Futura XXI-6-2-09, MAJOR bodywork update

[lo51merc]

Sometimes ideas hit you that might not work. Is this one of mine? I used to think the Lincoln Futura was a really nifty looking car (key words...."used to"). Now, I think there's something wrong with the proportions from the cowl forward, but I can't see where it needs help.

Anyway, a couple of days ago this idea hit me to combine the Futura body with the Chezoom chassis. The Chezoom frame is about .100 longer than the Futura. No problem at all to fix this one. You can see the 1/8" X 3/16" styrene I added to the frame. I used a .100 gage block to set the distance. I took a measurement between two of the crossmembers so I'll know when I'm where I want to be when I'm shortening it. Now I'll just saw away in between my spacers and the rear lateral crossmember behind them. With some judicious sanding and measuring they'll be ready to glue together. I'll probably add a stiffener above the join for strength.

I'll assemble the body to a point that I can safely cut the floor pan and not have the lower body fall apart.

I used a Dremel with a 1/8" ball cutter to open up the grille from behind, and will be moulding it to the body.. I'll be using a photoetched grille mounted from behind. I'll be doing the same with the rear grille.

I can't think of an appropriate name (it's gotta have a name you know!), so I'm open to any and all suggestions. Futura and Chezoom don't combine too well together ..... Fuzoom? ..... Chezura?? ..... Whatchamacallit??? Gary

[moparmarc68]

Looks like the start of a cool build. As for a name......................
since you are just using an updated chassis for the Chezoom, just call it the Futura 2.

[rodburner]

Plasma Ray?

cool project!

[geezerman35]

Call it Earl.
Nice project.

[lo51merc]

And I was gonna ask ...who's Ray? But, all seriousness aside, I have decided on a name by myself so none of you win the magnificent (but kept secret) prize from the contest. But really, I took the hint from moparmarc68, and modified it slightly. It will hereafter be known as the Futura XXI, that is the Futura of the 21st century. Thanks for the feedback......I'll be back after I take a couple more pictures. Gary

[lo51merc]

I'm back with pictures!!! I took the day off from yard work today to work on this beast and I got quite a bit done. My biggest concern was the hood area and I think I've got a pretty good fix going for that (see pix). The hood scoop is from the AMT 49 Ford kit and has been modified some. The rest is sheet styrene. I also opened up those little scoops on the top of the rear fenders, and the rear grille opening. I'm not yet sure if I'll be keeping those taillight openings. Time will tell on this. I also shortened the frame today as well. Gary

[moparmarc68]

Don't I get a consulation prize for being the closest..............LOLOL. Nice job opening up everything, gives it more depth and the hood looks great!!

[lo51merc]

Did a lot of work on it today, much of it in the new windshield and the cockpit area. I blanked out the teardrop shapes in the back of the interior, and found a windshield that fit and was true to my drawing. The framing for the base of the windshield is just roughed in right now, and later I'll Dremel away most of the excess plastic. It's gettin racy lookin, and the frame is waiting! Gary

[moparmarc68]

I like the windshield, nice choice.

[volksrod66]

sick plastic work man! this is gonna look killer!

[lo51merc]

Here's a couple of shots of the model on wheels for the first time. Ride height is already set on the shortened and (narrowed suspension) Chezoom frame. There are a couple of other body mods at this point, such as the windsplits behind the passenger compartment. These were made from three pieces of .060 styrene sandwiched together and with another piece to smooth the front ends.



I gave a lot of thought regarding the wheelwell's shape, which was one of the other things I didn't like with the original design of the (real) car. My first idea (see drawing in the first pic.) was to fully open them up. I didn't want to go that route when I thought about the funny looking shapes I'd be left with at the front and rear of each wheelwell with the shape of the molded on side trim. Actually, the idea of how to fix this problem came to me when I was in the shower when I wasn't even thinking about the model. The next two pictures show how I solved it. In the upper picture all I did was to draw on the model with a pencil until I got a shape that looked pretty good. The next picture is after opening them up after drilling and needle filing. I did more tweaking after this shot.

[lo51merc]

These three pictures are also from about two weeks ago, but give the overall look of the model. You can see I got rid of the whiskers at the ends of the grille shell, and blended the molded on trim into the sides of the opening. Up to today I'm still refining all the bodywork with putty / sanding etc.. Gary

[budj63]

Very cool idea!

[geezerman35]

That looks cool.
I like it all.
Glad you ditched the bubble tops. not a big fan of that.

[rodburner]

that's cool ! looks futuristic.