32-4 ford 5 winder coupe JWAC

[diymirage]

well, here is the beginning of my JWAC build

when all is set and done, this should end up looking like this

the model in the drawing is a 34 but i will be using the revell 2-1 ford 32 and updating it to a 34

i got the flathead in the mail the other day and it looks like im alset minus the headers and carbs

one of my biggest concerns right now is the order in which to chop up the cab

the roof needs to be lowered and a sunroof needs to be added

if i keep the roof closed it will be much stronger to chop the top

on the other hand, if i open the roof first it will be less stressfull on the pillars

[Jairus]

Not quite a sunroof. Early Ford production utilized a soft top insert up till 1937 on all coupe bodys. That was one of the first things to rot out in the wrecking yard so when a young future rodder went to build something, the hole in the roof either needed filling or left open. Look at your kit and you should see a line where the wood framing and canvas covered insert is.

[diymirage]

thanks for the info

after further investigation, that line indeed is there and there is a texture to the insert

iether way, it needs to go

i think ill do it both at the same time, chop the roof (theres a first for me) then open it up and reattach

should be interesting

i wonder if i should post a want ad for a new body yet

[Jairus]

:lol:

No, you will be fine. That is an easy one to learn on.

[diymirage]

thanks

im about to get going on it

i wonder if i should install the firewall backwards

it looks to portrude in the drawing but the model i have is dented

[Jairus]

Install normally. The picture is.... of a 1934!!! Totally different sheetmetal so build your '32 as is and paint to match the pic is my only suggestion. Not much you can do starting with a different year car. 1932 to 1933/'34 marked a lot of changes including a 6" longer wheel base, completely different sheetmetal. Improved engine and for the first time.... a locking spare tire mount! I bet that was important during the depression huh?

Differences between the '33 and the '34 outwardly are two hood handles instead of one, a curved grill and hood louvers on '33 as opposed to straight grill and louvers on the '34. Other than that, they are nearly impossible to tell apart.

Edited April 10, 2010 by Jairus

[diymirage]

Install normally. The picture is.... of a 1934!!! Totally different sheetmetal so build your '32 as is and paint to match the pic is my only suggestion. Not much you can do starting with a different year car. 1932 to 1933/'34 marked a lot of changes including a 6" longer wheel base, completely different sheetmetal. Improved engine and for the first time.... a locking spare tire mount! I bet that was important during the depression huh?

Differences between the '33 and the '34 outwardly are two hood handles instead of one, a curved grill and hood louvers on '33 as opposed to straight grill and louvers on the '34. Other than that, they are nearly impossible to tell apart.

funny thing

i thought about the differences and the only two that i was aware of were the 6 inches in the wheelbase and the grille

the hood handles and louvers arent a big issue in this build since they wont be installed

i just might try to figure out how to make it look more like the 34 after all

for some reason there are two firewalls in the kit so i could install both of them, one facing the way it should and one modified to look like....a.....34

on the bright side, the coupe is a convertible now

i better get that top matched back up

[diymirage]

got a little chop done

to be honoust, i think this looks pretty good but it might need a little bit more...what do you guys think ?

[Tony T]

Nice start! Looks to my eyes like you need to chop it more.

[diymirage]

Nice start! Looks to my eyes like you need to chop it more.

thanks

that sure is a radical chop on the artwork

maybe ill sand her down just a hair or two more

[Tony T]

"Mail-slot" windows, and the skull shifter sticking out of the roof!!

[Tumbler75]

Looks like you are out of the gates and makin' good headway on this! I like how you chopped the top. I'd leave it as is and jus' realigne the pillars. Keep up the great work! I can't wait to see more.

[diymirage]

Looks like you are out of the gates and makin' good headway on this! I like how you chopped the top. I'd leave it as is and jus' realigne the pillars. Keep up the great work! I can't wait to see more.

thanks

i did shave a hair more of the body and im cutting open the roof as we speak

this is definatly out of my comfort zone and the idea of buiying a prefabbe body is nice but i just dont have the budget at the moment

so ill just keep scraping away at it

[MikeMc]

Just remember its only plastic...cut that lid down more....measure an sand slowly,,,evergreen and tenax will cover most boo-boos!!

[Jairus]

This is the look I had in mind and illustrated. The windows are less than half the original height.

(Stole this image off the R&C site if you cannot tell.)

[diymirage]

thanks for that picture jairus

i think i went with a little less extreme a chop...keeping in mind im 6 foot 2 and id like to pretend i would fit in the 1:1

[krassandbernie]

thanks for that picture jairus

i think i went with a little less extreme a chop...keeping in mind im 6 foot 2 and id like to pretend i would fit in

the 1:1

My chopped '34 Ford 5 window coupe body is based on the AMT 5 window and has the roof insert molded in....can easily be cut out. The body sells for $20.00 plus shipping of course. If you are interested; or would like to see pics of it just drop me a line at lowcab36@epix.net.......Ed

Edited April 21, 2010 by krassandbernie

[diymirage]

thanks for the offer bernie but im not looking to spend that much money on this build

still a one income family for a little while longer so i gotta limit my resources

i am however putting this on hold to work out a trade for a special part

more news when the trade is finished and said part is installed

[diymirage]

well, its back to the drawing board

after getting some very generous offers for a fire wall to make this look like a 34 (thanks tony) i was made an offer i couldnt refuse...ken send me this in the mail

a complete 34 ford minus the engine with all the correct firewall parts

so this will be my first true kitbash

i will be using the framerails sheetmetal glass and interior from the 34 and all the suspension and drivetrain parts from the 32

once i am done with the JWAC challenge the remainder of the parts will be a rear fendered hotrod with a ford zetec under the hood

i might lower it and call it the weedwacker

now, where did i leave that hacksaw ?

Edited May 1, 2010 by diymirage

[Modlbldr]

Now you're on the right track. Sounds like BOTH of the builds are going to be great.

Later-

[MikeMc]

DO NOT use a hacksaw... here use Rauls zona.....works great..he gave it to me on my chopped 34

[diymirage]

actually the zona is on my "when the wifey starts making money" list

but that list ranges from new tupperware to a toasterover to underground sprinkling to a 74 GTXs 440

so the way i went about it last time (page one) is as follows:

i marked it of with marking tape and then cut it with a tiny cutting disc on my dremel, making sure i left it a little bit larger then i intended

then i grabbed a piece of wood with a fresh sheet or 220 grit sandpaper attached to it and i started sanding both sides (top and bottom) applying presure to the high point untill the two peices fit together nicely

that is the way i intend to do this one aswell with one small change

i will cut the roof and add a tiny strip of styrene so that the pilars will line up without tweaking

[MikeMc]

I'm not sure the pillars will all line up...here are some shots of the chop on the 32 sedan...I will find the link to Fletch's chop of the coupe...both done the same

with multiple cuts....not that tough with pix

[diymirage]

thats a nice chop you got there

when i cut the top of and looked at all the trim i chickened out and used a lighter to bend the front window pillars out to match the rest

it is drying right now and then its time for primer and putty

i also managed to get both axles from the 32 to fit the 34 frame so i should have some mockup picture later on tonight

[MikeMc]

thats a nice chop you got there

when i cut the top of and looked at all the trim i chickened out and used a lighter to bend the front window pillars out to match the rest

you might run into a fit problem with the front glass. .010 acetate will work