WIP Monogram 1934 Duesenberg Rolston Coupe?

[Mike 1017]

Everything fits as it should except for the rear body and the frame. Is there any WIP or suggestions? I don't want to hack it up with my Dremel

Thanks 

Mike

[dmthamade]

Looks like the fenders are too far forward. Looks like the stub of the rear axle in the second pic isn't centered in the fender opening...

Don

[slusher]

look at your instructions is the gas tank in or outside the body.  I believe it goes outside.  The body should push down between the fenders. Do not break ou the Dremel. Make sure your leaf springs are turne correctly and rear end is in the center of your rear fenders..

[Exotics_Builder]

It looks like too far forward (as mentioned) but hard to tell from photos.  There should not be a cross brace that far back on any fo the chasses I've seen.  Here is a WIP build (not exact vehicle) on the forum
https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/174663-monogram-1934-duesenberg/

[stitchdup]

looking at the last pic it looks like the body needs to come back some to me. the tapered sides look to fit against the chassis end to hide that cross brace area so i'd try moving the fenders back to suit that before any grinding. I'm not familiar with the kit though

[Mike 1017]

This how it is instructions show how that the body fits over the bumper brackets and so the wheel wells don't line up with the fenders

The gas tank stops the body from coming down. My only solution would be to cut a slit into the gas tank between the frame rails so that the body will go down. The gas tank is in the right place per instructions

Thanks for all of your advice

Mike

 

[stavanzer]

Your Frame and Fenders are mismatched. The axle is way too far backwards in the Fender unit.

Center the axle in the fenders, and I think your problems will go away.

I've built the kit, but it was back in the '80s, so I can't tell you exactly what the issue is.

Here's a link to the instructions.

https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/6/8/4/192684-23-instructions.pdf

Step 8 shows how the alignment should go. Are the notches and pins fitting correctly.

Hope this helps.

[Ace-Garageguy]

On 7/28/2025 at 9:12 AM, Mike 1017 said:

...I don't want to hack it up with my Dremel.

You don't need to "hack it up" with a Dremel.

These fit together just fine. Always have.

This is why dry test-fitting is always recommended...so you understand how stuff fits before you're committed.

[DJMar]

2 minutes ago, stavanzer said:

Your Frame and Fenders are mismatched. The axle is way too far backwards in the Fender unit.

Center the axle in the fenders, and I think your problems will go away.

Exactly this, you can see it clearly in the posted pics. 

If you look at the instructions, you can see the correct position of the fender unit on the frame.

[stavanzer]

On 7/28/2025 at 7:05 AM, dmthamade said:

Looks like the fenders are too far forward. Looks like the stub of the rear axle in the second pic isn't centered in the fender opening...

Don

Don diagnosed this before I did.

[Beans]

Your body is fine, your axle is fine, your fenders are too far forward.  I don't know the kit well enough but I am guessing that however the fenders are supported should sit farther back on the chassis.

[dmthamade]

Tell you what, if the fender piece isn't glued down, install it into body, no glue, then drop this onto frame. Think it will all look ok after you do that.

Don

[Mike 1017]

21 hours ago, DJMar said:

Exactly this, you can see it clearly in the posted pics. 

If you look at the instructions, you can see the correct position of the fender unit on the frame.

The

 

21 hours ago, DJMar said:

Exactly this, you can see it clearly in the posted pics. 

If you look at the instructions, you can see the correct position of the fender unit on the frame.

The Axcel is just a mock- up and not glued. It just moves around when I handle the car. I have also removed it, and I have the same problem. I got this at a garage sale, and I am thinking that this the wrong body. This one seems to fit perfectly

 

[dmthamade]

7 hours ago, Mike 1017 said:

The

 

The Axcel is just a mock- up and not glued. It just moves around when I handle the car. I have also removed it, and I have the same problem. I got this at a garage sale, and I am thinking that this the wrong body. This one seems to fit perfectly

 

Fender assembly from a shorter wheelbase kit? Looking at the instructions and that build you can see the fenders are too far forward. Garage sale kit?... anything's possible. Have to say, looking around Google, it looks like a kit i would really like to build

Don

[Beans]

I'll try this one more time but here is my take on this.

The floor pan that the fenders are attached to is to far forward on the chassis.

Looking at the instruction picture, and your picture, the floor pan needs to move back (as can be seen below)  -