51 Chev Fleetline Custom

[crazyjim]

Looking pretty good, Mike. I'm going to keep following your progress.

[Joe Nunes]

GREGG!!!!!!! This one belongs in MCM; Farmboy, you've got a great build going...made me dig out my '51 kit (AMT T284) and find that '50 Ford front end. Got 'em on the workbench now. Thanks for all the pics, too.

Joe

P.S. Had a '52 Chevy Deluxe 4-door in high school, black on the bottom and light green on top with red plaid seat covers inside. I loved driving that 'ole car around! It was stolen in 1969 and I never saw it again....man....

[Modlbldr]

I have this kit and have been contemplating how to chop it for years. Now you have answered my questions. The chop looks just right! You are right, there may be other, better ways but this is a way that I think I can accomplish. Thanks for all of the photos.

Later-

[MikeMc]

Makes my Zona drool.........

[Joe Nunes]

Joe

[oldscool]

You are doing a great job. there was an article in R&C a couple of years ago about chopping a real car like this and they did it almost exactly the same way you did the model. Your plastic strip welds look just like the welds on the real thing from the article.

oldscool

[Farmboy]

Here`s the primer queen in her first rough coat. Some finish sanding and the odd touch up and she`ll be ready for paint. I`ll be using the fender skirts and probably chrome wheels/moons that came with the kit. Thanx everybody for the kind words, glad the pics and the process (though I`m not really sure I did it all correctly) were of interest.

As always, comments and critiques welcome.

[Sixties Sam]

Incredible work, Mike! The chop is perfect! I would have been afraid to try it.

Sam

[Joe Nunes]

That is looking sweet!! Only thing I can offer is maybe lower the bottom of the rear window opening a tad...say split the distance between the lower rear window edge and the trunk opening line. Would offer a more realistic window opening from the drivers view and not be a "mailslot". Just my 2 cents worth

Joe

[oldscool]

Looks killer and I think the chrome reverse and moons will go well with this look.

oldscool

[Raul_Perez]

All of the custom changes are coming together nicely!!

The chop looks very well done without being over done...

Keep up the GREAT work!!

Later,

[jevries]

I say that's a perfect chopped top! Not too little and not too much.

[Farmboy]

The mockup. I'm thinking of staying with blackwalls depending on the color(s) I choose. Thanx again for your input and observations.

comment and critiques welcome

[sjordan2]

Very nice work. Might have an extra-mean look if you added a windshield visor.

[weasel]

wow, that's comong along nicely...

any thoughts on color?? heavy 'flake??

[Farmboy]

Sjordan, that's a very good idea. I don't have one, but I just might try to see if I can do a semi decent job of making one when I have her ready for paint.

Edited March 13, 2010 by Farmboy

[Foxer]

The roof line with that chop came out really well!

[Farmboy]

Here's a mock up of where I'm at with the Fleetline. I decided on a plain maroon type of red for the body and minimal BMF. Much as I liked the fender skirts they just weren't working for me so off they came. The grille is one I removed from an amt '57 vette. It'll be centered vertically when its installed. Glad I saved it! Still to come are front/rear bumpers sourced from the parts box. The headlight pots will have bmf and maybe the bottom edge trim on the hood as well. These shots are before clear and polishing.

and the interior is a two tone black. I think it fits well. Just some BMF detailing to add

as always, your comments and critiques are welcome. Hope these pics are of interest.

[jedimastergary]

Looks like it is coming along great nice color

it will be a killer rod when it is done love

the nose. I am using those headlights on a

1955 Chevy pick up I had missing the head

lights

Edited April 3, 2010 by jedimastergary

[Farmboy]

Using the kit supplied chrome wheels necessitates using the optional wider rubber tires. I like the look, but even with the dual height choice for the front, it didn't lower the car to my satisfaction. I used the time honored modeler's trick of cutting and re-attaching the wheel backs off center. It's a curbside model so I can do this with a clear conscience! It also presents an interesting problem. The fronts don't set up in the fenderwells very far due to the narrowing area, so out comes the dremel and sanding drum to narrow the tops of the tires -- that area can't be seen from any angle so I'm also confortable with it. I'll have pics after surgery.

I worked out the height for the rears by setting the spring mounts on a sanding stick and cemeting the wheel backs (in the tires) to dry in position, that prevents anything but the tires from touching the ground on the completed model.

comments and critiques welcome as always. Mike

[Alyn]

Great looking custom. I love how nice that nose with the canted quads worked out.

You've inspired me to dig out my fleetline and move it closer to the top of the "to do" list(including a top chop).

[Farmboy]

...it looks pretty gruesome but this is the narrowing required for the wider tires to fit under the front fenderwells so it lowers to match the rear

and here's the mockup of how the suspension fits. The rear tires are not attached to the wheel backs and it looks cramped. They fit more comfortably when the wheel back and front are cemented together and narrows each wheel assembly a bit.