1936 Ford Tudor

[alan barton]

This model is a tribute to a every dear friend who passed way last year due to a sudden onset health issue.  

Larry O'Toole was the publisher of Australian Street Rodding magazine.  I have been the columnist for the Scale Rodding column in this magazine for the last six years.  I first met Larry when I drove my freshly minted 29 roadster across Australia in January 1985 to have a feature article done on my rod. We had been friends ever since. Larry was a hands-on hot rodder since he was old enough to drive and built a heap of cars during his lifetime.  Most of the technical how-to's in the magazine for over forty years had been based on work he did in his own shed.  The last one he completed was a red 36 Tudor and when his son, Al asked me to contribute to the issue commemorating Larry's life, I chose this car to model.

It is a simple model which is just as well as I had less than three weeks to build it to meet the deadline.  It is a resin body ( sorry, I don't recall the manufacturer but I have had it for close to 30 years) on the fenders and frame of an AMT 36 Ford coupe.  Much of the interior was fabricated to replicate Larry's rod, including the pre-requisite right hand drive dash.  To save time, I grafted the top end of a Revell fuel injected 302 Windsor engine from their 32 Ford series engine to the basic Pontiac block from the AMT kit.  It worked far better than I expected and lets be honest, it is hard to tell that I had to resort to some sleight of hand to achieve the look I required.

Colour is Tamiya Bright Red with Tamiya Gloss clear, all from the spray can and polished with Tamiya fine rubbing compound.

In a few months the magazine will celebrate its 400th issue and the model column will be celebrating its 302nd issue.  I suspect this might make it the longest running model column in a full sized hot rod magazine.... ever?  My thanks go out to Larry for supporting our hobby for all these years, and to his son for continuing to run the column - Al has been the editor for many years himself now.

I do hope you enjoy my tribute build to a true gentleman and a life-long hot rodder.

Cheers

Alan

[Ace-Garageguy]

Nice way to remember a friend. Great color. Pretty trick RHD conversion too.

[crazyjim]

Gorgeous tribute.

[Rattlecan Dan]

Very kind of you. Very nice job on the build. Sounds like he was a great guy.

[bisc63]

Way to go! That is a nice gesture of friendship, and the build reflects the care involved. Perfect hot rod color, and the model has a realistic sit. Very well done.

[Zippi]

Nice job.  Great looking 36 Ford.

[Robberbaron]

Outstanding build! Never would guess that it was done in under 3 weeks.

What a great way to commemorate your friend.

[slusher]

Stunning!

[XYHARRY]

Great tribute build Alan. I grew up reading Australian Street Rodding Magazine and loved all the wonderful columns. I still have a few issues lying around the house. Again, great 36'.

Cheers,

David. ??

[espo]

Great looking paint and an unusual body style. The interior and engine look good. 

[happy grumpy]

A fitting tribute to a friend and a really beautiful car. 

[karbuildr]

Nice backstory, great build, beautiful color, nice way to honor your friend.

[KWT]

Very nicely done

[Koellefornia Kid]

Great looking sedan! Very nice job!

[ncbuckeye67]

Beautiful build and a great story to go with it!

[alan barton]

Thank you everyone for your very kind comments.  The model certainly holds a special place in my collection.

Cheers

Alan

Edited June 23, 2023 by alan barton

[nyguy]

Very nice. A super tribute.

[ChrisR]

Very nice!

[PappyD340]

Very nice!

[carrucha]

Good job.  Nice tribute for your friend.

[Flatout]

Beautiful little Hot Rod Alan…love the color and stance.   Great tribute to your friend.

[ATHU]

What a beauty, very nice work!!

[Mittagskind]

Nice car and well done. The rear lights are bizarre.?

[Kenmojr]

Nice build.

[Bullybeef]

Alan your work on this is incredible. Someday I’ll try a red paint job again.