AMT 1934 Ford 3W conversion

[Chris V]

There seems to be a general consensus that Monogram's classic 1:24 scale 1934 Ford 3W Coupé/Convertible is the most accurate looking model kit representation of a '34 Ford.

Lately I've been wondering if anyone has attempted to convert the well detailed "Mueller Era" AMT 1:25 scale 1934 Ford 5W Coupé into a 3W using the roof panel from the AMT (ex. MPC) 1934 Ford "Modified Stocker" kit?

I've noticed that the Modified Stocker kit actually includes the top of the doors/side window surrounds, but can anyone tell me how accurate the proportions of the top are - or how much work it'll take to adapt to fit the 5W kit?

 

 

Edited Wednesday at 02:47 PM by Chris V

[Mark]

Measuring the two, they're close but not exactly the same.  Not surprising, considering they were designed and tooled many years apart by different companies.

That said, before starting I'd try to find dimensional drawings of the two body styles (or, better, measure both cars in 1:1).  Ford didn't build many of their car bodies yet; most body styles were bought from outside companies like Murray and Briggs.  I don't know specifically about the '33-'34 bodies, but I do know that a '32 3W body is considerably wider at the back of the door opening (hangs further outside the frame rail on each side) than a 5W.  And I do know the '36 3W and 5W roofs differ in length (wider panel between roof and deck lid).  The 3W roof is the shorter of the two.  I'd imagine at least one of those quirks carried over to, or from, '33-'34.

Having measured the two '34 bodies, I'd do it one of two ways.  (1): cut the 3W body behind the roof leaving a little bit of the deck area, just enough to fill the difference in length between it and the longer 5W roof being removed.  The 5W dirt track body has the bottom few inches trimmed off.  I'd keep its side panels and trim the 5W body down to where the missing portion of the 3W body is left.  It might be tough making the two transition into one another this way.  You will probably have to narrow the 3W roof a bit at the windshield opening.

(2): The other way would be to shorten the 5W roof to match the 3W, then splice in the 3W side window openings.  The size of the roof insert will probably need to be changed also.

But before doing anything, I'd get measurements or dimensional drawings.  I'd almost bet the two bodies came from different suppliers and differ in width.  I bought another '34 coupe a few weeks ago, but, already having a couple of Monogram coupes, I'm looking at doing a two-door sedan that is better than Ertl's attempt.

[Chris V]

Thanks, Mark! 

Apparently there's no way to build a halfway decent '34 without having to perform major surgery... 😅

If I decide to go on with the project, I'm leaning towards your option #1 (grafting the MPC roof and upper door frames onto the AMT kit and lengthening the filler the trunk and filler panel above it accordingly)

I'm currently working on correcting a few of the old Monogram kits so the bodywork will line up properly. This one being my main priority at the moment: https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/203024-monogram-1934-ford/   

[krassandbernie]

https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/144491-1934-ford-3-window-coupe-not-chopped/

[Chris V]

4 hours ago, krassandbernie said:

https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/144491-1934-ford-3-window-coupe-not-chopped/

Well that answers the question pretty darn accurately - Thanks Ed!

Looks like I'll be buying a Modified Stocker kit, then...