Short Track Models
Construction Topics => Fab shop-under construction pics => Topic started by: Brian Conn on January 12, 2020, 02:34:37 PM
-
......SO, here I go again....two builds on the work table at the same time...... something that I swore off of a few years ago as I needed to focus on one build at a time, but I did manage to pull it off with the 2019 Oktoberfest '73 Torino Modified Street Stock build with some success having the Mustang II Late Model build sharing space on the same work table.
Approximately six months ago, a new model club was formed here in Topeka. https://www.cjonline.com/entertainmentlife/20191022/cj-extra-modeling-enthusiasts-bond-through-new-club
While the Ad Astra model club is predominantly an armor, naval and military air craft club, I have done some show and tell with the Oktoberfest '73 Torino build and on going '78 Mustang II late model build. I have already learned quite a bit from the military guys, especially their weathering techniques on military aircraft which I hope to begin, sometime, on my stock car builds......real stock cars don't shine like a new penny.
ONWARD:
The President of the club announced at the Jan. meeting that there would be a '50's group build beginning now and ending May 14th , the club meeting date.....anything 50's ;D
I have chosen to do a 1955 Ford Custom as a Modified Street Stock built in the spirit of local rules.
(https://images40.fotki.com/v26/photos/0/3714830/16222136/11220005-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/1-12-20-005.html)
Since there is no such thing as a '55 Ford Custom model car kit, I will back date this AMT/ERTL 1956 Ford Victoria.
(https://images42.fotki.com/v1423/photos/0/3714830/16222136/11220013-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/1-12-20-013.html)
I am going to try and go with a balanced mix of O.O.B , scratch build and aftermarket. The three pieces pictured will end up seeing the most scratch building change done.
(https://images54.fotki.com/v1224/photos/0/3714830/16222136/11220022-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/1-12-20-022.html)
Back to the future ??? This may look familiar to some of you, particularly David Bogard.... This was part of a "how to" from a few years ago that David had started and that I kind of joined in, too. It was how to convert a '56 Vicky body into a Custom. This is that same body that I had used along with the 1:25 scale '55 Custom picture and 1:25 scale roof templates.
The 1955 Ford Custom roof has taller roof pillars and is longer than the 1956 Ford Victoria's roof.
B.T.W Back in May of 2018, I had the opportunity to buy the '56 Victoria that David had done the conversion "how to" to make it a '55 Custom....the conversion he did to it is spot on and top notch....when my skills improve, I have a build in mind for that kit.
(https://images43.fotki.com/v1326/photos/0/3714830/16222136/2820010-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/2-8-20-010.html)
I have decided not to use the kit tires and wheels....going with scale 8" tread width tires and a set of Holman/Moody stock car wheels.
-
Cool project and it sounds like a fun club. Please post pics as you go!
-
Thanks guys! much appreciated :)
David, as far being an aggressive project, I really want to take it in a casual direction....after all I still have 5 months and don't have the desire to go all in with a lot of detail on this particular build. As an example, I wont be cutting out the trunk lid, so the only indication of any thing being done in the trunk area will be the visible bottom side of the fabbed fuel tank or fuel cell .... haven't decided which way to go with that one,yet.
As far as building a simple model,...... where I'm at is anything with less involved work than the Mustang II dirt late model is simple ....simple enough for me at least. I wasn't kidding about wanting to do a build utilizing one of Gators bodies...something akin to the Larry Phillips wedge late model you did...a trackside build focusing more on what's easily visible and less on everything else.
-
This looks like an interesting build. Love those '56 Fords.
-
Not much to report...waiting on some aftermarket goodies to arrive :)
This looks like an interesting build. Love those '56 Fords.
Thanks.....what I am trying to go for is a build that represents a car that has been raced a few seasons and parked for a couple of seasons a few times.....imagine what was once considered being a late model now running in a street stock class...some of what it may have started out with, racing parts wise originally, isn't what its running now.
(https://images12.fotki.com/v539/photos/0/3714830/16222136/12020014-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/1-20-20-014.html)
Swiss cheesed the dash board of all the unnecessary stuff...knobs, gauges, ash tray, glove box, speaker cover, etc. etc.
(https://images15.fotki.com/v1669/photos/0/3714830/16222136/12020007-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/1-20-20-007.html)
Decide to go with a Ford 9" rear verses the kit offerings....I simply cut out the kits rear center section and grafted a resin cast 9" into its place. Since everything is being held in place by the sprew and the rear leaf springs, it made things a whole lot easier.
-
Decided to ditch the kit "Y" block for something bigger......my very first attempt at weathering an engine and transmission.
(https://images42.fotki.com/v1216/photos/0/3714830/16222136/2220006-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/2-2-20-006.html)
Combination of resin cast, scratch build, parts box and aftermarket for a 429 big block
(https://images54.fotki.com/v1662/photos/0/3714830/16222136/2220010-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/2-2-20-010.html)
Went a different direction with the transmission...for me at least...using the predecessor of the Top Loader transmission with this build, the Borg-Warner T-10
Will shoot a thin dull coat over everything to knock down some of the shine and gloss.
-
Successful roof transformation
(https://images15.fotki.com/v1669/photos/0/3714830/16222136/2920006-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/2-9-20-006.html)
Still need to take the small sanding sticks to a few spots and scribe the area between "A" pillar, roof and "B" pillar for the area between the doors and main body.
-
That's really looking good Brian! Excellent job on that roof! I've been wanting to try that for a long time, just can't get up the nerve to try it! Been following this one,can't wait to see more!
Rick :)
-
I look forward to more, Brian! I’m diggin’ the roof conversion and the engine is sweet!🏁🏁🏁
-
Very interesting project Brian, keep us posted on your progress.
Bob
-
Thanks Rick,Greg and Bob ...your comments are very much appreciated :)
I look forward to more, Brian! I’m diggin’ the roof conversion and the engine is sweet!🏁🏁🏁
Shot some Testors Dullcote w/ the air brush on the engine and tranny over the weekend....noticeably improved the appearance ....less shiny and bright..... perfect claimer motor ;D
(https://images51.fotki.com/v731/photos/0/3714830/16222136/21720003-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/2-17-20-003.html)
Finishing up the tires and wheels ......Plastic Performance Products 60's - 70's Holman/Moody wheel fronts and after market backing plate and rotor. Cut down the center hub on the backing plate and drilled it out to accept the kit spindles on the front and axle shaft on the rear. Tires are scale 8" width from the tire stash.
Asked a question for clarification of the President at last weeks meeting.....asked if I can build the '55 as it would have appeared ,say 25 years or so later....he said sure , which affords me a little bit more leniency with the build verses building it as it would have had to appear in the mid to late 50's.
Speaking of the meeting, we have had several members of the club pay us a visit here checking out the '55 amongst other builds posted here by the rest of you.....needless to say the site impressed them.
So here is where I'm at with this build as far as what I have in mind build wise goes....
At some point in the early 70's the car was built as an "A" class car ......what would morph into late models in just a couple of years making it obsolete. While the late models take hold and gain in popularity, the '55 is parked and cannibalized for useful parts, such as its quick change, on a late model.
Long about 1976 or so , the "55 gets a new lease on life in the hobby stock class....a 3/4 ton Dana rear end gets installed and a big block is now the engine of choice. After about 4 more years of racing, the hobby stock class becomes dominated by the smaller, lighter cars ...almost late models themselves....the '55 is once again made obsolete and parked again. The "55 is "rediscovered" some time in the mid 80's ....thinking that it would be a fun car to bang around in the street stock class with , parts are rounded up to make it race worthy yet again. Seems the only parts that are cheap and plentiful are those coming off the old late models from 8,9, 10 years ago....the same late models that made this '55 obsolete in the first place. So it has come full circle, late model left overs to put the now street stock together again one last time. The heavier Dana rear end was replaced by a lighter Ford 9" w/ disk brakes WOW. Now the car has disk on all four corners since the front drum brakes where swapped out for disk during the hobby stock years. A full cell replaced the fuel tank that had been in the trunk from back in the "A" class days...the old fuel tank literally rusted away. Since there is an engine claim in the street stock class, the big block will stay in place...after all who would want to claim a big block Ford engine in a class dominated by small block Chevy's
-
Haven't spent a whole lot of time in the hobby room the last month....but that's alright all things considered.
(https://images51.fotki.com/v733/photos/0/3714830/16222136/31720198-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/3-17-20-198.html)
(https://images12.fotki.com/v1226/photos/0/3714830/16222136/31720201-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/3-17-20-201.html)
Dirtied up the frame and rear axle with flat Black and a couple of other earth tone colors.......brushed on some Testors Dullcote to knock some of the shiny down.....still have a couple of spots needing another coat on the underside of the floor pan.
(https://images14.fotki.com/v390/photos/0/3714830/16222136/31720209-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/3-17-20-209.html)
Scratched a fuel cell out of an existing stock fuel tank and some Evergreen. Weathered with different shades of Red and Brown Pastel Chalk then brushed on one coat of Dullcote ....will brush on another before calling it good.
Not much detail on this one since the trunk lid wont be open.
(https://images42.fotki.com/v1216/photos/0/3714830/16222136/31720217-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/3-17-20-217.html)
Reworked the rear seat area into a fire wall, lowered the over all height aprox. 4 mm. as I want to channel the body. Shot some Tamiya fine surface primer for some color and used a wash of Brown Pastel Chalk and water to dirty up the interior...applied a very thin amount of Dullcoat.
-
Yea.....the forum pages are chocked full of builds will great looking finishes and paint jobs.....there is absolutely nothing wrong with that , but I have decided to try something different to hopefully set myself apart from that and be more unique.
I've spent time in,on and under stock cars so I'm trying mimic, what I can recall, the different shades of colors and how they took on a different appearance after a number of years or seasons of use and abuse.
-
Thank you Steven....a few people have seen it in person and have, more or less, stated the same thing about the weathering. It doesn't take much , though, to give the appearance of to much weathering which I have to be careful of.
I'm going to move on to the main part of the roll cage. I've seen some techniques that I'm going to try where the cage looks as if it was painted and some of the over spray gets on the interior using my air brush. As far as the cage construction its self, I'm going with the drilling of the 4 points of the main cage thru the floor pan and adjusting the height with the interior roof of the body. Going with a flat Black color for the cage to keep it simple.
-
Looking good Brian, keep us posted on your progress.
Bob
-
...Even though we here in Topeka have been given stay at home orders due to the china virus, I still haven't done a whole lot with the build. Still keeping busy at work being an essential employee of an essential business due to our U.S.D.A related accounts. Fortunately, I stocked up heavy on Evergreen plastic and paints in late Dec. so I have enough to get me thru till the brick and mortar stores start opening back up...soon I hope.
(https://images41.fotki.com/v1397/photos/0/3714830/16222136/32820023-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/3-28-20-023.html)
(https://images46.fotki.com/v147/photos/0/3714830/16222136/32820008-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/3-28-20-008.html)
Channeled the body aprox. 4 mm. Fingers crossed that the hood will clear the oil breathers with out much hassle....that 429 hogged up a bunch of space under the hood
-
(https://images49.fotki.com/v292/photos/0/3714830/16222136/41520006-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/4-15-20-006.html)
Got the main 6 point cage bent, adjusted and attached. Started weathering on the cage by applying some flat Black...will dulcote this part and paint the rest a shade or two brighter Black then do some Black wash with some earth tone pastel chalks.
(https://images12.fotki.com/v1226/photos/0/3714830/16222136/41520009-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/4-15-20-009.html)
Still got some more bars to add to the mix including the front hoop
-
Looking good there.
-
Not sure how I missed this one, bu glad I found it this morning. I really like the route you are taking with this one. Reminds me of the Trantham (spelling?) brothers from days of old at Hickory Speedway. They and one or two more were the only ones running Fords against the likes of Jack Ingram, Ned Setzer, Benny Kurley and others. Of course they were running small blocks as opposed to "the Boss". Looking forward to more updates.
-
Thank you John and Rick..... :).
Don't know if I will have this completely done by the club's May meeting (5-14-20) as I just haven't spent a whole lot of time at the work table.....seems that spare time in the hobby room just wasn't in the cards for me. I will keep at it til its done as its been a fun build to do.
-
I had all intentions of having this build done by the May meeting (May 14th) but time for building just hasn't presented it self much the last 2 or 3 months. I have made some progress none the less.
I figured that I would have fitment issues with the hood after I channeled the body aprox. 4 scale inches with the 429 power plant in place...sure enough, the oil breathers and distributor would not allow it to come all the way down....so I came up with this solution.
(https://images42.fotki.com/v905/photos/0/3714830/16222136/5820006-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/5-8-20-006.html)
The first thing I did was to cut the center section out of the hood and then open up a hole in the piece that I cut out for the air cleaner.
I then closed the other part of the hood down (the part with the center section cut out) and then placed the cut out center section over the air cleaner, centered the piece and glued it in place in a couple of spots. The center section is sitting on top of the oil breathers and distributor.
(https://images42.fotki.com/v903/photos/0/3714830/16222136/51120001-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/5-11-20-001.html)
Filled in the gaps with Evergreen strips, sanded the filling pieces down to match the hood contour and applied a skim coat of Bondo then sanded smooth. Also filled the indent area for the hood ornament.
(https://images14.fotki.com/v219/photos/0/3714830/16222136/51120021-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/5-11-20-021.html)
After the first light coat of Tamiya fine surface primer.....still a couple of spots needing some attention....over all I am pleased with the way it turned out, the raised center section is hardly noticeable
-
Looking real good Brian!
Rett
-
Comin' along quite nicely!!
-
THANKS Rett,Steven and Councilman Ed :)
Got the interior portion of the roll cage done, seat mounted, weathering...etc.etc.
(https://images54.fotki.com/v1224/photos/0/3714830/16222136/61120009-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/6-11-20-009.html)
Installed after market foot shaped pedal
(https://images46.fotki.com/v521/photos/0/3714830/16222136/61120018-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/6-11-20-018.html)
(https://images40.fotki.com/v1668/photos/0/3714830/16222136/61120022-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/6-11-20-022.html)
Used the kit supplied seat and belts...added length to the belts w/ Black ribbon. Built a seat frame and connected the lap belts to it. Scratch built cage, pastel chalk weathering.
-
Looking real good Brian, I can tell a lot of hours have already gone into this build.
Keep us posted on your progress. This may be your best build.
Bob
-
This is a mean looking thing.
-
Except for figuring out were to mount the ignition coil the engine is done.....
(https://images20.fotki.com/v207/photos/0/3714830/16222136/62820006-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/6-28-20-006.html)
Dug an old down flow radiator out of the stash for a big block Ford cross flow conversion.
(https://images20.fotki.com/v682/photos/0/3714830/16222136/62820014-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/6-28-20-014.html)
Cut the down flow radiator down to the proper size needed and added the side tanks and fan shroud.
(https://images52.fotki.com/v1552/photos/0/3714830/16222136/62820026-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/6-28-20-026.html)
-
Just about done with this one....all that's left is shooting some paint on the body and some decals :-\
(https://images46.fotki.com/v678/photos/0/3714830/16222136/72520009-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/7-25-20-009.html)
(https://images14.fotki.com/v219/photos/0/3714830/16222136/72520015-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/7-25-20-015.html)
Aftermarket goodies:
Pre-wired distributor from Teds Modeling Marketplace
Holley carb,oil breathers,Accel Super Coil, brake master cylinder,wheel backs, rotors w/ disk brakes
Plumbed brake lines from master cylinder to the calipers (front,rear brake lines end @ the fire wall) Wired coil to distributor (-) and resistor (+).....scratched a steering shaft and steering gear box. Wired gauges and tach back to the engine. Expanded metal in front of radiator and mud screen in front of driver. Weathered the fire wall with a combination of earth tone color paints and pastel chalk
-
Love this build,can't wait to see it with paint and decals!
Rick :)
-
.....Finally got some color on the ol' 55
(https://images40.fotki.com/v381/photos/0/3714830/16222136/8220002-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/8-2-20-002.html)
(https://images42.fotki.com/v903/photos/0/3714830/16222136/8220004-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/8-2-20-004.html)
Figured I should take some pictures before I got too deep in weathering the body....it seems somewhat counterproductive to deliberately mess up a decent paint job. Shot Krylon Gloss Sun Yellow color master paint+primer from a rattle can and Spaz Stix High Gloss Black from the air brush. Before I started dulling the body paint down, the High Gloss Black was almost mirror reflective with just one light coat and one regular coat. I really like the way the Spaz Stix goes down with an air brush.
-
Lookin' Good!!
-
...Been a while since any update...seems I have been doing everything but spending time in the hobby room as of late.
(https://images52.fotki.com/v1211/photos/0/3714830/16222136/10620002-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/10-6-20-002.html)
Got the body weathered. I still need to add the hood pins and decals. The decals I will be making myself.
(https://images44.fotki.com/v447/photos/0/3714830/16222136/10620007-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/10-6-20-007.html)
Decided to use the '56 Ford Victoria's trunk lid emblem.....just about totally screwed this one up by attaching the rear bumper with the front bumper protectors on the front......caught it in time and with a small bit of de-bonder everything is good.
(https://images15.fotki.com/v1669/photos/0/3714830/16222136/10620011-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/10-6-20-011.html)
Bobbed the ends of the front bumper
(https://images20.fotki.com/v207/photos/0/3714830/16222136/10620016-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/10-6-20-016.html)
-
Beautiful build Brian! Love all the detailing,weathering,etc. Excellent!!
Rick :)
-
WOW!!
Gettin' there!!!
-
Yikes...been a couple months since an update :-[
Still at it and all that is left is decals....putting those together in Microsoft Paint as I type this and hopefully be printing some time soon. Those will have to be weathered as well once they are applied...something new to me as well.
(https://images14.fotki.com/v1315/photos/0/3714830/16222136/121320006-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/12-13-20-006.html)
(https://images12.fotki.com/v1667/photos/0/3714830/16222136/121320008-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/12-13-20-008.html)
Roughed up the drivers door, fender and hood a little bit more or less to see if I could do it and how it would turn out.
-
Finished up the decals.....hopefully get this project wrapped up soon.
(https://images41.fotki.com/v868/photos/0/3714830/16222136/123120decalsforumsized-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/12-31-20decalsforumsized.html)
-
That little hot rod is turning out great Brian it certainly looks spot on. Can't wait to see it with decals, great job all the way around!
al
-
Well, its been a little over 6 months since I've done anything with the '55 ...had a $ide hu$tle that kept me busy and away from the hobby room....things are starting to slow down a bit.
Got some decals laid down the last couple of evenings....some very subtle weathering left to do on them before I'm ready to call this one done.....already roughed them up a bit to show some wear and tear.
(https://images15.fotki.com/v1674/photos/0/3714830/16222136/62221010-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/6-22-21-010.html)
(https://images15.fotki.com/v1674/photos/0/3714830/16222136/62221020-vi.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/outlaw-ford/ad-astra-model-club/6-22-21-020.html)
Finished build in Cars with Fenders-production bodies/late models http://www.shorttrackmodels.com/index.php?topic=1883.0
-
Oh yeah!!!!
Looking great!!