Monogram 1:24 Love: 1932 Roadster

[stavanzer]

Looking Great!

As others have said, I liked it before, but it really has that "Rodder's Journal" feel to it now.

Very Traditional, but very clean.

I have the Beach Boys Kit and a couple of the Roadsters, with a plan to use the BB Rear end under the Roadster, and the Wire Wheels from one of the older Issues of the Roadster. My original Build plan was to use a Monogram 69(?) Mustang Engine with the optional Autolite "Cross Boss" Intake that is in the Mustang kit. But, I could never get the Ford Engine to fit. After Seeing your Blown Engine, I need to track down all the parts you used and try to replicate the Blown Engine you built. Mine will be hoodless, 'cause I'll ruin 4 hoods before I can get the cut out centered the way you did.

The tips on lowering the suspension are great too. I'll be using them on my build. Thanks for sharing.

[Speedpro]

I enjoy watching your builds, Dennis! Very thought out and well executed.

[Bullybeef]

With the uptop it reminds me of Matt Murray’s Delorean roadster project. 

[Dennis Lacy]

Thanks so much! @stavanzer

I also have The Beach Boys kit and looked at using the Corvette rear from it as my original idea was a 70’s era car and also strongly considered the Tru Spoke wires from the yellow issues of the Roadster. Problem I ran into was wanting it to sit tires tucked the way I had it with the same radial tires but lowering the back and being able to modify the rear end and the wheels to tuck them in wasn’t going to be easy. That said, the provided stance and wheel/tire poke out of the box is actually pretty 70’s era correct.

[Mr. Metallic]

Glad to see you back Dennis. Of course your trad stuff is always just right. The original idea for the roadster was fun, but your changes are a home run in my book.

[slusher]

Glad too see this build going again, always enjoy Dennis’s work!

[stavanzer]

On 7/3/2024 at 5:15 AM, slusher said:

Glad too see this build going again, always enjoy Dennis’s work!

You and me both,Carl.

A huge lesson in how to build models in every Post.

[stavanzer]

Any Progress on this one, Dennis?

I've been re-reading your build thread looking at your techniques.

[Dennis Lacy]

@stavanzer

I have been jumping around to multiple projects trying to edge them all closer to paint ready. This one is basically there except for needing to rework the front half of the exhaust to match up to the Caddy engine. 

[stavanzer]

Just now, Dennis Lacy said:

@stavanzer

I have been jumping around to multiple projects trying to edge them all closer to paint ready. This one is basically there except for needing to rework the front half of the exhaust to match up to the Caddy engine. 

Ah, Thank You!

I've just dug my Monogram '32 Roadster out of the stash. I'm looking at all the parts I've collected in the box, to see how I want to build it.

[Bullybeef]

8 minutes ago, stavanzer said:

Ah, Thank You!

I've just dug my Monogram '32 Roadster out of the stash. I'm looking at all the parts I've collected in the box, to see how I want to build it.

I have a similar box, stuffed with “maybe” bits  consisting of parts harvested from glue bombs and partial vintage kits I’ve accumulated. 
 

 

[Rattlecan Dan]

You've got my curiosity perked! It's looking mighty nice.

[tim boyd]

On 6/24/2024 at 12:41 PM, larman said:

Wow! I liked it before, but now I love it! Perfect stance, love the engine and the up top! I always learn so much from your build threads!

What Larry said = my reaction after seeing this build thread for the first time.  Can't wait to see what you do for paint, Dennis, and love the switch to the Caddy V8! 

TB

Edited August 19, 2024 by tim boyd

[David G.]

I just found this WIP and I have to say I've enjoyed watching the evolution of this build.

That's going to be one great looking hot rod when it's done.

David G.

[Dennis Lacy]

Finally, an update to report! Nothing more I can do with my 32 Sedan while I finish painting the body and exterior parts so I pulled the Monogram Roadster out.

Where I had left off it was in need of new forward exhaust “pipes” made to connect the Cadillac engine to the existing mufflers and tailpipes. I grabbed a pair of passenger side exhaust manifolds from a pair of Revell 49 Mercury’s (same source as the engine), made them so they pin to the engine and then pieced together sections of pipe made from the previous forward pipes from the cast-off Chevy. Their shape was manipulated with careful bending to sweep back to the mufflers and I put some discrete pins in the tops of the pipes that go into the bottom of the transmission cross member to hold them tucked up and in proper alignment. Initially, I was considering changing the mufflers to glass packs but decided not to further complicate the matter.

With the exhaust crossed off the list I mocked up the whole chassis to assess what else needed to be done. This kit never had a steering gear box and the instructions have you glue the end of the drag link to the frame which is totally inaccurate. Just as in the full scale world, split wishbones can cause a conflict with side steering but after some trial and error I found a solution. I grabbed the gear box and drag link piece from the modern Revell Model A hot rod kits. The link rod was cut off leaving just the pitman arm. An .040” hole was drilled through the side of the frame, an .040” rod inserted into the arm to pass through the frame and an .040” hole drilled into the box to mount on the other end of the rod, sandwiching the frame. From there I trimmed away the steering arms from a tie rod from the Revell 32 kit series, shortened the rod and carefully shaped it to jog around the wishbone and pinned it to the inside of the pitman arm. On the top side a hole was drilled at an angle through the firewall (second times the charm!) for the steering box shaft to disappear into. With that the car has a functional looking steering. 

?

 

[Bullybeef]

Nice to see you back on this one Dennis. 

[slusher]

30 minutes ago, Bullybeef said:

Nice to see you back on this one Dennis. 

I half too agree!

[David G.]

Nice seeing this one back on the bench Dennis.

Excellent work with the custom exhaust! Just like the muffler shops of old used to do back when they would still bend pipe.

The steering link looks great too. That's one problem with roadsters and T-Buckets, you can see everything!

David G.

[Dennis Lacy]

Another good day at the bench has this project just about ready for paint. Just a few things left to address. 

One problem most interior “tubs” share is the lack of door panel lines so I scribed them. A detail that goes a long way. 

I just couldn’t get happy with the fit of the Revell 1:25 windshield and decided to revert back to the kit piece and chopped it 1/8” (4 scale inches) to match the Revell version. This meant starting with a fresh body as I had trimmed on the first one to try and fit the windshield. After block sanding the wavy cowl top the cowl vent lines half disappeared so I filled the rest with super glue for a vent delete. 

The fresh body got its door handles shaved and the same license plate bracket and taillights added. From there the body was block sanded and the door and trunk panel lines scribed as they are very shallow out of the mold and may have gotten lost under paint. 

I also couldn’t warm up to the headlights and dropped bar from Revell’s most recent ‘30 Woody. I didn’t like the hard V peak in the center of the bar and I’m generally not a fan of BIG stock headlights on hot rods. I filled the kit mounting holes and fit the dropped bar from a Revell 32 which looks better and will allow me to use the small headlights from the 32 kits. 

That’s the last bare plastic mock up. I’m pretty sure I’ve picked a paint scheme so stay tuned. ?

[Zippi]

Boy that sure is a good looking little Hot Rod there Dennis.  Nice work on getting the look.  

[espo]

Perfect stance and the big & little tires look good. 

[slusher]

Excellent work Dennis!, it’s nice to see you building!

Edited October 29, 2024 by slusher
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[TopherMcGinnis]

When it's right, it's right.....and you've got it RIGHT! Love it!

[BespokeHotRodsInc]

I'm digging the look you have settled on for this. I definitely learn a heap about Hot Rodding by following your builds, that's for sure. Love it ?

[NOBLNG]

That is really looking great Dennis…and thanks for the detailed explanations of the build techniques and the choices you’ve made. I’ve always appreciated hot rods but have no real-life experience building them, so I get to learn a lot about what is “right” from your builds.??