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Post by Bernard Kron on May 27, 2018 19:54:18 GMT -5
’36 Ford 3-Window Coupe Late-50’s Style Resto-RodThe Resto-Rod style of street rod was born of the realization among hot rodders in the late 50’s that the popular pre-war hot rod body styles, especially Fords, were starting to get scarce and that these classic bodies were at risk of disappearing under the welder’s torch. So rodders began preserving the original bodies and trim, while hopping up, restoring, re-upholstering and repainting the old cars in the hot rod style. This AMT ’36 Ford 3-window coupe is done in the early form of the Resto Rod style as it would have been seen in the late 50’s, particularly in Southern California. Finished in Duplicolor Bright Red, the body and trim is completely stock except for the deleted rumble seat handle. The roof height is stock, too. But the stance is lowered 4 scale inches all around and the rolling stock is classic 50’s, Firestone DeLuxe white walls (courtesy of Scenes Unlimited) with flipper hubcaps taken from an AMT ’40 Ford Sedan Delivery kit. The interior was redone in scratch-built tuck and roll and a ’40 Ford steering wheel. The motor, a tri-carb Pontiac V8 from the AMT kit, is classic late 50’s vintage. Given that this AMT kit was first introduced in 1961 I would think this sort of car was certainly one option the kit’s creators would have had in mind. Thanx for lookin’, B.
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Post by TooOld on May 28, 2018 9:53:57 GMT -5
This is just wonderful ! The modifications and additions you've made , along with the extra detailing , really give it the look of a late 50's custom . It seems like every model you finish becomes my "new" favorite , excellent job !
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Post by fordrodnkustom on May 28, 2018 11:07:14 GMT -5
Nice work Bernard, you really captured the period.
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Post by jffj on May 29, 2018 9:32:43 GMT -5
Very cool rod Daddio... Cool info on the Resto Rod thing also. I thought that was something AMT came up with a few years ago... 🤔 Nice to know it wasn't some corporate idea. What beautiful lines. I couldn't help but imagine this with a panel delivery body. Didn't look yet to see if there was one.... John
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Post by Bernard Kron on May 29, 2018 13:40:59 GMT -5
Thanks to you all for the kind words. I have always considered the '35-'37 Ford two-door bodies (the 3-window and 5-window coupes and the roadster and cabriolet, especially the 3-winodw and roadster with their longer doors) the pinnacle of 30's "Deco" streamline body design. E.T. "Bob" Gregorie, head of Ford body design, and close ally of Edsel Ford in the inside battle to modernize the company as it competed with GM, doesn't often get the credit he deserves fo the unbroken line of superb design he created across all the Ford brands until his premature retirement at the age of 38 in 1946. He was a master of the style and the model 40 and its successors were among the finest mass-produced popularly priced automobiles of the pre-WWII era. If only Gregorie and Edsel Ford had prevailed...
In any case the beauty of the design motivated me to stick with the original and focus on my personal "holy grail" in modeling, the Clean Build. I've been chasing it ever since I returned to modeling almost ten years ago. Really fine technique gives you the freedom to stay focused on the overall look with the confidence that you won't detract from it by drawing the viewer's eye to flaws and shortfalls. I'm not there yet, and truly immaculate builds still leave be stunned and envious, but sticking close to the basic design and the the resources an excellent kit like the AMT '36 Ford is, is an opportunity to take another swing at my goal.
Thanks again for the the appreciation. As always, I'm grateful when a model makes the connection...
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Post by Bernard Kron on May 29, 2018 16:20:17 GMT -5
What beautiful lines. I couldn't help but imagine this with a panel delivery body. Didn't look yet to see if there was one.... John The key is to look for a Sedan Delivery, not a panel delivery, to get the modern flowing lines of the passenger cars. The panel deliveries tended to be based on the previous model cycle and in the case of the mid 30's models they had vertical grills and the stodgier fender forms of the '33-'34 Ford passenger cars. That's what Monogram models with the '37 Panel Delivery kit. But the Sedan Deliveries were offered and they do look mighty fine:
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Post by jffj on May 29, 2018 20:15:29 GMT -5
Thanks Bernard. Don't know what I was thinking..... duh, yeah, the 37 Ford panel perfectly illustrates what you said. The sedan delivery is much prettier. I guess I never really thought there was a difference. Not sure what this one is called.... 😋
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Post by Jantrix on May 30, 2018 7:16:59 GMT -5
I like this a lot Bernard. Very authentic.
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