early 60's custom 1957 Ranchero

[randx0]

The Ford wagons, Customs and Custom 300's of '57- '58 rode a 116" wheelbase, while the Fairlane and Fairlane 500's used a longer chassis with a wheelbase of 118". Since the Ranchero was based on the two- door Ranch Wagon, it rode the shorter chassis. The Edsel's a good source for the chassis- just shorten it 2 scale inches aft of the doors. Good luck.

Thanks for the info on the chassis and super marauder engine,I am using some of the edsel chassis it was much closer than the starliner but still the chassis is too long in the wrong spots for this body.

[randx0]

the rearend really looks great so does the front!

thanks just wait until it is done!

[randx0]

a couple of shots of my first attempt at the grille . it is two of the custom grilles from the amt 63 impala .I cut of the headlights and added som length to the ends.I really need to learn how to use my camera better .let me know what you think if you can see it well enough .

Edited October 20, 2009 by randx0

[Modellpularn]

Looks good! You sectioned the grille opening, right? It looks slimmer now. Keep up the good work! About using your camera; try a neutral background to start with. Other than that, most of your pics are good.

[randx0]

I am beginning work on the interior it is coming along slowly . I was going to use some bucket seats and a console but I think the bench seat would be better for smoochin' the ladies.plus it gives me an opportunity to try some custom touches,like the diamond pattern and some tuck and roll vertically.

this is the start of the seat now that I kinda know where I'm going it should start falling together a little faster.

Next up some pics of a few of the parts that have found their way onto or off of or just nearby this build,it doesn't include the three or four complete kits I keep going back to for parts.

thanks for looking!

Edited October 26, 2009 by randx0

[Rudy]

Looks awesome!!! The grille is kind of similar to what I was picturing in my head, vertical bars, similar to a 52 buick or other cars of the era....... I am picturing a Tri-power 312 from a thunderbird, or a 430 M.E.L. engine. with multiple carbs....

Rudy

[randx0]

Looks awesome!!! The grille is kind of similar to what I was picturing in my head, vertical bars, similar to a 52 buick or other cars of the era....... I am picturing a Tri-power 312 from a thunderbird, or a 430 M.E.L. engine. with multiple carbs....

Rudy

I think the grille still has little work to go however I like where it's headed. As for the engine I'm leaning towards the M.E.L. but I haven't decided yet.Thanks for the compliment.

Looks good! You sectioned the grille opening, right? It looks slimmer now. Keep up the good work! About using your camera; try a neutral background to start with. Other than that, most of your pics are good.

Modellpularn,

yes I did section the grille opening.Thank you for the pointers and the compliments.

Edited October 30, 2009 by randx0

[randx0]

I don't know what is wrong with me...............

after struggling with the interior I realized it would be much easier if I cut out the doors which is a little out of my comfort zone .After removing the doors it allowed me to get the rear wheel wells in place, which also helped get the chassis fit, which allows me to access the interior way easier, which ultimately helps the interior .In other words by trying something harder it made a lot of other things easier .So all I have to do is a decent job on those doors .to help that this is what I will be using as hinges

while going through my collection of often unused P.E. parts I found this

which is out of era but the design allows the hood to go below level which is necessary due to the slope of the hood and once painted should look unobtrusive. if you have any tips on either of these feel free to let me know as I don't hinge stuff very often. Oh yeah space limitations force me to suicide the doors and thats o.k. I would rather the doors open normally but the rear of the door is more straight vertically making it easier for me to hinge.critiques welcome .

[randx0]

heres some pics of the hood hinges and the door hinges

[lowriderphil]

heres some pics of the hood hinges and the door hinges

thanks for the assembled pics. I've been thinking of getting a set of the door hinges but I couldn't visualize how they would look when folded. How many pairs of doors will one pack do? I thought it was at least 2-4 rides

[randx0]

thanks for the assembled pics. I've been thinking of getting a set of the door hinges but I couldn't visualize how they would look when folded. How many pairs of doors will one pack do? I thought it was at least 2-4 rides

there are 12 seperate hinges in this set the instructions say to use 2 per door. also they have different sizes . I think they are a pretty good value.

[randx0]

alright I got one door done.determining where to place the hinges was a head scratcher it came out just ok they should have been a little higher and a little over but for now it'll work as my goal is still mostly to get it finished.

still workin on the grille and the interior as the opening doors distracted me for a minute . I was a little nervous about the doors but now that one is done I am pleased with the direction it's going in .the hood hinges seem to be the next area of contention. I'll post more pics when I get a little further along probably a couple days.thanks for looking.

[randx0]

quick question is the engine in the 60 starliner the same size /block as the mercury 430?

[randx0]

what was I thinking ? this was almost falling together until I opened those doors then it started falling apart.

[DanielG]

Love the look of the hood between those dual head-light fenders! (am waiting to see how you shoe-horn an engine and rad in there)

[Modlbldr]

Randy-

This is looking good. Don't let those doors get you rattled. Step back and take a breather and it will work out fine. Those hinges are going to be a great touch. Keep it up. Originally I was seeing a "Watson-esque" paint job myself. I think that it may look good with a hint to the Grapevine's silver and purple scallop paint job.

Later-

[randx0]

Love the look of the hood between those dual head-light fenders! (am waiting to see how you shoe-horn an engine and rad in there)

thanks it turned out how I had hoped it would design wise(turns out I like the 58 ford).as far as the rad and engine the whole front clip is extended so I lost very little in the actual engine bay the radiator may need to be shortened 1 or two scale inches .

[randx0]

Randy-

This is looking good. Don't let those doors get you rattled. Step back and take a breather and it will work out fine. Those hinges are going to be a great touch. Keep it up. Originally I was seeing a "Watson-esque" paint job myself. I think that it may look good with a hint to the Grapevine's silver and purple scallop paint job.

Later-

Thanks Tom a breather has been taken ,which is why I wish I hadn't opened the doors but then after reviewing I now remember I needed too as it solved a whole bunch of other problems.Thank you for the encouragement .as far as the paint job I had originally wanted to do some green scallop designs but some one else built a similar car with green and even in the real car world green seems to be popular with this car so I have some ideas using other colors .

[DanielG]

thanks it turned out how I had hoped it would design wise(turns out I like the 58 ford).as far as the rad and engine the whole front clip is extended so I lost very little in the actual engine bay the radiator may need to be shortened 1 or two scale inches .

Of course, sorry, I missed that!

[Jairus]

Randy, caught myself up on your project and you are doing great! The hood hinges on the '57 - '59 were not those hinges. They are suppose to be forward mounted and simple pivots right on top of the radiator core support. This allowed the front edge of the hood to drop and 90% of the hood length to open up from the firewall forward. Simple and effective and easy to replicate inscale with-out photo etch hinges. Save the hood hinges for another project. (wow, you are not afraid of trying something difficult are you?)

[randx0]

Randy, caught myself up on your project and you are doing great! The hood hinges on the '57 - '59 were not those hinges. They are suppose to be forward mounted and simple pivots right on top of the radiator core support. This allowed the front edge of the hood to drop and 90% of the hood length to open up from the firewall forward. Simple and effective and easy to replicate inscale with-out photo etch hinges. Save the hood hinges for another project. (wow, you are not afraid of trying something difficult are you?)

if I wasn't trying something difficult I would have hundreds of completed models .

[randx0]

I gotta get back on this one.

[Fast Floyd 2]

OH WOW!!!!! this is going to be awsome. I really like what you have done with it

[randx0]

I started this in 2009 ,before the revell 57 fords came out . I worked through several problem areas and pushed my comfort level by opening the doors . I got stuck when the windshield frame broke right at the dogleg , then broke again on both sides . No epoxy , glue , acrylic filler could hold the frame together .  It just got beyond my skills so work stopped . Now, years later, a solution has presented itself by cutting out the door jambs and windshield frame in one piece from the AMT 57 ford .it should give extra strength and it looks like it should just about drop right in .

 

 

Edited January 14, 2016 by randx0

[Maindrian Pace]

Wow, I'm glad I saw this old thread. I love it, especially the custom/correction to the 4dr door length with the slanted B pillars. I add strength to narrow cut or sectioned pillars by adding a strip of aluminum to the backside, like roof flashing material or KS brass from the LHS. As for paint, I'm seeing a Gene Winfield fade, like on the Jade Idol. This will be way cool to watch.