DPNM Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 I was invited to view a man's car collection on Wednesday and I MAY try to replicate one of his cars. My plan is to try to build one of them to give to him. I would prefer to do this without spending an arm and a leg.The first is the Ford street rod. He said it is a '29 body on a '32 frame with a '32 grill shell. It has a flathead engine. My personal preference is Monogram/Revell and it does look like they offered both as kits at one point. I'd appreciate help in finding out if these kits would be a good basis for this project. Second choice is the '55 Chevy. It is a 210 center post car. I see that there is a resin 210 body available but I would prefer not to spend the cash on it. Would a offered R/M Bel Air kit work as I should be able to fabricate the post if that is the only main difference. Any advice will be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTallDad Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 AMT has a 55 Chevy 2-dr post... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeatMan Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 The 210 and the hardtop bodies are not the same. I wouldn't try that if I were you. I think it would be easier to buy a 32 kit and come as close as you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeatMan Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 (edited) 9 minutes ago, BigTallDad said: AMT has a 55 Chevy 2-dr post... Yes, and there are a few on eBay, but not on the cheap. Not a kings ransom though either. Spotlight has one for $25 plus shipping. Edited April 21, 2019 by MeatMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Haigwood Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 Revell has a 29 Roadster that comes with an additional 32 frame and grille. Only comes with a Buick Nailhead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPNM Posted April 21, 2019 Author Share Posted April 21, 2019 Thank you BTD and MM. I think I've found the answer I need on the '55. I had searched eBay for 55 chevy and got a lot of stuff, mostly Corvettes and Nomads. I didn't scroll down far enough for the Sedan to show. Thank you Jon, this kit looks like it would work for most of what I need. I'm pretty sure I can find a flathead for it. Do you know if this kit has a hood included as it is shown without one? I may be able to do both for a reasonable cost. I'll be trying the Want Ad section before I go the feeBay route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 You might want to look around locally at any Model Shops or Hobby Lobby in your area. The '55 two door has been reissued by Round 2 a few times and one of those reissues are bond to turn up on someone's shelf. Round 2 and AMT both called it a Bel Air but the only exterior difference would be the chrome trim on the side of the front fender and door. The interior differences are so minor as to go undetected. The only standout would be the Dash Board. The Bel Air had a Dash Board center piece of polished aluminum with Chevrolet emblems on it. The 210 would have that area painted white. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPNM Posted April 21, 2019 Author Share Posted April 21, 2019 Thank for the heads up espo. I may hit HL tomorrow just to look, with a 40% off coupon. I had stopped back yesterday and gotten some more pics of the Ford. Most were of the interior but there is a lot of pinstriping on this car.The next time I see him I will try to get more pics of the interior of the 55. It wasn't as accessible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTallDad Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 (edited) With the exception of color, the '55 interior should look similar to this (although I'm showing a floor shift instead of column and gauges under the dash), unless the owner has taken liberties with it. Edited April 21, 2019 by BigTallDad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPNM Posted April 21, 2019 Author Share Posted April 21, 2019 (edited) Thanks again BTD, that is a good reference. I had concentrated more on the 29 yesterday as he had told me previously it was his favorite. I would think that you will be correct on the interior. He told me that the 55 was a 7000 mile car when he purchased it. I doubt much, if anything, was done to change the interior. Edited April 21, 2019 by DPNM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Haigwood Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 1 hour ago, DPNM said: Thank you Jon, this kit looks like it would work for most of what I need. I'm pretty sure I can find a flathead for it. Do you know if this kit has a hood included as it is shown without one? I believe comes with the hood and sides. Correction it does not come with a 32 grille, GRilles and flatheads are easy to come by. I have been getting my parts from R&M . But with a minimum $30 Card order it adds up. I have been building a Flathead with SCOT blower and Ardun heads with only using R&M parts, so far the bill has been almost $80 (over 30 engine parts ). Looking forward to seeing your build. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, DPNM said: ...Do you know if this kit has a hood included as it is shown without one? No, the Revell kit DOES NOT have a hood, and the spacing of the grille shell from the firewall on that kit may be noticeably longer than what you'll want for the car you're doing. But have no fear; building a custom hood to fit any combination of firewall and grille isn't too hard. None of the hoods I had fit this '29 firewall and the Miller-style nose, so I made up templates for the two by tracing on .030 styrene and gluing to a rough hood. Then fill it up to the right level with a 2-part filler like Bondo Professional spot/glazing putty. Edited April 21, 2019 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPNM Posted April 21, 2019 Author Share Posted April 21, 2019 (edited) Thanks again Jon. I will keep R&M in mind. Thank you Ace, this should come in handy. I need to put the bondo on my list of stuff to get. I have other projects I need it for anyway. I am interested in your use of fiberglass and I'll be looking for info on here for that in the near future. Edited April 21, 2019 by DPNM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mod3l Lover Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 The AMT `55 Belair kit was just re-released about 2 months ago. So that one you should be able to find at hobby shops, Hobby Lobby, LHS, etc.!! The Revell `29 kit however is a bit more on the elusive side though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPNM Posted April 22, 2019 Author Share Posted April 22, 2019 Since I have gotten so much help with these projects I'd like to see if I can find a source, kit or aftermarket, of the steering wheel and the V shaped windshield surround. You can also see why I said the '55 was inaccessible when I was there the second time. Probably coulda gotten interior pics but I figured I'd wait til it was sitting out and get more of the whole car at the same time. BTW, I did stop at HL today. No '55 kit to be found. Had my choice of three '57s, all of which I passed on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my80malibu Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 Economically your best bet is to build the 55. AMT already makes a sedan version of this which is very close to the one pictured. The Revell 29 is available, but is rather Pricey. Due to the Molds being damaged a few years back. It would possibly take another Revell 32 sedan kit to get a flathead engine. The Kit prices alone for a 29 build could easily exceed $70, whereas the 55 could be about $25. add in your paint quality choices, and other add ons like PE, and wheel upgrades, and spot on replica could get up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Haigwood Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 The Revell 29 has that steering wheel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Thorne Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 As others have said, the 55 is the cheapest way to go. You shouldn’t need anything additional (other than paint, of course) . Scalehobbyist and hobbylinc both show it on back order but spotlighthobbies show it in stock. Price is $23-27 plus shipping. I had just checked on this kit yesterday for a possible f/g gasser build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTallDad Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 Is the '55 a 6 cylinder? The absence of the V8 emblems below the tail lights suggests that (unless the emblems were removed). Finding a 6 cylinder engine might be a task. If you do go with the '55, there's a simple trick to opening up the grille. Use a dremel with a sanding drum and carefully sand off the back side of the grille...no photo etch required! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 The Revell 32 Sedan, has a flathead and the grill you'll be needing. The flathead is really excellent. Combined with the Revell 29 Model A, I figure you're 90% there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 The '29 Windshield looks like one produced by Duvall and was called the Duvall Windshield. I'm sure one of the past Revell '29 or '32 issues had something like that but I can't remember which one, maybe someone else will remember. R&M would also be a good place to look, I would think they have one also. You could also post your needs for this build on the Trading Post section on the Forum. I'm sure someone there would help if they have the parts you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPNM Posted April 22, 2019 Author Share Posted April 22, 2019 I appreciate all the input. The '55 is the easiest and the least expensive so I will try to do that car, once I can locate a kit. I'll have to check it out closer, as to engine, interior, etc the next time I see it. I've seen prices on feeBay for the '29. As with what seems to be 1/3rd of listings the sellers must think that just 'cause it's old it's worth a gazillion dollars and the other 1/3rd are clueless to what they have because they bought it at an estate sale. Sorry, I digress. It's a rant that I have. GRRRR There is a member here willing to give me the '29 body and steering wheel. He has the whole kit, painted, that he would trade but I don't have what he is looking for, yet. It's the '50 Ford PU and convertible in my ad. For those interested my ad is here: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/141974-looking-for-quite-a-few-kits-29-ford-55-chevy-210-plus-others/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPNM Posted April 22, 2019 Author Share Posted April 22, 2019 BTD, I've done that on a Chevy pu grill. Sure makes it look a lot better. I sanded the back down. My Dremel skills ain't that great. Kind of like Wrrrrrr, whoops. Thanks for the tip though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPNM Posted April 22, 2019 Author Share Posted April 22, 2019 1 hour ago, DPNM said: There is a member here willing to give me the '29 body and steering wheel. He has the whole kit, painted, that he would trade but I don't have what he is looking for, yet. It's the '50 Ford PU and convertible in my ad. Turns out that this member was interested in one of the kits I listed so I will have a '29 coming. Cool beanies! I changed my ad accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 (edited) Couple things... 1) The windshield you want is called a Hallock. It's kinda similar to a DuVall, but different. Hallock DuVall The DuVall in this kit (below, often very cheap, if you buy the pre-decorated version...and it's a goldmine of other parts as well) can be cut down to look like the Hallock. The shot below shows the DuVall (from the kit shown above) sitting on an AMT '29 cowl. It's a little wide for the '29, but can be made to fit fairly easily by filling a little on the cowl. You'll also notice the '32 hood shown on this mockup is too wide for the '29 cowl, which is why you'll need to narrow the rear of a '32 hood. 2) Jantrix is right about the flathead in the Revell '32 sedan kit. It has finned heads similar to what's in your friend's car, a '32 grille shell, and a hood. The hood will need to be narrowed at the rear to fit the cowl of the '29, but that will get you pretty close...and it should be the right length too. It's also a goldmine for other parts. Between the Revell '32 and the Revell '29, you should have enough bits to get the suspension pretty close to what's in your friends car too, at least in front, where it shows. Edited April 22, 2019 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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