires in the 64 Galaxie kit would look good also, with the sides painted white of course...

[alan barton]

Thanks for the photo Norman, that definitely confirms that I need to go with a dropped axle.  That Tudor looks sweet even without the fender running board unit.  It looks like he also might have used the Revell 29 Hiboy nailhead, judging by the pipes.  It is an interesting twist on the original.

And oldschool, you are dead right about the whitewalls - gotta have 'em!  I am very keen to use the AMT parts pack ones as they are so nice and period perfect but I will decide for sure when I get a better front axle happening.

It's great to see all the love for this old girl from everyone and I am very keen to get it just right.  Final completion might be delayed a bit as we are in the middle of winter, not conducive to painting candies!  I will keep the chassis and interior updates coming.
Cheers

Alan

 

[espo]

I like the clear top insert idea. I also think your build looks better with the chrome windshield surround and wipers. 

[Modelbuilder Mark]

Coming along very nicely.

[mvadrag]

One of my all time favorite kits from AMT! I try to buy them when I see them. I like the clear top, should be able to see the cool custom interior.

I used the engine, chassis (including tires, but wheels are from the Willys) and grille shell for this little truck. I used the dropped front axle from the Revell 32 Ford kits to get it lower.

Edited June 29, 2019 by mvadrag

[oldnslow]

really nice job on the 34 , Jose (sorry , have no idea of how to put the ` over the e )

[alan barton]

Hi Jose, love your truck.  Shortening those pipes must have been a challenge!  I'm not particularly fond of the appearance of the Edsel based grille but it just seems to look so cool and right for period show rods of this era.  It's definitely been growing on me since I started my project.

Maybe this post will end up being a repository for all the AMT custom grilled hot rods out there?

Cheers

Alan

Edited June 30, 2019 by alan barton
extra info

[alan barton]

Hi guys, it's been a while but this is finally finished and will be in Under Glass shortly.  I still want to show a few details of the restoration here first.

I first restored the original axle but then Steve sent me a much nicer one so I used it instead.  To try and get it down a bit I carefully trimmed the lever shock mounts and the inside of the cross member - I think i picked up close to 2mm, better than nothing.

I had to replace everything else form my parts box.  THe torsion bars are shortened versions of the 32 Vicky torsion bars and the radius rods are shortened versions of the Revell 29 hiboy radius rods.

[alan barton]

I needed to switch the firewall to suit my standard right hand drive configuration for hot rods in my collection but I couldn't bring myself to cut up the highly engrave originals.( if anyine needs an original double kit firewall to complete a restoration project, let me know and I will send it to you).

I traced the original firewall shape onto a piece of flat styrene and cut it out.  To add some detail, I carefully removed the master cylinder and plumbing detail form an old AMT Model A custom firewall, painted it with Molotow chrome ens and added it to the firewall.  Very happy with the result!

[magicmustang]

Looking good Alan.

I have an old glue bomb one that I restored best I could. Was missing a few parts but I made do. I couldn't bare to replace the front straight axle. So to give it more rake by shimming the rear spring mount more . It seems to sit better. 

Great job on that firewall.

Edited August 23, 2020 by magicmustang

[rustybill1960]

Glad this build popped up

Awesome what Your doing

Thank You for sharing

Looking forward to more

[alan barton]

Thanks Russell, be sure to check under glass for the finished product.

Cheers

Alan