'32 Ford 3 Window Coupe - First Mock-up

[fletch]

As you guys will quickly find out I'm a fan of the '25-'48 Fords. I am a die hard for the '32 Ford. I have always been of the belief that 1932 was the years when Ford out did themselves with the style and number of different models coming off their assembly line.

With all the '32 fords that are being built the 3 Window has kind a faded into the background. I don't know if it's because of the new subject matter recently released from Revell or guys are running out of the 3 Window kit. Not the case in my garage.

Here are the 2 potential subjects for the build of the '32 3 Window.


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There are things I like about both cars and things I don't like about them. What we may end up with is a build that takes all the "I like" parts of both cars and combine them into this build.

The initial cuts for the chop were made using the upper door hinge as the location for the lower cut with the upper cut being made aprox .160" (4 scale inches) further up the body.



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A bit of sanding and filler work and things should be back to normal. That's it for tonight.

Stay Tuned.

[The Mad Modeller]

Good start.

[cecil]

Your Coupe is looking great Dave. ;D After reading your post I got my micrometers and calculator out and started doing some math. Found I've been using the wrong #'s for chopping, and have been using Evergreen #168--.080x.188 as a scale 2x4.
After doing the math and adding the width of the razor saw blade( .010 x25=.250 ) a 1/4 inch in 1:1, then add (.188x25=4.700 )that's darn near 5 inchs. I'm glad you made the numbers so clear and don't take the "close enough " approach, It shows ! Being new to the art of "the chop" I thank you for sharing this.

Cecil

[fletch]

There's nothing wrong with a chop of 5 inches on a '32 Ford. The Revell 3 Window coupe is chopped to start with so an additional 4 inches out of it makes it look just about right in my book. The rule of thumb that I use is that .040 is aprox 1 Scale Inch in 1/25th scale. If you're using a metric ruler 1 mm is aprox 1 Scale inch. The one thing to keep in mind is that 1/24th scale is a true inch scale 1/2"=1'. Where 1/25th is a metric scale that aprox 12.28mm=1'.

The tape that I used to mark the roof for this chop is .130 add to that the saw kerf of .012 for the photo-etched saw blades I use and your final amount removed is aprox .154. By the time you you knock the rough edges off the pieces you're pretty close to .160. Believe me I've chopped a lot of stuff over the years that when I finished it was like, Wow, that ended up being a whole lot more then I thought it was. Honestly, unless I'm doing a replica build I don't worry to much about it. The way I figure it, I build to suit me and my tastes, if others like it then it's a bonus.

Cecil, that way to look at it is you're at least chopping tops, I know guys who've been in this hobby for decades who have yet to chop their first top. I always tell them the first cut is the toughest to make after that, it's just plastic.

[Nacho Z]

Nice start Fletch. Nice subject matter too.

[olskoolrodder]

Dave,that one's gunna be sweet! Nice chop ;D

[fletch]

Not a great deal new on the 3 Window coupe, something about family in town over the weekend and 7 active builds on the bench. Got the roof split to bring the 'A' Pillars back into alignment. The gap was filled 2 layers of .047 Evergreen round stock. Those will get filed/sanded down, then we'll see what if any filler/putty work needs to be done.


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I'm kicking around the idea of using the flathead and wire wheels out of the '32 Sedan kit for this build. The finished build would be along the lines of the second 1:1 photo in the initial post of this thread but with the wires in place of the steel wheels. It's doubtful I would use the kit supplied tires but replace them with those from the Revell '29 Pickup or the Modelhaus set designed for the same purpose.

What do you think of the potential changes? Thumbs up, Thumbs down? Let me know.

Fletch

[olskoolrodder]

Looking like you got it covered nicely despite ;D

[fletch]

After trying the Wire Wheels from the '32 Sedan kit it was obvious that they were not the look that this build needed. So, when the best laid plans fail it's time to fall back on plan B. Plan B in this case is the Wide Whitewall tires and wheels from the Revell '29 Pick-up.
So, here is the first mock-up of the coupe, the filler on the roof needs to be sanded out then on to primer.



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The wheels were originally painted for another build which ended up using the chrome reverse from the Revell '49 Merc. By final assembly they will either be the color of the body or a contrasting red.

[fireguy14]

Keep up the good work! Going to be real nice!

[olskoolrodder]

Plan B looks pretty killer Fletch! Glad you went that direction ;D

[fletch]

Just goes to prove that even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then.

[olskoolrodder]

[hubcap]

Looking pretty darn good. It looks like your math paid off on your chop. A little sanding and primer and it will be like it came that way. I'm glad you guys do these chops, cause I would never try it myself. razor saws scare me. great job so far. Keep us posted. Oh yeah the wheel/tire combo is fantastic.

[willysurvive]

Coming along nicely Fletch.