53 Ford Vicky Custom

[Modlbldr]

Here is another project that I have been working on between 3 other projects. I get to a point on one when I have to let things dry or I'm waiting for the right day to paint, so I switch back and forth.

These are the first photos of this project I've posted and I am excited about finishing this.....as I am with all of them.

This is the Lindberg 53 Ford Vicky kit that I added a roof from the 66 Mustang kit to. I opened up the side windows for hardtop look. I also sectioned the body of the Vicky and pancaked and leaned back the front of the hood a bit to make it more modern looking.

I think that it has a nice look to it.

I also am adding the interior and chassis from an old 06 Mustang that I had done the chassis work to and painted the body. Then during my move in 2007 something happened to the Mustang body that ruined it. So, it is a good use of some parts that I had already painted and assembled.

More to come...

Later-

Edited February 6, 2012 by Modlbldr

[Modlbldr]

Since I had sectioned the body, the interior just fit but left no room for the chassis. So I decided since I'm lazy and I thought it would look good, I cut the front and rear suspension away from the chassis and now the car will have a chassis pan with a faux chassis.

The engine is either going to be out of the 99 Cobra Mustang or the 99 Ford Lightning.

My biggest hurdle now is that the built up rear axle from the 06 Mustang is too wide. I had to tear it all apart and narrow it.

The wheels are a two piece concoction from the parts box with shallow fronts and slightly deeper rears with low pro tires. The stance will be just right when I'm finished.

I hope you enjoy this and, like all of my projects, this will be a slow build. I'm over 6 months into this so far.

Later-

[farmer1]

Looks good so far, nice job on the top swap, looking forward to seeing more of this one

[Modlbldr]

Wow! Only one reply so far. You guys are going to hurt my feelers!

At least Randy loves me. LOL!

I stayed home sick from work today (first time in a LOONG time) and just completed a lengthy job resume and application on line. Someone have any bullets for this gun?? I think I've earned a few hours at the bench. I'm going to see how my two engine choices look and fit in the bay and do some more work on the suspension. More photos of progress later tonight.

Later-

[Bartster]

I like this. I have a very similar build that stalled about 10 yrs ago,lol. same '53, with '94 GT engine & interior. I'll follow this & hopefully get inspired to pull mine back out.

[espo]

I like how you kept the '53s side trim. Good idea on the suspension. Since your useing the Mustang suspension, and it is a unibody car anyway, It will look like you dropped the '53 body on top of a Mustang. Which is what you have done anyway. Please post updates.

[DumpyDan]

Alright, I like the looks of this, to me I think you are on the way to making a cool custom. Keep the pic's comin.

[Dr. Cranky]

I like the way it look so far, please keep it going. Watching this one for sure.

[crazyjim]

The top looks perfect. I'll keep watching yuor progress.

[Kit Basher]

Hey, that is cool! Nice job on the roof, it looks like it was molded that way. I'll be following this one too.

[promo55]

Nice work! This model sort of resembles the prototype '49 Ford that was shown a few years ago. Take your time but keep us posted, this is going to be a cool custom!

[Modlbldr]

Thanks for all the fine comments and encouragement guys. I got this one out to work on tonight and didn't get as far as I wanted. I ended up spending a couple of hours sewing patches on my daughter's dental assistant scrubs. Gotta be a responsible adult sometimes.

I have a few changes in the plan that I am working out. I am going to go with a custom SOHC 427 with the tranny from the Super Stallion Mustang. The tranny resembles a Tremec (not sure if it was supposed to be or not). I cut the tranny free of the SS engine block and got it glued to the 427. Because of this change I had to raise the tranny tunnel. I got it cut out before I had to play Betsy Ross. Still haven't gotten it glued back in. I am also going to be making a custom intake manifold and using two custom Boss 302 air cleaners from two of the Revell Special Edition 70 Mach 1 Mustang kits.

I'll try to update you guys with some photos in the next couple of days. Now I need to get to bed for work tomorrow.

Later-

[Modlbldr]

Well guys, I got the engine parts out tonight and took some photos to give you an idea of what I have in mind. First up, I was at my friend Mike Flynn's house on Saturday and we shared some ideas about where this build was headed. He convinced me to go a different route on the engine.

I had seen this 56 Ford in Vol 2 No 2 of SRP but had forgotten about it. After reminding me, he gave me the engine block, heads and valve covers from a PL Nascar kit. The block hasn't got much detail, but then the block in the 1:1 car doesn't show much either.

Here are pics of the magazine article. I will be loosely following this.

I dug out two of the custom 302 carb setups

I also got me a nice steaming cup of cocoa with mini marshmallows and a shot of Cream de Cocoa. (Out of beer) Life is Good!

I'm starting on the intake manifold right now. More pics in a bit.

Later-

Edited February 28, 2012 by Modlbldr

[Modlbldr]

This has been slower going than I thought. I figured I would have been done with the manifold and carbs by now. At least it is coming out as I had pictured.

Here's where I'm at for the night.

My engine block w/ new tranny

Carbs with sectioned air cleaners. I added a plate to the bottom.

And the start of the intake tubes.

It's a good thing that I stopped here. I wanted to remove the molded in fuel block but forgot. Still have time to do it.

Thanks for looking in. I realize I build slow but I have fun!

Later-

[Erik Smith]

Looking cool Tom.

Hey, what valve covers are you using for the SOHC? I ask mainly because I bought a Johan Maverick for the covers and I am modifying them to be accurate - I can cast a couple for you if interested. They are the best looking SOHC covers but still not perfect - which I will attempt to remedy.

Also, hope your not building out in the shop tonight in this weather - I think it's close to 20 in town tonight and probably cooler in your neighborhood.

[Modlbldr]

Eric-

I'll take a set of those, please. The ones I'm using are off of a PL Cale Yarborough NASCAR kit.

I'll get with you later. Gotta go now.

Later-

[Modlbldr]

Eric-

No. I haven't been building in my shop. I spend enough time outside in this weather with work. Always fun to build houses when it's 9 degrees, like it was this morning.

I'd love set (or two, if you could swing it) of those valve covers. The ones I have are a little dinged up from being used already. I'd like to give the second set to my buddy who gave me the set I have. Let me know what you want for them and when I can meet you in town to pick them up.

Once I get the manifold finished I'll start on replacing the 06 Mustang engine bay with scratch built inner fenders. I have an aluminum 32 Ford trunk that has louvers pressed into it that I may cut up and mold the louvers into the inner fenders like the magazine car. I am going to have to narrow the front tires a hair over 1/16 inch unless I can find a narrower set in order to give me a bit more room in the engine bay.

Later-

Edited February 29, 2012 by Modlbldr

[Modlbldr]

I'm back at the table tonight to get a bit more done. However, my plan is fighting me. Does anyone see a problem with this?

That's right. There's not enough room for eight tubes. AARRGG!

I didn't want to do it but I'm gonna have to drop down to 3/32 tubing. It may scale out more correctly (haven't bothered to check) but it isn't the same size as the holes on the chromed manifold. So I scratch built a new manifold and I am going with the 3/32 tubing for round two.

I also cut out the tranny hump and am in the process of raising it a bit for tranny clearance.

Got it glued back in and letting it dry for the night. Nothing exciting but it is progress. Now, off to bed.

Later-

Edited March 1, 2012 by Modlbldr

[Dr. Cranky]

Making good progress . . . waiting for more treats on that engine.

[geemoney]

beautiful, the 56 convert was built like a hundred miles from me (i think) your car is nice!

[Modlbldr]

Thanks for the comments guys.

I've got a bit of progress done between filling out job applications. I'd rather have a good tooth pulled....and I haven't got many of them left! LOL.

Anywho....

Here is the tranny tunnel back in. Hopefully it's up far enough. If not, I'm doing surgery on the tranny because it's going to have a belly pan covering it anyway.

Here is the intake tubes half done.

Should be enough room now for eight tubes. And they look more to scale to me now that they are started.

Once I get all eight installed and they have dried rock hard I'll cut the tops to length. I may need to readjust the second one in this picture. It's sitting a bit high. I am only gluing the tubes to one another. Then as a unit I'll pull them off of the manifold cover and paint them silver. Manifold cover will be the same color as the engine block (custom mix metallic green????)

As always, comments criticisms and all welcomed. I've got tough skin!!

Later-

Edited March 2, 2012 by Modlbldr

[Modlbldr]

Sheesh!! That wasn't fun. But it's done.

Now to let it sit for tonight. Then I'll Cut them all down even and paint them. I also got the rear package tray cut out so that I can put in some P.E. speaker grilles.

That's it for tonight. Time to spend some quality time with my wife.

Later-

Edited March 3, 2012 by Modlbldr

[Modlbldr]

Back to work on this one tonight and, like always, not making fast progress.

Here's the basic interior (06 Mustang) with a bit of tweeking. I've got the edge of the dash near the windshield shaved a bit to allow the tub to snug up. I may have to do a bit more work in this area. I also raised the tunnel and filled in the tulip panel and speakers in the doors in prep for some P.E. Speaker grilles.

The interior has been giving me fits trying to get it to sit right. I think I finally have it sitting where I want it. The problem with this is that my front suspension is actually going to attach to the bucket or to the firewall since I don't actually have clearance for a full frame. I'm going to do up a chassis plate to cover the bottom center section. Here are shots of the interior fit.

More in next post.

Later-

[Modlbldr]

Here is the stance that I am shooting for.

Hope you enjoy it. Any comments or criticisms always welcomed.

Now back to work to get the front suspension attached.

Later-

[cobraman]

Nice job so far. I do think maybe the windshield is a tad to tall. Whatcha think ?