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'59 Ford wagon fire chief car


Maindrian Pace

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This car is mostly finalized, so here's an abbreviated build thread.

Upcoming club theme - fire apparatus. I've never built anything fire related. But that's what the build themes are for, to get you to do something different. Many, many years ago, (like 25 plus) I got a '59 Ford wagon promo interior and window glass from another club member. It hung around for a long time, until one day I bought a resin Jimmy Flintstone wagon body and bumpers on ebay. And that's as far as it got. Fast forward 5-6 years later, and wondering what to do for the fire theme, it hit me - this car as a rat rod, maybe with a Tasmanian Devil fire man theme. The wheels were going to be resin open steelies, but the decision was made to use the Pegasus Astro Supremes, which automatically turn it into a lowrider. A Revell '57 Ranchero built-up parts car was used for the chassis and engine, or what can be seen of it as the hood doesn't open. I shaved a whole bunch off the top of the chassis to clear the interior tub.

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The first mock-up, almost all the lights and fire gear are from the parts box.

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Needs a tube grille, so I cut the stock mesh out, glued in a sheet styrene backer, and used Evergreen half round for the grille bars. I will get the bumpers chromed.

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In primer after the first round of body work.

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I had second thoughts about doing the whole roof in gold, that's a lot of gold. Maybe just the ribbed area? Still lots of gold, and not custom enough. So naturally, that leaves scallops.

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After a few experimental layouts, I decided on roof-length spikes on the sides, and two spikes in the middle to frame the beacon.

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I was considering some on the sides, but that might be a little much with the chrome, lettering, and emblems. This seems like it should be enough.

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18 hours ago, GLMFAA1 said:

looking good. Would the gold look good in the side trim?

A nice big old mechanical Federal Q between two gumballs on the roof would be period correct.

greg

 

I have a siren from a Johan police car, and it will play prominently in this build. Interesting idea on the gold in the side trim, I might have to experiment with that. Masking tape on BMF usually doesn't end well, so it would have to be hand applied. Maybe a gold ink pen would work.

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