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Post by TooOld on Sept 21, 2014 10:50:55 GMT -5
I've had this for awhile and it's time to restore it . No extensive detailing or aftermarket goodies , just whatever I can do with a paint brush . And I think I'll polish the plastic instead of painting it ! It's missing a few small parts but I have a couple of Street T's tucked away that I can steal parts from . I've always liked the look of a bobtail and chrome gas tank so I'm leaning toward building that version , but we'll see how things go . Here's what I'm starting with . It was partially built when I got it and literally started falling apart every time I touched it !
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Post by fordrodnkustom on Sept 21, 2014 13:53:48 GMT -5
Nice project! I did one of those a while back and found it very rewarding and fun. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did mine. I've just finished gathering enough parts to do a turtle deck version and your bob tail idea with the big tank sounds great too. I'll be watching with interest. Here's a link to the photo album of my resto if you're interested. public.fotki.com/bigfordpilot/my_built_model_cars/built_models/built-models/little-t/
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Post by Bernard Kron on Sept 21, 2014 15:11:24 GMT -5
I think what almost guarantees Big Fun with these is that in all their variations the Little T always, comes out looking just right. The magic of this era of Monogram hot rods is that they are so successfully contemporary for their time. It's part of the pleasure of building them now.
I have wanted to do a turtle deck T for some time now and, while it's doubtful I'll stay true to the box art (I never do...), much of what the original Little T has to offer would be my first choice to work from. I have a Revell 1/25th scale parts pack body, however, so I'll probably land up "reinterpreting" the Little T from that basis when the time comes. In the meantime both of you are such excellent modelers that I'll be avidly following this one, and hopefully someday, yours too Ron. Your first version is a masterful reconstruction.
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Post by TooOld on Sept 21, 2014 18:08:34 GMT -5
Nice project! I did one of those a while back and found it very rewarding and fun. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did mine. I've just finished gathering enough parts to do a turtle deck version and your bob tail idea with the big tank sounds great too. I'll be watching with interest. Here's a link to the photo album of my resto if you're interested. public.fotki.com/bigfordpilot/my_built_model_cars/built_models/built-models/little-t/Thanks Ron ! I was actually looking at your photos a couple of days ago and they helped motivate me to start this . I love it with the pickup bed and cover but I didn't want to duplicate yours so that swayed me to do the other version .
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Post by TooOld on Sept 21, 2014 18:19:31 GMT -5
I think what almost guarantees Big Fun with these is that in all their variations the Little T always, comes out looking just right. The magic of this era of Monogram hot rods is that they are so successfully contemporary for their time. It's part of the pleasure of building them now. I have wanted to do a turtle deck T for some time now and, while it's doubtful I'll stay true to the box art (I never do...), much of what the original Little T has to offer would be my first choice to work from. I have a Revell 1/25th scale parts pack body, however, so I'll probably land up "reinterpreting" the Little T from that basis when the time comes. In the meantime both of you are such excellent modelers that I'll be avidly following this one, and hopefully someday, yours too Ron. Your first version is a masterful reconstruction. I've got a few more of these classic Monogram kits ( the Red Chariot , Blue Beetle , Green Hornet , and Black Widow ) that need restoring too . And you are right , for being 45 + years old they still build as nice or nicer than some of today's kits . I'm really looking forward to building them all !
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Post by TooOld on Sept 21, 2014 18:27:10 GMT -5
It took no time at all to get main pieces clean of any glue and there's no real damage to anything ! Then I spent an hour or so wet sanding them , starting with 220 and working up to 1500 grit . I could go to an even finer grit but the polish should remove 1500 scratches just fine . Tomorrow I start polishing !
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shelby429
Snaptite
happy plastic fun
Posts: 41
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Post by shelby429 on Sept 23, 2014 18:08:00 GMT -5
Nice project,,Ill have to get one of these
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Post by TooOld on Sept 23, 2014 18:35:30 GMT -5
I've been doing some polishing and it isn't looking too bad ! I've got some original decals that aren't too yellowed so I think I'll give them a try tomorrow . Once they're on I can spray some clear and really make it shine !
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Post by harron68 on Sept 23, 2014 19:17:52 GMT -5
I came to appreciate it as a "mild custom" after years of my youth desiring only full race machines. IT'S very similar to many other rods of the era. I still have a giant 1/8th (?) one much like it. It surprises me that there isn't more chrome on the engine, like the oil pan or the front cover. Interesting. I hope you do some good detailing on the engine with paint. The all red look doesn't bring out the block, tho I see the top parts, carbs, valve covers and manifold, are all chrome. We'll be watching.
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Post by TooOld on Sept 24, 2014 19:53:32 GMT -5
I took your advice on the engine block and painted it with a darker red so it wouldn't blend in with all of the bright red , Thanks ! The wheels and backing plates are painted with Testors 1103 Red . The 48 year old decals worked really nice ! I coated them first and they took about 5 minutes before they would release from the paper , but they look okay ! Here's some photos !
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Post by TooOld on Sept 27, 2014 15:14:12 GMT -5
Finished painting the engine last night and set it in the frame to help line up the rear end . Here's the rear end and my fancy 3-point leveling system ! I sprayed the axle tubes with DullCote to add a little contrast . There were a lot of nicks and bare spots in the chrome that I had to touch-up ( I'll show you my trick later ) . I was going to do this build without any fabricating or modifications but the headers looked naked without flanges so I made some simple ones out of scrap plastic . I guess it no longer qualifies as " Box Stock " .
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Post by fordrodnkustom on Sept 27, 2014 21:07:42 GMT -5
Coming along very nicely Bob. I like the red accents on the backing plates. How did you groove those slicks?
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Post by TooOld on Sept 28, 2014 11:05:04 GMT -5
Coming along very nicely Bob. I like the red accents on the backing plates. How did you groove those slicks? Thanks Ron ! I used the tire sanding tool I showed in the tips section , using a razor saw to cut the grooves and a small file to widen the groove . Be sure to use a variable speed drill on a slow speed or the rubber will start to melt . Unfortunatetly I didn't get the spacing right so I'm looking for another set of slicks !
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Post by harron68 on Sept 28, 2014 17:38:16 GMT -5
I agree completely. It's looking really good! The red on the backing plates is like it was done and really makes this model special and really better than box stock.
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Post by TooOld on Sept 30, 2014 15:21:54 GMT -5
I agree completely. It's looking really good! The red on the backing plates is like it was done and really makes this model special and really better than box stock. Thank you ! I finished the chassis last night . I think it looks better and the working steering is much nicer than the Revell kits ( Tweedy pie , Rodfather ) and putting it all together seemed simpler too . I'll definitely build another one of these ! Here's a closer look at the rear slicks . I robbed a pair from a Li' Coffin since I screwed up the first pair . Cutting the grooves is simple enough but getting the spacing correct is easier said than done !
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