Power by Ford Community Build

[rattle can man]

I've got the molded in orange 427 SOHC Camaro funny car parts primed with silver. Frame, engine block, and rear end are assembled.  Will be diving into clean-up of mold lines, sink marks, etc. later this evening. Unless I get sidetracked by other projects on my bench.

[Chuck Most]

The Fordified '55 is a done deal...

 

... Maybe needs a little extra under hood work.

Edited August 19, 2024 by Chuck Most

[Misha]

For the twin’s birthday Grandpa had decided to give the boys a shoebox. He had bought the green Ford coupe brand new, being the newest post-war design. The fenders merged into the body lines to become one smooth, aerodynamic shape, or a “Shoebox!” It was 1949, the same year that Don and Jim were born, and now they were turning eighteen.

 

Their Dad had spent most of the war in the Pacific servicing and maintaining naval aircraft aboard American carriers. Afterwards, returning to Tucson he continued to modify and race, an early Hot Rodder! The boys developed a gear-head mentality early with soap box derbies and later go-carts and motor- bikes.

 

In high school Don excelled in auto mechanics while Jim was becoming quite a body man. Grandpa’s car was a treasure as its main uses were ceremonial or religious duties, as Gramps preferred his F-1 pick up as his ride - “What’s the use of it, if it can’t haul”. Don had already salvaged a Y-block out of a rear ended 57 Fairlane and Jim began smoothing out the body with plans for mild custom touches front and back. The local club had access to a paint booth where the final gold metalflake would be applied. While being built for “Go”, it was also for “Show”. A custom interior was the ticket and fortunately a number of Tucson upholstery shops had begun to specialize in leather car interiors.

 

The next couple of years would be spent creating the “Inca Jewel” - a mild custom built by hand with part-time jobs funding it and help wrenching from friends and club members. Many evenings and weekends spent in the garage...

 

[rattle can man]

Nice build. Where did you get the valve cover decals?

My funnycar build is on hold until my shoulder recovers from surgery ( at least another 2-3 months). I had a paint issue and am trying to figure out how to get past it. The silver I used to seal the orange did not dry on the hood and roof and are reacting with anything I try to overcoat.  I know it didn't dry because it clogs sandpaper really fast and I can smell the solvent if I sand it. 90% Isopropyl won't strip it, so I will try the purple pond next. I just don't get why it is only two spots that did not dry.  Yes I cleaned it before paint.

[Misha]

Hi Harry, If I remember correctly, the valve cover decals come with the R/M 57 Ford along with the Y block engine that I used for this project. 
Cheers Misha 

[rattle can man]

Thank you Misha!

[Misha]

Another “Ford Powered by Ford” is the Red Hot Phaeton built for Deuce Days 2019 utilizing the modern R/M 302 from their line 32 Fords to fit into the now vintage AMT frame. Great engine to detail straight from the box. 
Cheers Misha

 

[Misha]

Final Ford motivated hot rod is the Blue Suede Vicky  built for the 2016 Deuce Days. It features the finely detailed Flathead engine from the 37 truck kit, complete with period correct speed parts for the post war era. This engine was also wrangled into the AMT chassis from the  Victoria Deuce kit. 

Cheers Misha