1930 Ford Phaeton

[cahilj]

When I picked this kit up, I had no big plans for it, I just wanted a simple build with some simple details. It has gotten way out of hand.

Base kit- Revell 1930 Ford Model A Phaeton

Engine- 2010 Mustang GT500 supercharged 5.4L

Frame/suspension- Revell 1926 Ford Model T delivery

Wheels/tires- Moroso drag big 'n littles

Grille- 1934 Ford

I started with shaving the body. I channeled it about 3 scale inches and sectioned the cowl. I considered using the cowl from the '26 Ford, since I prefer the "swoop" down in front of the windshield, but decided against it. I'm going to chop the kit windshield a few inches.

I had a parts pile Mustang GT500 sitting around, and I thought using the 5.4L engine would be cool. Unfortunately, the kit was snap tite quality, so the engine just wasn't going to cut it. I found a seller on ebay with "parts pack" style 5.4 engines, so I picked one up. It's not really the type of engine to super detail besides adding wiring harnesses and hoses, but it looks pretty sweet. I haven't decided on the type of exhaust I want to run, maybe some zoomies or something with a cut out. I changed the throttle body/intake tube and need to build a filter for it. This thing is a beast!

I really wanted independent suspension all around. It was either a Corvette or Jag rear end. Either way, it would need to be widened for the tires to clear the body. The C3 Corvette didn't cut it just due to design with the single spring. The Revell '26 Ford kit chassis is full independent with the Jag rear end. I decided just to use the entire frame instead of mixing and matching for ease of locating suspension pieces. I stretched it and widened it as needed. I may end up using some RB Motion coilover shocks. Before-

After. I still need to finish up the cross tubes-

Of all the older street rod grilles out there, the 34 Ford has got to be my favorite. I fell in love with it after seeing Augie Hiscano's 34 Roadster maybe 10 yrs ago, so it was the obvious choice and I picked one up from MCG. The interior plans still aren't set in stone. I may use parts of the GT500 console, since it will need a floor cut anyways. I also plan on "chopping" the soft top for a touch more attitude. I can't decide whether to chrome the suspension out or monochrome it all yet. Teaser for stance. The rear end is a bit high-

If you've got any suggestions, feel free to throw them out. Besides what you see, most of this build really isn't planned, I'm just kind of building as I go. I don't even have a final color picked yet

Edited April 24, 2012 by cahilj

[Dr. Cranky]

Looking good, keep it going.

[rmvw guy]

Builds like this always start out so simple, then take up a life of their own. I'll be watching! I'm seeing a vision of the "Orange Crate" only in a roadster version. Lol

[cahilj]

I got the drivetrain laid out. I had a few Testor's Boyd Smoothster kits lying around, and it turns out the tubular frame works great. A few cuts and bends later-

I need to add a driveshaft hoop to alleviate the "Oh no! The driveshaft hits the frame!" problem. I ended up ordering some RB Motion coilovers and once they show up, I can finish up the suspension. Until then, I'll be adding the necessary details to the engine which are actually quite a few more than I thought, since this isn't actually in a Mustang where the inner fenders hide it all.

[TooOld]

This is going to be cool ! I love '30 Ford Phaetons . I've never seen that frame before , guess I need to hunt down a Smoothster !

[cahilj]

Yeah, I cut the '37 Ford rails off the Smoothster frame and just used the center section with a couple of tweaks and it worked great.

I started doing some engine work. I have a 2010 GT500 engine, but it's essentially the same shape as the 2013 engine, which is all aluminum, has more HP and a better color scheme . So, I decided to model the 2013 engine, but left the 2010 power steering pump there. The 2013 engine has no pump, and uses an electric power assist steering rack (which I found interesting, being a shadetree mechanic), but I found that backdating the engine is possible.

I got most of the wiring/plumbing in place. All it needs now is an air filter, belts and oil filter. The real task will be pluming the cooling system. This thing has a seperate air to water heat exchanger for the intercooler, which has an entirely separate pump/hoses/etc from the actual engine cooling system. Now that I've bored you with all the tech stuff, on to pics-

This engine is so close to the frame rails, there may only be room for the factory exhaust manifolds. I still have to toy around with some header shapes. I just really don't want an open engine compartment with factory manifolds........