1940's hotrod 1929 Ford Roadster ****UPDATED 7-18-09!****

[Dennis Lacy]

My favorite era of hot rodding is the immeadiate post-war, 1946-1948 and the roadsters that were built and raced in Southern California during those years. As such, that is the era the inspiritation for this build comes from. I would also like to say that I had the rough sketch in my head and had planned to tackle the build farther down the line, but it was MCM member 'GBK1' and his pair of traditional roadster builds that got me to move this project up to the front burner.

The starting point for this project is AMT's '29 Roadster and my intention is to transform it into the quintissential post-war SoCal hotrod. It will be built as a fenderless A-V8, which is a model A Ford body and chassis retro-fitted with a V8 engine.

In these first two pictures the modified AMT frame is shown next to an un-modified frame (red) for reference. AMT gives you the option of using the stock center crossmember or what loosely resembles a modified '32 Ford center crossmember without it's forward diagonal braces. Retro-fitting the '32 center crossmember was and is one of the most popular ways to mount a V8 engine and trans in a model A frame so I used the '32-style piece and added diagonal braces made from the front sections of the center x-member pieces found in the line of Revell '37 Fords. The flange running the length of the rear of the front crossmember was removed and engine mount brackets were made by cutting up the original model A center crossmember giving the appearance that heavy c-channel was used. The brackets attached to the outside of the frame rails were carved out of some parts box license plate brackets and are where the split-wishbone radius rods attach. The headlight brackets were made from sections of the roadsters stock rear bumper bracket. The pin extending through the drivers-side rail mounts the steering gear and pitman arm from one of Revell's model A kits. AMT also moulded-on the stock front and rear lever shocks, they were removed.

This close-up shows the modified front crossmember and engine mount brackets carved out of the roadster kits un-used, stock center crossmember. Waste not!

The basis for the front suspension is the dropped axle from Revell's 1940 coupe / convertible. The model A spring from a stock Revell front axle was used. A side-steering adaptor (the small blue piece) was also fashioned from one of the upper a-arms from the independant front suspension found in Revell's '37 Ford kits. The split wishbones (not shown) were made from the stock front wishbone from an AMT '32 Ford Vicky kit. The tierod will be from the '40 kit, and the steering gear, pitman arm, draglink and shocks will be from the Revell model A's. The '40 kit drum brake plates will be used.

The rear axle and spring are from the roadster kit. The spring was de-arched as much as possible to lower the rear stance. Using the stock, un-dropped front axle from a Revell '40 kit, the wheel spindles were cut away and installed. Like the front, the '40 kit drum brake plates will be used as well as Revell model A shocks.

The Flathead V8 engine and trans come from Revell's '40 kits. The back of the trans was modified with a correct-looking u-joint cap for the torque tube drive. This piece was cut off of the roadster kits stock 4-cylinders engine/trans.

These next two pictures show the engine and rear axle assembly mocked up in the frame.

More to come...

Edited July 18, 2009 by Dennis Lacy

[Dennis Lacy]

The dual exhaust system for my roadster is made from sections of the exhaust systems found in the Revell '32 and '37 kits. Each section was joined by drilling the ends of the 'pipes' and pinning them together with some small diameter plastic rod and bonded using Zap A Gap. The engines headers are from Revell's '40 coupe / convertible and have had the chrome stripped.

More to come...

[Dennis Lacy]

When converting the AMT '29 Roadster to a fenderless hotrod using the kit body and frame, one of the biggest obstacles to overcome is what to do about the floor as the kit floor and fenders are moulded as one big unit. After much thought and planning, the fenders and running boards were carved away leaving only the floor section. After thorough cleanup, the floor was then permanently installed into the body and the seams at the bottoms of the wheel wells blended. After this operation, there is a gap on either side of the center floor. I have not decided what to do about this... yet.

The roadster kit provides two firewalls. The stock piece and a custom piece for use with the kits optional early Dodge Hemi engine. I chose to use the custom firewall as its shape and reliefs accomodate the shape of the flathead V8 nicely, providing clearance in all the right places as if it were intentional.

The use of a '32 Ford radiator shell on a model A was a widely popular way to update and some would say 'improve' the looks of '31 and older Ford vehicles. This shell and insert come from the Revell '32 roadster. It was also very common to have a custom-made hood. I cut away the stock '29 hood sides leaving the top then sanded away the center hinge seam giving it the appearance of a 1-piece top. The sides were made by cutting down the louvered sides also found in Revell's '32 roadster kit.

Another appearance 'must' on a hot rod roadster is shorten or 'chop' the windsield down to a shorter height for a more aggressive look. I chopped the stock windshield 3/16". The posts flare out as they continue upward and after removing the sections the top piece was too long. I put a curve to it which shortened it the correct amount and the curve matches the curve of the bottom of the frame. I also trimmed the dashboard from Monogram's '32 roadster kit to fit as it has period correct gauge detail and retro-fitting a '32 dash in a model A has a always been popular.

More to come...

[Dennis Lacy]

And now for one of the most exciting moments in a build, the first mock-up on all 4 wheels! Speaking of wheels, they come from Revell's '48 convertible. The front tires AMT Firestones that can be found in just about all of their early Ford hotrod kits. The rear tires are some taller Firestones and I have no idea where they're from. I found two pair of them amongst my dad's old models and parts he's had since the '60's.

The windshield will lean back a little more when final installed. It would not stay 'sitting' in position. Also notice that the car is not drastically lowered as even when lowered back in the day the cars were generally not slammed to the ground.

With the custom hood and '32 shell removed the engine fit can be seen. The intake manifold started as the 3-carburetor piece found in Revell's '48 convertible. The front carb riser was removed essentially converting the intake to a 2-carb street manifold which will allow the generator to be mounted in its stock, centered position. This was a necessity in order to use a full hood as the offset-mounted generator from the Revell '40 kits interfered. This will also allow the use of the stock pulleys and mechanical fan from the '48 kit.

Also shown is the Revell model A steering gear and column installed, which the header from the Revell '40 kits fit around perfectly.

That's where I'm at as of now, more to come soon!

[Bernard Kron]

Oh Dennis! I'm just completing the same sort of build, based on the Replicas and Miniatures Co. of Md. transkit, but this just takes my breath away! Your digging deep into the bones of the unloved AMT kit (which I think has a very nice sense of detail to it) to get the most out of it. I don't think you could achieve the fine detail and accuracy you are getting any other way. I will now rush to complete mine so that I can relax and enjoy following your build. It will be a delight.

With all the effort and exquisite realism and precision you are putting into this build. the only suggestion I might make would be to use the Replicas & Miniatures grille shell and p/e grill. Besides the obvious impact of the p/e grill, it also comes with two superb radiators with engraving on both sides, one radiator for modern motors and one for Flatheads.

[Smart-Resins]

Very nice so far. Love all of the little things you have added on! Jody

[CB]

Wow, Dennis. That's some really nice work you do. I see you gots Bernard all ga-ga with your period correct building. Me too. So cool to learn something about this really cool cars. Really interesting that they weren't originally called 'hot rods' . Can't wait to see more of this.

Just re-read more of the post, and see that Bernard inspired you to get busy with this. That's great! I too, have loved Bernard's builds so much I am doing R&D on my atom reducing machine so's I can reduce myself to 1/25 scale and cruise in some of his rods

(so if you see a little longhair hangin around yer builds, Bernard, you'll know I finally figgered it out )

[Dennis Lacy]

Bernard: Thank you very much for your compliments. If you notice it was your roadster builds that got me motivated to move this project up. I only got back into building last year (after 10 years off!) and was going to save this project for later, once I honed my skills some more. But, so far I'm very pleased with my efforts. I'm looking forward to seeing your roadsters finished too!

Your suggestion in regards to the radiator shell and P/E grill insert is a good one. I've never worked with aftermarket resin parts or P/E. In the two builds I completed last year I flowed thinned black paint between the grill bars and it looked pretty good. I was planning to modify the '29 radiator to work with the flathead. Hmm...

Jody: Thanks! It's always the little things!

CB: Thank you! I never anticipated a reply with a pink smiley with hearts, haha. It's all good, I'm glad he likes it so much!

Yeah, the 'hot rod' moniker actually started out as a negative label put on by the public and media describing some of the less than desirable antics by some of the young guys with their modifid cars. Then the term became so common-place it stuck and ultimately became 'the word' (and a magazine!)

[Bryce]

Cool project - nice work so far!

[Dr. Cranky]

Excellent work so far. Keep it going, please.

[Raul_Perez]

Dennis,

That is looking really cool!! I also like hotrods from that era. Here's a couple of pics from a similar build that I did several years ago, but in mine I used the flathead engine from the AMT '34 Ford.

Keep up the GREAT work and thanks for sharing,

[bigphoto]

Wow that is a way cool build I think I am gonna do something similar in 1/87th for a friends RR setup!!

[noname]

I really like early drag cars, and these early hot rods often found their way to the quarter mile or salt flats. So I really did this build and the era accurate detail your putting into this. Keep up the good work.

[Fletch]

Dennis, the work on your roadster is incredible. The attention to the small details it what makes the difference between a good and a GREAT build. I have scanned through the build several times to see where you are in the progress. Today I read through the build instead of scanning through it. Having built several of the AMT '29, never even thought about why they had you change the cross member. Good thing I read through your explanation as I have a '29 Roadster Pickup build that I am about 3/4 of the way through. The hold up on the build was the rear engine cross member, but no longer. Thank you for your attention to detail.

I look forward to seeing this under glass.

Dave

[Robert81]

Amazing, the AMT Model A roadster is not seen built very often. Yours is looking amazing.

Got to love a Traditional Hot Rod, I know I do.

I built one early last year, it was more of a early 60's style.

[Dennis Lacy]

Thank you, EVERYONE, for your very positive comments! This build has been a lot of fun and I'm sure it will continue to be. It always helps when your building what you love.

Raul: I've seen your roadster build on your Fotki several times and like it a lot. It's very representative of what a nice street-going roadster would have looked like. I wasn't aware that the AMT '34 kits come with speed parts for the early 21-stud flathead. Those must be included in the stock versions of the cars. I have the street rod versions of both the sedan and coupe, neither of which includes any stock parts. Gonna have to get me the stock versions!

Fletch: Thank you and I'm glad my postings could shed some light on your project. This forum is invalueable like that. Many times from reading postings on here my proverbial lightbulb has turned on, like with your '32 Victoria build for example!

[Fletch]

Dennis, FYI the AMT '34 Stock Version does have speed parts for the 21 stud flat head. Unless you happen to get lucky and find a shop that still has the "Stock" version of the '34 5 Window you'll find it's no longer available. However, the current release of the "34 5 Window Street rod version comes with all the parts from the stock as well as the street rod version. Most shops have no idea that booth versions are in the same box. AMT added a "2 in1" logo to the box but never announced that they were releasing it as a 2 in 1. It's the best value in the current AMT line still retailing for around $15. Short of a second body and frame you get 2 full kits in one box. The speed parts for the 21 stud are pretty nice.

[Raul_Perez]

...Raul: I wasn't aware that the AMT '34 kits come with speed parts for the early 21-stud flathead. Those must be included in the stock versions of the cars...

Correct, Dennis. Only the stock version of the AMT '34 Ford 5 window coupe comes with the flathead hotrod parts. It really is a nice representation of an early flathead, including a separate dipstick, seperate exhaust manifolds and a cross-over pipe, a two carb intake manifold and finned heads. As I recall, the heads, intake manifold and the carbs come as chromed parts.

Later,

Edited February 11, 2009 by Raul_Perez

[RodBurNeR]

I also love the old stuff. I like your build so far. Are those 7.0 Firestones? I dig em'!

[Paul Payne]

That's a great build in progress. I did a '29 a-v8 awhile back, but on '32 Ford rails. I did mine as highboy. Will yours have fenders or will you ditch them?

[Dennis Lacy]

Raul and Fletch: Thanks for the good info on the 21-stud. Wow, seperate exhaust manifolds from an old AMT tool, i'm impressed! Sounds like I need to get me a few of these cause a nice early flatty will for sure come in handy.

Awbcrazy: The rear tires are actually slicks so I guess they're from an old dragster kit??? They have the old Firestone and Gum Dipped logos just like the real bias-plys do and they're tall and skinny so they're perfect for the era I'm building to. I would say they're more like a 7.50-16.

Paul: Fenders are history. I showed how I did this in the 3rd post.

It's looking like I'll have some updates this weekend everyone.

[Ken]

Gotta love the AMT 29 kit. I don't think it gets enough love. Great kit with endless possiblities. Your's is truely a gem. Great work and I like how you solved the fender issue. I have a ton of these in the stash. Back when Wal-mart was stocking models, I would buy every 29 I saw. Around here they were stocked in the 5.95$ version. I bought a ton of them in that guise. You are doing a great job with this one. I will also third finding the AMT 34 kit. The flathead is great and it is a newer tool.

[Bernard Kron]

Hi Dennis:

Below is a comparison picture of the two versions of the 21 stud flathead that come with the AMT '34 stocker. The pictures on the left are of the stock version and those on the right are with the hop up parts. As you can see it is quite nicely detailed. The hop up heads and intake manifold have been stripped of their chrome and finished in Testors Metallizer Buffable Aluminum. The kit does not come with hop up exhaust manifolds, These are the manifolds that come in the Revell '32 Ford Sedan kit. They fit perfectly. The carbs are from Model Car Garage. They are fairly expensive but they are far more detailed than anything you can find in any kit. They come three to a set and include a stunningly detailed p/e linkage set. The rear view shows the kit transmission on the left and on the right the Replicas & Miniatures La Salle transmission and Ford bell housing that I am using with this engine on my '29 A-V8.

I hope you find this useful.

B.

Edited February 13, 2009 by gbk1

[Bryce]

Great build so far!

I too can vouch for the quality of the AMT '34 coupe flathead - here's some pics of a box stock one:

[Bernard Kron]

I too can vouch for the quality of the AMT '34 coupe flathead - here's some pics of a box stock one:

Nice one, Bryce, takng full advantage of all the nice detail they gave us.