'40 Ford Pickup....Traditional Custom Rod

[traditional]

I've just finished this modification of an FM '40 Ford pickup (bought cheaply at a toy show because it was missing a few parts and was extremely dusty).

I changed the dog-leg doors for discreet hinges, lowered the suspension, swapped in a super-detailed smallblock Chevy engine (wiring, plumbing, tri-carb manifold, fuel lines, linkages mesh filters, PE wing nuts on Cal-Custom valve covers), fabricated a custom interior, lathe-turned a spare tire cover in ABS plastic, swapped in a late-model ford rear axle with aluminum individual-leaf handmade rear transverse spring/shackles etc.,and added a custom tubing dual exhaust (using both polished aluminum as well as polished solder .

I also made an opening cowl vent (including mesh), and finished the bed with veneer and aluminum strips. Headlights are simulated lucas flamethrowers in chrome bezels and the tail-lights are handmade tear-drops. Wheels are chromies on wide whites with smooth dog-dish caps. The radiator top-tank is fabricated in polished brass.

Paint is custom mixed purple basecoat/clearcoat over a pearl base, the lettering on the spare cover is a combination of hand lettering and modified 'model railroad Letraset', and the hood center trim, windshield splitter, as well as the simulated mylar fender-welting are all done in fine plated wire..

Edited September 12, 2012 by traditional

[traditional]

Edited September 12, 2012 by traditional

[fredo84]

Wow !! sweet one Man ! Bravo !

I steal you idea for hinges for my 53 pickup if you don't mind

Cheers!

[peekay]

Wonderful! Great paint and that subtle lettering says "skill" very loudly.

[Foxer]

Simply beautiful! That paint on all those curved surfaces is outstanding!

[John Goschke]

Just beautiful! Great solution on those hinges. Love the color and your tasteful custom touches. Nice to see a diecast used as raw material for a change.

[slusher]

Beautiful truck, excellent building.

[71datsun1200]

nice !!!!!!!!!!!

[jdcar32]

Working in metal looks like alot of fun for a change, I need to try it. Very inspirational build, beautiful.

[rmvw guy]

Nice improvements! I really like the opened cowl with screen idea and the doors open much better. Great job on paint and the lowered stance is excellent. I'm a fan of the original flathead but, the SBC is much more common in the hot rod world. Nice job overall, I love it!

[crazyjim]

SHINY :) RULES! Purple is my favorite.

[Harry P.]

Beautiful! Just gorgeous! And nice work on getting rid of those dogleg hinges and doing it the right way...

[crazyjim]

I forgot to ask what type of clear you used, Clifford. Sanded and polished too?

[Miatatom]

Wow!!! Gorgeous!!!

[SFRC]

Fantastic!

[traditional]

I forgot to ask what type of clear you used, Clifford. Sanded and polished too?

Hi Jim,

I actually use two-part real automotive clearcoat (RM DC98) from BASF, sprayed with a 'touch up gun', only because I'm accustomed to using it with my other hobby of restoring our old cars with my brother.

It's expensive but it goes a long way and unless there is a minor flaw in the finish that will require rubbing out, it goes on very glossy and stays that way. Since it's a two-part paint (requires a catalyst hardener), it sets up reasonably quickly and can be handled or masked in a day without any problems. I've had no problems with it on either metal or plastic.

There are some serious dangers, however, with two-part paints in that they give off iso-cyanate fumes when spraying and must be used with the right safety equipment.....correct respirator mask and good positive ventilation. Fortunately, I have that equipment and I always use it.....I want to be enjoying this hobby for a long time.

Edited September 13, 2012 by traditional

[carman59]

That is beautiful, I just got one of those stock 40s myself, you are an artist, you took a so so truck and made it awesome.

[Sixx]

Man Clifford, I'm glad you post here, you do some fantastic metal-work!!! I don't think I could do that in plastic!! LOL!!!

[AzTom]

Very Nice!

Those door hinges are a work of art.

Thanks for sharing,

Tom

[Chuck Most]

Really nice!

And count me in as someone else who'll be stealing that door hinge technique...

[jeffs396]

GREAT work as usual Cliff!

Coooool color

[Maindrian Pace]

One of the best die cast builds I've ever seen, just outstanding. The color combo can't be improved upon either, everything is period perfect.

-MJS

[W-409]

This is fantastic! It doesn't look like Diecast anymore, you do always great job. The paint and finish is very nice on this one.

[DanielG]

Great job Cliff, and nice job on the hinges (quite often I just cut them off and glue the door shut!) Looks so good I got to wear shades!

[Agent G]

Gorgeous!

G