A semi-period correct 1948 Ford Gasser...(UPDATED w/parts list)

[tim boyd]

Built this one about twelve years ago or so, just after Revell introduced their chopped '48 Ford Custom kit. 

Drag racing historians know that '48 Fords were anything but a mainstream subject in the Gasser classes of the 1960's.  But search enough and you will find at least a few images, as well as several current-era drag racers built in a somewhat period-correct manner.   

Mine was documented in a 41-step how-to that was published on the now-dead website of the other model magazine (it did not appear in the magazine itself).  In addition to the Revell chopped body, it used a dual quad ram manifold 289 Ford V8, kitbashed front and rear suspensions, a modified racing-themed interior, and some fairly rare but era-correct mags showing the as-run tarnished magnesium finish (as opposed to the freshly polished appearance seen in most 1960's magazine features).   The decals came from Slixx as I recall, and they are probably the most obvious non-period correct element on the model.  The simulated yellow tint Plexi windows came from the old Revell Gasser kits.   The 1960's Ford SuperDuty style hood scoop was found in Monogram's 1939 Chevy Coupe kit I believe.  Note the stance reflecting that by the mid 1960's and later, the raised front look was on its way out and 1/1 scale Gassers were beginning to show bodies that were aligned either parallel with the ground, or with a slight downward in front rake.  

This one seems to have been among my more popular Gasser-themed model builds.  I don't recall having shown it here before (but it is certainly possible).  Anyway, here are some photos and thanks for looking....TIM   

UPDATE 8-1-22 - a complete list of the kits used to produce this model is now posted near the top of page 2 of this thread....TB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 1, 2022 by tim boyd

[Snake45]

I'm by no means any kind of '48 Ford fan, but I actually kind of like this one. Well done and model on! 

[Metaldrumm]

Nice work,looks like u used chassis parts from the 41 willys and who could blame ya ,cool gasser.

[bisc63]

Great use of a '48 Ford! Chopped top combined with high stance makes for a seriously cool racer. With that styling combo, it sorta has a Tom Daniel "Badman" vibe!

[ChrisR]

Very nice!

[TarheelRick]

Very nice gasser, one of my favorite classes of drag racers. Depending on the age of the engine, if it is 1967 or older, this one would qualify to run with the Southeast Gassers Association.  Just saw them run at local strip a couple weeks ago and I do believe one of them had a '48 coupe. Like a dummy I forgot to take my camera.

[tim boyd]

20 hours ago, Metaldrumm said:

Nice work,looks like u used chassis parts from the 41 willys and who could blame ya ,cool gasser.

Brian....I do believe that you are correct.  The modern-era Revell Willys kit under Stone, Woods and Cooke, Big John Mazmanian, and a third livery I ssem to have forotten at the moment would have been he source of the chassis, suspension, driveline (other than engine/tranny), and probably even the headers IIRC (the Hemi engine exhaust port spacing also matching the 289 Ford exhaust port spacing, at least in 1/25th scale!  

Thanks for jogging the memory on that one....TIM 

[tim boyd]

10 hours ago, TarheelRick said:

Very nice gasser, one of my favorite classes of drag racers. Depending on the age of the engine, if it is 1967 or older, this one would qualify to run with the Southeast Gassers Association.  Just saw them run at local strip a couple weeks ago and I do believe one of them had a '48 coupe. Like a dummy I forgot to take my camera.

Rick,, can't recall with 100% certainty but I think the engine may have come from the AMT-Ertl 1967 Mustang GT/GT-250 kits, paired with the cross-ram optional manifold in the AMT 1966 Mustang notchback kits.  So yes, looks like this one could be a runner in the SE Gassers circuit.  I certainly think it fits the spirit of that group, for sure!  Thanks....TIM  

[R. Thorne]

Really like the “lay” of the plug wires.  Seem to have the correct flexibility of the real wires.  Remember the material used?  The other Willys kit would have been the  K. S. Pittman car.  Not my favorite style of car, but, you make anything look good.  Thanks for posting.

[unclescott58]

Beautiful build (of course). 

[tim boyd]

10 hours ago, R. Thorne said:

Really like the “lay” of the plug wires.  Seem to have the correct flexibility of the real wires.  Remember the material used?  The other Willys kit would have been the  K. S. Pittman car.  Not my favorite style of car, but, you make anything look good.  Thanks for posting.

Thx Ron for reminding me of the third version of the kit....my post above has been updated accordingly.  

I don't remember the exact source of the plug wiring for this project, but I always try to make those wires "lay" authentically as you have noted.  Most recently I have been mostly using the pre-wired distributors from Morgan Automotive Details.   Highly recommended, as Larry G. would say. 

Best....TB  

[MeatMan]

Killer!

[TransAmMike]

Very interesting a great build of a rarely seen car. Great job of course from you Tim?

[PappyD340]

Looks great!

[Zippi]

Pretty kewl looking 48 Ford Gasser.  I like the orange tented glass.  Makes it look mean.  Nice build.

[carrucha]

Cool gasser.  The black body and unpolished mags look good together.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Man, do I love that thing. Nice.  

[roadhawg]

I like everything about this one, it definitely has the correct gasser look! And yes sir, this would fit right in with the SEGA!  

[gman]

That one looks downright angry!

I've always loved your builds Tim, dating back to Modeler's Corner in Street Rodder (before I discovered that "other" magazine).

[slusher]

Awesome Gasser, sir!

[Six]

Love that one!!!!

[Street Rod]

Great build!

[Bainford]

The old Ford looks downright menacing. It's pure evil, and befitting of the Midnight Auto 'sponsorship'. Very cool, Tim. I love it.

[1959scudetto]

I'm not into drag racing, but this old gasser looks really, really good!

[Dennis Lacy]

Has it really been 12 years since the chopped ‘48 Came out?! Geez!

I’ve seen and studied this model on your Fotki account. While everyone complained that the chop was terrible in style for a period custom it sure looks perfect as a drag car! Love the stance and wheel & tire combo. I also like that you went with an unpredictable small block Ford. 

It looks to me like you used the frame and complete rear suspension from the MPC ‘57 Chevy/‘53 Pickup “flipnose” kits with the ‘41 Willys front suspension fit to it.