Bernard Kron Posted October 18, 2011 Posted October 18, 2011 Frank Baron's Chopped '36 Ford 3-Window Coupe Shop Car - A flight of fancy First off, this car never existed; it’s a pure flight of fancy. But Frank Baron and Bob Tattersfield did exist, and they were the first to successfully market a 4 carburetor manifold for the Ford Flathead, along with an innovative set of cylinder heads which utilized unique pop up pistons for increased efficiency and compression. All this was in 1948 while they ran their immaculately turned out and beautiful belly tank at the dry lakes. Bob Tattersfield came from a well to do family which manufactured auto parts (that’s how he got involved with Frank in their speed equipment enterprise). Bob was, to use an expression of the period, “Hollywood”, a flashy guy who liked fast, flashy cars and the lifestyle to go with it. Frank Baron came from a more modest background. He was all business and liked to keep a low profile, although he liked to go very fast just as much as Bob did. Nobody makes a scale 4 carb setup for the flathead, either in kit form or in the aftermarket. I’ve always wanted one and last year a modeling friend was kind enough to cast up a few and give me some (he will remain anonymous because he doesn’t want to go into the resin business). So, with the manifold in hand, I wondered what if a little of Bob Tattersfield had rubbed off on Frank Baron and he had built a shop car that was as slick as the lakester he shared with Bob. This model is the result. The historical Frank Baron wouldn’t be caught dead in a car like this, but it sure would have been an eye-catcher running around L.A. in 1948. The address for Baron Automobile Service is real, BTW. It’s where you went to have your Tattersfield-Baron hop up equipment installed after you bought it from the factory that Bob’s dad owned. The car is based on an AMT ’36 Ford 5-window kit with a Jimmy Flintstone chopped 3-window body. Here are the details along with more pictures. Basic kit: All parts from an AMT ’36 Ford 5 window coupe except as noted below. Jimmy Flintstone chopped ’36 Ford 3-window coupe body. ’40 Ford bumpers from AMT kit. Stock hubcaps with AMT ’49 Ford trim rings. Whitewall tires by Modelhaus Resin 4 carburetor manifold Model Car Garage resin Offenhauser cylinder heads. Stromberg 97 carburetors by Replicas & Miniatures Co. of Maryland. Air cleaners are taillights from 2 AMT ’34 Ford 5-window coupe kits. Tail pipes and water pipes were scratch built from polished aluminum tubing. Exterior paint is Duplicolor Oxford White with home made decals, sealed with Krylon Crystal Clear acrylic. Interior colors are Testors Acryl Leather and British Crimson. Thanx for lookin, B.
Dr. Cranky Posted October 18, 2011 Posted October 18, 2011 Beautiful job, and those leather seats look like real leather seats!
John Teresi Posted October 18, 2011 Posted October 18, 2011 Bernard.......you sure did a GREAT job on this build.......very very nice.
curt raitz Posted October 18, 2011 Posted October 18, 2011 Bernard, un travail modèle très, très gentil excellente B) c'ya
Dominik Posted October 18, 2011 Posted October 18, 2011 Here it is! Just saw your WIP... Looks very shiny - the colors are playing well together. Like it! But...is the body not fixed on the right side? There is a gap between the rear fenders and the back. What happened?
Alyn Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 Man, I can't believe how easily you capture the look of period hot rods. You've nailed it again. The decals really make it. Totally custom, but not over done.
Bernard Kron Posted October 20, 2011 Author Posted October 20, 2011 Thanx for all the props, guys. It's especially welcome from some of my favorite builders! I am humbled and flattered. The encouragement is always much appreciated. Dominik, How I missed that during photography I'll never know. The right rear fender popped out slightly. Probably as a result of the thicker Flintstone resin body dropping down the interior shell and putting the body in tension against the fenders. Time to get out the heavy rubber bands and epoxy,,,, Fingers crossed I don't mess up the paint - and that it hasn't spoiled it too badly for folks looking at it...
W-409 Posted October 20, 2011 Posted October 20, 2011 Great build again Bernard! I like seeing these Nostalgic styled build also! Paintjob looks very good, and I like the decals on this. Wheels and tires are great too. Engine detailing is amazing and there's no big mistakes. Thanks for sharing.
Raul_Perez Posted November 8, 2011 Posted November 8, 2011 Very cool, Bernard!! Yes, I know...I'm a bit late to the party...I've been pretty busy getting rid of my Danbury Mint cars, making room for my train stuff... I can't wait to see this little jewel in February at the NNL West!! Later, Raul
Challenger29 Posted December 28, 2011 Posted December 28, 2011 Lookin' good! As the others have remarked, you do have an eye for getting the era correct look. You know guys I built that AMT '36 Ford Kit back in the day. Might still have the pieces. I think I was 12 years old. It was molded in gray. -Jer:>)
rmvw guy Posted December 31, 2011 Posted December 31, 2011 This has some terrific style! First time I've seen 4 carbs. in-line on a flathead Ford, good look!
Bernard Kron Posted January 5, 2012 Author Posted January 5, 2012 Thanx again for all the kind comments! This was one of the more satisfying builds of the past year...
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