1959 Ford Custom 300 big block

[jdcar32]

That is gorgeous! How did you cut open the resin doors without cracking the body? That to me would seem all but impossible.

As to the 430...if it wasn't an "unadvertised" option as CA says, and they usually have pretty decent research, I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up being a "dealer installed option" in more than a few instances!

Charlie Larkin

Hi Charlie, Like I mentioned the resin was fairly soft. I used the back side of a #11 X-acto with a broken tip. The trick is working corners and such first, and take your time. Then the easy straight lines are next. Again patience is the key. Leave a few small areas slightly attached on ALL panels until you are comfortable with ALL the panels being ready to release, this keeps everything stable and minimizes breakage. And if your blade skitters out , a little CA will fill the mistakes. Oh, I did a little dental work with the dremel on the backside of some of the thicker areas before scribing.

[CrazyGirl]

i just noticed the emergency brake cable and linkage is that scratch built ?? the chassis detail is amazing just amazing

Edited March 21, 2013 by CrazyGirl

[cruz]

Very cool and clean!!!

[jdcar32]

i just noticed the emergency brake cable and linkage is that scratch built ?? the chassis detail is amazing just amazing

Hello again Anne,

Found some great 1:1 pictures on ebay, both parts and complete cars, that are great for detailing. Once again, a little Evergreen sheet, guitar string, and stretched sprue go a long way. Metal guitar string ( the smallest size, I dont know the musical name )is great for a variety of cables that have a wound armor cover.

[CrazyGirl]

now guitar strings i know , thats something i have no shortage of , and what a Great tip , thanks for that , again you do amazing work ,, i admire that

[LunaticFord]

\m/ \m/

[jdcar32]

As this is a Tom Coolidge resin based kit I've often wondered what ever happened to Tom. I've wanted to just say hi, I'm hoping I don't get bad news. 

[Rattlecan Dan]

Wow! Super job.

[Zippi]

 That 59 Ford looks Bodacious Jon.  Lots of nice looking detail work.  I'm really diggin this one man. 

[1959]

What a great build! I know a bit of 59 Fords as I have owned mine for 32 years,so I can confirm you have nailed the details well!

I really like that MEL-engine idea in the cheapest 2d post body. It would have been a real sleeper. However over my 32 years career of reading about 59 Fords I have never seen any information or pictures about the MEL option. But then again I don't recall reading the 100% bullet proof opposite information either,  so who knows maybe there have been some secret sleepers built by the factory or dealers?

Kimmo

[Dave Darby]

While I'm pretty sure the Thunderbird was the only Ford you could get a 430 in, the concept, and the execution are first rate, and the only thing I'd change is the zip code of the shelf it's sitting on. It looks factory, and the detailing is first rate. I love it. 

[jdcar32]

17 hours ago, 1959 said:

What a great build! I know a bit of 59 Fords as I have owned mine for 32 years,so I can confirm you have nailed the details well!

I really like that MEL-engine idea in the cheapest 2d post body. It would have been a real sleeper. However over my 32 years career of reading about 59 Fords I have never seen any information or pictures about the MEL option. But then again I don't recall reading the 100% bullet proof opposite information either,  so who knows maybe there have been some secret sleepers built by the factory or dealers?

Kimmo

You're probably right about the MEL engine combo. I believe the Edsel offered it in it's bigger model, close but no cigar !

[Ragtop Man]

 

First the build is terrific. We sure miss Shawn, Tom Coolige and Don in a mighty, mighty way. I don't think 3D will ever capture their craftsmanship or passion for the hobby.

Second, there was no MEL option in the Ford - that was reserved for the Mercury Edsel and Lincoln. 

That said, FE to MEL is fairly straightforward swap; bellhousing and engine mounts were common to '60 (?) maybe '61. Mercury products were available with MEL 383 and manual transmission, that became the workaround for the '59 Daytona T-Birds, which were NOT available with a manual transmission. 

Ford did have some MEL / Ford and Edsel-branded light car (Galaxie/Fairlane) prototypes circulating Dearborn in '58-59 era, but the vehicle dynamics once it diverged from a straight line were awful  to the point of dangerous.

 

[iwantmodels]

Well done!