'41 Plymouth Coupe

[Casey]

Technically speaking, this project got under way last year, but I began working on it again this week, and made some progress worth documenting, so we go.

My inspiration is this forlorn blue '41 Plymouth Coupe found on the web years ago. I am planning to lean more toward the 'nose high' look with this project, but not quite this high:

 

Body work so far includes scribing the door gaps deeper, removing one molded on windshield wiper arm and blade, filling in the hood ornament recess, removing the vent window guide channels and cleaning up both doors' window openings. The windshield opening is a mess, so I may end up making a new windshield and/or gasket to improve things. Changing the nose to a tilt front end is an option I'm considering, as it will conveniently allow me to remove all of the panel joints and the welting between them, and make the nose a one-piece part.

 

As for the engine, I'm using the early Chrysler Hemi from the AMT '57 Chrysler 300C kit, which is nicely done. The block halves and cylinder heads have been assembled, and the stock transmission was removed in preparation for the aftermarket trans adapter and B&M HyroStick trans. I was planning to use the trans from the Revell Orange Crate, but lucked into a Revell modern '41 Willys kit trans, so that'll be used instead. I'll probably keep the stock valve covers, but the intake choice is still undecided.

Below are pictured the engine parts, gauge cluster from the AMT '37 Chevy Coupe, steering wheel from the AMT '58 Impala, unknown blue hood scoop, and the stock Plymouth firewall and radiator, as well as a radiator from the same Revell Willys kit as the trans?:

 

Suspension bits are form the AMT '50 Chevy Pickup (front and rear leaf springs and front axle), shock mount plates from the '57 300C, "Traction Masters" from an AMT early Funny Car kit, and a driveshaft and wheelie bars from the parts box. Still need to decide on a rearend, too:

 

Tires are some vintage AMT Firestone skinnies and Revell M&H Racemaster pie crust slicks for the rear. Front wheels will be the pictured five-slots for now, rear wheels TBD:

Edited November 28, 2018 by Casey

[afx]

Looks like a well planed project Casey, I'll be following.

[Jantrix]

I dig it. I like that hood scoop. No idea where it came from?

[Ace-Garageguy]

All the right parts and a sound plan.  

I've had something similar going off-and-on for years, so I'll be following.

Doing a flip-nose isn't too difficult if you make up a tubular front crossmember to carry the hinges. Then it's just a matter of getting the up-and-over geometry of the hinge arms dialed in.

[Oldmopars]

Looks good. I currently have this same kit on the bench. The kit leaves a bit to be desired, but I am turning mine into a Rally car for the Piking to Paris Community Build. 

I will be following this. I just finished a 40 Ford gasser and this will be fun to follow.

[stavanzer]

The scoop is from this kit.

 

[cobraman]

Interesting, I will be looking in !

[Dave G.]

That's a cool body, I wouldn't mind building one bone stock or mild rod/street machine. Nose high gassers aren't my thing buy I credit you with your ambition on this build though !

[blackbeard]

very cool project with a tilt front end

[vintagercr]

I will be watching this build.

[Alan]

Who cast the resin front wheels ? I would not use that era of wheelie bar though ..............

[Casey]

On 11/26/2018 at 11:19 PM, Alan said:

Who cast the resin front wheels?

I cast them.

On 11/26/2018 at 11:19 PM, Alan said:

I would not use that era of wheelie bar though 

Already back in the parts bin with a few other things.

On 11/21/2018 at 8:30 AM, Ace-Garageguy said:

Doing a flip-nose isn't too difficult if you make up a tubular front crossmember to carry the hinges. Then it's just a matter of getting the up-and-over geometry of the hinge arms dialed in.

Yes, cutting the 'nose' off is the easy part. 

Still looking for a nice mechanical fuel injection manifold for the early Hemi, too, if anyone has any suggestions. 

Edited November 28, 2018 by Casey

[Ace-Garageguy]

 

The early Chrysler FirePower Hemi uses a separate valley cover, with discrete manifold castings usually. 

The eight-carb manifold for the Chrysler engine in the AMT double-dragster kit would adapt nicely as this setup  ^^^  with Parts by Parks short velocity stacks. 

Competition Resins has one for the later 426 which could also possibly be adapted... 

Far as the flip-nose hinge goes, I just bumped a tutorial I did some time back that has some general tips that work on just about anything. It might be of some use to you.  

 

Edited November 28, 2018 by Ace-Garageguy

[Southern Fried]

[David G.]

Cool!

David G.

[Casey]

22 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

The eight-carb manifold for the Chrysler engine in the AMT double-dragster kit would adapt nicely as this setup 

I do have the eight carb manifold from the AMT '53 Ford pickup, so that might work with some re-shaping. I don't mind if all four injector bases are joined together by a common baseplate, but the more detail present or the closer to the rounded shape of the rear injector bases, the better.

I did check out the tilt-nose tutorial, too, Bill, thanks. I may need to use a long/short arm on each side or incorporate a fore-aft slide to allow the fenders' rear tips to clear the body.

[Alan]

On ‎27‎/‎11‎/‎2018 at 7:11 PM, Casey said:

I cast them.

Already back in the parts bin with a few other things.

Yes, cutting the 'nose' off is the easy part. 

Still looking for a nice mechanical fuel injection manifold for the early Hemi, too, if anyone has any suggestions. 

Re the front wheels where did you source them ? I like where this is going .....

Alan

[Xingu]

Just a reminder - Please don't randomly post photos of your builds in another member's WIP thread, unless you are trying to illustrate a particular item, skill or idea that may help the builder.

[Southern Fried]

This is an interesting build to watch!

It's not often you see this kit finished. It is a tough build. Your build will be awesome!

Edited November 30, 2018 by Southern Fried

[bisc63]

Very cool build!

[rustybill1960]

Casey

Really diggin' Your build

How is it going so far?

Anything new?

Thank You for sharing

Later

Russ

[Chuckyg1]

Ah inspiration. I have two of these that I don't know what to do with. You've pointed me in a direction. I'll be watching.

[drag racer 15]

Very cool I love the grill on the 1941 Plymouths buy the way speed city resin Makes a Hilborn injection manifold for there 392 hemi it should fit the AMT hemi with minimal work as you can see it has the valley cover moulded in Scott at speed city is very nice to deal with and the prices are reasonable