James2 Posted August 18 Posted August 18 (edited) Over the years I have stayed away from building the 41 Willy’s if for no other reason than the amount of over saturated builds that existed. (IMO) Below is a timeline of the various kits and manufacturers. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-85-2371-41-willys-street-rod--1117124/timeline Moving forward to today 8/18/25 I finally gave way to build the now famous model. This kit was gifted to me after my friend and modeling legend/car guy, Al Auth passed. In the box were almost enough pieces-parts to build 1 1/2 cars. Missing were a body and chassis and a few other pieces. Ed over at Drag City Castings has a beautiful 41 flip nose body, after contacting Ed the deal was struck and the parts arrived. First order of business after cleaning was to add the chrome strips to the hood. According to Ed these were left off on the master to represent a fiberglass piece in 1:1… Edited August 18 by James2 8
TopherMcGinnis Posted August 18 Posted August 18 Those magnifiers are hobby savers! I don't know if I could build anymore without them. The Willys is a super cool car. I've built a couple with 2 more in the queue. What's your plans for it?
James2 Posted August 18 Author Posted August 18 3 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said: Those magnifiers are hobby savers! I don't know if I could build anymore without them. The Willys is a super cool car. I've built a couple with 2 more in the queue. What's your plans for it? Yes, at almost 65 my eyes are not as good as they once were, and I find that I need lots of light now too! I am looking forward to this build and hope to build it as Big John Mazmanian's classic. 2
Zippi Posted August 19 Posted August 19 That's going to be a nice build Rooster. I just got two 41 Willy's in today on a trade I did. I think I've already built 4 so far.
James2 Posted August 20 Author Posted August 20 I made the chrome trim by scrapping some round Evergreen into a half round and shaping the end. Then I layer out the location for the trim with tape, matching the molded in piece. I also made and added the door hinges. The Drag City body is looking good. 7
FoMoCo66 Posted August 20 Posted August 20 That chrome trim looks like it was molded on there. One question, is the drag city body based on the revell just with a flip nose sence the amt body isnt super accurate?
James2 Posted August 20 Author Posted August 20 34 minutes ago, FoMoCo66 said: That chrome trim looks like it was molded on there. One question, is the drag city body based on the revell just with a flip nose sence the amt body isnt super accurate? Yes, the Revell kit is the donor. And I’ll say the floor board and chassis fits perfectly.
James2 Posted August 21 Author Posted August 21 Thanks Zippi. I made some pivot points to open the hood. 1st the pattern and then the pieces. They work but I may need to re-engineer when the front suspension is installed. Pretty happy so far… I can see now that the hood hits the hinges but not enough the keep it from working. 11
James2 Posted Saturday at 06:16 PM Author Posted Saturday at 06:16 PM Up next, fine tuning the hinges and body prep then primer. 1
James2 Posted Saturday at 09:23 PM Author Posted Saturday at 09:23 PM Prep/prime complete and paint applied. Alclad black base with yellow brass, white aluminum and chrome. Tamiya semi flat black, pink metallic base that will get the clear red color seen on the test piece. Obviously still have detail paint to go. 6 1
meechum68 Posted Sunday at 02:33 AM Posted Sunday at 02:33 AM WOW! These are gonna be amazing! I love the crafting of the hood hinges.
Zippi Posted Sunday at 10:53 AM Posted Sunday at 10:53 AM Looks like it's all starting to come together Rooster. That red is going to look nice on the ole Willy's body.
Zippi Posted Tuesday at 12:05 PM Posted Tuesday at 12:05 PM Oh yeah...I like it when the assembly process starts. Looking good.
James2 Posted Tuesday at 05:07 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 05:07 PM Worked out the hood issue by modifying the openings and reshaping the spring mounts. I used material to center the rear axle in the fender openings as seen in the previous picture. This mock up worked well. Engine assembly next… 4
slusher Posted Tuesday at 05:45 PM Posted Tuesday at 05:45 PM Rooster, just my notifications a found your build. Looking great buddy. What’s that color pink that you using for primer or under coat?
James2 Posted Tuesday at 07:31 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 07:31 PM Thanks Karl, it’s Tamiya TS25. I heard the 1:1 was painted like this, that’s how they got such a bright candy red.
James2 Posted Tuesday at 10:25 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 10:25 PM Me and the shop foreman got the color on today. 4
Twokidsnosleep Posted Tuesday at 11:08 PM Posted Tuesday at 11:08 PM Who’s buffing out the stray furs?? Project is looking great 👍🏻😎 hi to the cat 1
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