AMT '36 Ford Chopped 3-Window Coupe Street Rod

AMT Chopped ’36 Ford 3-Window Coupe done Retro-Mod street-rod style
(More pictures below)

Un-written law of auto modeling No.9 says that when, at last, you have acquired all the parts and/or skills to replicate a long-out-of-production kit, said kit will be re-issued, usually just as you are engaged in executing your project or, if the fates are kind, shortly thereafter (so you can claim bragging rights…). Such is the case for what was intended to be an end-of-2013 project, an AMT chopped-top 3-window coupe which, because I knew that the first re-issue in many years of the early 60’s 3-in-1, including all the genuine parts which have been omitted from the kits for nearly 50 years, such as the fender skirts, the chopped top and much more, was due out right about the time I would finish this project up. I decided rather than replicating the classic custom or race car from the original kit I would use on of the after-market re-pops of the original kit top to build a modern rod, a blend of details from various periods across the decades since the kit was first released, what I am coming to call “Retro-Mod”, using period parts and more contemporary engineering and design cues.

The chopped top was purchased on eBay, a very nice high-quality resin casting from vendor “rdsxfan2”, fairly priced and delivered promptly. The contemporary design cue comes courtesy of a set of pseudo-Halibrand mag wheels from a Revell “Goodguys” ’32 Ford Highboy Roadster, stripped of their chrome and finished with Testors Acryl Jet Exhaust paint, a nearly  perfect match to the classic Dow 7 anti-corrosion coating used on Halibrand magnesium wheels in the 50’s and early 60’s. The project was intended to be a quick build so most of the car had been built from the commonly available AMT ’36 Ford Convertible street rod kit. I decided to use the big Pontiac V8 that dates all the way back to the original release, with the competition 6-pack carburetion. I was able to use the accessory belt drive intended for the tri-power variation by substituting an alternator from the Revell Deuce Highboy kit.

Other than the chopped top the body work is largely stock with the production grill and hood ornament and no fender  skirts. To show off the big Poncho mill I omitted the hood panels. Aft of the engine compartment the body has been shaved and decked. The car is bumperless so the bumper slots have been filled front and rear. To show off the dramatic rear deck I decided to hang the license plate from the chassis instead of on the valance or deck lid.

The stance of the car is was created by using an AMT ’40 Ford dropped axle, chosen because it comes chromed – it is largely identical to the ’36 Ford dropped axle that comes in the kit – and modified to take a pair of disc brakes pinched from a Revell Tony Nancy Double Dragster kit. The front spring was shaved as was the front cross member for a total additional drop of around 3 scale inches. Finally, a little “rubber rake” was accomplished by using Revell Deuce Highboy rear tires along with the ubiquitous AMT Firestones at the front. I chose the AMT ‘stones rather than more modern, smaller front tires because of the way they filled the wheel openings.

The rear axle is the kit axle modified to take a pair of front disc brakes from the Revell Deuce Roadster kit. Both the front and rear axles are located by radius rods, again sourced from the Revell Deuce kits.

Lastly, a quickie tuck ‘n’ roll job was done on the interior by using some Evergreen Plastic sheet siding in the appropriate width of corrugation. Quilted bucket seats of unknown origin from the depths of my parts box create a 70’s note. The dashboard had the old fashioned accessory lamp removed and the glove box filled and an additional gauge added to the center where the radio would be. Colors  are Testors Acryl British Crimson and black with a body color dash. The steering wheel is from the ever-present Revell Deuce.

Paint is Duplicolor Toreador Red Metallic over Duplicolor Red Oxide primer with Duplicolor Universal Black fenders. I had originally intended to give the main body a suede finish using Testors Dullcote but when the gloss came up nicely I kept it. But, unfortunately, on December 30th, 2013, while doing some final finishing and foiling the color came up off primer coat in various places and I landed up having to repaint the body. So what was intended to be my last completion of 2013 became my first one for the New Year. As far as I know the AMT ’36 Ford 3-in-1 reissue still isn’t in the stores…

Thanx for lookin’,
B.







More Detail pics  including the now obligatory see-through shot…

 Nice colours, l like it

Nice build , looks real tough .

Sweet colour and stance Bernard! very old school looking.  

 Nice one B.

Thanx everyone!  

I've never been able to put my finger on it, but the AMT chopped '36 Ford 3-window has always looked so much tougher and more soulful than the Monogram one (even though the Monogram kit, IMHO, is probably a better kit with nicer detailing and crisper molding). It's that vibe I tried to emphasise with changes in the stance, the wheel and tire selection and the color combo. I think it's great that Round2 are re-releasing this kit with all the original parts. I think it will be a big hit, even though Revellogram re-issued there's a couple of years back. This will be in part because Revell neglected to re-issue the original chopped top option, unlike Round2 - big mistake!

Looks great, Has a very tuff look to it.

Man that looks sweet. Love everything about it

 

Thanx again everyone! Now, back to the '29 Ford roadster...

Hi guys! I just thought I would share a new resin piece that my friend Ed Fluck at Drag City Castings has just started shipping. They were mastered by Roger Hayes (Plowboy on many forums). It's a set of louvered hood pieces and a matching rear deck for the AMT '36 Ford 3-window coupe re-issue. They're $12.00 USD. I bought three sets and shipping was $3.00 here in the USA, but I don't know what international shipping is. Ed can be reached at lowcab36@epix.net.

I got mine today. I couldn't resist grabbing the '36 off my (dusty) shelf and slapping them on. Fit and finish are flawless. They add a whole new dimension to the car. I can't wait to see what the rear deck louvers do for it too. I'm planning to do a roadster using them.

Almost missed this one, very cool 36 coupe