Ratrod - Ford 32 coupe 5 windows - FINAL 01/14/13

[zadfz]

I'll first introduce myself as it's my firt post on this forum.
Im 32 and from Montreal, Canada.
I started modeling 12 years ago. I did a few that I put in the garbage ! Nothing worth pics as it was very basic without any mods.

Following all your project since 6 months, last friday I found myself buying a new kit.

I'm a little afraid since I have no experience for the results that I expect. Hope you will give me some tips along this build.

So first pics, the box itself !


Then, I made a fast mock-up to see the stance i wanted. Didn't adjust play with the suspension height yet, I justed want to see where I'll go.


I decide to play with the radiator cover by giving it a angle. Haven't decide yet which engine I will choose, I don't no yet if the clearance is good. I think I will have to extand the frame about 1/8" to 3/16".
The angle you see in the picture is less that what I want, I will correct this later.


Now the trickiest part (for me) !!! The choptop. I plan cutting about 3/16" of the top height as you can see.


I started cuting, now in two separate part. Tonight I will weld them together, I must say, i'm really nervous about this step, It will be the first time, hope it will be easy.

Edited January 15, 2013 by zadfz

[Droppedgmc]

don't be afraid to cut it can't wait to see it done

[zadfz]

don't be afraid to cut it can't wait to see it done

The cut is already done, and it was pretty easy. The tricky part for me is to glue them together and to have a nice fit.

I can't stop thinking wich process i'm gonna use.

Wish me luck

[crazyrichard]

nice very nice !!!

i did this exact same kit , i also chopped the roof , lined up pretty great i must say !!

gonna follow this !

[tooltas]

its just plastic man cut it up

[cobraman]

Nice start. That is a very nice kit to work with.

[zadfz]

So yesturday I made the choptop.

It was my first time so the results is not perfect.

There was 2 trunk in the kit, I decided to use this one

I was looking at the trunk and I tought it was missing something. So I grab my lighter and came up with this result. You won't see all the details because the picture are from a telephone.

Next step, the frame extension. I just have time to cut the frame, I will glue it up tonight.

So, the homework for tonight:

- Finish the frame extension

- Sand the bondo of the choptop.

My question is, is 120 grip is to low for sanding the bondo ?

[Ira]

GREAT PROGRESS!!!

120 Sandpaper should only be used for the Tuffest Sanding. I use 220 sandpaper a lot for sanding putty and 320 for finishing. I also use a Laquer Primer/Filler from Dupli-Color, it fills in many imperfections.

[Modelbuilder Mark]

looking like a good start to me

[zadfz]

Little progress.

I sanded the bondo on the chassis and primed it. Still need little more bondo and sanding.

I have finished to modify my frame. Forgot to take picture

Will try to have pics at the end of the day.

Little progress on the engine. I choose to go with the v8 dual carb that was in the kit.

Started assembling and painting.

[zadfz]

I must apologized for my writting. I speak french and not perfect in english.

Wish you understand all my comments !

[wagoneer]

Benoit,

You're English is rather good. Certainly much better than my French, 'je parle un petit peu de Francais' is about my limit!

[Duntov]

OK!!!... This is some very nice work.... keep it going..... you are doing a great job on this kit!!!

[H.A.K]

Lookin good.

[zadfz]

Didn't have time yesturday to make a big progress.

More bondo and don't know how to tell it in english, I had a piece of styrene on top of the windshield

[Mr Dedo]

I'm watching your build with great interest, as it is a new approach to a remarkable kit by a modeler unafraid to try something new.

[zadfz]

In the week-end, it's hard to find time with the kids !

I made a little progress. Here we go !

Finished sanding the chasis. It's not perfect but I wanted it this way as it's a ratrod. I wanted a rough look.

Started working on the interior

And finally, little progress on the engine

[H.A.K]

Lookin real good.

[crazyrichard]

looks great ! exactly what i did with this kit after the chop i also made a sort of sunvisor woth styrene , i chopped the roof lower but its pretty much the same idea

the pannellines all line up ver well on this kit when you chop the roof so its easy to add a visor witch hides the bit of lenght you miss at the front after chopping

very curious on the rest

[derby1018]

I will be following this

[zadfz]

So, after a few days of break, here is an update.

Fast mid-progress mock-up

I think I won't go the same way it "should be".

The interior will be simple but clean. All the mechanical parts and the frame will be clean and rust free.

For the chasis, i want a rough look, so it will be rusty.

As I worked in a compagny that produce signs, I have the chance to have the hand on a nice paint kit.

What I liked is it's waterbase paint, so easy to clean.

You have different color in the paint. I choosed the bronze.

Once painted, you have the choice for the aging process.

I'm gonna use a mix of them. As I wanted a rough look, I applied the paint with a brush insteed of an airbrush. The results is perfect.

Here is a pics of the bodyparts paint. (No aging yet)

Forgot to show the dent I made on the passanger door and on the bottom of the trunk

[Dr. Cranky]

Interesting progress, we will continue to watch.

[zadfz]

Little progress on the interior

Painted misc parts

More progress on the engine

[zadfz]

Finally I took my DSLR out of the closet to provide you better pics !

Here are the last progress.

The frame done

Frame + Engine almost done

Last mock-up before final "glueing" (right term ???)

For the front grill, I made a custom one from a piece of aluminium brush plastic at work with a laser engraving system. Here is the design

Here is the final result of the grill, but please help me decide, don't know if I go with my custom grill or one of the 2 optional that was with the kit

[zadfz]

Need to go now. I have to go work on my costum exhaust line.

I'll update the topic as soon as I get picture