update

[hot ford coupe]

Top notch Steve. I like what you've done. That dash board's a real killer.

[EstebanLoco]

Hey guys,

It doesn't look like I will be able to finish a car by the deadline as I have had many non-modelling delays which has really limited my shop time. I apologize as this group project meant a lot to me.

I really should have started earlier...

While I was "not building" I spent some time working out the engineering on a channeled, sectioned and chopped deuce which I think will be cool. I started working on it last weekend and things appear to be going as planned.

There are some unique problems that come up with a 'weed' car as most of you know and it was fun overcoming those challenges. I have attached my sketches showing how the frame is to be cut and the body position on the frame. I moved the rear wheel wells forward and up (note larger area behind wheel wells). I have completed the hidden door hinges and will try and mount the doors tonight.

I'm using the '90's Big T bucket seats so no problem with fitting the bench seat. The radiator is from the new T and is required due to the extreme drop.

I also removed all the deuce body molding and then re-applied it using Evergreen half-round stock (after the channelling and sectioning). It looks rather surreal but it does the trick (I think). I'll let ypu guys be the judge. I used Don's method of simple-sectioning (5/8"). Channel is 7/8".

Another thing that had to be engineered is where to put the gas tank and battery. No bench seat to hide things under and the huge deuce trunk is - well - not so huge anymore. I did find room in the trunk for the tank and battery but don't expect to do your grocery shopping in this baby (although you pick up quite a bit of room in the interior...

Pictures to follow soon

Steve

[Rick]

Looks like an interesting build Steve, please keep us up to date with photo's. As for the Celebration, the interest seems to have dropped off so don't worry about not having it finished. We'll still do something towards the end of next month and unfinished cars are welcome.

[Don Garrett]

Crazy Steve....what do you have in mind for the dash knobs? I have 4 small dice....semi transparent dark blue with white counter sunk spots, don't know if they would work in your over-all scheme but if you want 'em let me know, and I'll get 'em to you. I also have a screw on metal gas cap with filler neck and tiny o-ring. Last of all I have a racing style flip gas cap (spring loaded) with neck also in bright metal.

[EstebanLoco]

Okay, so it was such a nice day to shoot pictures I decided to post these before the doors were fitted. I still need to apply the molding to the doors and cowl. Also the body still needs to be detailed as you can see from the close-ups.

The floor mats (next post) were made from the 'Ford' script from the Lindberg T tailgate and some Evergreen strip. I then used the ol' Matel Vac-U-Form. After some matt black paint I think they will be believable.

Note that trunk was enlarged so that hinges are inside trunk. This is so the trunk lid can be easily mounted.

Battery is shown for fit only. It will be replaced by a box.

Steve

[EstebanLoco]

more pictures

[hot ford coupe]

That looks really sharp, Steve. Sterling work as usual. I've been wondering what you've been doing this last month. The wait was well worth it.

[Don Garrett]

Way to go Steve.....

[robjos32]

Stevie. I like what you are doing on this deuce, by the way how easy was it to fit the Big T Seats into the deuce. as it looks really a effective modification.

[Don Garrett]

Super clean work on the interior and channeling Steve, are you going to have to add a trans hump and drive shaft tunnel? This one is definitely going to be in da weeds.

[EstebanLoco]

Hey Rob,

Fitting the seats was no problem. I filed off the old seat mounts and then made a new set (emulating the originals) out of Evergreen strip. These were then cemented to the floorboards. I then made the part that is on the seat bottoms out of Evergreen square stock (as shown in picture).

During final assembly the seats can be easily cemented in place with a minimal amount of handling (a good thing). I may, however, forego the cement and use a small piece of Velcro to mount them. Better yet as they are easily removable if need be.

Did you get my e-mail regarding the Citroen parts list for Mario?

Thanks for thr comments Rob.

Steve

[EstebanLoco]

Super clean work on the interior and channeling Steve, are you going to have to add a trans hump and drive shaft tunnel? This one is definitely going to be in da weeds.

Hey Don,

When I 'engineered' it I planned on using the Deuce drive shaft tube which fits comfortably under the frame rails. The tranny should mount in roughly the same spot since the center x-memebr is left alone. The firewall will be much smaller obviously but I don't foresee having to give the tranny additional room. The only thing I will need to do is make a new shift lever that conforms to the new environment (wow did I say that?)

As you can see, I have not drilled out the steering column or pedal holes as I wanted to wait until I mocked things up to get the proper angle with the column drop I will be using. I may have to move the steering box forward slightly (not a problem) to account for the new angle.

I did mock things up with a set of scale frame rails made from card stock. I just took the set of the original deuce frame drawings (available here) and enlarged them to 1:8 scale (it took 2 pages of 8-1/2" x 11"). This is also how I determined where to snip, snip, cut, cut.

A word on the splicing of the frame rails. I know that some guys may be uncertain about doing this procedure as there are no do-overs. I make an additional piece out of thick Evergreen sheet (.060 or .080) that will fit inside the frame rails (and will be hidden once the rails are boxed). I then pretend I am an orthopedic surgeon and drill a few 1/16" holes and insert some 0-80 stainless screws (important because brass probably won't be strong enough and may break) to hold everything together while the cement does it's thing. When completed, the screws are removed and the holes easily filled with stretched sprue .

Steve

[EstebanLoco]

see if this is easier to read

[Don Garrett]

Steve....you've mentioned before that you built kit bashed refined box kits, pashaw and poo, poo to that. You are a scratch builder! My hat's off to you my friend. You are an official member of the "League of Extraordinary Modelers". So there! Nuff said?