Post by Dennis on Jul 30, 2009 3:33:04 GMT -5
Back in the ‘60s my Dad was a teenager and, among others, he built this AMT ‘40 Coupe. I’ve always loved this car and for quite a while I’ve wanted to build my own.
So earlier this year I got started. I decided that my version will incorporate all the details that make my Dad’s so cool to me, but will not be an exact duplicate, rather a tribute, as I want to put my twist on it. The following pictures are where I’m at so far.
The chassis is done and like my Dad’s, uses the kit-supplied dropped axle and the blown Chrysler Hemi from the AMT ‘32 Roadster with custom over the frame headers that extend out from under the fenders. The headers are slightly modified from AMT’s ‘25 T. My Dad’s car also had a “street” exhaust under the car, but I chose to have only the headers. Since I didn’t have Revell Parts Pack wheels and tires at my disposal like he did, I chose to use the kits stock front wheels and tires and flowed some orange paint into the hubcap letters. For the rear are the chrome reverse wheels and Goodyear slicks from an AMT ‘57 Chevy.
The body features all of the same modifications as my Dad’s: Running boards removed, rear fenders radiussed, inner fenders trimmed out for the headers, body "chrome" trim removed and blower scoop sticking through the hood. One place I deviated tho was that I left the hood center trim but filed it down into a rib, or peak, for some character. Like the original, my version will be orange but will have door and trunk handles and a license plate. I'm also going to use the kit provided solid grill filler panel.
To fit the Hemi in my Dad’s version he simply cut out the firewall. I wanted to do mine a little cleaner so I recessed the entire thing to clear the Hemi. Here’s a close up.
So earlier this year I got started. I decided that my version will incorporate all the details that make my Dad’s so cool to me, but will not be an exact duplicate, rather a tribute, as I want to put my twist on it. The following pictures are where I’m at so far.
The chassis is done and like my Dad’s, uses the kit-supplied dropped axle and the blown Chrysler Hemi from the AMT ‘32 Roadster with custom over the frame headers that extend out from under the fenders. The headers are slightly modified from AMT’s ‘25 T. My Dad’s car also had a “street” exhaust under the car, but I chose to have only the headers. Since I didn’t have Revell Parts Pack wheels and tires at my disposal like he did, I chose to use the kits stock front wheels and tires and flowed some orange paint into the hubcap letters. For the rear are the chrome reverse wheels and Goodyear slicks from an AMT ‘57 Chevy.
The body features all of the same modifications as my Dad’s: Running boards removed, rear fenders radiussed, inner fenders trimmed out for the headers, body "chrome" trim removed and blower scoop sticking through the hood. One place I deviated tho was that I left the hood center trim but filed it down into a rib, or peak, for some character. Like the original, my version will be orange but will have door and trunk handles and a license plate. I'm also going to use the kit provided solid grill filler panel.
To fit the Hemi in my Dad’s version he simply cut out the firewall. I wanted to do mine a little cleaner so I recessed the entire thing to clear the Hemi. Here’s a close up.