The whole idea for build came from seeing a 46 Ford pickup done up as a Gasser at a nostalgic drag race. I've been wondering what a 38 would look like done the same style. It goes further than that as I have wanted to build the 39 Ford Tractor truck I gave to my stepson into something like this. (It will give me a 3D plan for the future) I'm trying a "what if" barn find, a brought back to life racer as if my Grandfather and Dad ran something like it back in the mid/late sixties. By barn find, I want worn paint, dents, scratches, dirty and oil leaks from sitting. Grandfathers trademark black paint is a must and if possible the truck line name somewhere.
Well since I went to a local club meeting on Wednesday and most of the members build cars, it got me kinda excited to work on one too. I was having trouble to finding the parts that I thought I had. I went out and got some kits, Revell 32 Ford Sedan, 38 Ford pickup (last Saturday, and a 41 Willys pickup to again mix and match parts, even with AMT drag slick set. I had a Y Block from the Revell 57 Ford kit, but have kicked that idea. I went out to the garage and got a good start test fitting. Until I got to the tires and wheels, I could not get the AMT tires to fit any of the wheels. So I went back to where I have a bin with car parts and ...... Yea found the missing parts in would you believe a 38 Ford pick up box.
So in the pictures you are going to see parts of two trucks as I'm not sure if my plan is going to totally work out. If not this will turn into a just a Hot Rod pickup. :hmmm
The Revell 37/38 cab as some well defined mold lines most of them sand right off, but the lower right back corner of the cab is deformed some. One cab was worse the the other. It looks like a crease and I'm going to try to keep it.
After sanding shot some primer on it. Not sure about you guys but I have trouble seeing imperfections on white styrene.
started assembly of the small block Ford out of the Revell 32 sedan kit. The transmission is also part of the assembly. It is nice engine available in a number of Revells 32 Ford 3 Window, Roadster and a Woody kits.
primed the engine block and transmission
The firewall had some molded in parts, one being a voltage regulator and I think it is in the wrong spot. (At least does not match my 38)
I did not like there, so I removed it and plugged the hole with styrene strip. The battery holder, which is stock on the real trucks, is staying. (On custom cars and trucks it is a pet peeve of mine that there is anything on the firewall) Keeping in the theme trying to leave the rest.
I want to shorten the chassis just a little, which technically turns this from a Gasser to an Altered by NHRA rules. I think the "look" will be more balanced when done. I first hacked off the bottom of the bed from the front fenders and cab floor. I put some putty in the punch out marks.
On the frame I cut it off just behind the X member
I then added some styrene strip to re-enforce the cut out.
The rearend is from the Revell 32 Sedan kit (also in the Roadster, 3 Window Coupe and Woody kits). I'm not sure what Revell was after here as the pumpkin is Ford but the back side is too round for a Ford. I filed and added some styrene strip here along with putty to try to change the look a little.
Shortened frame with a stock frame
With the frame shortened I test fit the bed out of hte 41 Willys kit and found it will not work. Second plan is to make a simple bed out of sheet styrene. I did not get very far on this as I ran out of steam. I did get the front of the kit box trimmed.
Until next time
hyeah
