GSL-XXVIII COMMON KIT BUILD '29 FORD XPU MOCKUP

[Kit Karson]

Update: No real progress on the '29 TNR Tow Truck... waiting on the rear rims to get back from Hendley's Machine Shop!  As soon as they do, the '28 XPU will be back on the bench! -KK

[Kit Karson]

If you recall... a few items were sent off to Hendley's Machine Shop back in ‎February...

Rear tires from the Monogram Black Widow Hot Rod...

A pair of rims from the Revell '57 Chevy Belair...

'28 XPU Rear BW Tires & '57 Belair Rims not a match...

Hendley's Machine Shop turned the rims down and...

...set out to shape the hoops to band the rims & tires together...

Hoops from Hendley's Machine Shop...

'28 XPU Rear BW Tires & '57 Belair Rims

Deep & Deeper

Thanks, John! -KK

Edited November 26, 2022 by Kit Karson
Text correction...

[NOBLNG]

They sure do nice work! Those look great!?

[Joe Nunes]

Those tires look great!? 

Joe

[Kit Karson]

Just got the rear rubber back from Hendley's Machine Shop! John did a top-notch job mating the kustom hoops and placing them as the meat in a kool kustom set of rear rims & tires for the '28 Ford XPU!!! -KK

Oh! Wait!! What about the TNR's trailer?

Trailer is 140 inches front to back & the '29 TNR has a 120-inch wheelbase!  Should fit perfectly! -KK

[tim boyd]

Coming together oh so nicely!!!   TB 

[Kit Karson]

Been discussing mockups with @Dennis Lacy @Rocking Rodney Rat & @Speedpro... here are the finalists:

Short bed & full hood

Short bed w/o hood

Long bed & full hood

Long bed w/o hood

115" vs 120" Wheelbase

Considerations:

Pulling a trailer with '29 TNR behind...

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated, -KK

[bobthehobbyguy]

My vote is short box and no hood. 

[OldNYJim]

I like the long bed, no hood…but with the shorter wheelbase ??

(I know that wasn’t an option).

Looking GREAT - keep going!!!

[Kit Karson]

On 12/8/2022 at 12:00 PM, bobthehobbyguy said:

My vote is short box and no hood. 

 

14 hours ago, CabDriver said:

I like the long bed, no hood…but with the shorter wheelbase ??

(I know that wasn’t an option)

OK, guys!  That's the difference between West Coast & the East Coast!  -KK

[bobthehobbyguy]

I think this is close to look .

[Kit Karson]

17 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

I think this is close to look .

Busted!  POSIES Rods and Customs- ThunderRoad has had a major impact on the overall appearance less the tube chassis & contemporary engine. -KK 

[Kit Karson]

On 1/15/2022 at 9:43 PM, 89AKurt said:

Maybe we should contact GSL to get clarification on the rules (or if someone on this forum is part of GSL and knows Gustavson).  I could be disqualified since my plan is to use only the chassis and wheels, with a different kit for the hood, doors, fenders, plus a totally scratch-built "body" for the back.

I love your idea, club cabs are a popular customization for any era.  I'm gonna take a break, and steal ideas from you. ?

 

On 1/11/2022 at 10:44 AM, mrm said:

This would be a great project, however the judges may give you hard time over the body. Based on your previous builds, I would expect that the frame rails and the front axle are going to be about the only parts left from the ‘29 kit. The way I read the rules is that it has to be more or less a 29 roadster, no matter how modified. 
   Either way, I’m following this one as I have been playing around with the same idea in my head, except on a ‘32 base. 

Backstage efforts have brought the question to those in charge... a discussion has ensued regarding the presents of said part being included or possibly being excluded/omitted in an entrant's entry in the Common Kit Class for the GSL Finale.  Look for a heads up and if you haven't already signed up for the GSL-XXVIII email: www.gslchampionship.org

[Kit Karson]

@Russell Cshared these photo-shopped pictures of the '28 XPU over at: 

 

[Kit Karson]

Consideration regarding incorporating the roadster body in the '28 XPU build seems to be on the table once again.  Seems there are a few members here that based on previous GSL events, this will be my first (& last) time attending, are concerned that the Common Kit Class intent has always required the kit body be part of the build!  So, here's the way I see this: Use the '28 XPU & Vintage Tag-a-Long as the display stand for the '29 TNR or Combine the chopped up '28 Sedan body with the '29 Roadster body.  Film at 11, on that...

I'm so excited on so many levels and with time diminishing rapidly, do I drop one in favor of the other? Are there enough parts from the Revell '29 Roadster kit already planned to be used on the '28 XPU to qualify as is or should that matter if the roadster body is/is not present? -KK

[bobthehobbyguy]

I'd keep the pickup body as it is. It's really cool.

[Kit Karson]

22 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

I'd keep the pickup body as it is. It's really cool.

Here's the Catch 22 in going forward on the '28 XPU... most would agree that the chopped up '28 Sedan body is pretty kool, but if the GSL-XVIII Common Kit Class distinction is having to build upon the kit's roadster body as an absolute, that disqualifies the extended cab as it currently exists.  So, to comply with the intent as interpreted by the judges in past GSL common kit classes that required that every entrant start with the same kit body, changes must be considered.  Film at 11!

 

[Kit Karson]

'28 XPU Kowl conversion to incorporate the '29 Roadster Kowl & Doors... I'm liking it! -KK

Envision the belt line on the '28 XPU being replaced with the '29 roadster's belt line... now the '29 doors & kowl forward of the back doorline on the '28 XPU body:

Looks like it'd come together, right?

There's a way to address the difference:

A couple of V-Cuts before removing the '28 kowl!

Think the windshield frame will fit after the stanchions are removed...

@Rocking Rodney Ratwhere's the Sawzall? -KK

Edited December 23, 2022 by Kit Karson
Text correction...

[bobthehobbyguy]

Interesting. I was concerned you were going to change it a lot. These changes look great. 

[Kit Karson]

Don't know how this got past earlier inspection... while doing the measures for the '28 to '29 XPU conversion turns out the driver's side opera window is a smidge wider than the one on the passenger's side!

Might have to address a couple of the x-bars...

If you look close on the right side the cut line crosses the end of the white brace just enough to leave a ledge to mate the body panel back together... -KK

[Kit Karson]

Had a morning alone in the house and a few minutes at the bench. Checked out the blade width of the saws involved:

The cut line crosses the end of the white brace that has already been severed from the forward bracing in the center...

The amount of material that needs to be removed is just a tad more than the thickness of the saw blade...

Not quite through at the brace until more of the cut is completed...

Change saws to the middle sized of the three being used...

Thinnest blade saws over the edge of the curved roof side...

Back to the final point connecting the two cut edges with the white brace...

Working the edges with all forms of material removal aids and banding the perimeter then clamping the inner bracing together all the seams were bonded! A little CA and sanding dust in the seam over cuts saves on putty! Happy New Year! -KK

ps Next up converting the AMT '28 into a Revell '29...

 

Edited December 31, 2022 by Kit Karson
Add Text

[NOBLNG]

Wow, very meticulous work KK!??? I would have just filed the one opera window bigger likely….?.

[Kit Karson]

This is where the '28 XPU progress towards the '29 In-Mind:

We'll klean this up...

...and grow the XPU a year newer! (Do the math!) -KK

[Kit Karson]

On 1/7/2022 at 11:02 AM, Kit Karson said:

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.

Starting with an original AMT '28 Ford Sedan body & doors sent to me several years ago from another brother from another mother out in Portland, OR.

The body has been around the block and back!  But way too kool to leave in the body bin, right?

After a couple of weeks in the purple pond (no kidding)

 

Lots of scrubbing...

Kouldn't get the top striped!

Here's the plan:

Here's the inspiration:

 

Happy New Year! 

Universal email dated 1/1/2023 Revised:

COMMON KIT

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; iii) use any body from another 1929 Ford kit but may not use a complete aftermarket resin body; and iv) use any building materials, techniques or technologies without restriction.

This announcement from the GSL Board of Trustees changes the direction of the '28 Ford XPU.

Next up the '28 changes to a '29 and loses a year off its waist and narrowing the brow over the kowl won't hurt it's looks at all! -KK

[tim boyd]

9 hours ago, Kit Karson said:

Happy New Year! 

Universal email dated 1/1/2023 Revised:

COMMON KIT

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; iii) use any body from another 1929 Ford kit but may not use a complete aftermarket resin body; and iv) use any building materials, techniques or technologies without restriction.

This announcement from the GSL Board of Trustees changes the direction of the '28 Ford XPU.

Next up the '28 changes to a '29 and loses a year off its waist and narrowing the brow over the kowl won't hurt it's looks at all! -KK

 

Glad to see this clarification from Mark and the boys.   Kit, I immediately thought of you when I read their email yesterday.  This is a good change and I'm glad to see it made, both for you and for anyone else pondering a Common Kite entry for 2023.   TIM