'35 Dodge - Black Betty -

[Reuhkapelti2]

Hello again. There's still time to start a new project for this year. 

Since I can't find any '35 Dodge kit, I' ll try to convert this poor '39 Chevy to look like it, atleast from far. I only have the roofless body, the frame, the almost useless interior tub and some small parts. 

The idea for this is from a music video, Spiderbait performing Black Betty. 

[Cool Hand]

Like the source for the idea, I will follow along and look forward to the build.

Have been Spiderbait fan for many years.

Edited December 27, 2019 by Cool Hand

[espo]

This could be fun. You just don't see a lot of these kits done as anything but an early Chevrolet.  

[misterNNL]

I think you should listen to their sound track all through the build just ti keep the energy going!

[Reuhkapelti2]

Thanks everybody! I'm exited how this works. Lot's of work but that's how I like it. 

16 hours ago, misterNNL said:

I think you should listen to their sound track all through the build just ti keep the energy going!

My thoughts exactly. Plus I need to watch the video three thousand times to spot the necessary details. Or take some screen shots. 

I got the rear fender back in place. It was quite tricky task, since I had sawn it off with no worries about the rest of the body. And then made it much thinner etc. Now it needs some putty and it's good to go. 

[misterNNL]

It might be easier to search the web for images of the real car and take screenshots of those. That's what I do,then print them out and pin them the large bulletin board on the wall right next to my work bench. My board has a bold print banner across the top that says "Headbone Nationals" on it where I post those inspiration photos for easy reference.

[SfanGoch]

If you're planning to build this with a roof, you can try scrounging the roof section from the AMT 1936 Ford Dick Tracy/5 Window Coupe kits. The rooflines for the 1935 and 1936 Ford and Dodge 5 Window coupes are pretty darned near to identical as you can get. Just tweak the shape of the quarter windows and you're good to go.

1935 Dodge

1935 Ford

1936 Ford

[Reuhkapelti2]

Thanks everybody for those advices. The thing is, that there is not too many good photos of that particular car. Some photos I can find, but not enough. 

Spiderbait Black Betty Dodge, those words I've used in google photo search. 

This car will have low profile rag top. The paint I first thought was black, but after watching the video I think it's very dark violet candy? 

Edited December 28, 2019 by Reuhkapelti2

[misterNNL]

Stop searching for Black Betty Spiderbait Dodge. Simply Search for 1935 Dodge coupe.That should get you the images you need like those posted above by SvanGoch.

[Cpt Tuttle]

I must say that your conversions of cars does impress me a lot!

[Reuhkapelti2]

Hey thanks everyone! Now there's no way back. I cut the front fenders to shape them to look more Dodge fenders. 

I also managed to take some screen shots of Black Betty Dodge. The basic shape can be seen in other '35 Dodge Coupes for sure. But Black Betty Dodge is not in original untouched form. 

Edited December 29, 2019 by Reuhkapelti2

[Reuhkapelti2]

Okay now those big holes are filled with plastic, still need to shape them. Also added plastic sheets to make the rear longer and in front of the windshield also needed some plastic. 

[misterNNL]

7 hours ago, Reuhkapelti2 said:

Hey thanks everyone! Now there's no way back. I cut the front fenders to shape them to look more Dodge fenders. 

I also managed to take some screen shots of Black Betty Dodge. The basic shape can be seen in other '35 Dodge Coupes for sure. But Black Betty Dodge is not in original untouched form. 

Looks like you're finding the screen shots you need-Good luck and be sure to continue posting your progress.

[stavanzer]

Would this body help your project? It might have the trunk deck you need.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/amt-8667-36-plymouth--210218

 

Edited December 30, 2019 by alexis

[Reuhkapelti2]

24 minutes ago, alexis said:

Would this body help your project? It might have the trunk deck you need.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/amt-8667-36-plymouth--210218

 

Thanks Alan, for sure that might help. It's just the fact, shipping overseas is quite expensive these days. 

[alan barton]

Ismo, it is important to know that Australian cars of the 1930s were based on American cars as far as the chassis and front sheet metal goes, but usually had locally manufactured, often coachbuilt, body shells.  The government of the day gave tax breaks to encourage local manufacture.  Therefore, you are far better off doing what you are doing with actual  photos of the spider bait car rather than using the other photos that people have kindly offered.  Most of these are pure American bodies.

What will make your job easier to some extent is the fact that the Australian bodies often lacked the intricate details and complex curves of the OEM bodies. I am not sure if the car was ever featured in any Australian magazines but that might be another way.  Or Google Australian 35 Dodge here's a link to the first image I found. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1935_Dodge_DU_Roadster_(12513603304).jpg

Hope that helps, cheers, Alan

[Reuhkapelti2]

Thanks Alan to you too. This is such a great forum. A Bud from AU has spoken to a friend and some magazine photos are available soon. He also gave a hint of that 2004 magazine that was for sale and I bought it too. It just takes weeks to get it shipped here over all those seas from Australia to Finland. 

But help is coming, I have no worries with this project. Mean while I can play that furious music video over and over and trying to shape those fenders. 

[Reuhkapelti2]

I've been filing and sawing and sanding the rear of this Chevy to make it look like a Dodge. The front fenders have tasted some fiddling too. No way can I get this done exactly and perfectly, but it's the spirit that counts imho. 

Also I found bigger rear tires and I cut the wide rear wheels open where needed. 

[Reuhkapelti2]

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020 EVERYBODY ?

My Dodge (maybe I can call it that already) has got some new parts today. 

Edited December 31, 2019 by Reuhkapelti2

[Nazz]

  I'm lovin'  this build.  I too like tv, movie etc  subjects and this one is unique!  Now if you'll excuse me ,I have a music video to watch.

Happy new year to you!

[Cool Hand]

Taking shape Ismo, looking tuff with the new wheels.

[Reuhkapelti2]

Thanks again. Today I started to make the grill. It's very curvy to all directions. The lower end is still under construction. The areas between the grill and the fenders need to be more bulky.

edit. the very next day:

I took the grili and the photo off, because I noticed the grill was really wrong positioned. Let´s have another go later.

 

Edited January 2, 2020 by Reuhkapelti2

[Reuhkapelti2]

Okay I think it's s bit better now

Yesterday versus today

I took the grill maybe 5mm backwards, so it's nearly in the same line with the fenders. That's as far as it can be moved, otherwise I'd have to cut the whole front end in pieces and that would stall this project for good. 

Edited January 2, 2020 by Reuhkapelti2

[misterNNL]

"Klymapainen" (Cool!)

[Cool Hand]

Tidy work on the grille.