American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

[Twokidsnosleep]

Thanks man

[Twokidsnosleep]

So there are some differences in this ‘30 body vs the ‘32 which annoying people call “The Deuce”
I despise that term as it means you know what to me.

One big difference is kit price: this ‘30 kit was $15 CAD on Amazon no delivery fee.
The Revell ‘32 was $40 with no roof from Amazon or $68 Cad from eBay. Americans apparently can get the ‘32 kits cheaply, Canadians cannot.I went lower cost thinking they were basically the same car….and then got reamed out and insulted on the car forum for it.

I planned to modify the kit to be close to the movie car, so researched the differences.
They include:
1. Side panel bead is one large solid line on ‘32 vs a split one in’30… sealed mine in with filler
2. Only two door hinges on ‘32 vs three on ‘30….removed one
3. Front cowl on ‘30 has a wide seam to attatch the hood vs an inset on the ‘32…..removed the seam
4. Firewall on the ‘32 is flush to inset with the cowl vs sticking out quite far onthe ‘30….cut and sanded firewall so it insets now
5. Gas tank on ‘30 is in the firewall with cap infront of windscreen dead center…made the cabin vent like ‘32 had, my ‘30 kit had nothing there
6.Rear window on ‘32 is ovoid vs very square on ‘30….the ‘30 kit had an ovoid window already
7. Front windshield pillar are slight angled backward on ‘32 vs more square on the ‘30…WIP, removed my frame and filed/sanded the top of the pillars to give the angle better
8. The movie has a chopped top, which I did, but also a taller door and side. I am not gonna do that
9. The radiator was cut down apparently on the movie car….I can lower this kits one but find no good reference on chopping the rad but will chop it 3mm

[Twokidsnosleep]

Now as an aside.
We are very fortunate to have a good forum here with positive helpful people.
I think Paul long ago knew that there were enough ‘experts’ and rivet counters and the ISM site needed a positive vibe of help and assistance not a freaking ‘critique group’
Boy when you get out in the real world now with the critics and jerks who figure they know everything, it becomes a bad situation very fast when posting your build.
I am going to finish the guts of the Coupe here on ISM and only show fragments on the car site
It feels like a have a few members there cheering me on to fail and just waiting to add their snide expert opinion

We are very fortunate to have what we do on ISM. It is a dying breed and will be sorely missed
I looked back at the yellow paint technique on my Sea King from 2017 sig to see what I used...white primer, flat Tamiya sprayed w laquer
Reading comments from so many long gone members makes me so sad. Where did everyone go?? Social media blows for recording and interacting.
I encourage you all to keep posting and building on ISM Forum so we can get some more postings and traffic, else…..

[Twokidsnosleep]

The Modifications in pictures
Before:
Forward sitting firewall, double bead on side detail by driver window. Thick plastic cowl bead in front of the windscreen and vent



after mods:
A single fatter bead detail on side. The thick plastic line on cowl removed


Firewall now inset


Still a bit more to do with the lower front pillar to make it a bit fatter and boost the angled backwards look
I am going to open up the driver door as well.

[RangerNeil]

Truly impressive work so far - looking forwards to seeing the finished work!!

Armchair experts and "rivet counters" of all kinds can be a pain in the you know where but - now and then - karma bites.
Last time out with the 13th C guys a kid dragged his family over to see as he was quite taken with the chain maille. His mum wouldn't have that it really was steel, insisting - in a VERY loud voice it was knitted and poorly done at that. So I took the coiffe off and asked her to hold her hand out - then dropped the 10Kg of coiffe into her hands - which she then promptly dopped on her bare feet in shock. It kinda hurts when you do that. A lot. The little boys words of "I told you it was real mummy" as she got wheeled off to the first aid tent (no injury other than bruising but a hell of a shock) were music unto the ears.....

[cor]

Truly impressive work so far - looking forwards to seeing the finished work!!

Armchair experts and "rivet counters" of all kinds can be a pain in the you know where but - now and then - karma bites.
Last time out with the 13th C guys a kid dragged his family over to see as he was quite taken with the chain maille. His mum wouldn't have that it really was steel, insisting - in a VERY loud voice it was knitted and poorly done at that. So I took the coiffe off and asked her to hold her hand out - then dropped the 10Kg of coiffe into her hands - which she then promptly dopped on her bare feet in shock. It kinda hurts when you do that. A lot. The little boys words of "I told you it was real mummy" as she got wheeled off to the first aid tent (no injury other than bruising but a hell of a shock) were music unto the ears.....

Classic. It's like the studies they do on IQ. Everyone rates their IQ quite high, but after then doing a test it's revealed to be much, usually much much, lower.

Anyway, what's the car forum you're posting on?

[RangerNeil]

Truly impressive work so far - looking forwards to seeing the finished work!!

Armchair experts and "rivet counters" of all kinds can be a pain in the you know where but - now and then - karma bites.
Last time out with the 13th C guys a kid dragged his family over to see as he was quite taken with the chain maille. His mum wouldn't have that it really was steel, insisting - in a VERY loud voice it was knitted and poorly done at that. So I took the coiffe off and asked her to hold her hand out - then dropped the 10Kg of coiffe into her hands - which she then promptly dopped on her bare feet in shock. It kinda hurts when you do that. A lot. The little boys words of "I told you it was real mummy" as she got wheeled off to the first aid tent (no injury other than bruising but a hell of a shock) were music unto the ears.....

Classic. It's like the studies they do on IQ. Everyone rates their IQ quite high, but after then doing a test it's revealed to be much, usually much much, lower.

Anyway, what's the car forum you're posting on?

The Britmodeller frum

[Stokesy44]

This is how I feel when I destroy a modeler with an epic rivet counting review. Having reduced my enemy to a smoldering pile of doggy doo doo, I sit back, relaxing in the full knowledge my superior intellect has once again set the world back on its righteous path.



In all seriousness, some argue that its not rivet counting, its a desire to be accurate. Problem is, that is very rarely the real reason for the post.

[Twokidsnosleep]

All three of my airbrushes failed me last night.They all clogged up, spluttered and spurted.
Guess I will have to go through my cleaning videos on you tube
Quick 10 min light primer spray turns into a 45 min mess. Not been using them regularily.
They are all getting a real good lacquer soaking on the weekend

[Kevthemodeller]

Looking good Scott Ignore the internet experts, not Facebook by chance?

[Stokesy44]

Looking good Scott Ignore the internet experts, not Facebook by chance?

You used the 'F' word? Are you mad?

[Twokidsnosleep]

Cheers everyone for looking in and posting

Some wheels tested out






Got my H&S Ultra spraying better and did some black primer interior areas and roof

[Stokesy44]

Feels like every step forward creates more work. Will you have to jack the body up to allow for the bigger rear wheels?

[Twokidsnosleep]

Feels like every step forward creates more work. Will you have to jack the body up to allow for the bigger rear wheels?

My tire options are either just too skinny or just a bit too wide.
Likely go with the kit tires that are the skinnier but retro tread ones

[Twokidsnosleep]

Used a drier day Sunday to finally shoot some colour
Tamiya XF-3 with 50-50 MLT. Sprays so nice and easy even with my wonky Ultra
I need a new nose cone as I dropped the damn thing and broke the protective nose…it doesn’t spray the same now
The bodywork isn’t perfect, multiple filler tries and I still cannot get it smooth at all the chop lines
Might sand and try again at those damn rear windows now I can see it all better

[Twokidsnosleep]

Here’s a dumb thing to do on your Monday morning off….make a new windscreen!
Didn’t like the plastic one I cut down and the styrene warped from the glue during the chop down.
So copied it in brass using the glass as a guide





Ya dumb…waaaay too big


I didn’t include the fact brass was larger and a less flexible material into my calculations.
So re-made the sides and top and brass pinned and soldered her up. Still some refinemen, paint and a black gasket, but this is ok

[Stokesy44]

Nice, too big is always the way to go, easy to cut down and then its all good

[digger303]

Getting that brass to curve right is going to be a pain.
Fingers crossed

[Twokidsnosleep]

I made a thing for its bum
Flattened a round brass, copper wire soldered up and then an aluminum bezel
The movie car did have a handle

[digger303]

Good skills good result.

[Stokesy44]

Tidy work.

A question if I may. Are you going to add the big rear wheel arches? I was trying to get my head around how they would be done so I'm interested to see how you do it.

Fascinating as ever

[Tomcat64]

Just caught up on this from the start and as always your attention to detail is unreal - awesome work mate.

As for the rivet counters, if they want to try and get as accurate as possible then that's fine, and I can absolutely admire their skills & dedication - but being an asshat about it is purely their choice.

Really looking forward to seeing you develop this one

[Twokidsnosleep]

First polish attempt at the shiny firewall front
This is polished aluminum stock…meh

[Stokesy44]

Don't be too disappointed. It looks good with a lot of reflection being generated.

[digger303]

It's not easy to get things right first go especially when dealing with half circles,lines that aren't straight, getting it centred and no template.
Since you ref this as a first attempt , I'm guessing your going to have another go.
Have you thought about maybe card stock with foil stuck to it like Cor would do.

[Stokesy44]

It's not easy to get things right first go especially when dealing with half circles,lines that aren't straight, getting it centred and no template.
Since you ref this as a first attempt , I'm guessing your going to have another go.
Have you thought about maybe card stock with foil stuck to it like Cor would do.

Good idea and its a great excuse to buy some foil wrapped chocolate!

[digger303]

It's not easy to get things right first go especially when dealing with half circles,lines that aren't straight, getting it centred and no template.
Since you ref this as a first attempt , I'm guessing your going to have another go.
Have you thought about maybe card stock with foil stuck to it like Cor would do.

Good idea and its a great excuse to buy some foil wrapped chocolate!

I'm so bad when it comes to snacks, chocolate especially. My go to atm is peanut slabs
https://mysweeties.com.au/products/whit ... t-slab-50g

[Twokidsnosleep]

Working on fender flares. Much harder to do in flat styrene surprisingly.
3D printed a couple sizes out from a generic file

[Stokesy44]

Superb. Gotta have some big-ass fenders for those wheels!

[digger303]

[cor]

If the kit has a firewall piece you could stick foil to that. You could even use cardboard

[Twokidsnosleep]

Did a bit more printing on
my day off
transmissions and such…haven’t quite dialed in the scale yet


White parts are the ford kit engine and transmission, grey the Wagner transmissions I printed and the blue is the Chevy engine block from the nova
url=[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/545 ... a40a_c.jpg[/img][/url]



Entire engine from the nova kit vs my set up. But I am too long still

[Stokesy44]

Fascinating stuff. The detail on the 3D printed parts is amazing.

Is there an issue with the correct size part being too big for the space in the engine bay?

[Twokidsnosleep]

Fascinating stuff. The detail on the 3D printed parts is amazing.

Is there an issue with the correct size part being too big for the space in the engine bay?

Yes. I don’t have the dimensions correct yet. I made things measured off the kit transmission length
So I have to make the transmission shorter but not skinnier nor taller
I can individually manipulate the X,Y and Z dimensions OR they move in proportion to one another

The rear fenders are gonna probably work but will take some putty and sanding for shape
I got lucky with those ones
Thanks for following along

[Twokidsnosleep]

And I have been criticized for the transmission being three instead of four speed
I think I will just post on here now

[digger303]

I'm sure you will get there, but I guess it's going to take a few test prints. As a bit of trivia I was listening to a OTB podcast and the guy they were talking to says it takes him at least 7 test prints to get a new item right to the point he's happy enough with it.

As for following along " Sheldon Cooper's view is that when you join a forum it's part of the social contract. While one may not enjoy the subject, one can appreciate the skills and effort that goes into it and in joining the group it's in the expectation of getting interaction with others."
At least that's my view.

Raining here today and that means I might get to the bench

[Stokesy44]

And I have been criticized for the transmission being three instead of four speed
I think I will just post on here now

FFS what is wrong with people? I wonder what motivated them to post that comment. What did they think you were going to do with the information? Probably saw it as a way to chalk up a small win, a bit of self-justification.

I get stuff wrong on my kits, I see stuff that's wrong on others, I very rarely comment because A, forum rules, and B, they're not building it for me to critique. AND, I'm not an A-hole.

As Ted Lasso said - Be curious, not judgmental.

[Stokesy44]

I'm sure you will get there, but I guess it's going to take a few test prints. As a bit of trivia I was listening to a OTB podcast and the guy they were talking to says it takes him at least 7 test prints to get a new item right to the point he's happy enough with it.

As for following along " Sheldon Cooper's view is that when you join a forum it's part of the social contract. While one may not enjoy the subject, one can appreciate the skills and effort that goes into it and in joining the group it's in the expectation of getting interaction with others."
At least that's my view.

Raining here today and that means I might get to the bench

Exactly. I'm not a car fan but I love threads where great work is happening, the subject is secondary.

[MrBowcat]

Scott, have you considered aluminium tape for the firewall? I often use it for hose clamps or heat shielding, if applied carefully and wrinkle free it can be quite reflective.

[Twokidsnosleep]

It is tiresome.
I am trying to make this damn thing and I have what feels like a jeering section waiting to pounce.
I appreciate the ‘expertise’ but it’s more nitpickers than anything.
Of course I screw up and print the transmission the wrong size and the wrong gears. I can get the four speed, there is a file.
And this condescending helpful comment of when 3D printing: "the scale should be known and calculated correct and you only need one print "
BS you never know what scale you are getting even when listed so use your plate space and time better by printing out a few variations.
But when I hand make the window frame and solder it, I get crickets. One comment for the custom boot handle. Hmm.
Sorry just b and moaning

[cor]

Some forums are just full of dickheads. Your work it fantastic.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Fascinating stuff. The detail on the 3D printed parts is amazing.

Is there an issue with the correct size part being too big for the space in the engine bay?

Yes
I don’t design the file for the part so never really know what I am getting.
I can manipulate the x,y and z dimensions though. For complex things it can be dicey so good to print it and see
I use a ‘make a whole bunch and hope one sticks’ method.
sometimes the prints fail for no reason in one area and are fine in another areas of the same plate.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Scott, have you considered aluminium tape for the firewall? I often use it for hose clamps or heat shielding, if applied carefully and wrinkle free it can be quite reflective.

Good plan B
Little worried that adhesive will fail or make things wrinkly, but am gonna try it out for sure

[Twokidsnosleep]

If the kit has a firewall piece you could stick foil to that. You could even use cardboard

Yes
I shaved one firewall and wrapped the aluminum around it
Been just polishing it with my cotton t shirt as I sit and it is making the metal shine
So might keep doing that

[Twokidsnosleep]

Some forums are just full of dickheads. Your work it fantastic.

Thank you so much
I really do appreciate the support here from all you guys, it is motivating and much appreciated.
ISM started with a motto of help and no criticism and it really shines.
When you get other places they can be outright rude, passive aggressive or help while stabbing you in the back.
I walked into their hot rod group and am the skinny nerd no one wants around….hey, doesn’t he wind up killing everyone with that Christine Car???

[digger303]

Too much time a effort can be wasted trying to please the peanut gallery.
As long as your happy nothing else matters and I never commented on your boot handle, but I did think at the time it was a damn fiddly thing to hold and file into shape.

[Stokesy44]

Some forums are just full of dickheads. Your work it fantastic.

Point 1 - Correct
Point 2 - Correct

That's how you post a well constructed argument. I salute you Cor, awesome post

And I'm not being sarcastic, I love it when someone posts an unimpeachable truth.

[digger303]

Some forums are just full of dickheads. Your work it fantastic.

Point 1 - Correct
Point 2 - Correct

That's how you post a well constructed argument. I salute you Cor, awesome post

And I'm not being sarcastic, I love it when someone posts an unimpeachable truth.

Some forums are just full of dickheads. Your work it fantastic.

[Twokidsnosleep]

If the kit has a firewall piece you could stick foil to that. You could even use cardboard

Scott, have you considered aluminium tape for the firewall? I often use it for hose clamps or heat shielding, if applied carefully and wrinkle free it can be quite reflective.

I tried the sticky aluminum ducting tape…works ok, you just see the texture if the under surface more

[Stokesy44]

Its certainly got a lot more shine to it.