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Posted

Another project I started today is a 32 Tudor, that I want to be built to look like a traditional Street Rod, but be somewhat modern underneath.

First matter of business was chopping the top. Not much, but just enough to give it some attitude (about 3mm)

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Posted

Thank you. Imagine kinda the Rat Roaster style of build but with next to no chrome and modern drivetrain with a vintage look. And I am keeping it all Ford. No metallic colors either.

Posted

Keep it clean, keep it simple, keep it "pure" and you'll nail it. Nice classic chop!

Highboy? Rat Rod implies it's channeled but a highboy is more conservative and historic. When you say "modern" are you planning to work from the basic chassis and engine in the kit? That's a pretty classy modern setup that needs just a little bit of toning down and some small changes to get the "modern traditional" look. IMHO, the details that often catch folks out in achieving it are the stance, wheels and front end rubber (the kit tires are wayyyyyy too wide with funky 90's square shoulders).

Definitely one to follow...

Posted

Thanks for the interest guys.

Here is the plan….

The chassis from the kit with the small block Ford from the kit. However, I would like to have a quickchange rear axle of some sorts, but may stay with the axle from the kit. The front tube axle has to go. This will be a dropped I-beam for sure and it may be painted black - not decided yet. Split wishbones if painted, the 5 window's hairpins if left shiny. Disc brakes will be on, which limits the wheels. So either steelies or the wheels from the Rat Roaster. Kit tires go straight to the junk pile. The motor will be the modern mill, but with different valve covers and different intake set up. If I get really excited I may order artilery wheels and finned drums from RMcoM. This rod with not be slammed into the weeds, it will not be channeled at all and will be shiny, but sorta vintage color.

Posted (edited)

Sounds like an excellent plan. I've done a few of these, so, if you'll allow me, here's some of what I've learned.

The nicest beam axle that can be adapted with a minimum of work can be found in the Revell "Rat Rod" '29 Ford Roadster Pickup kit and the '30 Ford Sedan Kit. Posable as well. The down side for your traditional but modern spin is that it necessitates using the Ford drum brake backing plates. Another very nice kit axle is the dropped beam axle from the various Revell '40 Ford street rod kits (coupe and convertible). Disc brakes are included, but you'll have to adapt or fabricate an appropriate leaf spring to the Deuce setup. Lastly is the dropped beam axle in the various ex-Monogram '37 Ford street rods including the sedan and the recently issued pickup. It has a separate spring and it’s easy to adapt. The best (and really only IMHO - even though Replicas and Miniatures offers one) aftermarket one I have found are the various dropped beam axles from ThePartsBox.com. They're all based on the Revell '40 Ford piece and are wire reinforced resin and available in several variants, including finned Buick drums. Pricey due to the strong Aussie dollar, but very nice.

With the exception of those from the Rat Roaster, any of the front wheels from the Revell kits are too wide for current style Traditional front tires. This includes the steelies in the 5-window kit. Most narrower steelies, say from an AMT kit for example, or from Modelhaus, are easily adapted so this is no big deal.

Regarding the rear end and a quick change, the question is what spring medium you plan to use. The Revell kits, as you know, depend on coil spring assisted air bags. The air bags are easily removed and the rear suspension will stand firmly on the coil shocks with no problem. I've done this often and it looks credible and contemporary. Nice Ford rear end, too. Adapting a quick change will generate a lot of other changes, regardless of what spring medium you choose. Easiest is to do a Model-T/Model-A style arched spring using a cross member and the axle bells from the aforementioned Rat Rod kit. More contemporary and authentic is to adapt the '40 Ford cross member and spring from the Revell kits. Or you could make custom bracketry to adapt the kit coil springs and locating arms.

I’m excited to see what you come up with. Surprisingly, given how popular this style is in the 1:1 world, few of these are attempted in scale. Can’t wait for more, more, more!!!

Edited by Bernard Kron
Posted

Hey Bernard!

I like the fact that you have shared your knowledge here! :P

Michael this is a double score for me, I really hope that both you and Bernard keep this going!

I am really interested in this build as I have a 32 and a 33 sedan that "just might" follow this

Thank You "both" for sharing :)

Later

Russ

;)

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