Not So Tall 'T' - Junkyard Rescue - Update 11/27

[Fletch]

A few weeks ago I got a call from a fellow modeler here in Portland, to pick-up a bunch of kits that he was going to have to get rid of before moving to Arizona. In the boxes there were lots of misc parts and pieces. One of the pieces I found was a resin version of the AMT '25 Model T. I don't know who the caster of the body was but it's not to bad except that the cowl was broken out of the body. Initially I thought it was an AMT plastic body until I attempted to glue the broken 'A & B' pillars only to find that styrene cement would not hold them together.

A piece of .060 Evergreen was added to fill the opening in the cowl, the rest of the missing cowl still needs to be added.

I get the impression that the body was painted without the benefit of primer. I'll sand the rest of the paint to either give it some tooth or remove it completely.

The plan for the build is to use an AMT Custom-Competition Hot Rod Frame.

Hosted on Fotki

Chances are the engine for the build will be a venerable Flathead. I have no idea what the induction will be at this point, but it should be something flashy to go along with the Chrome Frame.

Stay Tuned.

Edited November 27, 2009 by Fletch

[redscampi]

That looks like a cool project! I love to see junker rescues.

[Fletch]

Got some work done on the 'T' this morning. I don't believe I've ever used the AMT Hot Rod Chassis for a build. It's unique in that it uses a torsion bar setup for the front suspension. The frame assembles quite easily and actually looks pretty good built straight from the tree.

However it was quickly obvious that it was meant for something with a passenger compartment shorter then the '25 'T' as the rear axle center line is to far forward.

A couple of quick snips with the side cutters and the removal of the rear most cross member resolved the problem.

The down side to removing the rear cross member to move the axle CL back is that the needed space for the engine no longer exists. So, the frame is going to need to be split just in front of the rear wish bone mounting location and aprox 1/2" of Evergreen Styrene tube will need to to be added.

Hosted on Fotki

The rolling stock for the 'T' has yet to be chosen, the 2 possibilities of tire/wheel combination are to use the tire/wheels from the Roth Outlaw or the Roth Mysterion. There is also a good chance the Outlaw may give up it's Caddy mill with the 4x2 manifold for the project in place of the flathead. A Revell Buttera 'T' Sedan will be the source of the radiator and surround.

The rear of the body needs to have some trim work done to allow the 'T' to sit down over the frame and get the stance that I'm looking for.

Stay Tuned.

Edited November 28, 2009 by Fletch

[Foxer]

I find it interesting that something that old, ie. the hot rod frame, uses disk brakes. Cool build.

[CB]

Gee Dave, you gets all the luck ! I'd never have let that body go !!!

Cool frame-- and only 69 cents?

Can't wait to see some big meats hangin' back here

[Fletch]

Gee Dave, you gets all the luck ! I'd never have let that body go !!!

Cool frame-- and only 69 cents?

Can't wait to see some big meats hangin' back here

Brother John, there were some serious treasures in the 14 boxes of kits, pieces and parts that I brought home. Some went to the last swap meet as they were duplicates of the multiples that I already had. Others remained in my collection, nothing like being a plastic hoarder.

I'm now wishing I hadn't given all the '41 Lincoln wheels and tires away, a set would look great on the back of this build.

[Greg Myers]

like to see that frame kit reissued. It would go great with the Tee body. http://www.round2models.com/models/amt/ford-t-body

[unclescott58]

Did Dave ever finish this kit?

Scott

[vintagedragcrazy]

it was reissued a few years back and still can be found it's in this box.

vince