Brianl Posted July 9, 2023 Share Posted July 9, 2023 It's hard to do something different with something as iconic as the '49 but with a little cutting and shutting I think this would have been a fun runabout. Going to finish it with a period flathead and stock trim to make it look like a production model of the time. Body shortened by 560mm (that's about 22" in old English). Body chop was 65mm (2.5") at the front wheel arch and 130mm (5") at the rear to give the body a little rake and remove some of the bulk. Brian 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stitchdup Posted July 9, 2023 Share Posted July 9, 2023 Cool, it really suits being shortened Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customline Posted July 9, 2023 Share Posted July 9, 2023 (edited) The first Thunderbird. This body is a natural for sectioning. Shortening is genius. I'm following, for sure. Is there a plan to remove those tail light fairings? The wedge cut left them not parallel with the trim. Edited July 9, 2023 by customline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.A.K Posted July 9, 2023 Share Posted July 9, 2023 WOW!!!! crazy custom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kah puts Posted July 9, 2023 Share Posted July 9, 2023 This is uber cool 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 Going to be a sweet looking little Speedster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckyg1 Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 What a cool idea. Can't wait to see the end result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slotto Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 Man this is cool. Cant wait to see what's next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 Looks really nice.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianl Posted July 14, 2023 Author Share Posted July 14, 2023 Paint done! Tamiya TS-58 Pearl light blue. Thanks for the comments Brian 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckyg1 Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 The color os perfect. Awesome work. Far & beyond anything I'm capable of, (so far.) With the bumper in place, the front looks "heavy" to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slotto Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 Love it. Great stance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 Great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customline Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 1 hour ago, Chuckyg1 said: The color os perfect. Awesome work. Far & beyond anything I'm capable of, (so far.) With the bumper in place, the front looks "heavy" to me. I agree, maybe a thinner, lighter looking bumper without guards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Hall Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 Perhaps thin the panel below the grille and behind the bumper so the bumper can sit higher and closer to the body.. or a custom grille to make the front less vertically thick? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 Leave the bumper(s) off and roll the pans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customline Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 After reviewing the sectioning I see the sectioning did not involve the area ahead of the front wheel and that may have caused the issue. Maybe the elimination of the splash pan and a different bumper would help. It may also help to raise the stance a bit. The color is super! Shortening the tail light fairings was a good idea, Brian. I really like the concept and I would love to try something like this myself. Actually, the '50 ragtop is a really good candidate for this- the kit includes a chopped windshield a ton of cool custom body parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calb56 Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 The ribbed bumper from the Revell 49 Mercury maybe? Not sure of the dimensions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianl Posted July 14, 2023 Author Share Posted July 14, 2023 Okay Theme was to make it look like it came off the Ford production line so I wanted to keep the trim and features looking stock. Only variation was the metalic paint and the hub caps. I looked up the colour charts for '49 and they did a couple of metalics but not light blue. The light blue suited it though. Hubcaps just looked right too. The photos exaggerate the bulk a little and it's all just sitting on the ground as a mockup so it will be tighter when glued. Also I have blacked out the background of the grill which reduces the bulk as well. I would have liked to drop the over riders on the bumpers but couldn't find anything appropriate in my stash. The ribbed bars from the mercury are too wide and the ribs didn't suit the style. It will sit lower than stock but not on the ground. Detailing the engine at the moment which will be stock. Thanks for the interest. Have a good one. Brian 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calb56 Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 It looks great. An excellent build so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaftygas Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 That is one of the most original, and ingenious ideas I’ve seen Charlie! I love it! The color is gorgeous. We should try a 49 merc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaftygas Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 Oops sorry I thought this was Charlie’s build. Brianl that is a sweet build and idea, not to mention how well you pulled it off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customline Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, jaftygas said: Oops sorry I thought this was Charlie’s build. Brianl that is a sweet build and idea, not to mention how well you pulled it off! You do know that you can edit, right Joe? Three little dots in the upper right. 🙂 Edited July 26, 2023 by customline Adding "Joe".....see? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaftygas Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 I do now. 🙄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Payne Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 Very cool custom project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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