AMT '36 Ford Roadster Kustom - Completed
Apr 3, 2014 18:36:17 GMT -4
Post by BERNARD "HOT ROD" KRON on Apr 3, 2014 18:36:17 GMT -4
Now that Round 2 has released what amounts to the definitive re-issue of the AMT 36 Ford 3-in-1 kit it’s time for me to use up all the parts and kits I’ve gathered up to try to duplicate the original issue. Besides, Ed Fluck at Drag City Castings has just released a hot new set of louvered pieces for the kit that I can’t resist using. So here’s my latest project, a pre-war style customized ’36 Ford Roadster made from various AMT ‘36’s in my stash.
The pictures below are of the car with all the “basics” done but slapped together in pure mockup form using temporary adhesives. Lots of body cleanup and fitment to be done but it confirms the look I’m after.
The main body is from an AMT 5-window coupe because the 5 windows have the shorter door found on the roadster. A flaw in the original AMT 3-window/roadster kit was that they engraved the longer 3-window door in the body to match the 3-window roof. Rather than fill and engrave a new door line it’s easier to use the 5-window body if you’ve got one.
The chassis has been lowered front and rear to the maximum by shaving the front spring and crossmember and hogging out the rear crossmember to shove the rear spring up as far as it will go. I plan to use the kit flathead with some hop up parts from the AMT ’34 Ford 5-window.
One set of parts I was never able to gather up from the original issue ’36 3-window was the rear fender skirts, so I made my own. I used the kit custom grill shell and filled it with a ’40 Ford Deluxe grill as suggested by George Barris himself in the original release. The windshield has been chopped 3 scale inches.
The interior will be largely stock with two major changes. First of all I made large rolled bolsters which fit across the back and the front seating area of the stock seats. Secondly, I made a filler panel to cover the package tray. There is a comparison picture below showing the car with either the stock convertible boot or the fill panel viewed from different angles. I haven’t decided which to use, but the car will be shown as an open roadster. I won’t be making a Carson top.
The flipper caps on the front are from the AMT ’40 Ford sedan delivery. The tires are from my parts box and are of unknown origin.
The final major customizing touch is the louvered deck and hood as mastered by Plowboy (Roger Hayes) and re-popped by Drag City. In order to establish some continuity across the rear deck along with the louvers I made a recessed license plate area which will have a molded clear plastic cover. I haven’t decided on bumpers as yet. I’m thinking the ribbed DeSoto bumpers that come in the ’40 Sedan delivery kit to go with the prewar Kustom vibe of this thing, but I may go with post-war items with bumper guards, depending on what I decide for taillights.
Color is up in the air but I’m thinking a lighter shade with a white or light tan interior. Even though the basic look is dialed there’s still a lot left to do.
Thanx for lookin’,
B.
The pictures below are of the car with all the “basics” done but slapped together in pure mockup form using temporary adhesives. Lots of body cleanup and fitment to be done but it confirms the look I’m after.
The main body is from an AMT 5-window coupe because the 5 windows have the shorter door found on the roadster. A flaw in the original AMT 3-window/roadster kit was that they engraved the longer 3-window door in the body to match the 3-window roof. Rather than fill and engrave a new door line it’s easier to use the 5-window body if you’ve got one.
The chassis has been lowered front and rear to the maximum by shaving the front spring and crossmember and hogging out the rear crossmember to shove the rear spring up as far as it will go. I plan to use the kit flathead with some hop up parts from the AMT ’34 Ford 5-window.
One set of parts I was never able to gather up from the original issue ’36 3-window was the rear fender skirts, so I made my own. I used the kit custom grill shell and filled it with a ’40 Ford Deluxe grill as suggested by George Barris himself in the original release. The windshield has been chopped 3 scale inches.
The interior will be largely stock with two major changes. First of all I made large rolled bolsters which fit across the back and the front seating area of the stock seats. Secondly, I made a filler panel to cover the package tray. There is a comparison picture below showing the car with either the stock convertible boot or the fill panel viewed from different angles. I haven’t decided which to use, but the car will be shown as an open roadster. I won’t be making a Carson top.
The flipper caps on the front are from the AMT ’40 Ford sedan delivery. The tires are from my parts box and are of unknown origin.
The final major customizing touch is the louvered deck and hood as mastered by Plowboy (Roger Hayes) and re-popped by Drag City. In order to establish some continuity across the rear deck along with the louvers I made a recessed license plate area which will have a molded clear plastic cover. I haven’t decided on bumpers as yet. I’m thinking the ribbed DeSoto bumpers that come in the ’40 Sedan delivery kit to go with the prewar Kustom vibe of this thing, but I may go with post-war items with bumper guards, depending on what I decide for taillights.
Color is up in the air but I’m thinking a lighter shade with a white or light tan interior. Even though the basic look is dialed there’s still a lot left to do.
Thanx for lookin’,
B.
