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

[bill-e-boy]

This coming along nicely Kurt - been watching along and am gob-smacked at the added detail you have scratched together

 

[89AKurt]

18 hours ago, bill-e-boy said:

This coming along nicely Kurt - been watching along and am gob-smacked at the added detail you have scratched together

Thank you very much!  Entering the home stretch, best chance to botch it......

A benefit of using this exotic paint, it dries fast, and is durable.  I still gave it several days to cure, today was the do or die stage.  Kept the masking on, added little spears to paint the shadow, with paint I never used before by Scale Finishes.  Marker to help find the tiny areas to paint.

While that was curing, assembled the trunk.  Picked wires from my scavenged wire collection for the battery.  Solder wire for the fuel and nitrous plumbing, using photo-etch nuts and fabricated aluminum mounts.  Added the kit box, which was scanned, reduced to scale, and printed on thin quality paper, then glued on a wood block.

Model Master pearl clear was airbrushed.

Not a perfect job, I had what I thought was fuzz under the tape and brushed away, it must have been a metal burr because it made a nasty scratch, could hear it go *sceeetchhhh*. 🤬  Botched some of the masking, tried to touch up but this paint does not brush well.  Will have to weather with bird poop and spilled beer, or something.  Next up, make new headlight mounts, what I did will just break again, new design being considered.

This is only the forth street rod I have built, the first one was when I was teen, thought I would take a picture of my junkyard.

[89AKurt]

Last night I redid the headlight mounts.  This time started with square Plastruct, shaped into a fat teardrop shape.  First mockup showed they were too long, regulations say the center should be 24" above the surface.  (1:25 scale is slightly less than 1")

After modifying, wanted to try a fingernail polish that supposed to be metallic.  Looks like aluminum to me.

This morning I tested the Scale Finishes SUPERgloss on the paint on the tape next to the trunk, did not appear to react, so airbrushed 3 layers, waiting a minute between sessions.

To avoid the temptation to touch the body, thought the car needed a horn.  This is a part that manufacturers usually overlook.  Found an "Ahooga" horn, dug deeper to find the length is 9" so I could eyeball the rest of the dimensions.   Used the drill press and Dremel to rough out the shape, then files and sanding sticks, drilled a hole in the end then used a #11 blade to turn the hole.  The rear cylinder is off center on the real thing, I didn't think it mattered.  Was finishing up with new steel wool, which caught and broke it off, but didn't wreck it. 😶

First time I've used AK Interactive Xtreme Metal to do chrome.  Tested a left over part from the kit for big part.  Their black seems to self level, at first I thought it was not going on right, did several light coats.  Did the chrome about an hour later.  I think it's better than Alclad.

Wasted time on adding Detail Master photo-etch hose clamps to the radiator hoses.  Come to find out, they are too short, and none of the other hoses work either! 🤬  What did I do wrong?

I could use electrical wire to make hoses.  Then remembered that I have braided wire, dug it out, and now I'm saved.  Chassis is back in the jig.

Mocked up some parts that are waiting for the final body - frame assembly.  It's going to be fun to get the shifter, gas pedal arm, and steering shaft to cooperate.  The horn is glued on.  Glued the headlights on too, it was a trick to get them aligned in 3 dimensions.  Sort of looks like a Model T.

I'm really ticked off about the Ford emblem, the decal stuck good when put on, and didn't want to slide into position.  So now I will have to do bug splat weathering.

Edited February 20, 2023 by 89AKurt

[Russell C]

1 hour ago, 89AKurt said:

.....  Glued the headlights on too, it was a trick to get them aligned in 3 dimensions.  Sort of looks like a Model T.

Favoring this look over the standard location on the shock towers.

[89AKurt]

Wanted to get the radiator hoses done.  Plastruct tubing, aluminum tape, solder wire, Grandt Line rivets, and I think Detail Master braided line.  Realized there is no thermostat housing, I think one is needed.

Not happy with the execution.  Broke a rule that I ignored, which is to remove paint where you glue things, and it ticked me off.

Been working on the wheels, can hardly wait to put them on, but I have to wait until everything is assembled.  Tonight I used the Dremel with a sanding drum to flatten the tires, then used a rough sanding stick to do the treads.  Got rid of the Armor All look of vinyl tires.

[Chris B]

Amazing work I love the technique you have used to simulate the leather on the seats. So you paint the base cover then just dab the secondary color on with a paper towel?

Ive been playing around with dry brushing the simulate leather on a 32 Phaeton I.m currently building but I like the look you have achieved better

Edited February 20, 2023 by Chris B

[NOBLNG]

Wow! Excellent work. Your leather seats look perfect. I for one, find your OCD to be inspiring! I just love zooming in on your photos and scrolling around to look at all the little details that make this build outstanding. Carry on Kurt!👍

[89AKurt]

9 hours ago, Chris B said:

Amazing work I love the technique you have used to simulate the leather on the seats. So you paint the base cover then just dab the secondary color on with a paper towel?

Ive been playing around with dry brushing the simulate leather on a 32 Phaeton I.m currently building but I like the look you have achieved better

If you have any synthetic sponge, try it, because the tutorial I saw used that.  The risk of using paper towel is leaving lint in the paint, but it brushes off when dry.

8 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Wow! Excellent work. Your leather seats look perfect. I for one, find your OCD to be inspiring! I just love zooming in on your photos and scrolling around to look at all the little details that make this build outstanding. Carry on Kurt!👍

Thank you.  You inspire me too. 😎

Because they are predicting another snow storm this week wanted to take advantage of using my solar paint drier (cab of pickup).  The clear pearl sure does pop in sunlight! 😮  Wet-sanded before spraying more gloss.  Despite having two obvious blemishes, this is one of my better paintjobs.

[89AKurt]

Had to restrain myself to not touch the body. 😬  Even though the paint is dry to the touch, it has the feel of "give me a big fingerprint right in the middle".

Added seatbelts.  Really simple, used left over parts from several detail packs.

Made the last Hobby Design (HD03-0384) fire extinguisher, 6 come in a package.  Discovered it has extremely tight tolerances, folded the mount inside out, so the guide grooves don't show, which made the slots for the straps too tight!  Polished that too before folding.  Have several left over nozzle parts, and 2 decals, so I could scratch-build some but the mounts would never be this fine.  For being tiny parts, these have been fun to assemble.

[Russell C]

21 hours ago, 89AKurt said:

...Made the last Hobby Design (HD03-0384) fire extinguisher, 6 come in a package. ....

Ye of so little faith that your rod won't catch on fire. Or, conversely, me of so much faith that my 37 year-old 1:1 daily driver won't catch on fire, seeing how the extinguisher I have in it is around a third or a quarter of the size in diameter and length. 😂

Edited February 22, 2023 by Russell C

[89AKurt]

2 hours ago, Russell C said:

Ye of so little faith that your rod won't catch on fire. Or, conversely, me of so much faith that my 37 year-old 1:1 daily driver won't catch on fire, seeing how the extinguisher I have in it is around a third or a quarter of the size in diameter and length. 😂

They might need to save a Tesla, never know. 🤭

Tonight it was the big hurdle, of joining the body to frame.  But first I did the polish routine with the emory cloths, but will do the final polishing/wax after it's all assembled.  Wanted to sticker bomb the trunk, various sources of decals.

Lots of cursing tonight. 🤬  Because I added so much content, it was an extremely tight fit.  All I'll say, I hate wiring distributors, there is no room with this kit.  I knew it was going to be a trick to get the steering column, plus the shifter, and the brake pedal arm to line up in unison.  But I managed. 😒  Got the coil, MSD box, and nitrous solenoid mounted.  Temporary installation of the steering wheel, windshield which needs tweaking, and brace rods.

[Kit Karson]

How is it that just when you think you've seen it all... up pops one more fantastic modification to an already stunning build! -KK

[89AKurt]

1 hour ago, Kit Karson said:

How is it that just when you think you've seen it all... up pops one more fantastic modification to an already stunning build! -KK

It's my OCD, I'm in the possessed and obsessed mode (the only way I get a model done), and I keep thinking of something else to do.  Debating about adding cup holders. 🙄  Thanks for taking a look. 😎

[89AKurt]

Finished the fuel system.  First time I ever ran a fuel line from tank to carbs.  Made a billet fuel filter from 2 sizes of stainless steel tubing.  The first time I threaded the solder wire, I mauled it so bad that I redid it.  Used brass photo-etch nuts.  I'm bummed that my hinge latch isn't working as well as before assembly, am having interference issues with the frame, nitrous bottle, and who else knows what.

The detail parts used, includes a collection of wires scavenged from dead electronic devices.   Looks okay from this distance. 😬

Redid the carb linkage lever, and added a spring, which looks like **** in this picture.  Brace rods installed, used wire insulation, and p-e steel nuts.

Glued the Model Car Garage photo-etch pedals in.

The main reason I take pictures, is to see what I've done.  Sometimes I'm half blind, even with using the light magnifying glass.  I added cigarette package foil for insulation by the headers.  I think the header pipes should have a gap from the body, everyone else who reads this before building, should watch out for that.

[Bullybeef]

Everyday I I check this thread there is just so much more detail added! Well done Kurt.

btw is this guy your secret helper? 

[89AKurt]

4 hours ago, Bullybeef said:

Everyday I I check this thread there is just so much more detail added! Well done Kurt.

btw is this guy your secret helper? 

Thank you. 😎  Was wondering if anyone would notice that ant. 🤣  I did after I took the picture, been seeing an occasional ant in the hobby room.  Years ago I had a Carpenter ant (bigger black) infestation, moved a box and a bunch swarmed out, big time pest control job.

Thought of another item, which was popular back in the day, and I never see anyone add this detail.  They are called suicide knob, necker knob, or spinner knob.  There was a large selection, so I figured nobody would say 'they never made one that looked like that.'   Had some Corian® (or another brand, same kitchen countertop material) that had tiny grains that looks to scale.  Used the drill press, Dremel with a steel bit (should have included in the picture), file, sanding sticks, steel wool, and for this metal polish.



Finally got to use the pearl tweezers that I got last year from MicroMark.  Super dicey to hold with fingers and use a drill (been there done that). 😵

My favorite thing to use, aluminum plate formed around the stretched sprue, drilled a hole for the Grandt Line rivet.  Broke a drill on this one. 🤬

Didn't need to glue onto the rim.  Molotov pen used on the rivet.

Didn't dare make it any smaller, happens to match the gear shift knob.  Since Russell Cook pointed out how stupid that giant fire extinguisher looks....

Decided to rip that out.  Turned a new bottle using the same Corian®, based on dimensions found online.  Painted with the AK Interactive chrome which I'm really digging.  Will hide the removed glue with self-adhesive black carpet.  Have one pin left over, and another decal for the bottle.

 

[horsepower]

On 1/2/2021 at 9:43 PM, 89AKurt said:

Ok thanks!

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.

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

I would put a Ford 2.3 four cylinder in it with two side draft Weber carbs, these little engines make well into the 300 horsepower range with some of the Esslinger Engineering parts. They even make a plate that bolts to the fuel injection manifold that fit a Holley four barrel carb if you don't want the Weber carbs, oh by the way a Ford produced a manifold for them, and Esslinger has a D port aluminum head that without any work flows better than the best factory OEM manifold worked to the maximum possible and the best thing about it is that it has a Ford part number and is available through a Ford parts department.

[horsepower]

On 1/18/2021 at 8:57 AM, Danno said:

I'm glad Tim said it.

I was concerned, too, about your trying to replicate a basically stock Model A from a full-bore hot rod kit and still fly it by the GSL Judges. Not likely. But that's just if you stayed true to the one or the other - your chosen subject -or- the specified "same" kit.

It occurs to me, unfortunately, the only 'sameness' between the GSL specified kit and your subject matter is that both have "1929," "Ford," and "Model A" as lineage.

PS: Having said all that, I appreciate Tim calling our attention to the 1988 SAE article. I had missed that entirely, and yet it is a subject close to my heart.  Now leaving for a deep dive into the Danno Archives.

 

??

 

You could just use one of  the roadster frames and graft on the rear crossmember from one of the earlier Model A kits and use the "buggy" rear spring and using the spring mounts and possibly even the rear axle from the '48 Ford kit or maybe the one from the AMT '41 Hot Rod Woodie. Not much different than using a different engine and trans, or changing the interior and I almost guarantee that there will be a lot of that going on.

[89AKurt]

4 hours ago, horsepower said:

You could just use one of  the roadster frames and graft on the rear crossmember from one of the earlier Model A kits and use the "buggy" rear spring and using the spring mounts and possibly even the rear axle from the '48 Ford kit or maybe the one from the AMT '41 Hot Rod Woodie. Not much different than using a different engine and trans, or changing the interior and I almost guarantee that there will be a lot of that going on.

It will be interesting to see how far some builders will take it.  Last time it was the Tamiya VW Beetle, what won First place, there was nothing from the interior of the kit in the model.  I just wanted to finish this and not have another Bring Back Your Dead candidate.

Fire extinguisher has been replaced.  It's all chrome or polished aluminum.  Made the mount from aluminum plate, aluminum tape for the strap.  Added carpet only to the passenger side, driver side is rubber mat meant for business.

The kit has 3 size headlights, I couldn't leave the small ones alone, and I like rally race cars, so it seemed like a natural.  Did the HID bulbs again with the blue bulb.  The spacing is what they were on the sprue.  Guess I'll nickname it Four Eyes.

[Straightliner59]

That fire bottle looks mucho better! Nice touch with the suicide knob, too!

[Steve H]

Kurt, if you add more details you’re going to need a trailer to put them in!! Love this build sir. Between your creative mind and OCD you always have great ideas, and fantastic craftsmanship. I need to go back and look thru the thread again, but the trunk latch, and the “leather” seat are fantastic. Thanks for sharing, and for all the detailed photos.
 

Cheers, Steve

[89AKurt]

12 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

That fire bottle looks mucho better! Nice touch with the suicide knob, too!

Thank you!

8 hours ago, Steve H said:

Kurt, if you add more details you’re going to need a trailer to put them in!! Love this build sir. Between your creative mind and OCD you always have great ideas, and fantastic craftsmanship. I need to go back and look thru the thread again, but the trunk latch, and the “leather” seat are fantastic. Thanks for sharing, and for all the detailed photos.
Cheers, Steve

😅 No kidding!  Thanks for your comment, pleasure to share such a build, even with the mistakes.  Have to admit the trunk latch isn't working as well as before final assembly. 😒

I should have been working, but since I'm self-employed, and have no discipline, and was so close to finishing, I finished.  The only thing I will do is slight road trip weathering, such as bug splats and a little dust.  Modified the kit mirror to go with the windshield mount.

Since I added more lights, then I better put on a license plate light, not having a working light is enough to get pulled over.  Bent polished aluminum plate, glued in stretched clear sprue with testers canopy glue.  Russell Cook and I collaborated on license plates, I had them printed, sprayed Deft varnish, stuck on with canopy glue too.  Then added photo-etch screw heads.  Then I glued on the wheels, and finally the door handles.

Considered done.  Super annoyed it's a tripod.

Who needs a good windshield frame?  I know those tend to get wrecked by the tight packaging.

Edited February 24, 2023 by 89AKurt

[Bullybeef]

Bravo! Bravo! 
 

[Danno]

Nice.

[Kit Karson]

ABSOLUTELY