'53 Ford Pro-Touring

[Phildaupho]

I have always been a fan of the Carrera Panamericana road race both the original and the revival and the cars that participated. Other open road races in the USA have created a style of automobiles that that have become known as Pro-Touring. A couple of years ago I built a ’64 Fairlane Thunderbolt as my take of a Pro-Touring version of the Holman and Moody road course 427 Fairlane. At the time I had the intension of doing similar modifications to a ’53 Ford.  ’52 to ’54 Fords have participated in both the original and revival Panamericana. So the back story on my model is that it will be a car that was built for the Panamericana and later modified in the pro-touring style.

The wheelwells have been raised but the stock shape retained. The bumpers were dechromed and guards removed. [Interesting to find that the chrome was plated over black plastic]. In front an air dam with splitter was added below the bumper. Out back a lip spoiler was installed on the trunk. The interior has the custom seats and console from the AMT 57 Ford. The suspension was lowered using parts from the Revell '57 Chev which feature big brakes. The optional wheels and tires from the kit are also used.

I am pretty sure the engine will be a Ford Y-block which this body style would have had for the Panameriocana from '54 onwards but for this version it will be supercharged. This is the Thunderbolt on which the modifications to the '53 are based.

 

[stitchdup]

Cool project, I'd be tempted to put a toyota engine in to see how many people get the link but I might be strange

[espo]

You mention the black plastic on the bumpers. Wonder if this has to do with the chroming proses, much like the base coat for chrome spray paints. Are you thinking of adding the '54 model year side trim or leave the body sides smooth?  Have you finalized the front wheel well openings?  Maybe consider a shape that reflects the shape of the rear wheel well opening. Like the concept and the interior should really look good. 

[Steve H]

Hi Phil, this will be a great project! You know me, I love pro touring cars. I will be watching sir, looks like we will have a similar theme for the exterior. 
Cheers, Steve

[Phildaupho]

15 hours ago, stitchdup said:

Cool project, I'd be tempted to put a toyota engine in to see how many people get the link but I might be strange

Thanks Les - I have to admit I do not get the Toyota connection, although I do have an AMT 67 Mustang Fast & Furious reissue that has an optional Toyota like engine so that may be where the link lies?

45 minutes ago, espo said:

You mention the black plastic on the bumpers. Wonder if this has to do with the chroming proses, much like the base coat for chrome spray paints. Are you thinking of adding the '54 model year side trim or leave the body sides smooth?  Have you finalized the front wheel well openings?  Maybe consider a shape that reflects the shape of the rear wheel well opening. Like the concept and the interior should really look good. 

Thanks David - I think you are correct about black being a base coat for chrome but I do not think I had ever seen it in a kit before, I had hoped to chisel off the stock front wheel well lip and move it up but was unsuccessful so had to form the lip with Evergreen half round so the shape will stay pretty much as is.

42 minutes ago, Steve H said:

Hi Phil, this will be a great project! You know me, I love pro touring cars. I will be watching sir, looks like we will have a similar theme for the exterior. 
Cheers, Steve

Thanks Steve - I figured this might catch your eye. 

[SpikeSchumacher]

I like were this is going Phil ?

[stitchdup]

37 minutes ago, Phildaupho said:

Thanks Les - I have to admit I do not get the Toyota connection, although I do have an AMT 67 Mustang Fast & Furious reissue that has an optional Toyota like engine so that may be where the link lies?

i meant the sponsor sticker on the rear quarters

[Steve H]

4 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

i meant the sponsor sticker on the rear quarters

Ha! Good eye Les! I was wondering about that “connection” also. 
Phil, how about a twin turbo Toyota powered Ford?! Definitely different….

[Zippi]

Going to be a Great looking car once finished.  So far looking pretty good and, nice wheels.  

[Phildaupho]

The engine I am using in my ’53 Ford Pro-Touring is the excellent Y-Block from the Revell ’57 Ford. I had to finish it first to establish its placement within the engine compartment and the location of motor mounts, radiator, cooling hoses etc. It now has a 5-speed transmission from the AMT Phantom Vickie, a Latham supercharger from the AMT ’25 Model T [which is something I have been wanting to use on something since the ’25 was first came out 60 years] and the generator was replaced with an alternator.

[SpikeSchumacher]

That's a sweet looking motor Phil?

[espo]

Like your engine choice. The Latham super charger would be era correct as well as looking good here. 

[Phildaupho]

I have made some progress getting all the under body assembled including interior, engine compartment and chassis

[Zippi]

Looking good so far.  Reminds me of the 1954 Oldsmobile Fantom Works built for a fellow for the thousand-mile road race. 

[slusher]

A great subject for a build,, really nice work!

[Andy Oldenburg]

A really fine build! Nice ideas and good details. Will you give it a used and weathered look? Straight from the race?

[Phildaupho]

6 hours ago, Andy Oldenburg said:

A really fine build! Nice ideas and good details. Will you give it a used and weathered look? Straight from the race?

Thanks Andreas - Interesting idea. I have never done any weathering so may give it consideration.

[rickcaps55]

On 2/11/2023 at 3:06 PM, Phildaupho said:

The engine I am using in my ’53 Ford Pro-Touring is the excellent Y-Block from the Revell ’57 Ford. I had to finish it first to establish its placement within the engine compartment and the location of motor mounts, radiator, cooling hoses etc. It now has a 5-speed transmission from the AMT Phantom Vickie, a Latham supercharger from the AMT ’25 Model T [which is something I have been wanting to use on something since the ’25 was first came out 60 years] and the generator was replaced with an alternator.

Got to love that power plant awesome going to look great in that 53.!!

[customline]

This is pretty cool. The post-shoebox Ford body is a big favorite of mine. The Y-block is a great choice for this and this one looks great. I have 2 of these kits waiting for me to get some inspiration and now I believe I have some. Nice work on the trim channels, looks good smoothed out.

Edited May 9, 2023 by customline
Added text

[Phildaupho]

I have completed my '53 Ford Pro-Touring and have posted it Under Glass with a link below but I could not resist adding temporary Carrera Panamericana decals for this final WIP post.

 

Edited May 30, 2023 by Phildaupho

[Starwulf]

The Fast & Furious 67 Mustang has a poor attempt at a Nissan RB26DETT from an R34 Skyline. Only recent import power plant that's AMT -and- well done oob is the MK4 Supra.