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Post by A.J. on Jan 3, 2007 11:04:56 GMT -6
Well, for those that wonder if I actually build or complete anything here is my first of the New Year. Rob Riley sent me a kit which I had only planned on robbing the engine but after getting it and looking it over I found myself really looking at the A Roadster body quite heavily. I started last week just playing around with the body by taking about 3/16" out of the roof and windshield frame. After seeing how cool it looked I had to continue. That's where the frame came in. I wanted it to set real low as the way a lot of traditional rods set in full scale so I Z'ed the front and back of the frame. I was never much for the way front ends looked after being Z'ed but it's growing on me. I think I'm going to add cross members in yet but I haven't figured out exactly how I want to do it. Bear in mind that I began and continued at this point of just playing around with it. Well, I started digging through the many parts boxes for any go fast goodies that would really send this kit back to the late 50s early 60s. While going through some boxes I came across an old AMT '57 Chevy of which I robbed the 409 that included a crazy blower intake setup with quad side draft carbs. I hadn't remembered that engine but at that point I knew it was going to be in there. The engine has and will require some attention. First off there was a big hole through the block of which I assumed was for an axle to pass through. That of course as can be seen in the pic has been addressed by my custom engine mounts. Then there is the piece on the oil pan which must have also been cut out for an axle relief. That will be stripped and filled in at some point. Back to the '57 Chevy, I also robbed the wheels and tires although I switched the fronts to a pretty cool set of smaller diameter Firestones similar to the ones that would come on the front of the Orange Crate. This was the combo I was looking for. So at this point I have the body cut to sit over the chassis and the firewall heavily cut out to sit over the big block. The interior was next to begin it's transformation. Ididn't like the bench seat so it was cut out and pieces were cut to fill in the nasty voids that were missing (can be seen in pics) and I still have to build a pan to bring everything together and sit in the body nice and cleanly. Just for fun I dug out an old '32 grill shell and sectioned it slightly but I'm not sure this is going to be what I use yet. I won't decide that till later. I was going to try and do something truely custom as in a track style nose but I haven't found something that jumps out at me yet. So I just wanted to give an update as I plan on completing this in the next couple weeks and I'll keep ya updated. Hope you enjoy. A.J.   |
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Post by vwcamperman on Jan 3, 2007 11:25:15 GMT -6
Kool Nice and Low  |
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Post by barten on Jan 3, 2007 14:24:18 GMT -6
AJ looking good! ! ! ! keep us posted. . .
GB
BArten
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Post by robriley on Jan 3, 2007 19:36:00 GMT -6
damm aj, that's looking really cool so far.
i like what you're doing with it.
have you sent the box out to me yet ?
i haven't gotten it yet....just wondering.
thanks.
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Post by fredmellini on Jan 3, 2007 20:19:10 GMT -6
Looking good AJ, I like where you are going with this project!!!!.................Fred
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Post by chief on Jan 3, 2007 20:30:23 GMT -6
Riding in the weeds TOO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by davea on Jan 4, 2007 0:29:37 GMT -6
I like it! Looks great, A.J.!
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Post by crazylegs on Jan 4, 2007 0:39:28 GMT -6
that's looking really sweet A J will you going sixties custom and painting it or are you going the ratrod
and if you ever want any of those blowers l have l think they are the closets you can get to flathead blower (but am more than likely wrong)
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Post by robriley on Jan 4, 2007 0:57:45 GMT -6
a good blower to use on a flathead engine is the one that came with the outcast c-cab kit. it's pretty small, and has a long snout.
i think the 57 blower that you are talking about also is pretty small with a long snout in front as well.
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Post by A.J. on Jan 4, 2007 2:39:09 GMT -6
Hey Joe, this baby will be painted like a 60s custom. Although I can respect the rat rods, I've always been about flashy paint jobs on my stuff. As for the blowers, I'm not sure which ones you are talking about. The one that goes with the 409 is one of those long snout ones like Rob is talking about and then there is a manifold that sits on top of it that has the 4 side draft carbs. I have everything for the engine that is sitting in it but at some point, I'd like to find something that will sit on top of a flat head V8 as well. I have a handful of those engines sitting around too and I'm sure I will build a flatty hot rod at some point in the near future. I'm not sure exactly what's next on the agenda but it will most likely be the AMT '34 pickup riding in the weeds as well or possibly the Revell '29 Pickup kit that can be built many ways. All good stuff.
Today I spent the better part of a couple hours working on the nose. Rather than using the sectioned '32 grill which looked kind of plain, I opted for something a little wilder looking. I dug out an old '37 Chevy Stovebolt body and chopped the nose off. I reshaped it and cut it down and now it sits on the front pretty nicely although not perfect. I have another that I may do the same but rework a little differently. Tommorrow will be more frame work and I still have to find some wicked headers for it. Other than the nose and headers, there isn't much that I have to come up with for the kit. Mostly just finishing the interior pan and frame and I can start painting parts. Am I ever looking forward to that.
Thanks to all for the comments and I'll post some more pics this weekend.
A.J.
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Post by crazylegs on Jan 4, 2007 3:52:06 GMT -6
like this one A J sorry about the bad photo (it's getting late down here  Hey Joe, this baby will be painted like a 60s custom. Although I can respect the rat rods, I've always been about flashy paint jobs on my stuff. As for the blowers, I'm not sure which ones you are talking about. The one that goes with the 409 is one of those long snout ones like Rob is talking about and then there is a manifold that sits on top of it that has the 4 side draft carbs. I have everything for the engine that is sitting in it but at some point, I'd like to find something that will sit on top of a flat head V8 as well. I have a handful of those engines sitting around too and I'm sure I will build a flatty hot rod at some point in the near future. I'm not sure exactly what's next on the agenda but it will most likely be the AMT '34 pickup riding in the weeds as well or possibly the Revell '29 Pickup kit that can be built many ways. All good stuff. Today I spent the better part of a couple hours working on the nose. Rather than using the sectioned '32 grill which looked kind of plain, I opted for something a little wilder looking. I dug out an old '37 Chevy Stovebolt body and chopped the nose off. I reshaped it and cut it down and now it sits on the front pretty nicely although not perfect. I have another that I may do the same but rework a little differently. Tommorrow will be more frame work and I still have to find some wicked headers for it. Other than the nose and headers, there isn't much that I have to come up with for the kit. Mostly just finishing the interior pan and frame and I can start painting parts. Am I ever looking forward to that. Thanks to all for the comments and I'll post some more pics this weekend. A.J. |
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Post by Honest Charlie on Jan 4, 2007 3:53:51 GMT -6
AJ, that looks great, glad to see you found some time to play with the plastic.
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Post by robriley on Jan 4, 2007 4:11:52 GMT -6
aj, here's a pic. of a 36 ford pro-street rat rod that i built a few years back. it has a flatty in it, with the blower from the outcast c-cab on it. on top of the blower is a flat "intake" with 6 strombergs on it. the stacks are aluminum tubing. the carbs are the same ones i sent to you with that 6x2 intake. i was going to do this up, un-tubbed with red wheels & wide whitewalls, but i decided to tub it and add some fat slicks out back, and mag wheels instead. i should have added plug wires & fuel lines, but at that time, i never did that stuff.    |
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Post by A.J. on Jan 4, 2007 9:48:50 GMT -6
Darn it you guys (rob and joe) that is just it! I like it. I had totally forgot about that build you did Rob and I remember liking it. In fact, I have an original one from AMT that was partially built that I was restoring at school but it's still packed away from when I moved back. You may have just inspired me for the follow up on my Model A. As for that blower setup Joe, yes, keep me in mind for a couple of those as I'd like to have them in the parts box. My question back to Rob would be, which kit does that belt setup come from as I know I've seen them in my parts boxes but I don't think I ever pulled any of them out. Seems to me they came in some of the 40s Ford kits that had the flat head in.
One more thing for Joe, if you'd cast a set of Arden (not sure of the spelling) heads for the Flatty, they'd set off the blower setup and definitely make for an awesome engine.
A.J.
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Post by A.J. on Jan 4, 2007 9:51:51 GMT -6
Found time Charlie, I've been making time. This kit has become an obsession in the last few days. I had to step away from it yesterday as I'd have spent the whole day working on it if I wouldn't have. This weekend I'll probably put in a bunch of time on it. I'm headed to the hobby shop today to see if I can find "the right paint" for it. Not sure what that color is yet but I'm sure I'll know when I see it. I think this build will set the pace for me for the New Year. It's a great thing to finally see something materialize. Something that I can actually see finishing. I think I just had to find my niche in what I really like to build. A.J. AJ, that looks great, glad to see you found some time to play with the plastic. |
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Post by robriley on Jan 4, 2007 19:57:39 GMT -6
aj, i have no idea where that belt set up came from, but i beleive it was with the flathead that i used in this 36. the problem is, i have no idea where this flathead came from...it was in my parts box.
speaking of flatheads...i have a 1:16 scale flathead engine and transmission that is un-built. it has a 3 deuce intake and some chrome lakes style headers. wouldn't this be a cool engine to stick in one of the 1:16 scale front engine dragsters ? of corse, it would need fuel injection, or a blower and a set of dragster zoomies...but it would make an interesting 1:16 scale f.e. flatty dragster don't you think ? hmmmmmmmmmm
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Post by A.J. on Jan 4, 2007 20:55:05 GMT -6
That sounds like the engine from one of those Miinicraft kits. I got my first one of those 2 days ago and I'm a little up in the air over them so far. I'm waiting for the second one that I just won to get here and see what it is like. But didn't you build one of those some time ago or was that Steve? It was a rear engine setup I think. I remember it from one of the contests but wasn't sure who built it.
Yes, it would definitely look cool in a FED. I'm curious about those pipes though. Can't say I've seen them before.
A.J.
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Post by scurvy on Jan 4, 2007 21:20:14 GMT -6
aj, i have no idea where that belt set up came from, but i beleive it was with the flathead that i used in this 36. the problem is, i have no idea where this flathead came from...it was in my parts box. speaking of flatheads...i have a 1:16 scale flathead engine and transmission that is un-built. it has a 3 deuce intake and some chrome lakes style headers. wouldn't this be a cool engine to stick in one of the 1:16 scale front engine dragsters ? of corse, it would need fuel injection, or a blower and a set of dragster zoomies...but it would make an interesting 1:16 scale f.e. flatty dragster don't you think ? hmmmmmmmmmm That's exactly the engine slated for my 1:16 scale dragster with the bodywork from the rear of the Jolly Rod-ger on the back of it... |
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Post by robriley on Jan 4, 2007 21:30:06 GMT -6
yeah, the flatty i have is from the 1:16 scale minicraft rat trap pick-em-up truck. i did do that minicraft truck awhile ago, and i used the hemi and transmission out of the 1:16 muscle bug ( a blown hemi) mounted in the bed. the minicraft kits are ok...but they need alot of work. alot of the parts were warped, body parts do not fit well, and the suspension is fragile.
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Post by A.J. on Jan 4, 2007 21:35:15 GMT -6
I just got the new Rock'N Roadster and the first thing I seen that I didn't like was the size of the front tires. They look way too small but the rest looks pretty decent. I didn't take much out yet to really look it over. I just bought a Rat Trap and that's the one I'm waiting for but I've seen another Roadster that looks a little more traditional that I like a little better than the one that I got. It had steelies with I think wide whites which looked pretty cool. Just some more hot rod material to work with. A.J. yeah, the flatty i have is from the 1:16 scale minicraft rat trap pick-em-up truck. i did do that minicraft truck awhile ago, and i used the hemi and transmission out of the 1:16 muscle bug ( a blown hemi) mounted in the bed. the minicraft kits are ok...but they need alot of work. alot of the parts were warped, body parts do not fit well, and the suspension is fragile. |
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Post by robriley on Jan 4, 2007 21:41:51 GMT -6
if i remember correctly, isn't one of the front fenders on the rockin roadster separate from the rest of the fender assembly ? yes, the front tires are way too small, and they are the same tires that come with the rat trap truck. did the roadster come with slicks ? the rat trap has some decent pie crust slicks.
the kits are ok, but they need alot of attention in certain areas. nothing that us clowns can't fix...
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Post by A.J. on Jan 4, 2007 21:46:52 GMT -6
Yep, driver's fender was not molded to the fender pan which blew my mind when I seen that. I'd love to know the thought behind that one. Definitely decent pie crusts on the back and even the halibrand looking wheels aren't bad but those front tires are crap! I think the kit came with the steelies as well.
As for fixing anything, as you can tell from the A I'm building, I'd cut the heck out of one of these too. In fact, I'll probably build the Rat Trap in just that manner but I gotta find some of the other tires for it as I don't want to use those small fronts. Gotta start gathering a stash of pieces for these...LOL!
It'd be cool if somebody had a good set of arden heads and a blower setup for the flatties. It would definitely make it look nice and racey! I know they do it for the 1/8th kits but I don't think I'm going to build any more than 3 of those kits and that won't be till later. I don't have the room to display any of those...LOL!
A.J.
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Post by davea on Jan 4, 2007 22:16:58 GMT -6
That's a pretty cool '36 Rob!
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Post by scurvy on Jan 5, 2007 19:46:38 GMT -6
Yep, driver's fender was not molded to the fender pan which blew my mind when I seen that. I'd love to know the thought behind that one. A.J. They have an alternate fender with a spare tire recess for the stock pickups and sedans - it allows them to offer both types without having to make an alternative die just for the fenders/running board assembly. |
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Post by crazylegs on Jan 5, 2007 19:53:10 GMT -6
if some had a set of thase l would love to do them
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Post by A.J. on Jan 5, 2007 19:54:01 GMT -6
Ah, thanks Scurv! I hadn't thought about that.
Rob had asked me about the tire size and I was amazed at how off they were. The slicks weren't bad coming in at a scale version of 27" but the fronts were 20" and look kind of silly against the kit.
Have you messed with these a lot Dave? Any chance you might have any of the stock tires around that would have ran on the steelies? I'd like to find a couple of them for a future build on the kit.
A.J.
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Post by scurvy on Jan 5, 2007 20:05:21 GMT -6
I have a set of the wide whitewalls that came with the original hot rod issue (the red roadster with the steelies). The whitewalls are tampo-printed on the somwhat glossy rubber-ish tires, and are easily nicked/scuffed. I guess you could touch them up with white acrylic. I have ones I like better from a 1/16 scale Toyota 2000GT, and the AMT '57 T-Bird in 1/16 has seperate (portawalls?)whitewalls and reversed steelies as well as slotted mags.
Federal Tire has a performance radial that only measures a little over 20" in height... 165/45R15. Now THAT is a small front tire!
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Post by dumpydan on Jan 6, 2007 7:33:09 GMT -6
I like were your going with this, keep the pic's coming.
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Post by ShowRodFreak Don V. on Jan 6, 2007 21:37:03 GMT -6
Looks Good Aj....good start.
don v
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Bernie
Showrod Builder
Posts: 21
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Post by Bernie on Jan 10, 2007 1:51:23 GMT -6
A.J.,
I like what I'm looking at. Keep those pictures coming as you build!
Bernie
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