Art Deco Style '32 Ford Roadster

[E St. Kruiser50]

For me, black and chrome, in the right setting, can be one of the most elegant combinations, IMHO, when combined with an Art Deco style.(I love Art Deco styling, so Peter Lombardo and Raul Perez are on my "Hero" list, as model Artists as well as Model Builders)

I have never tried doing this before, but had fun trying to combine all the elements that I love, including the 1932 Ford Roadster, with opening door's, opening trunk lid, chrome under-carriage, all chrome engine, all leather and chrome interior and trunk area, and a few other trim pieces not normally seen on a model car, such as chrome trim on the running boards and top of the door panels.

I love huge wheel/tire combinations, so I raised the front fenders and lengthened them for the proper proportions, at least to my eye , and scratch-built the rear fenders to be longer, taller and wider, and modified the body, raising the fender lacation and re-making the raised body molding, so it would look factory, even with the huge "Rollers", and of coarse, it had to sit on the ground, as any contemporary "Self-respecting Street Rod" would do .

I tried making it look simple and understated, yet elegant. It had to have the Duval windshield .

I'm sure some of you are wondering what this "Treehugger" guy is babbling about, this is just a model site for builders, but for us crazy artzy builder types - you get it

Anyhow, I'm happy with the results. If your not - too late - I'm done LOL

Edited November 18, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[Peter Lombardo]

Dave, you have to be the most prolific modeler on this site. Every other day there is a new killer car for us to enjoy.

The paint on this is just perfect…black and chrome is like gin and a splash of vermouth…a classic combo. I am always impressed with a car, real or model, that looks close to, but somehow better than normal, but in reality hides many carefully executed modifications that point to a deeper understanding of the design and “flow†of a car. A ’32 Ford is so common and recognizable that it is difficult to create a new take on it. The changes to it must be well thought out and done with care. This has that quality. Nice job.

P.S., thanks for the mention, and I agree with you…Art Deco was, and is, a great styling discipline that produced some of the most impressive vehicle and industrial designs ever.

[Geezerman]

Extremely beautiful build !!!

Don't want to detract from your concept or workmanship, and I realize that this is only my personal opinion and tastes, but I think you dropped the ball with those wheels/tires. I was really anticipating large, fat, whitewalls, Like you would see on an old Duesenberg (sp).

I hope you will write this negative response off as the rambling of an old curmudgeonly man.

[E St. Kruiser50]

Extremely beautiful build !!!

Don't want to detract from your concept or workmanship, and I realize that this is only my personal opinion and tastes, but I think you dropped the ball with those wheels/tires. I was really anticipating large, fat, whitewalls, Like you would see on an old Duesenberg (sp).

I hope you will write this negative response off as the rambling of an old curmudgeonly man.

Hey geezerman

All comments greatly appreciated and welcome - even your's LOL

[E St. Kruiser50]

Dave, you have to be the most prolific modeler on this site. Every other day there is a new killer car for us to enjoy.

Thanks Peter

I have quite an inventory of builds from the last few years, (Been at this for some time now),and a lot of them have never been shown or seen the light of day, just built for my own enjoyment, so kinda fun to pull one out of the 'ol cellar once in a while, dust it off, and share it.

Now Let's see what I have for tomorrow....... LOL

Keep doin' what ya love - I love to hug tree's

Edited November 18, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[BKIN10SECS]

I have observed many of your builds. I do know that you make these subtle changes, ie: rasing and stretching those front fenders. And I will say....you pull them off perfectly. I love that Duvall windshield, I to am a very big fan of rims and rubberbands and it is the main reason why I have never built a 32, but you have pulled it off very tastefully and very nicley.

[Raul_Perez]

Dave,

When the sun comes back out up there in OR, you've got to get us some better pics of this beauty outside with natural light!!

I typically don't like the Duvall type of windshield, but it fits perfectly on this build!!

The body mods are so subtle that I suspect the average person would not know what you've done unless there was a stock body sitting next to it for comparison. As a former bodyman, I can appreciate how much work goes into making modifications this extreme, (in 1:1 and in a model) ,while keeping them looking like it came that way from the factory. GREAT work, my friend...GREAT work!!

I would also like to see straight on shots from the front and the back down at ground level.

Lastly, thanks for the mention in the post!

Later,

[ScrappyJ]

That is really nice work, Dave! Ditto on the stance, styling, etc. And you're right, something about black and chrome...just works.

[Harry P.]

Very cool...

And regarding the Art Deco reference... I love Art Deco! Some of the most beautiful cars ever made, IMO, were produced in the 30s, the heyday of the Art Deco movement.

[george 53]

Dave,now, you know your my hero when it comes to your off the pavement(sounds better'n off the wall. Cars don't drive on walls, unless I been drinkin!) builds. BUT..... what you've done to the classic lines of that poor lil 32 are just......FANTASTIC! If ANYONE coulda improved on ol Hanks design, you da man whut can!!! I love this one. ya dun good Daaaavie( that's my Goliath talkin) The HOLLYWOOD will ALWAYS be my favorite, but your gettin better at this buildin thing, Maybe jus MAYBE, we can get an article about your past experiences in the mag. Have you done anything interesting in your life that might make a difference in how you build? Just askin, caz your an interesting kinda guy, whut builds OVER tha TOP kinda models.I like 'em!.....ALOT!!!

[E St. Kruiser50]

Very cool...

And regarding the Art Deco reference... I love Art Deco! Some of the most beautiful cars ever made, IMO, were produced in the 30s, the heyday of the Art Deco movement.

Thanks Harry

For me in the custom world of models and design, this is Art Deco as an artistic period style, for the sake of art and pure fun .

No door lines, trunk or hood lines, just an expression using form, color, contrast and texture (Metalflake) to achieve the glitz and glamor reminescent of the 40's as rolling art.

This is my own personal favorite build.

[Harry P.]

I like it! Definitely a piece of automotive art...

[E St. Kruiser50]

Dave,now, you know your my hero when it comes to your off the pavement(sounds better'n off the wall. Cars don't drive on walls, unless I been drinkin!) builds. BUT..... what you've done to the classic lines of that poor lil 32 are just......FANTASTIC! If ANYONE coulda improved on ol Hanks design, you da man whut can!!! I love this one. ya dun good Daaaavie( that's my Goliath talkin) The HOLLYWOOD will ALWAYS be my favorite, but your gettin better at this buildin thing, Maybe jus MAYBE, we can get an article about your past experiences in the mag. Have you done anything interesting in your life that might make a difference in how you build? Just askin, caz your an interesting kinda guy, whut builds OVER tha TOP kinda models.I like 'em!.....ALOT!!!

Hey George

How's my friend?

Thanks for the kind words George

Think I'm kinda past my prime in people bein' interested in who I am, but it sure is nice being able to share what I love to build, and to see all the great new talent coming into this wonderful hobby. Some of these guy's build stuff that just really grabs me where my passions are , and it sure is cool.

I can't believe how good some of these guy's are with such creative imaginations and skills.

Makes the hobby just that much more fun for me.

Also, thanks for complimenting me on gettin better, cause it took me nearly 40 years to get where I am, so any encouragement is really a help .

Hey George, if ye pray real hard for me, maybe I could outdo the Hollywood. Sure would like to, but don't have a clue how right now .

Anyhow, have a good weekend - Dave

Edited November 22, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[Jantrix]

Dave you got a PM

[E St. Kruiser50]

Dave you got a PM

Hey Rob

Got your message.

Another one of my favorite builds.......Make sense now?

[Jantrix]

Hey Rob

Got your message.

Another one of my favorite builds.......Make sense now?

Umm.........no. But that's my malfunction not yours. As artists I know that you gotta build what trips your trigger and screw anyone who says "nay". Referenceing your PM, I don't really care for Picasso or Dali (except for Dali's Shades of Night Decending that one grabs me for some reason) much either. So it's just me.

So you keep building what you love, and I'll keep liking about 95% of it.

Thank you for the compliment on my work. Like you, I build a bit differently and build what turns me on, so in that respect, we meet in the middle.

[E St. Kruiser50]

Umm.........no. But that's my malfunction not yours. As artists I know that you gotta build what trips your trigger and screw anyone who says "nay". Referenceing your PM, I don't really care for Picasso or Dali (except for Dali's Shades of Night Decending that one grabs me for some reason) much either. So it's just me.

So you keep building what you love, and I'll keep liking about 95% of it.

Thank you for the compliment on my work. Like you, I build a bit differently and build what turns me on, so in that respect, we meet in the middle.

Hey Rob my friend

Thanks for your honesty and your opinions. We all have likes and dislikes, I think that's what makes diversity in building work here, as well as respect for each other as fellow modelers .

I welcome all commments, both complimentary and criticism, from everyone, as I will be learning all the rest of my life about this hobby, no matter how old I am. There's always room to grow and look at things differently, from other's perspective.

You keep building what you love too.

Your friend - Dave

[CEKPETHO BCE]

that is jaw dropping awesome

[Mike Kucaba]

KNOCK KNOCK! Daves not here

couldn't resist

[Greg Pugh]

I've always been a fan of your work. You are extremely talented and you crank out some of the best models I've seen. This is no exception. BRAVO!!

[heatride]

Those are very nice ! You folks are about to make this old man have a fit with all these beautiful build's !!

[Dr. Cranky]

Wonderful models. Like all three . . . and the Art Deco style, like STEAMPUNK, is one of my faves. Lots of great ideas from it to be had.

[Draggon]

Dave is certainly talented, but doesnt come here anymore. He has found a home on the "other" forum.

[geetee66]

Class.

pure class.

I wish we had chrome plating services in the UK.

[deathskull59]

i like the car but not those big wheels.