Chopped '32 Ford 5-window Highboy - Louver-mania!!!

[BERNARD "HOT ROD" KRON]

Chopped ’32 Ford 5-window Highboy Competition Street Coupe prepared for the Custom Car circuit

One of the highlights of photos from the classic indoor Custom Car shows of the 1960s are the color pictures of competition cars which have been especially prepared for these shows – :shown ‘n’ go” was the expression often used for these types of cars. They featured special paint and lots of polished aluminum and magnesium and chrome plating. Some of the era’s top competitors, such as Tommy Ivo and Tony Nancy were almost as well known for their prowess on the show floor as on the ¼ mile. This project was inspired by these cars.

A few months back Jason Lookabill ([e-mail] )produced a series of louvered hoods for the Revell ’32 Ford 1/25th scale kits, He also introduced a louvered roof panel for the Revell ’30 Ford coupe. The louvered hoods in particular I consider these an important addition to any hot rod modelers’ tool kit. As far as I know, louvered hoods to match the Revell kit louvered hood sides (in the original 1/25th scale street rod roadster – now unfortunately no longer produced in the latest version) and rear deck (5-window coupe) have never been offered before

A Show ‘n; Go street class drag coupe seemed a perfect project to feature these parts. I settled on a Revell ‘2 Ford 5-window coupe. I decided to feature the louvered panels in polished aluminum to contrast with a custom paint job. It turns out that Krylon Chrome Spray does a good job of imitating freshly polished aluminum. The top was chopped about 3 ½ scale inches and hole cut in the rood to fit Jason’s louvered roof panel.

The main body color is Tamiya TS-96 Fluorescent Orange over white primer and a single coat of Tamiya TS-31 Bright Orange. The gold leaf numbers are from a set I had custom printed a few years ago. The aluminum louvered panels were left bare but the orange body parts are all sealed un a several coats of Tamiya TS65 Pearl Clear. The fenders are from the Stacey David Rat Roaster.

I gave the car a low stance by z-ing the rear of the frame about 3 scale inches and lowering the Revell Deuce kit front suspension a similar amount by shaving the front spring. The Stacey David kit provided most of the interior panels which have had the recessed “holes” drilled out. I fabricated a custom dashboard and roll over bar. The seats are from the Revellogram “Rat Rod” ‘29/’30 Fords.

The wheels and slicks are from the AMT Double Dragster kit with front tires from the Revellogram ’30 Ford Sedan kits

The motor is the Chevy Small Block from the Stacey David Rat Roaster kit with a 60’s period correct GMC 6-71 blower from a Revell Tony Nancy Double Dragster kit. The headers are from the AMT ’65 El Camino kit and were bought on eBay.

Thanx for lookin’
B.

[BRITBOY]

That thing really does look ready for take off (and ready to strut its stuff at a show)!

[BERNARD "HOT ROD" KRON]

Thanks Britboy. Glad you like it. This came out OK despite it fighting me big time at the 90% stage - which is typical for me. At least this time it came out relatively unscathed. The trick for z'ing the rear end and still keeping the stock gas tank is one I'll use again.