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Posted (edited)

I came across these vehicles several years ago and was immediately interested in making a model of one.   Scant little info on them but the conversion of the Model T really wasn't that complicated.  The conversion kit for the real cars was sold through some Ford dealers and cost about as much as the car itself.  I think most kits were sold in the New England area.

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I had started the model project a couple years ago using a AMT model T but got stalled when I didn't have a way to make the tracks.  Recently, I took the plunge into CAD design and 3D printing (6 weeks ago), which made this project feasible.  I also acquired the ICM Model T Roadster, which is much better than the AMT Model T, although it is of an older Model T.  Now I have made the tracks and I'm posting now that the big hurdle has been overcome.

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First, lengthened the frame and cut off the fenders.

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Cut off the Roadster trunk.

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Next, scratchbuilt the added axle.

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Then got to work on the standard kit parts.

Engine and body.

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Then, the interior bits - not much to this thing.  Definitely a simple car.

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More scratchbuilding was next.  Started with the front skis, but these will likely need to be altered due to the ride height increasing when the tracks were fitted.

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The truck bed was next.  Its design reflects earlier designs without the metal fenders.

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Some mockups.

No tailgate on this one.  Don't want to mess with the 'aerodynamics'.

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Ready for some tracks now.  The tracks are the first item I have taken through the whole process from design to printing.  They are linked together with loops of soft wire, all put together by hand.

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At this point, I have painted the tracks and installed them on the wheels.  I'm working on the tensioning struts that are under the vehicle. Then a few more details to be added, which I have left off until near the end of the build so I wouldn't be knocking them off constantly.

Hope this subject is interesting to you as it is to me.

 

Edited by kensar
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Posted

I've seen at least three you tube videos of these Model T Snow Machines. A couple were a good 15-20 minutes long. There appear to be at least a couple of Vintage Ford groups that restored or built them.

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted

Nice one. I have seen these in museums in the north east and always found the concept interesting. They did a lot of mods to model T’s at the time turning them into all sorts of work vehicles and some non vehicles including log splitters and generators.  And we can’t forget Fred Astaire in “Frosty the Snowman” drove a cartoon version of one.  

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Posted

It is a simple car as you say Ken, but turning it into a snowmobile makes it very interesting. The chassis/suspension pieces are very visible on this so your exquisite craftsmanship pays off. I love what you do with paint finishes. For example the perfect sheen on the seat that gives perfectly replicates leather. It's the addition of all these little thing that provide the realism of a scale model.

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Posted

What a cool project!! I was trying to remember where I've seen one of these before and after a bit it came to mind. I'll be danged if it wasn't from the claymation short "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town".

I'll be watching this one Ken. 

 

Santa Claus is coming to town | Christmas cartoons, Classic christmas ...

 

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Posted

Extremely cool subject and excellent work on it s far. Lacing those tracks together must have been fun.😎

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Posted

Well Ken, having just completed my build of a 1:24 scale ICM Model T Roadster, your build of this one as a snowmobile is very interesting indeed . . .

Let me say, that your build skills are far superior to mine, and I can see that from your photos. Also, as Pierre mentioned, your painting is excellent.

I hadn't realised that Ford produced a snowmobile version of the Model T, even during my extensive research on this iconic car.

We are expecting heavy snow tonight here in England, so I might need the use of a snowmobile !

David

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Posted

Thanks for all the great comments everyone.  A snowmobile can't help but be a 'cool' subject.

Pierre - I'm impressed with your brush painting.  Using an airbrush does have some options - all the black paint is Tamiya gloss black lacquer.  For a gloss finish, put it on wet and heavy.  For a more matt finish with some texture, don't thin it so much.

I have finished this model now.  I was able to use the front ski parts I made earlier, so things went faster than I anticipated.  I'll post in the 'Under glass' section soon.  I also plan to make a snowy display base for it.  Overall this was a very enjoyable project that progressed quickly.

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Posted
15 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

... from the claymation short "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town". ...

My favorite Christmas TV special! A decade or so back I found out that a company called "Playing Mantis" made a collectible toy version (this guy has a review of it), and I managed to snag one off eBay for $25-ish.

SCiCTTruck.jpg.f63533572f22a52e76f903d16f1b189f.jpg

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Posted
6 hours ago, Russell C said:

My favorite Christmas TV special! A decade or so back I found out that a company called "Playing Mantis" made a collectible toy version (this guy has a review of it), and I managed to snag one off eBay for $25-ish.

 

How cool is that??!! What a neat find Russ and at a decent price at that. . 👍

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Posted
14 hours ago, kensar said:

Thanks for all the great comments everyone.  A snowmobile can't help but be a 'cool' subject.

Pierre - I'm impressed with your brush painting.  Using an airbrush does have some options - all the black paint is Tamiya gloss black lacquer.  For a gloss finish, put it on wet and heavy.  For a more matt finish with some texture, don't thin it so much.

I have finished this model now.  I was able to use the front ski parts I made earlier, so things went faster than I anticipated.  I'll post in the 'Under glass' section soon.  I also plan to make a snowy display base for it.  Overall this was a very enjoyable project that progressed quickly.

I'll be checking the finished build out Ken. Thank you for posting this as I didn't know that these were a real thing till I saw this thread. 

Posted
22 hours ago, Russell C said:

My favorite Christmas TV special! A decade or so back I found out that a company called "Playing Mantis" made a collectible toy version (this guy has a review of it), and I managed to snag one off eBay for $25-ish.

SCiCTTruck.jpg.f63533572f22a52e76f903d16f1b189f.jpg

My Wife has one of these, as a Christmas Decoration. It's in my Closet as we speak.

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