1/16 Model T

[LR3]

For budget reasons I thought I might try a 1/16 scale model. Darn, they sure are small. Forgot where half size would wind up. Anyway I picked the "T" because I may try to scratch built it later in 1/8. Seems like you are restricted in post size so I guess I will post a number of images and dialog posts. Edited April 16, 2010 by LR3

[LR3]

One thing I notice first off is the windshield is pushed back on the model compared to any photo copy I can find of a "T".

[LR3]

Here is a reference photo.

[LR3]

Another poster corrected me on the windshield placement. There were "T"s built in 1910 and 1911 at least that had their windshields placed about a foot behind the firewall so the model can be correct. Although if I scratch build this in a larger scale I will make the windshield and firewall integral.

I have been fiddling with placement and scale wire (I assume if telephone wire is the right scale at 1/8 for spark plugs that magnet wire is appropriate for 1/16 scale?) Anyway here are two shots so far. The kit has brass plated parts for too many things like foot peddles, the front wheel mounts and the steering wheel spark advance, etc.

Here is what you get in the kit.

[LR3]

A modification that might be in order is the firewall. The kit has a large hole to minimize the use of plastic. The car has a flat firewall with 8 insulated wire posts for spark plug and other electrical.

[sjordan2]

Found some more nice 1:1 shots here:

http://texacocarofthedecades.com/BestInClassCars2007/CarDetails.aspx?CarDetailID=178&Preview=False&Decade=1910

[Harry P.]

Hey Syd... are you the same Syd from the big scale forum?

That kit looks like a great starting point for some serious detailing. No up-top included?

[LR3]

Hey Syd... are you the same Syd from the big scale forum?

That kit looks like a great starting point for some serious detailing. No up-top included?

Yep - one and the same if you mean from SMC. This 1/16 stuff is hard on the eyes and fingers. I am going to try to scratch build this in 1/8 (maybe).

Edited April 18, 2010 by LR3

[Junkman]

The kit looks a lot better than the box art (?) suggests. A Tognotti's T comes to mind...

[Harry P.]

Yep - one and the same if you mean from SMC. This 1/16 stuff is hard on the eyes and fingers. I am going to try to scratch build this in 1/8 (maybe).

Then you're the guy who sold me a Pocher Fiat once. At least I think that was you...

I wish there was a 1/8 T kit available... I'd love to build one.

[sjordan2]

Waiting for Art Anderson to show up. Nobody knows more about this stuff than he does.

[LR3]

Waiting for Art Anderson to show up. Nobody knows more about this stuff than he does.

I don't know about that. You sure can dig up great reference photos.

Anyway am near the final stage. These simple models go too fast. I can spend months having fun building a TDR model.

[sjordan2]

Looks like you're on a roll. Really want to see how this ends up. And if 1/16 seems small to you, I guess you must have been doing 1/8 Pocher. But from everything I can tell, at 1/16 you're getting a much larger choice at half the scale,and a fraction of the price and agony. Besides, if you're a Pocher guy like Harry P. you can take your knowledge and experience and do the best-ever builds of kits like the 1/16 Mercedes 540K.

[Harry P.]

I've seen photos of early T's with white tires and also black ones. What's the story? White tires in certain years only?

[sjordan2]

I've seen photos of early T's with white tires and also black ones. What's the story? White tires in certain years only?

As I said, that's an Art Anderson question. But Wikipedia offers a certain amount of illumination:

"Early automobile tires were made entirely of natural white rubber, however, the white rubber did not offer sufficient traction and endurance so carbon black was added to the rubber used for the treads. Using carbon black only in the tread produced tires with inner and outer sidewalls of white rubber. Later, entirely black tires became available, the still extant white sidewalls being covered with a somewhat thin, black colored layer of rubber. Should a black sidewall tire have been severely scuffed against a curb the underlying white rubber would be revealed, it is in a similar manner that raised white letter (RWL) tires are made.

The status of whitewall tires versus blackwall tires was originally the reverse of what it later became, with fully black tires requiring a greater amount of carbon black and less effort to maintain a clean appearance these were considered the premium tire."

I would guess that, as seen in contemporary photos of cars such as the 1910 Model T, the white tire was original and photos with black tires show upgrades at a later date.

That aside, it would be cool if a model kit company would take one of these kits and put the "nonskid" logo pattern on the tire treads of these old brass cars.

Edited April 19, 2010 by sjordan2

[Harry P.]

Art Anderson? Come quick... we need you!

[LR3]

Art Anderson? Come quick... we need you!

Did a Google search - could not find Anderson but look what came up from an Anthony Hazelaar. I am complaining about 1/16 and look what this guy has done in 1/25th. http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/modeltrucksandcars//

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Yep - one and the same if you mean from SMC. This 1/16 stuff is hard on the eyes and fingers. I am going to try to scratch build this in 1/8 (maybe).

Maybe? What kind of talk is that Syd?

A 1/8th scratch build of an old balloon car or hack would rock! At least you wouldn't have to fuss with a bunch of compound curves or miles of wiring to detail it. One day I hope to build a hi-end boat tail (wood body) 1/8th or 1/6th roadster.....alas, that comes after the TDR stuff I'm working on.

I don't think I'd be able to persuade the TDR gang to do a stock banger (4 cylinder) in 1/8th but maybe if we made enough noise they'd do one just to shut us up?

[LR3]

Maybe? What kind of talk is that Syd?

A 1/8th scratch build of an old balloon car or hack would rock! At least you wouldn't have to fuss with a bunch of compound curves or miles of wiring to detail it. One day I hope to build a hi-end boat tail (wood body) 1/8th or 1/6th roadster.....alas, that comes after the TDR stuff I'm working on.

I don't think I'd be able to persuade the TDR gang to do a stock banger (4 cylinder) in 1/8th but maybe if we made enough noise they'd do one just to shut us up?

Compared to the complex things they have done already - a four banger would be like a rest stop for them. Probably whip one out on their lunch hour.

Kidding aside the whole of a model A or model T would be a 1/8 kit no one else has and there does seem to be interest here and at SMC. The thing holding back a good transition from a Deuce kit to an original Deuce or model A is the darn front axel/wheel assembly. Dan has a straight axel mold as I made an original for him a year or so ago and he sent me back resin copies. I just could not make the attachments right.

Edited April 19, 2010 by LR3

[LR3]

Well, that was fun. Guess now the only thing to do is figure how I am going to build a 1/8th "T". If I thought TDR would be building a "T" motor in the near future, I would start with the frame but that is too much to hope for so I guess I better start with a motor myself and if I can build that I can probably build the rest.

[speedy5963]

nice looking build, don't see too many of these around.

[Harry P.]

How is the driver going to toot his horn???

[LR3]

How is the driver going to toot his horn???

Good eye Harry.

[Junkman]

How is the driver going to toot his horn???

With his tutu. Haaaaaaaahahah, good 'un, innit?

This kit looks nice. I've never given it a second glance, but what I see here is most tempting. I may have a go at it myself.