Not for the faint of heart: 1961 Ford F-100 WIP

[Fabrux]

I guess its always a bit sacriligeous when someone cuts into an old, out-of-production kit, but sometimes it just needs to be done. I rationalize this to myself by the fact that the bed on this AMT F-100 unibody was hacked into long before I got it. The wheel wells were completely altered and were beyond my skills to return to stock. Also, there were no taillights with this when I bought it and the buckets were really mangled. I've had this kit for a few years now in various stages of completion and I finally decided that the only way I was going to end up buildinb it was to separate the cab from the body. So, with that out of the way, I present this WIP of a 1961 F-100 flareside.

My most recent incarnation looked like this:

I chopped off the bed and filleted the cab corners. The frame is from a 96 F-150 and a 56 F-100 donated its bed. Wheels are mock up only for now.

The pieces are currently soaking in the purple bath to strip the paint so I can start smoothing out the body work.

[disabled modeler]

I like it!... I plan on doing the same to one that was cut up too but mine will have a tow truck body...still need to find the glass and chassis and a hood for it though.

[bigphoto]

Keep us posted!! I like where this is going!!

[W-409]

That looks like great conversion. Next you can fit that leftover bed to some other cab, and that will be another cool conversion. Great job, I like where this is heading, needs to stay tuned for more.

[Foxer]

I guess its always a bit sacrilegious when someone cuts into an old, out-of-production kit,

I say it's sacrilegious if you DON'T and that sensuous styrene sits untouched on a shelf! Kits were MEANT to be built!

I like what you're doing here .. the new bed is looking great!

[James2]

"when someone cuts into an old, out-of-production kit"

Anyone can customize a model kit. It takes a real man to cut up a classic!

[jeffs396]

Me likey!

[Fabrux]

Sorry I haven't updated yet, still waiting on some substantial progress. The cab is taking a while to get the corners built up properly (tedious body work). The paint on the bed isn't stripping well for whatever reason; I think I'm going to switch it over to brake fluid and see how that goes.

When examining the bare plastic cab, I noticed that the header panel above the grille has the FORD engraving on it as would be accurate for 62-64; the grille itself is definitely a 61 (has the 1961 license plate). I've kinda been wanting to go with a chrome grille for this truck and now I"m not sure if I should stick with a 61 and shave the header panel, or maybe go with a 62-64. The 62 would be my personal favourite, but I prefer the 63+ hood/fender emblems. I suppose in the end the truck won't be accurate anyways as the TIB suspension didn't debut until 65.

Maybe I'm just following current trends in the 1:1 custom truck scene but I really like the 60's pickups more than any others. I still like the 67-72 Fords and Chevs but the 61-66 Ford and 60-66 Chevs are personal favourites at the moment. Might have something to do with knowing where there is a 65-66 Ford and a 64-66 Chev sitting in yards...

[Nova-ss]

Smokin job dude.I like it and sometimes its better to just fix it the way you want and its didn't sound like it was worth trying to restore to stock kit.great work.Thanks,Chris

[Fabrux]

Now for some progress.....and real sacrilgiousness!

I apologize for the picture quality. It seems I only take progress pictures at night...! Using my tablet for the pictures for ease of uploading...

[W-409]

Noooo! Not those wheels, it looks very beautiful with steelies, but those too big wheels with flat tires don't fit to this one, I think. I'd like to see it with normal size wheels and tires.

Of course this is just my opinion, and that is not much. I'm afraid, that many people like it with those wheels too.

Edited December 30, 2011 by W-409

[01blueedge]

looking good I like the torq thrust style wheels on there

[Fabrux]

I forgot to share a bit of an update. I have the body primed and smoothed out. Slowly chugging along on this one. It'll be a while to finish as I need to order glass and a plated grille/front bumper from Modelhaus.

[hotrod59f100]

Is that beds fenders in the right scale ? It looks a bit big,not trying to pick anything apart. It just looks that way to me. Is that kit easy so far. I've been wanting one to add to my ford collecting for awhile . Maby if I get a permotion lol yeah right.

[01blueedge]

have you decided on a color yet?

[Rob McKee]

That is looking really nice. I love the 1960 F-100 and it looks great with those wheels. I am anxious to see the color scheme.

[Fabrux]

The bed is from a Revell 56 F-100 which is 1:25 scale so it should be the same as the 61. No colour yet but I do want to do two-tone with a white roof. Not sure yet if I'm going to do a Ford two-tone or a Chev two-tone pattern.

[Ramfins59]

It's NEVER sacriligious for a BUILDER to cut up an old kit.... maybe so for a COLLECTOR... I'm sure most of us here are builders so I doubt we have any issues on cutting into old plastic.

My old, dear friend Dave D. used to proudly wear this button which exactly stated his feelings about plastic...

[Fabrux]

I guess its sometimes just the mindset of 'I paid HOW much for this and I'm cutting it up?!' I sorta have the same feelings with my Lonestar kit; I want to build it as a phantom flat-top as I hate the huge fairing but I can just feel my friends cringing that bought it for me for my birthday!

Edited January 9, 2012 by kataranga

[Fabrux]

Now that I have an unmolested 61-63 F-100 body to compare with, I can see how much the wheel wells of this kit were mangled.

[GTMust]

Just to jump in with a quick comment about cutting up old kits.........

IMO..... There are three trains of thought:

A...... Keep it in the box...... not my idea!

B...... Cut the s**t out if it as a custom... wild or mild.....

Or C....... build it box stock... maybe add some wiring, etc.

Of course, there is a fourth option...... sell it and try to gouge someone on the price!

Personally (just my opinion) I'd go with option C provided the kit is in good original condition. But in the case of this particular build........ I'm with you, Chris.

Looking good!

Tony

[Fabrux]

Thanks, Tony! The 62 F-100 in the picture above will be built box stock. Well, I want to try and modify the engine to something other than a tri-carb setup if I can... That is, of course, once I figure out how to strip nail polish from the body.

[Erik Smith]

Nail polish applied WITH the polish brush! Classic!

I'm all for building ANY model - cut up, stock, just built. Collectors should like it too, makes their stuff more valuable.

[deathskull59]

dang that truck looks used and abuesed i like it keep goeing.

[Dave Darby]

Is that beds fenders in the right scale ? It looks a bit big,not trying to pick anything apart. It just looks that way to me. Is that kit easy so far. I've been wanting one to add to my ford collecting for awhile . Maby if I get a permotion lol yeah right.

I agree about the rear fenders. If you have either an AMT or MPC 53 Ford, those fenders are a lot nicer, and your truck will thank you for it. I like what you've done so far!