1929 Ford Model A Roadster

[ModelcarJR]

I bought this one the other day and its a modification of the original 1929 Ford Roadster of a couple of years ago. I've gotten some paint on it but clear is still to come. I had a little bit of Tamiya Light Green Pearl and Testors Grabber Green that I wanted to use up. I am going to build the channeled version but using the steel wheels.  First, I had to straighten out the windshield frame and get the window in place. Here's a partial mock=up of what it will look like. Thanks for looking! ?

 

[OldNYJim]

Geez, that chrome sprue was all kinds of messed up.  Nice colors tho

[Dave Darby]

Liking the colors and concept. I've heard tales of those coming with warped windshield frames. Luckily mine is straight. You might check in with RoG for a replacement.  Looking fwd to seeing your finished progress.

[mrmike]

Looking good John!  I want to see what your channeled Roadster looks like.

[NOBLNG]

20 hours ago, ModelcarJR said:

First, I had to straighten out the windshield frame and get the window in place. Here's a partial mock=up of what it will look like. Thanks for looking! ?

 

 

 

Looks like you got the windshield frame straightened nicely. Be careful with the chrome on this one. I put tape on the radiator shell to protect it while handling and it peeled the chrome off. Looking good!?

Edited June 26, 2021 by NOBLNG

[SickBoy]

Good progress so far John, nice work on that windshield frame and nice color choice. I have thought about picking this kit up for a while so I will stay tuned in.

[oldscool]

Looking good so far.

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, All! I appreciate your comments!  I'm unable to use a clear lacquer due to hot and humid weather right now. So I tried the Pledge Floor Gloss (the old Future) and it worked well just brushing it on and letting it dry overnight. I also rubbed it out a bit with some Scratch X to even out the finish and get rid of the uneven sparkle. I finished the interior painting as well so now its just a matter of assembly. Here are a few pics. Thanks for looking! ?

[slusher]

Love your color choices, John. I know what your talking about with the humidity I have it also and need to paint..

[ModelcarJR]

Your right, Carl! It has rained twice this morning and its not even noon yet. It keeps the temps down but its awful for painting! 

I built the engine this morning and added plug wires. The coil wire is still loose but I've created a coil with bracket that I will attach to the firewall on the right side. I wanted to leave room for attaching the headers to the block and the exhaust pipes at the same time so I routed the wires underneath where the headers mount.I left most of the chrome parts chrome except for the carbs and alternator.  Everything looks like it fits; motor mounts line up OK and distributor fits in the firewall niche. I will blackwash the intake and carbs then mount everything before I add the air cleaners as I would probably just knock them off while mounting the engine. Thanks for looking! ?

[Zippi]

Man does that look good so far.  I picked this kit up a while back when HL had their 40% off.  probably going to be Fall before I will get around to it.  Ill be watching this one.

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Bob! I appreciate your comment! 

Well, when they re-crafted this kit (re-engineered would be too strong a word), they missed the boat! Here are some issues:

1.  The drive shaft that is indicated for the channeled version is too long. Perhaps, they mixed up the numbering in the instructions. I had to use the shorter driveshaft indicated for the highboy version, 

2.  I had to drill another hole in the transmission stem to accommodate the longer mount on the transmission crossmember to get the engine anywhere near the engine mounts. 

3.  The smaller engine that looks like a small block chevy (not indicated anywhere what it is suppose to be) does not reach the engine mounts on both sides of the frame. I probably should have elongated the mounts on the frame but I already had the rear axle in place so I was trying to line up the engine, transmission and driveshaft all in the same glue application so I had to line up the engine so that it fit into the right side engine mount and the left side is just hanging onto the edge of the slot on the engine. 

4.  The exhaust headers are much smaller and a different configuration. you can see this in the photo with the originally issued Revell 29 Ford Roadster. The exhaust header sweeps down and away from the body which is very eye-pleasing. The smaller ones in this re-crafted kit will probably rub the body. 

Here are a few photos with the previously built Highboy version of the original kit. I think you can see the difference. I'm glad I have another original kit in the wrapper so the next time I want to build a 29 Ford I'll use it. 

[Classicgas]

Looking good.  Very nice colors. 

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Lee! I appreciate your comment! 

Its on wheels! Only a few more parts to go. I understand why this is rated a "5" degree of difficulty. There are bent, broken and incomplete parts in the kit, plus parts that are better to do without.  Fore example, in addition to the bent windshield, the tie rod was broken in the kit and one of the pins on the axle to attach the tie rod was missing. Furthermore, the metal pins for the axle are too long for the front and cutting them will only make them "out of round" and unusable. They are not really necessary anyway as you can just glue the brake drum to the backing plate and it will be just fine! 

The headers were also a PITA. Its important to leave the front tailpipes loose so that they can be adjusted to fit into the end of the header and then glued in place in the muffler. In addition, the bracket on the header doesn't have any pins (I never understand why headers of exhaust manifolds are not make with pins for the side of the head) so exact placement is crucial. It is very important that if plug wires are added that they are place as low as possible so the plug boots are not in the way. I had a little trouble with one on the right side and the header bracket is a little slanted toward the front but its not very noticeable. I have to paint the radiator and attach a few more parts and this one will be done!

I will have one Highboy and one Lowboy when finished! ? Thanks for looking! ?

 

[SickBoy]

Getting really close and looking great. Your original Highboy is beautiful, fantastic pair of Fords there John. Thanks for sharing them both.

[slusher]

John, May I ask if you primered the parts you painted Grabber Green?

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Josh and Carl. I appreciate your comments! Carl, I generally primer all parts as I did with this one.  Of course, the interior pieces were painted flat white after primer and then taped off and painted Grabber Green.  Thanks for looking! ?

[Dave Darby]

Looking good John! All it needs is the grille insert painted black, and some King Bee headlights.

[ewetwo]

Beautiful!

 

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Dave and David! I appreciate your comments! 

Its done! Forgot the decal on the radiator but its on now.  Here are the pics:

[oldscool]

Looks great!

[slusher]

Beautifully done John..

[SickBoy]

Great work John, that came out beautifully. 

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Gerald, Carl and Josh! I appreciate your comments! ?

[NOBLNG]

Excellent job on this one(both of them actually)!? The colors look great on it. I agree, the exhaust system is tricky. I drilled and pinned both the header to engine and header to exhaust pipe connections.

 

Edited July 1, 2021 by NOBLNG