On-Line How-To: Completing a 53-year modeling project: The 1st-version Prock&Howell Flip-Top '33 Willys Gasser

[TimKustom]

Enjoyed your story!

Stalled projects seem look to be thing. I've pulled on out I started in 1997 that hasn't really been out of the box in about 20 years. Thought, what am I waiting for? Ain't gettin' any younger! LOL.

[tim boyd]

  On 12/20/2021 at 4:17 AM, TimKustom said:

Enjoyed your story!

Stalled projects seem look to be thing. I've pulled on out I started in 1997 that hasn't really been out of the box in about 20 years. Thought, what am I waiting for? Ain't gettin' any younger! LOL.

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Thanks Tim.  Yes, it's a very special feeling when you finish a project you started years, or even decades, ago.  Warts and all. 

Half the battle is learning to accept - and embrace - the flaws of your earlier work and - if that is how you choose to role - not redoing work you've already done because it does not meet current standards of the hobby.  At least that is the challenge I have learned - and am still learning - to overcome. 

Bet many of us would love to see your own 1997 stalled project, too!   Cheers....TIM 

[alan barton]

I feel your pain!  And I do believe that the longer you have spent on a project, the less likely you are to go back and redo things.  In the case of paint, stripping back to original bodywork can open all sorts of worm containers!  I'm with you on this one, the finished car looks great - this is the first time I have seen this colour scheme - and you will enjoy seeing it on your shelf a lot more than knowing it is buried in a box! 

 

We can always try harder on the next one!

Cheers

Alan

[bobthehobbyguy]

Sorry to hear about the paint issues. The moral to the story is to use a sealer to avoid such issues. I am looking forward to seeing the finished model.

[tim boyd]

  On 12/20/2021 at 7:22 PM, bobthehobbyguy said:

Sorry to hear about the paint issues. The moral to the story is to use a sealer to avoid such issues. I am looking forward to seeing the finished model.

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Bob....that's what I concluded I should have done, too, at least initially. 

However, other paint issues suggest to me that may not have been the only causal issue. 

Specifically, when I rubbed out polished the paint, the cloth consistently showed green residue.  That should not have happened, as there were two wet coats of AlClad Gloss Clear on top of the Candy Green.   It's almost as though the Clear attacked all the underneath coats of paint, kind of turning them into a single big jelly of a mess.  Well, that's overstating it, but still I wonder exactly what was going on here.   This is the first time I've experienced such an issue in nearly 60 years of building and hundreds of completed models.  It was, however, my first experience wth AlClad Candy and Clear paints.

Should have images of the finished model in a few days. 

Thx for the feedback....TIM 

 

 

[chris chabre]

CANT WAIT!!! Even when you have paint issues, it looks killer

[bobthehobbyguy]

Definitely a strange issue on the paint. It does seem that the clear caused some issues. Hopefully the paint will cure.

[tim boyd]

Project Completion:

While the Prock and Howell replication process sounded easy when I began it 53 years ago this month as a 14-year-old, the truth turned out to be quite something else. Resizing the chassis/interior/suspension to fit underneath the diminutive Willys body nagged the build process all the way to completion. Further, while I did not go back and redo my original work from back in the day, if there was an opportunity to add details that are commensurate with current model car building standards, I made an attempt to do so. I also allowed myself some flexibility in accuracy – such as the kit-based inside the frame headers I used vs. having to scratchbuilt the over-the -frame rails headers of the real car. 

I am posting just a few of the pictures of the completed project here.  If you want to see the entire album of pictures of the finished project, please click here.  

(Note - just after I completed this photo session, I cleaned up the residual wax on the door edge and door sills!)   

In a few days I will post in the "under glass" section of this Forum some images of a just-completed meet-up of my 1st version Prock and Howell Gasser replica with Steve Perry's semi-scratchbuilt 2nd version Prock and Howell Gasser replica that was a Model Cars Magazine cover story and among the most consequential model car projects of the first decade of the 21st century.....along with a more complete explanation of why I dug out the 53 year old partially completed bunch of parts and completed it during the latter half of 2021.

 

Thanks again for your interest and encouraging feedback. I hope you enjoy the story of how I completed my scale Prock & Howell Gasser model, and that it may inspire you to dig out one of your own long-delayed model projects and bring it to completion using the resources and techniques now available to us in the modern world of model car building.  Good Luck and Best Regards....TIM

Edited December 24, 2021 by tim boyd

[R. Thorne]

Thank you, sir, for taking the considerable time and effort to post these pictures and comments.  Your passion for the hobby is self evident in your replies to others and willingness to help.  Sorry, but my ocd shows the black hub is still there (lol).  Merry Christmas.

[tim boyd]

  On 12/24/2021 at 7:35 PM, R. Thorne said:

Thank you, sir, for taking the considerable time and effort to post these pictures and comments.  Your passion for the hobby is self evident in your replies to others and willingness to help.  Sorry, but my ocd shows the black hub is still there (lol).  Merry Christmas.

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Sure looks like you are right on that.  What was I thinking (:))?.  Gotta add that fix to the post completion treaks list. 

And same to you, Ron, and your family; Merry Christmas.   TIM   

[TransAmMike]

Your builds are second to none Tim.  I remember following you and Don Yosts' articles and tips in Scale Auto Magazine....and probably they inspired me to be a better builder (tho I'm sure not close to being  there yet).  Thanks for posting on here.

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

Cool build and an even better story. -RRR

[tim boyd]

  On 12/24/2021 at 7:35 PM, R. Thorne said:

Thank you, sir, for taking the considerable time and effort to post these pictures and comments.  Your passion for the hobby is self evident in your replies to others and willingness to help.  Sorry, but my ocd shows the black hub is still there (lol).  Merry Christmas.

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Ron....happy to report to you that I refinished the blower belt idler pulley in silver this evening.  Took about two minutes and yes, it looks oh so much better.  Thanks for keeping on me on this. 

Best...TIM 

[tim boyd]

Thanks very much to all of you who have posted comments on this build as well as the story behind it.  Glad to hear it hit a resonate tone with you.   

And looking forward to seeing a least a few other resurrected drag racing projects here in the future.

Very best to you all...TIM 

[Snake45]

VERY cool project, Tim, and beautiful finished model! You are inspiring me to restore/rescue/rebuild my old MPC Mr. Unswitchable, which is currently in pieces, and maybe even do something with my old Dick Harrell '69 Camaro, which has a killer chassis that needs some repair but could stand a whole new body. Maybe 2022 will be the year! Model on! 

[R. Thorne]

Great job, Tim, as usual.  I feel better, now (lol).  Glad you took my comments in the helpful vein that they were intended.