'56 Ford period street mild custom

[TarheelRick]

Really like where you are going with this one. '50 & '60 style customs are some of my favorite builds, mild to radical.

[Mr. Metallic]

The 55-56 Vics have a special place in my heart since my dad owned a custom 55 while I was growing up, and we went to several of the national Crown Vic club meetings.

Glad to see you are able to get back to the bench, love your work.

[espo]

Another skirt design to consider would be the Mercury Cruiser Skirts from that era. These were a stock option on the '57 Mercury cars which is why they became known as Mercury cruiser Skirts. 

[dino246gt]

17 hours ago, espo said:

Another skirt design to consider would be the Mercury Cruiser Skirts from that era. These were a stock option on the '57 Mercury cars which is why they became known as Mercury cruiser Skirts. 

Good idea, but I've already made these, and I do like making my own stuff, so I'll stick with them.

It's all about having fun, and scratch building to me is so much fun!

[dino246gt]

Still working on this old kit, want to use as much of the original as I can, but I made a few improvements to some old parts.

Of course I de-chromed the generator, rad and fan.

I spent 5 minutes improving the fan belt and pulleys.

I replaced the front springs with some wound thin solder.

I sprayed the floor pan white but I'm just brush painting the molded on stuff.

I made a driveshaft hoop, just to complete the partial molded on cross member.

Going to use the stock rear suspension too, but I've gotta lower that, the front was easy.

[dino246gt]

Working on the AMT kit Y block, didn't like the oil filter, so I made one from sprue.

Made up a triple carb intake and added a few wires, lines and linkages.

Good enough for mostly old kit parts.

Edited May 30 by dino246gt

[espo]

Great improvement over the kit supplied engine. 

[dino246gt]

2 hours ago, espo said:

Great improvement over the kit supplied engine. 

Thanks David, it IS the kit supplied engine, just fixed up a bit. 

Using as much of the old kit as I can, finally decided on wheels and tires, not from the kit!

I have to make the wheels fit the tires, and I'll post that process up in a bit, maybe tomorrow, BBQ @4 and it's 3:30 here now!

 

[NOBLNG]

Fantastic job sprucing up that engine Dennis!👍

[dino246gt]

Okay, for the wheel/tire combo, I found these Pegasus wheel covers on narrow whites, they're 15s but I want to use the wheel covers on 14" wide whites, so.........

I rolled up some 600 grit and carefully made the plastic whitewall insert fit the Pegasus wheel covers, which are in fact the whole wheel from Pegasus.

I had to cut out some rubber for them to fit the tires, but the plastic whitewall insert hides the sloppy cut on the face. I was more careful on the backs of the tires.

The wheels were too wide also so I cut them down to the tire width I'm using.

Here's how they look and there are "flippers, spinners, or crossbars" to go on the centers after they're installed. (still in the plastic bag in the first picture)

Edited May 31 by dino246gt

[beeRS]

A lot of work in that wheels/tyre combo. They look just right now. They’ll look great on the 56. 

[Ferbz]

Great work on those tires/caps! Which kit did you rob for those wide whites?

[dino246gt]

On 6/5/2025 at 7:27 PM, Ferbz said:

Great work on those tires/caps! Which kit did you rob for those wide whites?

Not sure, some Revell kit probably.

I mixed these acrylics together to match the body colour, painted the edges to simulate full wheel covers over purple rims.

[Zippi]

That engine turned out really nice and those wheels & tires look pretty sharp.

[slusher]

Great looking wheels 🛞 engine looks awesome!

[Can-Con]

On 5/31/2025 at 11:08 AM, dino246gt said:

Okay, for the wheel/tire combo, I found these Pegasus wheel covers on narrow whites, they're 15s but I want to use the wheel covers on 14" wide whites, so.........

I rolled up some 600 grit and carefully made the plastic whitewall insert fit the Pegasus wheel covers, which are in fact the whole wheel from Pegasus.

I had to cut out some rubber for them to fit the tires, but the plastic whitewall insert hides the sloppy cut on the face. I was more careful on the backs of the tires.

The wheels were too wide also so I cut them down to the tire width I'm using.

Here's how they look and there are "flippers, spinners, or crossbars" to go on the centers after they're installed. (still in the plastic bag in the first picture)

Seems like you took the long way around Dennis. 

They look good but maybe I'm missing something here??

[dino246gt]

Steve, I never saw those Pegasus with wide whites, but I still like my tire choice more.

I've finally got the scratch built skirts looking good.

Paint is "in progress"

 

[Vintage AMT]

Starting to come together, looks good.

 

[espo]

Like the "nosed & decked" look along with the door handles removed. 

[dino246gt]

16 hours ago, espo said:

Like the "nosed & decked" look along with the door handles removed. 

Definitely the look I'm going for, vintage, mild custom street car and I'm trying to use as much of the original AMT kit as I can. 

Lately I've done the same with an old AMT '49 Ford, and '49 Merc.

Those old kits were actually pretty good! With a bit of finesse they look very good! Here's my Merc, in case you missed it, nosed & decked & shaved (no door handles)

:

Edited June 10 by dino246gt

[Zippi]

The ole 56 Ford is really coming around now Dennis.  I'm liking it.

[espo]

34 minutes ago, dino246gt said:

Definitely the look I'm going for, vintage, mild custom street car and I'm trying to use as much of the original AMT kit as I can. 

Lately I've done the same with an old AMT '49 Ford, and '49 Merc.

Those old kits were actually pretty good! With a bit of finesse they look very good! Here's my Merc, in case you missed it, nosed & decked & shaved (no door handles)

:

I agree with you about the validity of most of this era AMT kits. This is a build style I tend to fallow as well since it is what appeals to me the most personally and have done similar modifications to a few of my own 1:1 vehicles in the past.