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Post by lo51merc on Dec 1, 2010 10:47:33 GMT -5
This is another of those ideas that's been rattling around in my brain for a long time. The inspiration is in the September 1960 issue of "Rod & Custom" magazine, and is the first picture below. It looks to me like they raised the taillight windsplits, pancaked the hood, and added 57 Chevy headlights. This second picture is of another 1:1 conversion where the builder radiused the wheel well openings, and built up the windsplits for round taillights but left them in the stock location. This picture is from the October 1959 issue of "Car Speed and Style". I like the first picture much better, and if anyone can direct me to more pictures of this car I would welcome them. This next picture is the AMT body in stock, and a cut and paste (with paper prints) conversion into a pick up. Obviously both of the 1:1's have been sectioned. So OK guys, let's have your ideas and thoughts. I'm getting itchy to cut some plastic. Gary
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Post by nobillet on Dec 1, 2010 13:16:09 GMT -5
I too like the first pic the best. The raised windsplits really go well with the truck body style. Could the 61 Ranchero roof be used along with its bed? May be a bit narrower but should work okay. 59 El Camino has nice chrome railings for the bed sides. Otherwise could use the 55 Nomad truck conversion pieces too. I had one of those lying around for years when I was a kid with the intent to make a 49 Ford pickup but it is lost with my childhood somewhere. Nice project.
John
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Post by krassandbernie on Dec 1, 2010 13:18:29 GMT -5
Most likely it has '55 Chevy headlights, not '56 or '57. The '57's are more squared off. I've seen similar mods done on '53 Bel Airs....using the '55 Chevy Bel Air or '55 Cameo headlights with good results too! Can't wait to see more! Ed
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Post by krassandbernie on Dec 1, 2010 13:21:15 GMT -5
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Post by krassandbernie on Dec 1, 2010 13:22:16 GMT -5
After reviewing these photos I see that '57 Chevy headlights were indeed used! LOL!
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Post by Duane on Dec 1, 2010 14:42:26 GMT -5
heeey Gary !!!! nice start !!!! good lookin ride ya got goin !!!!
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Post by Koolkat on Dec 1, 2010 15:03:35 GMT -5
I've been working on both of these projects for about 15 years, but not finished. The paint job on the Richard Gregg one is kind of a toughie. Mine didn't turn out like I wanted, so it's just sitting, unfinished. I'm considering a repaint, and have Greg (vsrn) do some decals for it. I hate masking for the scallops. Narrow pinstriping tape didn't work too well for the pinstriping.
The second one Joe Bailon had built as a pickup for Betty Elizabeth Shampoo.....? I could've bought the 1:1 car about 1967 for $350. Not enough funds on my end to purchase it. It was sitting alongside a Shell gas station in Livermore, CA. It was still in ok shape then, not great. This one I'll likely finish when I get more time at the bench. I'm sure Greg (vsrn) could do the Betty Elizabeth Shampoo decals. This was one of Bailon's earlier cars, and less 'quirky' than the later ones.
Rikster's web site is the best source of photos of them. I love replica models of the old rods and kustoms. If you get either finished, contact me for putting them into KAHRM.
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Post by lo51merc on Dec 1, 2010 22:32:50 GMT -5
Hey guys, thanks for the replies, especially Ed's for the picture links. It's funny, the color picture of Richard Gregg's car was posed in the same spot as the picture I posted above. Must have been the same shoot. Don, I'm not even gonna try to do an exact reproduction of the Gregg car, just try to get the same look with the headlights and taillights etc.. I'll have the look without an impossible for me paint job. I might start looking at the model 49 coupe a lot closer to see where to start cutting. I'll take it one step at a time, measure six or eight times and cut once 'cause I don't have but one 49 kit. Gary
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Post by ChrisV on Dec 1, 2010 22:48:47 GMT -5
What a neat project!!!
I'm not really sure which of the two "real" ones I like the better, but they sure look good.
If I was to build one, I'd probably model it after the first one, albeit with '55 Chevy headligths and a roof-section like the second.
I'm really looking forward to see which way you'll go with yours!
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Post by Koolkat on Dec 1, 2010 23:48:16 GMT -5
I've seldom seen any model be an exact reproduction. All we can do is the best we can with what we've got. ;D I think what scares some people off from calling one a 'replica' is some other modeler may come by and say the hubcaps are wrong or similar. Some modelers just say it is 'based upon' a certain car. A lot of these cars had different hubcaps, paint jobs, and custom features at different times. The X-Sonic had about fifty different paint jobs. I think I saw a photo of a 'replica' model of the Richard Gregg car in coverage of some model show - I think in one of the other mags - but the mag didn't appear to recognize it as a famous car. It's my personal opinion that a 'replica' model needn't be totally EXACT, since there are no perfect models. I'll be darned if I'd get a kit solely to use a specific master cylinder. 'The look' is what is important to me. I've got one or two 'replica' models that are slammers - no engine and another with no interior (can't see it, don't need it). But, if we are doing what I call a replica ('the look'), I don't think we need to defend it. I've never been a rivet counter. I think we just need to get it as close as we can (or want to). Some things just aren't worth the time? Hey, Greg (vsrn) - would these scallops be workable as decals? The car was called 'The Capri'...burgandy with gold scallops, with the edges with white pinstriping. Sometimes it's interesting to see different modelers' "take" on a specific car - doing things differently, but ending up in roughly the same place in a roundabout way. And, this is all just my opinion. I know some modelers would totally disagree with me (that's ok!). If somebody tells me my model is not 100 percent accurate, I just ask to see THEIR model of the same car - and 99.99 percent of the time, it's something they haven't ever built, or more often even wouldn't attempt to build. I think your model of it will be lookin' good! ;D
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Post by krassandbernie on Dec 2, 2010 1:16:56 GMT -5
I don't know which roof version I like better..........kind of like them both the same; which is unusual for me. Anyway, it just occurred to me that the AMT '56 Thunderbird hardtop roof might look pretty cool on one of these........and it's still Ford! LOL! Personally, I think the '56 top with the round port holes would be cooler then using the AMT '57 T-bird top.....which has a goofy shape to it anyway. What lead me to thinking of that was the second roof line in the 1:1 pics reminded me of the first generation Corvette hardtops a bit........then I thought to myself....."what was Ford's equivalent at that time?"....Ed
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Post by lo51merc on Dec 2, 2010 16:47:19 GMT -5
All things start somewhere don't they! I studied the coupe body today, trying to decide what to cut and where. I layed out some tape on the roof for the slicing, then tore it off, then put it back again. I used a sharp blade and cut out the bottom rear of the roof where it joins the rear upper body, and then forward to the drip rail. I sawed across the roof just at the rear of the rear side window posts, which removed this rear section of the roof. The extra plastic I sawed off the forward part of the trunk is roughly parallel to the beltline of the body. More has been removed from this area but that picture isn't taken yet. I've made up my mind to chop the top after I've built the rear of the cab and the window frame. I think this will give me a stronger part to work with as I chop and stretch it. My camera died again so I've only got one picture. This is a very rough first shot, but work has started. Gary
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Post by vsrn on Dec 2, 2010 16:55:10 GMT -5
Koolkat wrote: Hey, Greg (vsrn) - would these scallops be workable as decals?
Hey Koolkat -
Sure, but they might not be an exact reproduction :-)
vsrn
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Post by Koolkat on Dec 2, 2010 17:35:57 GMT -5
Gregg - I think they'd be better than my homebrewed scalloped job, lol! I'd get with you on it right after the holidays. Maybe Gary might want a set too, maybe not? It seems like the top might be the tough part.
Gary - check out the AMT 53 Ford pickup cab rear see if the rear of it works for you. Give some thought about when you chop the top, it'll move forward a little bit as you know...
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Post by Zed on Dec 5, 2010 10:19:03 GMT -5
great subject, and great start ! can't wait to see it done !
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