'29 Model A Turtle Deck Roadster

[Chuck Most]

I've always wanted to build a rod with a Ford I-6. I got this 170 inline sixer in a box of parts a few years back. I originally came with either a '62 Comet or Falcon AMT annual kit. This is how it looked when I got it- except for the missing valve cover (which was my doing!) Don't worry, now that the engine is done, the valve cover is bound to show up some place!

Here, I've added the Stromberg 97 from a Revell '29 Model A pickup kit. The slash-cut exhaust pipe is from a Lindberg '34 Ford pickup, and the belt/pulley casting and generator are from my spares box.

I also wired the engine, detail painted it, and added the finned Offy valve cover from a Slant six. I belive it came from the old XR-6 kit, but I'm not sure.

And, yes, I know a '62 170 should be black (with a red valve cover and air cleaner in stock form), but I just liked the blue better, as red/black seems to be a bit overdone on hot rods these days!

Okay- first hurdle is cleared, now it's onto the other 9,000 little items that make up a rod model!

Edited November 23, 2009 by Chuck Most

[Fletch]

That is a different take on a Hot Rod engine, I like it, very cool. If the rest of the build ends up this cool, you'll have a certifiable winner on your hands.

[Chuck Most]

That is a different take on a Hot Rod engine, I like it, very cool. If the rest of the build ends up this cool, you'll have a certifiable winner on your hands.

Here's hoping!

Made a little progress last night:

I scratchbuilt a simple little box chassis for the truck from Plastruct strips. I'll be running a (somewhat) traditional early Ford type buggy spring setup.

I made up an "A-Bucket" style tub, using the cowl and doors from a '29 Roadster, and the back from an AMT Ala Kart cab. I'd originally planned to use the MPC/AMT '29 open cab, then thought about using the Ala Kart cab right out of the box, but finally decided to Frankenstein this cab together, since I liked the overall look of the Ala Kart tub, but thought the detail on the cowl and doors was a bit sterile.

Here, my scratchbuilt chassis has sprouted the axle from a Revell '29 Model A pickup, and the four link bars from a Revell Deuce will come a bit later. I'm pretty sure I'll need to rethink that steering link, though. The chassis was basically built around the engine. I painted the roadster portion of the body in a pale yellow, and the Ala Kart piece black, to make it look like the cab was constructed from parts of two different cars. Once joined and painted, the whole cab was weathered. The gas cap is an old wire wheel knock-off nut. Yep, I'll be keeping the Model A gas tank in the cowl!

And here I've added the rear axle from the same Revell '29 chrome sprue. I split the stock radius rod and connected each side to the frame. I also mounted the spring in front of and even with the axle tube, as opposed to the stock location where the spring is directly above the axle. This pushes the axle out toward the back of the car a bit, and lowers it a couple of scale inches. You'll also note the aformentioned Revell Deuce 4-link setup at the front axle now, as well.

Starting to look like something, anyway!

Edited November 20, 2009 by Chuck Most

[Fletch]

Coming together nicely Chuck. Very well thought out, and executed. Cleanly built, traditional all the way.

[Fairlane]

Looks good! I Like 30`s Fords,and all FoMoCo`s too.Nice mufler!

[vizio93]

Sweet I love how this is coming along !!! What wheels are you going to use ?

[Chuck Most]

Thanks for the encouragement, guys! Billy- check out the second photo- that should answer your question!

The ol' workbench was a blur of activity last night...

You might have noticed a few changes to the frame. The axle is now butted right up to the frame, and not on a hanger out in front of it. I also robbed the tie rod, as well as a pitman arm and drag link, from an old Watson roadster kit. I also redid the rear suspension- still the '29 Model A piece, but I replaced the spring with a less-flimsy MPC/AMT piece. I also replaced the split 'bones with short ladder-type bars from an AMT '51 Chevy hardtop. I also employed a carrier bearing in the driveshaft, so I wouldn't need to worry about a driveshaft flopping about directly underneath the driver's buttocks!

Here ya go- Billy! I used the good old Ford steelies and whitewalls from a Revell '29 Model A pickup... but not the same one that donated it's axles. (Model A spares? I got 'em!) I'll paint detail the nuts and grease caps later. This was the first test-fit of the body to the completed chassis, at this point I still haven't fabricated a lower firewall to hold the front of the tub up.

The grille/radiator is a cut down AMT part, I think it's from a Phaeton or Vicky. A little black wash to the grille and some metallic black paint finish her off. Why metallic black, when the car has a rusty yellow/black body and green wheels? I'm going for a 'built-from-cast-off-junk' kind of vibe since, well, this model is actually being built from cast off junk!

Here's why it's 'not so much a roadster pickup anymore'. I'd originally thought of adding a shortened, T-bucket style pickup box, but for whatever reason, a turtle deck seemed to make more and more sense whenever it popped into my head. This one is from the AMT competition T body. I cut open the trunklid, added a floor, and installed the battery in the opening. I may add some other stuff to the trunk (wrenches, a toolbox, or something like that), but I'm not putting the lid back on!

Some purists may scoff at a Deuce grille and T-turtle deck sandwiching a hybrid Model A/Model T body, but I like it! The Deuce grille has graced many a Model A, and a few Model As have had T decks grafted on. Why not both on one car?

And here's the inside. The dash is just a slab of .030" styrene with foil copied gauges (the first time I've ever foil copied gauges, by the way!) The seat is a cut-down '41 Ford Woody piece, the gas pedal is a double ended open end wrench, and the steering column is from a Revell Lil' John (RIP) '26 Model T street rod kit, capped off with a '77 Ford Courier steering wheel. Still need to cough up a shifter (and possibly a hand-brake lever) and a windshield, but we're inching ever closer!

Edited November 21, 2009 by Chuck Most

[Modlbldr]

I like this one. It is a nice combination of parts and a great way to use them up. Nice weathering too. Keep it up. I want to see this one when it is finished.

Later-

[vizio93]

Sweet !!! Is that the color your gonna use or ???

[Chuck Most]

Alrightie, folks... got her finished up Sunday evening...

I used the headlamps and bar from a '32 Phaeton kit with the V8 insignia chopped off (I used it on the Flathead Courier I wrapped up earlier in the weekend). The 170 is on full display in this shot!

I used the ever-popular '39 'Teardrop' tails, laid on their sides on the turtle deck. The smiley face decal is from a '32 Ford Tudor sedan (new Revell kit).

And here's the inside- the shifter came from the same Phaeton that coughed up its headlamps. I also grunged up the '41 Woody seat a bit, and cut a windshield off a spare Ala Kart dash. I made the 'glass' from .010" styrene.

And here it is- my first ever On the Workbench project is a done deal!

Sheesh- next one's gonna have to be a bit more involved, I guess!

[Rider]

Cool looking build, I really like the weathering on the seat. Huh ya learn somethig everyday on here, I never knew that the rear deck lid was called what it is. BTW nice touch with the battery too.

[MikeMc]

Totally Bit*hin.......Rat? Hot?............ KOOL!!!

[RS Sport]

Cool! Nice work! Keep it up!

[Smart-Resins]

Very cool looking! Jody

[disabled modeler]

I've always wanted to build a rod with a Ford I-6. I got this 170 inline sixer in a box of parts a few years back. I originally came with either a '62 Comet or Falcon AMT annual kit. This is how it looked when I got it- except for the missing valve cover (which was my doing!) Don't worry, now that the engine is done, the valve cover is bound to show up some place!

Here, I've added the Stromberg 97 from a Revell '29 Model A pickup kit. The slash-cut exhaust pipe is from a Lindberg '34 Ford pickup, and the belt/pulley casting and generator are from my spares box.

I also wired the engine, detail painted it, and added the finned Offy valve cover from a Slant six. I belive it came from the old XR-6 kit, but I'm not sure.

And, yes, I know a '62 170 should be black (with a red valve cover and air cleaner in stock form), but I just liked the blue better, as red/black seems to be a bit overdone on hot rods these days!

Okay- first hurdle is cleared, now it's onto the other 9,000 little items that make up a rod model!

hi chuck, i like it the engine looks cool yo me, its different and im one of those people that like things that are different. i have a in line six in my dads old 64 falcon and plan on it staying in there even though its a falcon sprint. yours has the old muscle look and to me it gets a little old seeing / building nothing but high performance cars, the everyday vehicles grab my attention every time....stuff like you see on every day street. keep up the good work ! .............mark orr

[carrucha]

Nice hotrod. Good job making the pieces from different kits look good.

carrucha

[Chuck Most]

Thanks guys!

Now I've got to get one of Ken Kitchen's resin Flathead Ford I-6 engines! I can think of a vast number of applications for such an animal!

[CB]

Very, very cool Chuck

You's the 'most'

[Jantrix]

I have a near identical build planned. Great work.

[Guest snapper]

This is really nice - Yes, this would be a cool driver. Clean job and nice work on the interior color choices and touches.

[charlie8575]

I like it. Neat concept and nice execution. Anything with an straight six/eight is good as far as I'm concerned.

Charlie Larkin

[Tom Kren]

I love it nice job all around

[seeker589]

I'm really diggin' the feel of the car - great use of color to get the just-made-from-cast-off-junk vibe. Right-on!

I was wondering if you could tell me how you got the distressed/worn leather look to your seat. Is there a how-to on the board? Could you do one?

Edited November 29, 2009 by seeker589

[Chuck Most]

I was wondering if you could tell me how you got the distressed/worn leather look to your seat. Is there a how-to on the board? Could you do one?

Tim-

About all I did was spray the seat with the overall color I wanted (Rustoleum Nutmeg Satin, in this case), and then gave it a wash of thinned flat black acrylic paint to grunge it up a bit, as well as to bring out the really nice stitch detail in the '41 Ford seat.

It's one of the easiest detailing tricks out there- try it out and see for yourself!

[noname]

Ya , I like this. Good job.