Get Shorty......Updated December 12

[crazyjim]

I like the 2 seater version better. Please put my name in the hat for getting one. If someone would like to trade for the dual cowl version I have, I'm open to hear about them.

[Tony T]

Just a thought, but could the mould be cut into 3 parts, so you could have a removeable centre section to mould either the 4 door, or 2 door versions, as you need?

If not, I'd be interested in a 2 door to accompany the 4 door version I have. I'm still trying the figure out how I want to build the 4 door...a few ideas kicking around still.

How about a wagon, or delivery version? Would make an interesting "Shooting Brake"! Food for thought!

Edited November 28, 2010 by Tony T

[Peter Lombardo]

I was not planning on posting an update on 2 seat roadster run-about; but the football games on TV were so boring that I figured, why not. I was going to wait until it was complete, but its getting close so here is what has been completed so far. I apologize for the poor quality photos but we’ve has rain all day, its dark I was too lazy to set up some lights….so that’s it, that’s my story and I’m sticking with it.

The car is painted in Mopar Slate Green on the bottom and a GM beige on the top.

(the hood was not set right here, but it has been fixed and fits perfect now) Once dry, both got a coat of clear lacquer with House of Kolor Gold flakes mixed in to give both a great gold highlight when hit by the sun…but who knows if the sun will ever come out again.

I cut a very thin pinstripe out of yellow ochre vinyl and applied that between the two colors. I added the 4 mesh grilles and headlights which are HO scale MU jewels.

The windshield is from a promo of the original Prowler concept. The rear view mirrors are from same Corvette that gave up its chassis and engine. In the interior, the seats came from the Corvette but I spliced a small section from the middle of the two seats and attached them together to give the clearance necessary in the narrow interior.

The dashboard is cut from styrene with the two gauge rounds cut from the Dodge Sidewinder concept truck dash. I believe the steering wheel is from a Viper and the automatic gear selector is from the Corvette. I still have to cover the inside door panels. They will have dark green on the bottom and the same ribbed beige material on the top that is behind the seats.

Around back, I added the taillight pods which are loosely patterned after the style on the MGA’s from the late 1950’s.

You can see the 4 holes in the lower center where the chrome exhaust tips will stick out slightly, and above them is the license plate housing indented into the rear deck.

I guess the most interesting feature on this car is the scratch built folding convertible top and mechanism. This is my third attempt at a convertible roof mechanism. The first two were made out of brass strips and basically worked, but I was not happy with them. This version is made from styrene which I cut from a left over piece from the vacuum formed body.

I used tiny little brass nails held in place with chrome bead crimp tubes I got at Michael’s. Once crimped, I added a drop of medium viscosity super glue to hold them tight.

The unit operates fine…not exactly like the real ones work as I “stylized†and simplified the mechanism as much as I could.

The soft top for the car is made from a piece of silk that was cut out of the back of an old necktie. If you turn an old tie over, at the bottom of the wide end you will the inner lining material. This is often colored a matching color for the basic color of the tie. Some are white, which is what I started with. I cut the white silk out of the old tie. If you don’t want to cut up a tie, some craft and art supply stores sell silk tie material so that you can silk screen your own tie designs. Once it was cut out, I mixed up a small batch of “Rit†dye and hot almost boiling water. I brought a package of dark green. As you can see, it is dyed green and all wrinkled.

Tomorrow when it is completely dry, I will iron it smooth…all of the wrinkles will be gone. I did one the other day, and it works great. Then I will cut out the rear window which gets a piece of clear sandwich wrap glued in from the inside. I have this very strong glue that is kind of thick and does not bleed through when applied to the inside. The top material gets glued to the inside of the rear deck and attached to the frame at strategic points. I love the way the dark green top sets off the beige upper color.

I am really enjoying this build. The colors work so well on it. The front sets down nice and low. I love the long sloping hood and I like how the two little air slots break up the long expanse. This will complete my quartet of Art Deco cars. The Cybele Roadster with the three running Greyhounds alongside, the Aero Coupe with gullwing doors, the Dual Cowl 4 door with the retractable hard top and lastly the 2 seat run-about with the moveable soft top.

[Foxer]

I can't wait to see that working top! .. amazing!

[Dr. Cranky]

Wow, some amazing work. Great job on the top too!

[Danno]

Terrrrrrrific!

[Wagoneer81]

Ok, I'm officially blown away by the working convertible top. This is top shelf stuff, Peter!!! This gives me some wild ideas for mine... I have a one-off blown, OHC V12 that I made from two Small Block Chevys that would go just fine with a C5 chassis under one of these bodies, or maybe a Viper V10, you know, something nasty! Since I have three of the Lombardo dual cowl bodies (and ideas for all three), I think I need a couple roadster bodies as well. If you decide to produce them, I want to reserve two, at least. I see a 'Lombardo Motor Works' dealership diorama in somebodys future...

[Jantrix]

Wow.

Edited December 14, 2010 by Jantrix

[runsw/scissors]

That working convertable top is impressive! Can't wait to see it done.