Spike's work in progress.

[Spike]

Last year I bought a box of Model T bits on Ebay.  I sifted though the contents and found I had enough parts to build Monogram's Early Iron Series Street T, there's a picture of this in my gallery.  Looking at what was left in the box, I worked out I had most of the parts from Lindberg's Model T Pickup kit.  I decided to use the body, front mounted supercharger and axles to build a Rat Rod.  The rest of the parts will come from my bits-box.  I built up Tamiya's Mkll Jag straight six and stuck the supercharger on the front and detailed ready for installation.  Problem was it was too long for the Lindberg chassis so I made my own using styrene rods, a candle and You Tube.  First attempt!

[Bernard Kron]

That chassis came out really fine. And that Lindberg blower, no doubt due to the nice finish you put on it, looks right at home hanging of the Jag DOHC six. Build on!

[sharp]

Very nice work Spike bending the styrene for that chassis. That engine choice is awesome too.

[Spike]

I've been doing a bit more on my Jag powered Rat Rod this week.  The exhaust is now finished and I've fitted a radiator and head lamp bowls to the chassis.  The pictures show my final mock-up, prior to painting the body and frame.  The bits will go back in the box now, for a few months, waiting for the air temperature in my garage to warm up.  Probably going to go for a dark green, and providing I get a good finish, I'll not give it a rusty look.  Next model - a roof chopped C3 Corvette, the body's painted, ready to assemble.

[jbwelda]

Totally love that mill and the frame it is sitting in is looking pretty impressive too. Really brought that engine to life though, really catches my eye.

jb

[41chevy]

Your frame is wicked! Power is a good choice for it. Paul

[Dave from Pleasanton]

Driver's side looks fabulous. Hard to tell from the picture angle but it seems like the tubes from the blower to the carbs really jut out a lot. Love the work. Great job.

[HotRodTom]

I like it! Why rat it? Favored style maybe? Green would look good. Like a British Racing Green? Stance, power, lines, all looks good. Curious about interior and windshield. I think it would make a killer kustom without being "rodented", but I am ol' fuddy-duddy. Build 'em how YOU like 'em! 

[Spike]

Thanks for your comments Gents.

[Spike]

Afternoon Gents, as I mentioned previously, the Rat Rod's on hold until it's a better temperature for spraying the body and frame.  In the meantime I started a couple of Gassers.  The '51 Henry-J will be built up pretty much as per the instructions, just different wheels and bug catcher, while the '41 Plymouth is a full on Gasser conversion of a standard car.  The Henry-J will be sprayed Gold with the Henry-427 decals from Mr Revell and the Plymouth's going to be metallic green with Green Mamba decals from Slixx.  Sorry about the rubbish phone picture, but you get the idea.  

[Dave from Pleasanton]

Really interested in your progress, Spike. The Plymouth is a great subject. I know a lot of people think they're ugly, but I like the looks. You've got a cutout in the side panel under the hood. Are you going to exit the headers there? If not, what's the plan? OBTW who doesn't love a Henry J gasser.

[Spike]

Hi Dave, the cut-out in the side panel is to let the hot air out and gives it a more aggressive look.  The headers will exit at the bottom rear edge of the front wings. You can't see in the picture, but I've filed out a U shape area to give clearance.  As you can see I've also removed the running boards and raised the lower edges of the front wings.

[Dave from Pleasanton]

I thought the front of the fenders (er, wings) looked modified. I always like the look of no running boards on the 40s cars.

[Spike]

Had a bit of spare time today so I got a couple of kits in primer.  Quite tempted to leave the Henry-J in matt-grey...

[Dave from Pleasanton]

I like it in primer. It looks honest. The red chassis really pops.