John Goschke Posted March 17, 2013 Posted March 17, 2013 (edited) One of the kits that's driven several generations of modelers insane with its fit, symmetry, and accuracy issues is the AMT '36 Ford roadster, 3-window, and 5-window coupe series. When originally released in 1961 it could be built as a chopped 3-window or, by changing out the cowl door and top section, as a roadster. What AMT conveniently chose to ignore was that the roadsters have significantly shorter doors than the 3W! Nevertheless, if you want a '36 Ford in 1/25th scale, this kit is still the only game in town. And I've always wanted to do a '36 roadster with a chopped top in scale, so ignoring the 20 other projects I've got started, and this week I decided to fix the doors and chop the top on the '36 using bits from a couple junk original issue kits, and yellow and grey parts from a couple later issues. The result looks a little like a crazy quilt at the moment but here it is in mockup stage. The windshield is chopped three scale inches. The top was chopped by eye by shortening it lengthwise in front of the middle bow while the sail panels were piecut so the rear window could be leaned forward, keeping the stock window height. The side opening was reprofiled to echo the curve of the fenders and rear deck. To keep the flow going along the lower body I made a set of skirts with a curved lower edge that follows the curve of the bottom edge the running board. The lower trailing edge of the rear fenders were modified to follow the same curve. Edited May 5, 2013 by John Goschke
Joker Posted March 17, 2013 Posted March 17, 2013 One of my favorite of the Ford stable. I'm following your thread to get motivated on my two "stalled '36 projects". Thanks for posting the crisp clear pics.. I don't have to hold down the Control button and tap the Plus+ button to get a better view. oh..and thanks for the info on the doors too..like you said ..It's the only game in town. My '36 stash currently has 2 Tracys(5 window)..2 newer releases(3 window).. and some parts box roadster items. Joker
Dr. Cranky Posted March 17, 2013 Posted March 17, 2013 Oh, it's going to look even better with paint on. I can feel it. Bring it on.
Dan Helferich Posted March 17, 2013 Posted March 17, 2013 Very well done John. You are the master of convertible top fabrication. You should have it cast!
scaleauto Posted March 17, 2013 Posted March 17, 2013 great start, anything special for the interior?
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 17, 2013 Posted March 17, 2013 One of my favorite cars AND kits of all time. You're doing beautiful work, sir.
John Goschke Posted May 5, 2013 Author Posted May 5, 2013 Here she is with first hit of primer on the body, fenders, and skirts. Stuck on the grey plastic original issue hood, etc. to see what it'll look like in one color. Top is in white primer after some more details were added and additional refinement of the fit. Thinking of this car as more of a stocker with refinements to bring out the Lincoln Zephyr DNA in its design. So cleaned up stock grill is a definite feature. Probably smoothed '40 Ford bumpers. Not sure about the spare at this point (see last pic)... while it's mounted closer than stock here, I'm wondering what it'd look like sunk partially into the deck? Of course the smooth license-plate-recessed-behind-glass treatment is also a possibility.
Jantrix Posted May 5, 2013 Posted May 5, 2013 It has a great profile. I like it a lot. If you could drop the front end a bit. It would have the perfect stance as well.
southpier Posted May 5, 2013 Posted May 5, 2013 the convertible top looks like it could fold down. would be interesting with the continental kit set in . . . but I think if you didn't like it, reverting to what you have now might be a ton of work.
freakshow12 Posted May 5, 2013 Posted May 5, 2013 Drop the stance a bit, lose the spare and either tuck the bumpers in or leave them off. Then it would be perfect. That spare disrupts what is a sleek side profile
tooltas Posted May 5, 2013 Posted May 5, 2013 lose both spare and bumper on back maybe find some ribbed bumperfor the 40 coupe.
cobraman Posted May 5, 2013 Posted May 5, 2013 Looking good ! I agree with Rob..... bringing down the front end would look better. IMO
rmvw guy Posted May 5, 2013 Posted May 5, 2013 I would have not noticed the extent of work done to this already if you had not explained. I knew something was different in the profile but, not sure what. It looks so cool and righteous, keep it going please.
Shardik Posted May 5, 2013 Posted May 5, 2013 Like Bill, this is one of favorites from the Ford stable. I built one of these kits for my daughter a while back (in the roadster configuration), and I knew something wasn't right but couldn't put my finger on it. Now I know what to do with the next one. I think I'll leave the top down, though. I don't have anywhere near your talent, and don't think I could get the up top looking this nice. If you ever decide to cast it, let me know. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing this one in paint. Got a color picked out yet?
John Goschke Posted May 5, 2013 Author Posted May 5, 2013 Thanks for the comments and suggestions, guys! I guess I didn't mention it but this is really meant to be a 1940s style custom, so it is not nearly as low as we might expect a custom from the '50s or later decades to be. While I might lower the front a tiny bit the stance you see here is pretty much where it's intended to be. Possibly the best reference on the web for how custom in the late '30s and '40s really looked, check out this thread on the HAMB... "1940's period correct customs" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=425454
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