atomicholiday Posted June 23, 2024 Share Posted June 23, 2024 Next on the bench: the AMT ‘40 Ford Coupe. This model is being built as a Christmas present for my dad (don’t tell him! ?). I’ve never built a kit for anyone else, but this one is important. A couple of things to know: my lifelong love affair of cars is 100% because of him. He instilled that into me from birth, and he’s every bit as passionate (if not more so) than me. That’s the main reason for this build. It’s a “thank you” for giving me this obsession. The other less cheerful thing is, he’s 80 years old now. If I don’t show some appreciation while he’s still around, I’ll never get to. Enough of the mushy stuff. About the concept for this build. Dad’s favorite car is the ‘40 Ford coupe, so that part is a no brainer. But what really gets his juices flowing is a “stock” appearing hot rod. So with that said, this will probably get the Buick nailhead option, unless I find something I like better. For rolling stock, I just found a killer set of Ford dog dish style resto-mod wheels and tires that I’m going to download and print. Not sure on color yet. I’m leaning towards either black or a really dark blue (his favorite color). I’ve never built this kit before, so any tips, tricks, or other tidbits You can share will be greatly appreciated. Today was spent trimming and cleaning flash. Here’s where I’m at so far. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted June 23, 2024 Share Posted June 23, 2024 Nice project. In my experience with these kits the hood doesn't seem to fit very well. Always a little on the wide side at the widest part. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT Posted June 23, 2024 Share Posted June 23, 2024 Awesome. A dark navy blue would make it. But i am a fan of blue. Great story to go with the build. Good luck n hope there are no issues. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransAmMike Posted June 24, 2024 Share Posted June 24, 2024 Yep Jeremy, get it done so he can enjoy it. Like you, my Dad whose a long time gone got my car fondness going from the time I was about 5 and while he was working on his car at the time I grabbed a piece of sandpaper and started sanding my new peddle car? I did this kit tho not the Coke version and I turned out to be one of my better builds....I too did the nailhead. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter 1 Posted June 24, 2024 Share Posted June 24, 2024 2 hours ago, atomicholiday said: Next on the bench: the AMT ‘40 Ford Coupe. This model is being built as a Christmas present for my dad (don’t tell him! ?). I’ve never built a kit for anyone else, but this one is important. A couple of things to know: my lifelong love affair of cars is 100% because of him. He instilled that into me from birth, and he’s every bit as passionate (if not more so) than me. That’s the main reason for this build. It’s a “thank you” for giving me this obsession. The other less cheerful thing is, he’s 80 years old now. If I don’t show some appreciation while he’s still around, I’ll never get to. Enough of the mushy stuff. About the concept for this build. Dad’s favorite car is the ‘40 Ford coupe, so that part is a no brainer. But what really gets his juices flowing is a “stock” appearing hot rod. So with that said, this will probably get the Buick nailhead option, unless I find something I like better. For rolling stock, I just found a killer set of Ford dog dish style resto-mod wheels and tires that I’m going to download and print. Not sure on color yet. I’m leaning towards either black or a really dark blue (his favorite color). I’ve never built this kit before, so any tips, tricks, or other tidbits You can share will be greatly appreciated. Today was spent trimming and cleaning flash. Here’s where I’m at so far. Your dad has really good taste. Nothing like a 40 Ford hot rod. It will look good in blue. As for wheels, nice Ford dog dish hub caps are available in several kits. The Revell 32 Ford coupe or 29 roadster kit are just a couple I can think of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stavanzer Posted June 24, 2024 Share Posted June 24, 2024 Hood Fit can be dodgy. Make sure the body, hood and fenders all fit the way you want before painting. (Don't ask how I know this..) Kit is nice, but is old tooling, so some fits can be soft. The AMT '32,36, and 40 Ford Kits all use the same engine Mounting points, so you can swap in the xtra engine from any of these kits, if you do not want to use the Buick, that is in the kit. The '36 Has a Pontiac, the '32 Vicky/Touring has a Killer Ford 427, and the '32 Coupe has a 283 Small Block Chevy. And the '32 Roadster has a really neat Blown Hemi. You will like the kit. Have fun and make your dad proud. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomicholiday Posted June 24, 2024 Author Share Posted June 24, 2024 Thank for all your comments gentlemen! Greatly appreciated! @stavanzer- hmmm, 427 Ford you say? That sounds like an interesting idea. Pretty sure I have that kit too. I’ll have to think about that. I do like the idea of keeping it all Ford. Well, you guys seem to like the idea of blue, and I agree. So blue it shall be! In fact, I’m going with 1966/67 Ford midnight mist blue from MCW. What makes this an absolutely perfect choice is that dad has had three (!) old Mustangs in that exact color! This is the color I’m going with. This isn’t his, but at least one looked just like it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stavanzer Posted June 24, 2024 Share Posted June 24, 2024 Here it is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted June 24, 2024 Share Posted June 24, 2024 What a great gesture for your father. I agree with him on the '40 Ford as it has always been something I would have liked to own as well. The dark blue color would look great, remember this was a non-metallic color when new if you're trying for the OEM look. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted June 25, 2024 Share Posted June 25, 2024 (edited) Great gift for your dad! The sounds good, you decided on an engine? Edited June 28, 2024 by slusher Typo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milo1303s Posted June 26, 2024 Share Posted June 26, 2024 (edited) The AMT 39/40 sedan has an Oldsmobile rocket motor in it was a common oldschool swap !! Edited June 26, 2024 by milo1303s 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomicholiday Posted June 30, 2024 Author Share Posted June 30, 2024 Still up in the air for which engine is going into this. I still have a little time before I need to make a decision. Did quite a bit of clean up on the body and fenders today. There’s some flash and a couple of nasty mold lines, but nothing that can’t be dealt with. It should be expected from a mold of this age. I think I have the hood fitting pretty well. I expected more trouble from it. Seemed like it was really a matter of getting it to sit more towards the passenger side. The main parts I trimmed were the hood hinges. It’s not perfect, but much better and I can live with it now. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted June 30, 2024 Share Posted June 30, 2024 Looking good so far. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransAmMike Posted July 1, 2024 Share Posted July 1, 2024 Yep, looks ready for paint!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted July 1, 2024 Share Posted July 1, 2024 Yes, looks ready for paint! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobss396 Posted July 1, 2024 Share Posted July 1, 2024 I smooth out the firewall and fill the hood "hinge" holes on all of mine. With some surgery I have lowered the rear to match the dropped chrome front spring assembly. I did a '39 sedan and the one side, the rain gutter was 90% gone. I used some 1/2 round .030 stock to make a new one. Looks like your hood fits okay. I like the nailhead in it. I have a '40 in the works with a '56 Ford engine. I HAD to use the stock stubby transmission, but it went together well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milo1303s Posted July 1, 2024 Share Posted July 1, 2024 (edited) I love this AMT kit so easy to modify here is 1 I've been building Edited July 1, 2024 by milo1303s 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stavanzer Posted July 2, 2024 Share Posted July 2, 2024 2 hours ago, milo1303s said: I love this AMT kit so easy to modify here is 1 I've been building Very Nice. Got a real 1960's feel to it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobss396 Posted July 2, 2024 Share Posted July 2, 2024 I have to try and channel my next one like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomicholiday Posted July 2, 2024 Author Share Posted July 2, 2024 12 hours ago, milo1303s said: I love this AMT kit so easy to modify here is 1 I've been building That’s going to be really cool when you get it done. Nice work! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan Dan Posted July 2, 2024 Share Posted July 2, 2024 Jeremy, love your intention and I'm sure dad will like it even if it's pink or yellow. But the midnight blue (in my humble opinion) should not be metallic. I'm nearly 80 myself, and old school thinking that non-metallic carbon blue is what he would dig. And the old souped-up flatheads moved out pretty good. In the old days just plain black rims were the hot look. But for sure, whatever you give him will be accepted with a smile and a tear. Good Luck. Added some pics for thought. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milo1303s Posted July 2, 2024 Share Posted July 2, 2024 10 hours ago, atomicholiday said: That’s going to be really cool when you get it done. Nice work! Thanks someday I'll get back at it !!! just an FYI we were talking about cool engines for this kit I got 1 the Hemi from the 53 stude Double Whammy with the twin blowers should drop in also if it wasn't mentioned lol!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milo1303s Posted July 2, 2024 Share Posted July 2, 2024 11 hours ago, bobss396 said: I have to try and channel my next one like that. It's actually sectioned 3/16 or so off the bottom of the body hood cut to fit and suspension lowered also my original inspiration was a sedan 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Oldenburg Posted July 3, 2024 Share Posted July 3, 2024 Just had the time to check out the WIP forum again and discovered this thread. Jeremy, a great idea to invest this effort to make your dad happy. And a bit emotional to see everyone go along with all that advice and inspiration! Like mentioned before, your dad will be a very happy person, whatever your decisions made. But getting it close to stock and with a dark blue finish looks like a very fine option. Looking forward to the progress! Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobss396 Posted July 3, 2024 Share Posted July 3, 2024 12 hours ago, milo1303s said: It's actually sectioned 3/16 or so off the bottom of the body hood cut to fit and suspension lowered also my original inspiration was a sedan Nice, thanks. I have enough of these to experiment on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.