AMT 27 T touring hiboys - lots of them!

[alan barton]

The truth is, if it hadn't been for first Tim, then Jim, I doubt whether I would have built this model.  I bought the original AMT XR6 /27 touring kit from a modeller in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada back in 1996.  I really just wanted the XR6 but figured I would do something with the touring one day. But after seeing Tim and Jim's models, it made me go back through the stash and realise that I had all those original bits that had been deleted in later re-issues, so I really should create a bit of history.

Having said that, the unique double headlights that I had had all along, magically disappeared while I was building this model. I resigned myself to using a set of single ones instead, especially as I wanted to have it finished for our model club's quarterly contest.  Barely hours before the club meeting, I glued the singles in place.

Wouldn't you know it, the very next night, not 24 hours after the singles were glued on, I was looking for parts for my next build, opened a small clear container and there were the twins that had eluded me for two months!  They were within inches of my hand all that time!  The model pixies can be very cruel at times.

So without any further ado, here is my version of the AMT hiboy tub.  I didn't do a built thread because I haven't changed a lot.  I scratch-built a tonneau cover out of thin styrene that literally snaps in place! I added a flashier instrument panel and I left out the chassis - to- body crossmembers because they just added extra height that really wasn't necessary. I used AMT Parts Pack slicks to improve the stance, mounted on those Revell Halibrand mags that Dennis Lacey identified on his Revell T tub build. FIrst time EVER that I have used these wheels but I think I will be looking at them more closely in the future!

If anyone else has an original AMT 27 hiboy tub, or even a later version or a Revell kit bash, please feel free to add it to this gallery.  Tim ( light green) and Jim (pearl white with flames) graciously and enthusiastically approved of having these three together.  Please stick to hiboy 27 tubs so that we can compare apples to apples.!

Cheers

Alan

 

Edited February 9, 2021 by alan barton

[NOBLNG]

Beautiful work! I have nothing to contribute but my praise.?

[Dave Darby]

Gorgeous. That build is on my bucket list. I do have all the parts. I can share a survivor that has the fenders and that original issue only radiator.

[PappyD340]

Very nice!

[alan barton]

Thanks guys!  And Dave, I love your survivor cars.  That grille looks right at home, even with fenders.

Cheers

Alan

[tim boyd]

Alan had previously privately shown me his latest tub, but I've got to say, looking at these pictures, it looks even better than I recall.    Leaving  out the two crossmembers to lower the body works really well, too! 

This tub breaks a bit from the above ones with its ground hugging stance, but still is close enough to the theme to warrant a quick pic....

And then there is this one which had the body painted five years ago (for an article in MCM on historically correct traditional hot rod paint colors), but was provoked to be finally completed after seeing Alan's preview of his above project, as well as Jim's Tub above with the cool bottom-originating flames.  It's basically the same kit, but with a hot rodded Model A four banger, a Model A banjo rear axle, different wheels/tires, the factory stock radiator/grille shell,  and several other minor mods.  Thx for the inspiration, guys!  

Edited February 11, 2021 by tim boyd

[tim boyd]

On 2/9/2021 at 1:20 PM, Dave Darby said:

Gorgeous. That build is on my bucket list. I do have all the parts. I can share a survivor that has the fenders and that original issue only radiator.

 

Dave....would be very cool to see your interpretation of this kit.  Really interesting survivor, too, in that he used the hot rod tub radiator with the full fendered configuration.  That radiator/shell piece sure is nice...although the plating was damaged in some way in every one of the five kits I've acquired over the years.....TIM    

[alan barton]

I'm glad you found this , Tim, I knew you had other tubs but I didn't find them when I was posting the other night. Looks like a case of "you inspired me inspired you!"  And Jim's pearl white beauty pushed me over the edge.

I have just finished the basic construction of two 29 Model A tubs, a Monogram based 1/24th scale and a Revell based 1/25th scale.  The 1/24th scale one is also going to be a hiboy, probably with a hopped up flathead V-8 this time but definitely on the nostalgia theme, influenced by Jim Jacobs red decoupage tourer from the eighties. Your blue T confirms I am heading in the right direction.  I love the tall- in- the- saddle stance although the picture in my head is of a slightly lower ground clearance.  Still, that could change!

Keep 'em coming, guys!

Cheers

Alan

[slusher]

Fantastic  T’s

[tim boyd]

OK....let's keep this one going.  Since Alan asked for others, here's two more from me...who else has a '27T Tub or kitbash based on that kit to post in this thread?  Best....TIM 

This one was built in the late 1980's after Revell did a modest freshening of the original Buttera Touring kit.  It was inspired by a Brian Bordon illustration in the Revell new kits catalog that made promises that were not captured in the updated kit when it appeared.  I showed the changes in one of my Modeler's Corner columns in Street Rodder,  appearing probably in a 1988 or 1989 issue. 

This one was built around 1975 or so.  It has a Pinto engine ( a big trend in the street rod world back then, but one that didn't last long!),  wire wheels from the AMT '65 Riviera, MPC big'n;'littles, and Testors Candy Green over silver paint on the main body. 

If anyone is interested, many more pix of all my Tubs at this link.... Boyd Phaeton/Touring, Cabriolet, and Convertible Hot Rods album | Funman1712 | Fotki.com, photo and video sharing made easy.

Now let's see more of yours!  And again, all credit to Alan for getting us started on this one...TIM 

 

 

[Tom Geiger]

Gorgeous Alan! Love the orange and your typical right hand drive conversion!  

And your headlight story... I’m working on a Jeep and couldn’t find the windshield frame. Looked everywhere, even swept the model room and searched under all the furniture. Finally gave up and started to draw a replacement on plastic sheet.. and suddenly there it was in my parts box, right on top!  And I swear I went through that box twice!

I’ll play! Since Alan mentioned the Mono 1:24, here’s my latest built during the 24 Hour Build. 

I’ve been tweaking it since and a board member sent me a pair of the original rear slicks I was missing. Too much snow to take my final photos!

Edited February 16, 2021 by Tom Geiger

[alan barton]

Seeing  Tim's green  T reminded me that I had one in the back of the cabinet that was inspired by....... Tim's green T! Black fenders, rake, stock roof and wait til you see what I used for an engine! I built this a long time ago.   I wanted to keep the Buttera frame for a Model A roadster build so I used a Revell 31 Model A frame, with a twist.  The thing is,  a Model A has a longer wheelbase than a Model T.  I discovered that if you cut the frame horns off the front of the A frame ( because Ts don't have them) and then use the stock A rear spring and the stock A rear crossmember but attach the spring BEHIND the axle ( to the backing plates in my case) you end up with the shorter wheelbase with very little surgery. And it lowers the rear end while you are at it!

Now, that engine is the Uber rare 204.5 W conversion for a Model A banger. 

A what????? 

I bet you didn't know that the head and rocker cover from a Revell Revell 409  Chevy ( 53/54 Chevy kits) fits straight onto a Revell Model A block?  Thing is, Tim had used a Pinto engine and I didn't have any contemporary four bangers in my stash so I made one.

This worked so well that I tricked up another Model A banger to go into an Anglia, this time using the finned rocker cover and chromed head from the Cadillac in the Monogram Boss A Bone 29 pickup. When you put these parts together, it just makes you grin at how well they match.

Nice Red Chariot, Tom, I have a very similar one on the shelf these days, like yours, made from a newer kit with older parts.  A great bit of history.

Cheers

Alan

[ChrisR]

Very nice!