What is needed to build this?

[JollySipper]

I found this awesome kustom/hotrod on the gram of insta.... I was wondering what I would need to build it. I LOVE the proportions of it, being channeled but not chopped. It looks to me like the trunk area has been stretched also.... What else was probably done to it?

Thanks for any help!

[Ace-Garageguy]

It's just a '30-'31 Model A coupe body.

I seriously doubt the deck area has been stretched.

Rather, it's an illusion caused by the extreme channeling & lowering job, plus the angle the photo is taken from that makes the tail appear longer.

To get the slight up angle of the forward part of the frame, simply build it on '32 rails.  You'll need the additional length to get the proportions anyway.

                                                 

Most of what you need is in the Revell (soon to be re-released?) kit...though you'll need to un-chop the top.

 

The old stock-top Monogram kit in 1/24 is another possible starting point.

 

                                                   

Imagine this un-chopped, lower, and you're there. (It's the 1/24 Monogram body on a 1/25 '32 frame; work your proportions carefully, and you can get away with it)

Edited August 27, 2020 by Ace-Garageguy

[JollySipper]

Thanks a bunch, Bill! So I could use this kit for the frame?

Then use the body from the Monogram Model A that you posted? Then I'm just a "Z" and suicide front perch away from being close?

[OldNYJim]

That particular kit doesn’t really have a frame, just so you know - just fenders and kinda half a frame that is moulded in...

The Revell 29 kit comes with a 32 frame, or one of their actual 32 kits does too, of course.

I’d also skip the AMT 32 kits as a starting point - there’s a couple of variations of the frame in those but you’ll have an easier time with the Revell kits as a base

[Oldtmr]

To achieve the stance shown in the photo would require the 32 frame and it also would need to be z'd. That's what I did on my 1:1 build back in the late 50's. A frame depth z at the front of the body and a more radical z in the rear to get the rear axle clearance. You end up with a very deep driveshaft tunnel.

[Ace-Garageguy]

  On 8/27/2020 at 9:06 PM, Oldtmr said:

To achieve the stance shown in the photo would require the 32 frame and it also would need to be z'd...A frame depth z at the front of the body and a more radical z in the rear to get the rear axle clearance. You end up with a very deep driveshaft tunnel.

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Yes. I did a frame zeeing tutorial here years ago.

HOWEVER...anything resembling a normal zee won't be enough. To get the rear that low, he's going to need to go considerably farther, constructing up-and-over rails like zo...

[Oldtmr]

In the case of my 1:1 build I did not have access to a dropped front axle and so necessitated the z at the front. Didn't mention that in my post.

[Ace-Garageguy]

  On 8/27/2020 at 9:28 PM, Oldtmr said:

In the case of my 1:1 build I did not have access to a dropped front axle and so necessitated the z at the front. Didn't mention that in my post.

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It's my guess there's a suicide spring perch out in front of the radiator on the car referenced by the OP.

This (below) is a mockup of such a spring perch on zeed A rails, with a dropped axle to boot. It takes a lot of drop to get as low as the OP's reference car...

Of course, with a higher perch, not so much drop is required on the axle.

Frame zeeing here...

 

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

I'd start with the stock height old Monogram '30 body, frame from one of the Revell '32 series...Buy some tires and wheels from Modelhaus www.modelhaustires.com Part #120 fronts #180 rears. Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland make some very fine deep and shallow steelies that fit those tires and get 'em chromed by Little Motor Kar Company. The re-issued Revell '29 roadster has the SBC with Limefire headers in it...Testors One Hit Inca Gold rattle color is perfect...off you go. If you don't do it I might!!!! The unchopped, channeled look is called "East Coast Style". -RRR

Edited August 27, 2020 by Rocking Rodney Rat

[JollySipper]

  On 8/27/2020 at 10:38 PM, Rocking Rodney Rat said:

If you don't do it I might!!!!

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Don't steal the idea that I stole! I've always liked the East Coast style hotrod, seems as much "kustom" as it is a hotrod....

Lots of good info guys...... Thank you!

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

I have never really liked the east coast style, it looks out of proportions to me. A hot rod should be chopped IMHO... -RRR

[mchook]

I did this one with the old monogram coupe body. I built my own chassis (first time) & it wasn't that hard. That way you get the length & drop you need. I can't wait to see you do the one in your picture, it's pretty cool looking.

[BullysCustomModelParts]

If you still need a frame, I can do you a custom 3D printed one however you want it. good luck on your build, will be following.

[Mr. Metallic]

  On 8/27/2020 at 3:11 AM, Ace-Garageguy said:

 

Rather, it's an illusion caused by the extreme channeling & lowering job, plus the angle the photo is taken from that makes the tail appear longer.

 

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It's hard to tell because of the weird angle of the pic, but do you think the body could have been moved back on the frame to create more room for the engine? Thereby exposing more of the rear wheel opening? I know that's not really a typical mod, but i thought I'd throw it out there.

[Ace-Garageguy]

  On 10/7/2020 at 6:19 PM, Mr. Metallic said:

It's hard to tell because of the weird angle of the pic, but do you think the body could have been moved back on the frame to create more room for the engine? Thereby exposing more of the rear wheel opening? I know that's not really a typical mod, but i thought I'd throw it out there.

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I don't think so.