The Raptor

[Raul_Perez]

I wasn't satisfied with the lack of contrast between the cream color on the body and the white background that was used for the first set of pictures I had posted. I've since retaken the pics with a medium gray background, and I'm much happier with the resulting ability to see the details and contours of the bodywork.

Built as a tribute to Ed Roth, this is "a bit" unlike anything I've ever scratch built before. To me, it's an interesting combination of Ed's wild custom cars and my more conservative approach to building custom hotrods.

The body is made from the Ala-Kart tub, two AMT '25 T turtlebacks, a narrowed and shortened custom front end from the AMT' 50 Ford convertible and a few pieces of styrene thrown in here and there for good measure. There was actually very little putty used in this build.

The top is also from the Ala-Kart with a 5" chop and a bit of styrene added to make it fit with the "Raptor" theme of the build.

The paint is Testors spray can lacquer; Fathom Green and Phoenician Yellow on the body with Fabric Tan and Phoenician Yellow on the top and interior. The orange and black stripes on the body are pin striping tape. The orange and black inserts in the interior are colored wire.

The headlight bezels are from the AMT '53 Ford pickup. The lower and center grilles are made from Model Car Garage honeycomb PE sheet material.

The wheels are Pegasus 19" and 23" Chrome T's. The drilled disks are also from Pegasus. The taillights are cut down modifications from the custom taillights in the AMT '57 Ford.

The engine is the Ford 4.6L modular V8 from the AMT '95 Mustang Cobra. The intake plenum has been modified to move the air intake snorkel from an MPC '32 Ford from the right-hand side to the top of the engine.

The front and rear suspension parts are from the Revell '32 Ford Coupe, except for the hand made coil-over shocks and the trailing arms in the rear. The exhaust tips are from the Revell '49 Merc with bezels around them from a mid-sixties Vette.

The interior tub is also from the Ala-Kart kit with only minor detailing mods. The dash panel is from the Revell '32 Ford Coupe with PE parts from Model car Garage. The windshield frame was fabricated from square brass stock.

I hope that you enjoy looking at this one as much as I did building it.

Later,

Edited August 13, 2008 by Raul_Perez

[Darrell Gwinn]

That is awesome Raul! I saw it in you avatar earlier and wondered where the heck it was on the forum...lol But now here it is and I love it.

[Clay]

Simply stunning Raul. Love the paint and custom work. Now I cant wait to see it with that Hauler. You gonna enclose the trailer?

[Randy Kern]

Way too cool! I really like it with the top up, it looks menacing. That air cleaner tops off the motor perfectly. That would make a wild 1:1 street rod! Another fantastic build there, Raul.

[MonoPed]

That is one cool looking build!!

[bsoder]

Well Raul..ya done it again!!...that's awsome man

[Raul_Perez]

That is awesome Raul! I saw it in you avatar earlier and wondered where the heck it was on the forum...lol But now here it is and I love it.

Thanks, Darrell!! I didn't think that anyone would notice that I changed the avitar BEFORE I posted the model!!

Simply stunning Raul. Love the paint and custom work. Now I cant wait to see it with that Hauler. You gonna enclose the trailer?

Thanks, Clay!! No, I'm not going to enclose the trailer. It'll be staged as trailer for runs to the local shows. I will modify the front of it to give it the look and feel of the car.

[Raul_Perez]

Way too cool! I really like it with the top up, it looks menacing. That air cleaner tops off the motor perfectly. That would make a wild 1:1 street rod! Another fantastic build there, Raul.

Thanks, Randy!! Yes, the rake and point on the rear of the top gives it the sinister look I was trying for.

I'm going to try to get a better set of pics with a different color background that will show the peaks in the model better than these ones do. The model has proven to be difficult to photograph well; given the dark colored bottom and the light colored top. I'm thinking that a medium gray background might help bring out the highlights without making the picture look too dark.

Now I've got to build the trailer and the hauler to match!

[Raul_Perez]

That is one cool looking build!!

Well Raul..ya done it again!!...that's awsome man

Thanks, guys! I figured that this would be a love it or hate it kind of build, being a bit on the "different" side.

Brian S,

Are you going to the GoodGuys in Pleasanton on the 23rd? I plan on entering it for the Roth award.

Later,

[62SS]

Very cool build. Awesome job. Your builds never cease to amaze me!!!

Ed

[chebbysteve]

Very stylish use of old parts (Ala Kart) and new items (the larger wheels). Very innovative design. Screams late 50's early 60's. Well done Raul.

[george 53]

Well Kiddo, you've certainly out done yourself with this one! It shows a whole different side of your imagination. I can see the 50 custom front end,an the edsel wagon tailights.Great job of blending so many different peices into one coherent sculpture.(didja like my use of them big words?) It came out GREAT! Roth would DEFENATLY approve of it! Again, GREAT BUILD!!!!

[Raul_Perez]

Very cool build. Awesome job. Your builds never cease to amaze me!!!

Ed

Thanks, Ed!! This one even amazed me, in that something so small took so long to build!!

[Raul_Perez]

Very stylish use of old parts (Ala Kart) and new items (the larger wheels). Very innovative design. Screams late 50's early 60's. Well done Raul.

Well Kiddo, you've certainly out done yourself with this one! It shows a whole different side of your imagination. I can see the 50 custom front end,an the edsel wagon tailights.Great job of blending so many different peices into one coherent sculpture.(didja like my use of them big words?) It came out GREAT! Roth would DEFENATLY approve of it! Again, GREAT BUILD!!!!

Thanks guys, and yes, George, I noticed you use of the LARGER words with multiple syllables!

I must admit that our friend Bernard helped me a lot with designing this build, mostly in deciding how the body design turned out. He did a great job offering constructive advice without being directing, having me make the final decisions. It was Bernard's idea to add the side panels between the nose and the cowl that helped make the body come together as one cohesive unit.

There were also the comments from Bernard like "what the f*** is that?" when I added the peak to the nose section!! I truly enjoyed sharing pictures, ideas and discussing the build with him as the project progressed.

So, thanks, Bernard!! You helped me channel Ed into the build!!

[Bernard Kron]

I must admit that our friend Bernard helped me a lot ... I truly enjoyed sharing pictures, ideas and discussing the build with him as the project progressed.

So, thanks, Bernard!! You helped me channel Ed into the build!!

Back at ya “Calâ€. It’s very kind of you to say so, but I truly enjoyed watching a great builder pushing his personal creative envelope. I was amazed with the ease with which you moved from one design element to another, starting with the mockup of the nose, those big Pegasus T’s, the modern motor and a roughed up chassis and A-La-Kart bucket. It may have seemed like a struggle at times, bit it sure didn’t look like it to me!

There was never any doubt how striking and original this car would be – more than once we talked about how it would be, as you say, “a love it or hate it kind of build†– but I must say it’s impressive how many different modelers on this forum have jumped on and immediately “gotten itâ€, different styles of builders who know an exceptional model when they see one. I guess it’s why I enjoy this forum so much. It’s certainly helped me enormously in getting back into modeling.

This is a unique and totally personal creation, There’s no #%*!in’ way I would ever build something like the Raptor, but it sure was cool watching it come together!

B.

P.S. I betcha this model looks even better close up. The detailing is fantastic!

[MikeMc]

What can I say..........

I Know......Love the wheel combo......

WOW !!!!!!!!!!

[Raul_Perez]

P.S. I betcha this model looks even better close up. The detailing is fantastic!

Well, I guess you'll know for sure when you see it at the NNL West next March!!

What can I say..........

I Know......Love the wheel combo......

WOW !!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Mike!! Wait until I get the matching trailer and the '53 Ford hauler built. It'll probably be the only model combination around with 3 full sets of Pagasus Chrome T's! After that's done, it'll be time to find a new wheel design to start using on my models!

[Roadkill2525]

Well, I guess you'll know for sure when you see it at the NNL West next March!!

I might see next weekend.

[lonewolf]

Beautiful job Raul. Your work is among the most innovative and the cleanest stuff I've ever seen. I always look forward to seeing what comes off your workbench next.

[ajulia]

Hello there Mr.P! Im in absolute awe! That is one mean looker you got there!! I especially like the new school flavor. You knocked em' out cold with this fella!!Keep on wit the keepin on!!

peace

ajulia

[Clay]

Thanks, Darrell!! I didn't think that anyone would notice that I changed the avitar BEFORE I posted the model!!

I still see the Avanti....

[Raul_Perez]

I might see next weekend.

Michael,

I'll bring the continental kit from the '59 Impala that you wanted. Hope to see you there.

Beautiful job Raul. Your work is among the most innovative and the cleanest stuff I've ever seen. I always look forward to seeing what comes off your workbench next.

Tony,

Thanks for the compliments!

Next off of the bench will be a matching trailer and the '53 Ford hauler to sit this little beast on.

Later,

[Raul_Perez]

Hello there Mr.P! Im in absolute awe! That is one mean looker you got there!! I especially like the new school flavor. You knocked em' out cold with this fella!!Keep on wit the keepin on!!

peace

ajulia

Thanks, Tito!! I'm glad that you liked this one!! It's one of my favorites, too!!

I still see the Avanti....

Clay,

Press the refresh button on your browser. That will usually update the avatar.

Later,

[Lyle Willits]

This is an amazing build. Very creative. I'm not a "show car" kind of guy, but I REALLY LIKE THIS!!!!

[Roadkill2525]

Michael,

I'll bring the continental kit from the '59 Impala that you wanted. Hope to see you there.

You mean '55 Bel Air, what else are you taking?