Advice needed for speedster build.........

[JollySipper]

When everyone got the sad news that Mr. Jairus had passed away, there was a tribute post of sorts made, which showcased a bunch of his sketches........ One really caught my attention, a speedster made from what looks like a 1960 Buick. I have a '59 Buick that I would be willing to cut up for this project. My question for you guys, what kit do you guys think would be the best donor for the 'hot rod' parts for this? Something with a custom interior ( maybe an Ed Roth kit? ) would be ideal, I would think...... and maybe having a 'nailhead' engine already? I'm gonna have to do some research on how to get the right proportions out of the body. Here's the sketch that has me inspired..........

I saw the community build thread of his sketches being built into models, but I don't believe this was one being built.......

Thanks for any help with this!

[espo]

A good choice for a chassis might be any of the current Revell Model A's or '32 Ford kits. Some were offered with a Buick engine as an option, but I can't recall right off which ones. The chassis under these kits would give you a complete suspension and a few wheel and tire options. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

The forward slanting independent front suspension appears to be a pretty integral part of the "look" of this thing...which I like a lot.

I don't know of any kit with something similar.

Some time back I began fabricating something much like it from 1/16" and 3/32" styrene tube for the A-arms, using heavily modified Porsche 911 torsion bar suspension, and it's really not all that difficult.

 

Edited May 29 by Ace-Garageguy

[Can-Con]

AMT Phantom Vicky will give you a good chassis with independent front suspension but not forward slanting. It'll get you pretty close though.

It's been released a few times so should be pretty easy to find.

 

 

[Beans]

Cool idea.  Looks like part corvette part buick part 32 Ford with a whole bunch of scratch building.  

[stavanzer]

I'd look at old Revell Big Daddy Ed Roth kits.

The Outlaw, Mysterion, Tweedy Pie, & Road Agent are kits I would look at for Chassis / Engine parts.

[JollySipper]

Alan, those of the Ed Roth kits that have a bubble top, most of them have a wrap around molded custom interior like would be needed here............

[Fat Brian]

The current Revell 30 coupe will give you a Buick engine with an intake setup very close to this. I agree the Phantom Vickie kit will give you the closest to the illustration suspension you can probably find. 

[LDO]

The Testors “Vantastic” street rod has some really cool seats. They look like custom upholstery for a street rod/show car. 

[Mark]

Atlantis needs to get that Revell parts pack Buick engine into a kit box, and soon.

[bobthehobbyguy]

The Buttera 1926 sedan, 27 phateon, and the 34 ford (might be the cheapest becuase of the out of proportion body) all have a front suspension that matches the illustration.

[Chris V]

Though I hope you’re not contemplating cutting up a good body of such a rare and desirable kit, I really like your idea of building it as a tribute to Jairus.

You shoud turn your attention to older Monogram kits for some of the other parts:

Windshield/frame: AMT 1957 Ford Thunderbird 

Headrests: Monogram 1958 Ford Thunderbird 2’n 1

Dashboard (less instrument cluster): Monogram “Predicta” or “Orange Hauler”

Wheels & tires: Monogram “Orange Hauler”. An alternate source of the Chrome Reverse wheels could be Monogram’s 1932 Ford Roadster with accessory “bullets” added to the centers.