1957 Ford Custom "Spearmint"

[mrmike]

I went looking for the wheel pins tonight and found two metal exhaust tips in the same package. There is no mention of these in the instructions anywhere!

The Story

After filling out reports and being interviewed by the detectives, McNally changes clothes and goes looking for his confidential informant, Zachy. Zachy was in his usual booth at the Charlestown Diner and greeted McNally like a long lost friend. McNally sits down next to Zachy and pulls out his Smith and Wesson Model 19 .357 magnum snub-nose revolver and points it into Zachy's leg. He wants the name of the person who put out a hit on his father and Zachy has until 9:00 AM in the morning to get it. Zachy, nervous and shaking, tells that he doesn't know anything about it, but he will find out who did. McNally let's Zachy out of the booth and he leaves as well, finally going home.

The Build

I did a mockup to see if I would like the rake, and I do. Lifted in the back with oversize rear tires and the drag version rear springs.

The 312 looks quite at home in there!

McNally will return...

[66belair]

Looking great, I love the color combo.

[mrmike]

Thanks Mike!

[Joker]

[charlie8575]

This is pulling together very nicely, Mike, car and story alike.

Charlie Larkin

[slusher]

Lots of progress Mike, car is looking Awsume..

[Shardik]

Oh yeah! Perfect stance, and your right, that mill looks right at home.

Hope things go as well for McNally.

[mrmike]

Thanks guys! Here's the next installment...

The Story

McNally arrives home, opens his father's safe and removes his will and other important papers. His last request is to be buried in his dress uniform and have a Police Honor Guard at his funeral. He'll leave the house and his '57 Ford to his son. He then calls a funeral home to take charge of his father's body. McNally falls asleep on the sofa and sleeps for a few hours until the phone rings. Zachy has found a name and wants to meet up with McNally by 7:00 AM. McNally tells Zachy to meet him at the diner.

The Build

The interior has been assembled onto the chassis.

What's a hot car without a tach? I glued a piece of wire to the back of a parts box tach and attached it to the steering column.

McNally will return...

[slusher]

Beautiful interior Mike, and not far to go now.

[johnbuzzed]

The model is on a par with the story... progressing very nicely, Mike. There was a time when Model Car Science printed short stories- maybe one of the current magazines (hmm, which one...?) would consider this possibility.

[mrmike]

Thanks Carl and John!

John, I do thank you for those kind words. I had written this as a back story for my McNally character since all of my short stories have occurred within the current time frame and I wanted to show how McNally became the PI that he is. I was originally going to use the AMT '56 Fairlane until I got my hands on the Revell '57 Ford. I then knew that this would have been the better car for McNally's father. For me, the story gives me additional inspiration for build a model and to build it in a certain way. Whether any of the current magazines are willing to pick up this idea and run with it, is IMHO, one that will not happen. I doubt that they (the magazines) would want to devote several pages to a story when they would rather have articles about building models instead. But, if it did happen, I would seriously consider having one of my short stories printed.

[johnbuzzed]

Perhaps if it was done as installments...along with some pictures of your build?

[Geno]

Man I am so lovin' this build. Fantastic job so far.

[mrmike]

Perhaps if it was done as installments...along with some pictures of your build?

I suppose that might work!

Thanks Geno!

The Story

McNally meets with Zachy who tells him that a small-time pimp called Deano Potzinc had his father killed for investigating his operation and talking to his girls. McNally thanks Zachy and palms him a twenty dollar bill for his efforts. Two weeks after laying his father to rest, McNally is called into Police Captain Lessing's office and is told to stay away from the investigation of his fathers death. He is read the same riot act when he reports to the Burglary-Robbery Division from Lt. Det. Ferris...stay away from the investigation. But, this doesn't stop the young detective from investigating on his own time.

The Build

The steering wheel, column and tach are finally mounted into the interior.

The engine compartment is complete with a wired engine and wired battery.

The completed chassis.

McNally will return.

Edited November 9, 2013 by mrmike

[mrmike]

The Story

In the two months following his fathers's death, McNally has gotten no where with his investigation and trying to stay out of the way of Homicide and Vice investigations has been no easy task. He is finally called into the office of Vice Lt. Det. Durasie for a meeting with him, Lt. Ferris, and ADA Jack Brown. His investigation has been noted and they are offering McNally a chance to officially work the case...as bait to draw out Deano Potzinc, a deal that McNally readily agrees to. McNally is set into play with him being abducted two days later by Potzinc's crew. He is bound and blindfolded and brought to an abandoned warehouse that Potzinc calls his home.

The Build

The glass and rear view mirror has been installed.

Along the way, I snapped the cowl while polishing the body. The cowl will be glued to the firewall once the chassis has been installed.

With the chassis installed, I can glue the cowl down and hopefully clean up the windshield molding.

McNally will return...

[66belair]

Sorry to hear about the cowl,that sucks when you are so close to finishing it. The car is looking beautiful though.

[Geno]

Drool, Mike, I love this car, it is super sweet. I can't wait to see it done.

[W-409]

Great work as always, Mike! That '57 Ford is a beautiful body style and your color choices couldn't be better for this one. Nice detail work too, my favorite is that red Line Lock button on the shifter, only few modelers remember to add that one on their builds. Great work.

[mrmike]

Thanks Mike, Gene, and Niko. I wondered if anyone would notice the Line Lock button on the shifter handle. Good catch!

The Story

Potzinc tells McNally that he is getting too close to his operation and that he will pay for that intrusion by having him killed. McNally announces that Potzinc is under arrest for the murder of Sgt. Raymond McNally...a code phrase that brings in a squad of Police officers with armor and automatic weapons yelling for everyone to surrender. Potzinc and his crew split up into different directions with many being captured. One of Potzinc's crew runs up to McNally and cuts the rope tying his hands and says that he is an undercover officer and to get after Potzinc who is running up the stairs to the roof. McNally runs after Potzinc and when he reaches the roof top door, a shot hits the doorway and he rolls out behind an AC unit on the roof.

Police at the fire escape yell for Potzinc to put down his gun and to surrender.

Potzinc responds by running towards McNally, firing his snub-nose .38 and screaming at the top of his lungs with McNally coming around from the opposite side of the AC unit and tackling Potzinc, apprehending the criminal. After placing Potzinc into a squad car, McNally seeks out the UC who untied his hands, thanking him for his help and asking his name, to which the UC replies, "Troy, Det. Adam Troy".

The Build

I started by adding the rear bumper and the exhaust tips.

It's starting to look like a '57 Ford with the addition of the grille.

I tried to carefully smooth the snapped cowl and added a piece of foil on the molding.

McNally will return...

[mrmike]

The Story

After spending part of the night at BPD headquarters filling out reports and being questioned by other detectives, McNally was quite tired when he arrived home. The sun was just coming up when he climbed the porch steps and he sees a potted plant sitting in front of the door. A card nestled amongst the flowers read,

“My son, I am sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I know of no words that could help ease the pain of your heart and help you to feel better. I wish I could be there for you, but I can’t. May these flowers help you during your time of sorrow. As always, you are in my heart.

Love, Mom”

The Build

A day off from work gave me an opportunity to work on the Ford this morning. I went in search of the remaining lenses only to find that they have gone missing. An exhaustive search turned up nothing, so I dove into my parts box and found a set of headlight lenses. But, I still needed to find a set of parking light lenses.

With ingenuity being the mother of invention, I took a piece of clear acetate and cut out a set of parling light lenses.

Alhough they are not very visible, I think I'll add a white wash to help bring out the lens.

McNally will return...

[charlie8575]

Very nice, Mike. Those lenses and wash look good.

I love how the story is wrapping up, too.

Charlie Larkin

[mrmike]

Thanks Charlie! I should have Spearmint completed by tomorrow morning. And, the story should be neatly wrapped up as well.

[wrecker388]

Awesome story and model!

[Erik Smith]

I have a custom grill on my '57 - you can have the parking lights if you want them...

Great looking model!

[mrmike]

Thanks Riley and Erik!

The Story

"That was the last time you heard from your mother," asks Vic? "Other than the occasional birthday or Christmas card, yeah." "I'm surprised that a PI of your caliber can't find her," replies Vic. "Boston's high society is a very well protected community. I keep looking for a way in from time to time, but I haven't been able to find it yet,"says McNally. Now that lunch is over, they both agree to get back to working on the old Ford. The new coil is installed and the engine roars to life. Vic gives McNally a dealer plate so he can drive the car around until he can get it registered and inspected. Vic turns towards his friend and says, "If I haven't said it, I'm sorry about your Dad." "Thank you Vic. It means a lot coming from you."

The Build

I have finished my '57 Ford Custom that I also call "Spearmint" and it is posted in Under Glass. I would like to thank all those who took the time to view and to comment on my WIP.