W-409 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 There is an ongoing Community Build on Finnish Model Car Association's Forum. It's about '51 Chevrolets. My original plan was to build a Factory Stock '51 Chevy Convertible, but when a couple of guys built super nice Customs, I had to start cutting mine, too. Instead of cuttin' the Convertible, I traded a '51 Chevy HT body from Matti (ChevyCoupe41) and my plan is to install that one on Convertible's chassis and interior. I want mine to be a little different, though I don't want to build a Full Custom. I thought that Chopping the top or stretching the rear fenders might not be a good idea, so I decided to concentrate on grille and bumper area. I remembered that I have one pretty cool Custom grille somewhere, and as I found it, styrene started to fly and this is what I was able to do today... The Starting Point: How it looks now: There's still a lot to do with that front end to fill all of those gaps and shape everything up. But I'd like to hear suggestions on how to improve the styling, I mean that what else modifications I could do or something like that..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyrichard Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 cool project ! is that a corvette grille ?looks like it i put a corvette grille in my 49 mercury ... looked similair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Looks like your off to a nice start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Put the hood on it and lets see where we are first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W-409 Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 Thanks Guys! That might be a Corvette grille. Now when I think about it, I'm pretty sure it is. It would be just right size and shape for a 'Vette. The reason why there's no hood in these last pics is that the only hood I have is warped and it won't fit on place. Or if it does, it bends the fenders. I gotta get another hood from somewhere, but I'll snap a picture or two with the warped one tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Kool project Niko.. I've included a link from the H.A.M.B. on 49-52 Chevies. Keep us posted. link....http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=483132 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Very cool project Niko, you got my attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duntov Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 I will follow this one --- looks interesting --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W-409 Posted March 30, 2014 Author Share Posted March 30, 2014 Thanks Guys! That link on The H.A.M.B is a great source for photos and ideas. I already got a couple of ideas I want to do with this one. Sorry it took a while to get these photos posted. I was really busy with my 1:1 Chevy Van as I was cleaning, washing and waxing it from outside and inside. Anyway here are three pics with the warped hood on: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyrichard Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 HMMM maybe a litte gentle persuasion after heating it up with like a hair dryer could do the trick ??on the other hand and thats hard to see from these pictures giving the sides a tad more room or shave a little bit of the left side (seen from the last picture) would help ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PappyD340 Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 NICE start Niko, you got my attention, stay with it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72 Charger Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 Have you checked the body is strait as its been built once before it . If it is the hood you could just twist it a little to get it to seat down it does not look to far out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W-409 Posted March 31, 2014 Author Share Posted March 31, 2014 (edited) Thanks Richard, Larry and Dave! I will probably to to straighten up the hood. I don't know how it actually works, as I've never tried it before and I'm bit afraid that I'm going to ruin the part, but it's worth a try anyway as that hood can't be used if it's warped that badly. The body is straight, I just checked it. I also tried to take pics of the hood, but none of them showed the warping, even if it can be seen clearly in person. Well I'll try to fix it. Here's just a little update. I added quite a lot little pieces of styrene on the front end to make the grille fit better and to fill little holes that were present. As everything looked good enough, I put some putty on the front end. Once it dries completely, I'll sand it and then we'll see where I am at. I should start the engine while waiting for that. This is the Custom version's rear bumper from this kit. Luckily I have two of these, as I'll cut this one and use it as front bumper. Then it will be sprayed with Alclad as the grille. Edited March 31, 2014 by W-409 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 bad55 stan Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 some cool mods you are doing,I think that grill looks great... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKcustoms Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Very nice so far, The grill looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72 Charger Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Nico if you try to twist the hood and the plastic goes whiter then the rest of the hood then you went to far just tease it strait a little at a time and it will come strait . Also try putting it in very hot water for a few moments to softern the plastic you will be surprised how far you can bend it before it breaks. Good luck. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramfins59 Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Niko that is looking really nice so far. Good luck with the hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I'd cut up the old hood and add the front edge to the frame around the grill. Then when you get a new one, just remove a little at a time until it fits nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogfish_7 Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 Nice work on the front grill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainAhab Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 Nice keep it goin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Grill looks great Niko. I hope you can fix the hood... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W-409 Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share Posted April 3, 2014 Thanks a lot, Everyone! I also hope I can fix the hood, and I'll try to bend it back on the Weekend. I think I'll try with hot water first, thanks again everyone for the suggestions - and of course thanks for the kind words, too! I have nothing to show, even though I've been doing some putty work with the body. I just put on another coat of putty, and I'll sand it smooth tomorrow. If I can get it pretty smooth, I'll post a picture tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chromecop Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Coming along just fine!Looking forward to see the finished model! Maybe at GGG in Sweden this summer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W-409 Posted April 6, 2014 Author Share Posted April 6, 2014 Thanks Darryl! I've wanted to visit in Swedish Model Car Show for a long time, and when looking at pictures from last year, GGG seems to be a great show. Another thing that I really like in Swedish shows is the amount of Hot Rods and Customs, as we don't have so many of them in here. But looks like it's on the same time as FHRA Drag Race Week at Alastaro, and I'll be driving Stock & Super Stock there... Anyway here's a little update. My friend Matti (ChevyCoupe41) was telling me I should make a Tuck 'n Roll style Custom interior for this one, so I took my saw and started cutting the seats. Once I had cut some plastic away, I filled the holes with sheet styrene. I'll try to put on the actual upholstery tomorrow, and then I need to do the same operation for the back seat. I started the engine, too. While I was planning what Custom/Speed Parts I should install on the engine, Go Getters' Loud Pipes & Lead Feet came from my record player, I thought "Why Not" and started building Blower Intake Manifold for this one. This is how it might look, if it will fit under the hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 Engine is looks cool so far... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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