GSL Common Kit: [revision] just another Model A Roadster

[89AKurt]

[revision] January 22, 2023 I have resumed after ditching the Bungalow theme, the chassis work is still good to go, but going to build a normal hot rod using the kit body.

I have 17 months to build this project.  ?  Never thought I would get excited to get a Ford model ?, when I found out the Model A Roadster was the subject, started looking at Hobby Lobby and there weren't any on the shelf.  Today I lucked out, with the 40% off!  The GSL International Scale Vehicle Championship and Convention will be (think positive) May 5-8, 2022.  The Common Kit category features something that should be found anywhere, that isn't a collectible, from their Facebook page:

Quote

COMMON KIT CLASS:

The Common Kit for GSL-XXVIII is the Revell 1929 Ford Model A Roadster (kit #RMX854463). The intent of this Class is for each entrant to start with the same kit, then display their widest array of individual creativity, craftsmanship, building skills, and technical innovations. The entrant may build the entry in any style or vintage. Regardless, all entered models must be based upon the parts from this kit. Entrants may also: i) swap parts from any other kit(s); ii) use any aftermarket parts (except for complete aftermarket resin bodies); and iii) use any building materials, techniques or technologies without restriction.

Home from the store:

I have wanted to do a Russell Stover candy truck for a long time.  In an issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine, there was a picture that caught my attention.  The picture shows a Model A, but they also used a Dodge truck, which had a different roof design, and only the windshield was used.  In this case, I need to find someone who will part with a pickup cab if there is such a thing.  I won't post reference pictures directly to respect Copyright (in other words not violate more than I already have).  I also do woodworking, so look forward to doing the Bungalow.

I was originally planning to use this Revell Woodstock kit, which has the fenders, hood and front bumper.  Looking at the frames, it appears these do not share any components, whoever has built these please confirm.  I could try to duplicate the one in the photos, but the hubcaps and perhaps the wheels are not like the kit's.  I'm digging the Halibrand wheels and tires, so if I stick with the engine, don't need the hood.

I have 17 months to decide on what to do, just wanted to start my WIP now to incentivize myself.

Edited January 22, 2023 by 89AKurt
major revision of the project

[Tom Geiger]

 

AMT 34 Ford pickup. I believe this is the cab you need.  

Very cool project idea!

[Misha]

Now that’s a real sweet ride Kurt! Good thought to plan ahead, gives me ideas as I have never attended a GSL and 2022 may be the last one, so here’s my chance ?. I have always enjoyed the common kit theme and the Model A is a grand choice. Your choice would truly be unique and you’re just the one to pull it off. I’ll be following with baited breath!

Cheers Misha

[Russell C]

Following, yours will be different than most.

17 months to GSL .... I need more time. Got my kit already, where so far the most different I can think of is putting an inline engine into it rather than a standard issue hotrod V8 or stock 4.

[89AKurt]

2 hours ago, Tom Geiger said:

[...]

AMT 34 Ford pickup. I believe this is the cab you need.  

Very cool project idea!

Ok thanks!

1 hour ago, Misha said:

Now that’s a real sweet ride Kurt! Good thought to plan ahead, gives me ideas as I have never attended a GSL and 2022 may be the last one, so here’s my chance ?. I have always enjoyed the common kit theme and the Model A is a grand choice. Your choice would truly be unique and you’re just the one to pull it off. I’ll be following with baited breath!

Cheers Misha

You know I like different.  GSL has always been about featuring the best hot rod models on the planet, and I know all of them will be in this class, so don't expect an award.  It should stand out on the table.

48 minutes ago, Russell C said:

Following, yours will be different than most.

17 months to GSL .... I need more time. Got my kit already, where so far the most different I can think of is putting an inline engine into it rather than a standard issue hotrod V8 or stock 4.

That is if anyone else dares to show their hand.  Time will fly.  A Skyline engine would be different.  ?

[stavanzer]

The Revell '29 Roadster P/up should have the cab you seek

[Russell C]

23 hours ago, 89AKurt said:

....That is if anyone else dares to show their hand.  .. Skyline engine would be different.  ?

Sleight of hand might need to be involved. Inlines sometimes don't point in the direction folks expect them to. Sky (line)'s the limit in some cases.

[89AKurt]

4 minutes ago, Russell C said:

Sleight of hand might need to be involved. Inlines sometimes don't point in the direction folks expect them to. Sky (line)'s the limit in some cases.

Such as an Audi Quattro S1?  ?

[Danno]

1 hour ago, alexis said:

The Revell '29 Roadster P/up should have the cab you seek

Actually, the '29 Roadster Pickup kit has a 1928-1929 square cab. The Russell Stover vehicle Kurt has selected is actually a 1931 with the standard rounded corner cab. 

None of the Model A kits have replicated the round-cornered standard cab.

The 1934 cab Tom suggested is closer to the configuration of the Russell Stover's standard cab, but there are significant differences in every panel, especially the fact that the '34 cab's rear panel drops straight down and is more square in configuration than the '30-'31 cab, which is curved forward. The roof's different, the visor is different, etc.

While the '34 cab would be a little closer to the Russell Stover vehicle than the '29 square cab, I'm not sure Kurt would be happy with "close" (he's a perfectionist, you know). 

The problem is, none of the Big Plastic manufacturers ever kitted the correct cab. A couple of resin casters have (All American, maybe RMCoM, maybe even R&R), but most of those are out of production. 

I just checked, and Jimmy Flintstone doesn't do one. ☹️

??    

Edited January 4, 2021 by Danno

[Sam I Am]

On 1/2/2021 at 2:41 PM, 89AKurt said:

I have 17 months to build this project.  ?  Never thought I would get excited to get a Ford model ?, when I found out the Model A Roadster was the subject, started looking at Hobby Lobby and there weren't any on the shelf.  Today I lucked out, with the 40% off!  The GSL International Scale Vehicle Championship and Convention will be (think positive) May 5-8, 2022.  The Common Kit category features something that should be found anywhere, that isn't a collectible, from their Facebook page:

Home from the store:

I have wanted to do a Russell Stover candy truck for a long time.  In an issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine, there was a picture that caught my attention.  The picture shows a Model A, but they also used a Dodge truck, which had a different roof design, and only the windshield was used.  In this case, I need to find someone who will part with a pickup cab if there is such a thing.  I won't post reference pictures directly to respect Copyright (in other words not violate more than I already have).  I also do woodworking, so look forward to doing the Bungalow.

I was originally planning to use this Revell Woodstock kit, which has the fenders, hood and front bumper.  Looking at the frames, it appears these do not share any components, whoever has built these please confirm.  I could try to duplicate the one in the photos, but the hubcaps and perhaps the wheels are not like the kit's.  I'm digging the Halibrand wheels and tires, so if I stick with the engine, don't need the hood.

I have 17 months to decide on what to do, just wanted to start my WIP now to incentivize myself.

 

1 hour ago, alexis said:

The Revell '29 Roadster P/up should have the cab you seek

If you want to build the one in the picture, the Revell '29 is the wrong kit. Ford changed their body in 1930. The 30-31 are the same body, and the 34 body is close. Use the 34 cab with the windshield/cowl assembly from the woody. The wheels pictured look like they are from a 32 or later Ford. You should be able to source them from any of the AMT 32 Ford models.

Edited January 4, 2021 by Sam I Am

[slusher]

This will be very inspirational replica of a real truck, how cool is that....

[Danno]

The '28-'29 cab is way off.  While the '34 cab is close, the A cab has a pronounced rounded back panel (which you can see in Kurt's pictures) and the roof is shaped differently, the cowl and firewall are entirely different, and of course, the relief sculptures (below windows and across back panel) are different.

1929 Model A cab (red primer)

1930 Model A cab (patina) 

 

1934 cab (rust) 

Just trying to help.  As the owner of a 1930, I know these cabs well.

 

??

Edited January 4, 2021 by Danno

[Danno]

I just occurred to me:  You know, we're talking about Kurt here. What are we worried about?  He can sculpt a convincing '31 cab out of a bar of Ivory soap fer gudnez sake!

??

[Danno]

A final note. I agree with Sam.

The wheels are definitely not Model A. Likely '32 - '34 or later. It was a common change back in the day.

 

??

 

[Russell C]

1 hour ago, 89AKurt said:

Such as an Audi Quattro S1?  ?

There's an idea. But if one is good enough, more cylinders might be better.

29 minutes ago, Danno said:

... we're talking about Kurt here. What are we worried about?  He can sculpt a convincing '31 cab out of a bar of Ivory soap...

Soap, soapstone, fake kitchen countertopstone, that's our man!

[Danno]

1 minute ago, Russell C said:

Audi Quattro S1 - There's an idea. But if one is good enough, more cylinders might be better.

Maybe so, but the Audi Quattro S1 cab doesn't look anything like the Russell Stover truck's cab.

Soap, soapstone, fake kitchen countertopstone, that's our man!

Oh, yeah. In Prescott, the natives call him "Kitchencountertopcarverman."  There's tours available of his kitchencountertopcarvingstation.

 

??    Disclaimer:  Just kidding, you know!

[89AKurt]

1 hour ago, Danno said:

[...] Just trying to help.  As the owner of a 1930, I know these cabs well.

[...]

While the '34 cab would be a little closer to the Russell Stover vehicle than the '29 square cab, I'm not sure Kurt would be happy with "close" (he's a perfectionist, you know). 

[...]

??    

Yea, I was wondering about that.  Thanks for the detailed clarification, as someone who owns the real thing ought to know.  I can probably fabricate that, it's not a huge part of the project.  Even if such a thing exists, expecting one brand to be exactly like another is not possible.  One slab of CORIAN would do it.

Hey, I can even build a house out of dirt!  ?

[stavanzer]

Please accept my apologies. Model A Cab Minutiae is obviously not my Forte.  I go back and hide now.

[89AKurt]

12 hours ago, alexis said:

Please accept my apologies. Model A Cab Minutiae is obviously not my Forte.  I go back and hide now.

Hey no worries dude!  ?  It sure isn't mine, but get me on the '67-'72 Chevy Custom series pickups and look out!  ?

[Sam I Am]

On 1/3/2021 at 9:47 PM, Danno said:

A final note. I agree with Sam.

The wheels are definitely not Model A. Likely '32 - '34 or later. It was a common change back in the day.

 

??

 

You made my day! I am printing that out and putting it on the fridge,  just so I can show my wife and say "SEE!!", somebody agrees with me.  ?

Yeah,  we sold our '30 pickup when I was about 17. Been a day or two ago, but I still have pics.?

Edited January 5, 2021 by Sam I Am

[mchook]

This looks like a great project. If it was me, I would use any Revell 1931 Model A sedan kit. Cut off the rear of the body and move it up behind the doors making a cab out of it. This way you get the right year car and alot less work. They use to do this with real cars back in the day too. 

[89AKurt]

2 hours ago, mchook said:

This looks like a great project. If it was me, I would use any Revell 1931 Model A sedan kit. Cut off the rear of the body and move it up behind the doors making a cab out of it. This way you get the right year car and alot less work. They use to do this with real cars back in the day too. 

[...]

Wow, thanks for this input!  I could get the proper taillights, complete hood, fenders, and use those red wheels too!   Then I could do a Rat Rod with the left-overs.  ?   I would rather trade my Woodstock for that kit.

[Danno]

Mark's suggestion would certainly work. It would give you all the right contours.

??

[89AKurt]

Found the kit on Fakebook Marketplace.

[mchook]

Great, I can't wait to see this one started.