victorylane Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) Hi All, I've been building a Custom Willys from the AMT '40 Willys tilt-nose Gasser kit, and taking photos along the way. It isn't finished yet, although posting this may get me moving. Hope you like it. Here goes: Edited October 7, 2015 by victorylane Re-title Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorylane Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorylane Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 I chopped the top, Moving it forward a bit on the A pillars. I then added some material at the rear fascia below the trunk...the rear end of the Gasser looked bobbed. You can see the material at the bottom of the trunk...I like it. I'm not so sure about the chop though, as I cut through the windows...gonna' have to fix that. I then roughed in a pair of skirts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorylane Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 I'm changing the top. Thank goodness I had an extra coupe body from a Club Member that had built the pick-up from the kit instead of the coupe. I'm cutting the windows out as a wedge, and will cut them in to my recently chopped top, getting full windows and a nicer slope as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorylane Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 Now to start on the tilt-nose. I used the bare metal scribe tool to part the hood from the fenders, and then filled the blower opening with plastic stock. I then cut some plastic stock to trim out the fender edges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorylane Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 Front fenders are now ready to attach. I glued some plastic stock inside the fender to strengthen the joint where the fender separated, making sure the fenders were straight and level. (Took a couple of tries.) I like the way the chop and the skirts are coming together. The hood looks like a big nose...hope it is just a bad angle, but a little fitting to do still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorylane Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 At some point I scribed new door lines where the drip edges were removed. I also added some material (I can't recall exactly) to bring the window opening down slightly. Here, I am adding side-trim, to be chrome foiled once primed and painted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorylane Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 I love it when the colour goes on! I decanted and air-brushed Tamiya TS20 metallic green. I will clear coat it with their clear, decanted and air-brushed. I am quite happy with the shape of the body, and can't wait to see this up on wheels.. My next post will be about getting the car to sit low...altering the chassis, sectioning the interior, and channeling the body. Thanks for looking in, Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Nice project, ambitious restyle. With the chop and the skirts, it's taking on something of a '39 Lincoln Zephyr look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne swayze Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Great work!! Terrific colour also! I agree with Bill on it looking a bit like a '39 Zephyr. Looking forward to more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorylane Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 Thanks Bill, I was hoping for that swoopy Zephyr look. Next up was to section the interior so I could bring the chassis up into the body. The stock interior is beside the sectioned one, and the change gave me the room I needed for the chassis. I used smaller bucket seats and it looks proportional, but Oops...The finished interior still shows the section line, which I was going to place a trim line over. (but obviously did not) Shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGTRUCK Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Looks great, love that old school custom look, super work.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Very cool and great body work. Nice paint too ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorylane Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) Thanks Wayne, Ken, Ray, Next was getting the chassis lowered. The Gasser has curved springs sitting high on their perches. I shortened the springs and relaxed their curvature, getting them closer to the chassis. Edited August 30, 2015 by victorylane Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorylane Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 I installed the interior and frame up into the body...In the one photo, you can see how far up into the body they are...I'd like to get this sitting low. I'm really happy with the look of the wheels and rubber. The wheels are stock wheel covers from the AMT Cameo Pickup...cool eh? The tires are equally cool, beautifully done from Modelhaus. They will push the car a little taller than I wanted, but I like the look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spex84 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Beautiful! My first thought on seeing the thread title was "nobody chops a Willys...I have to see this!" And it's turned out great so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Great start. Love the idea of doing it as a custom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Minarick Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I like it,very cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray wes Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Great looking project here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Beautiful color and awesome body work. Wow a real looker.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterNNL Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 A super cool project!I love seeing this kit converted from a gassed to a low and smooth custom.Nicely done.Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Looking good. Looks a lot like one I have going. Mine is painted a light metallic green. Later- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorylane Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 Thanks Chris, Bob, Pat, Wes, Tom and Tom. Tom, I like it, and like what you've done with the hood. The '40 Willys had a straight-four in it, so I want to use a four as well, just not a flathead. I've modified the chevy stovebolt 6 from the AMT '37 Chev coupe into a straight four. I just felt like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorylane Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 I want to add a few modest speed equipment items, so will start with a header. This header came from my parts box, so I don't know what it is from. I bent it, puttied it, and chromed it before adding a little heat staining. Am still trying to figure out that less is more with the heat staining stuff, but am learning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Very nice! I love how aweful AMT kits can be, it lends to building some great customs! The green paint is perfect for this custom! more, please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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