1935 Ford pickup

[Maindrian Pace]

This truck is done, so here is a one page build thread. This project was started by Brad Norgaard, a member of our club who passed away last year. This truck was in the early stages on his bench, so I took it on to send it over the finish line. We will never know exactly how Brad wanted to do it, but the parts selection in the tote told part of the story. So, there I was.

Seen here are the basics, an AAM resin transkit to convert the Revellogram '37 Ford pickup into a '35. I never knew this kit existed. I supplied the '37 kit. Tote contained a small block Chevrolet engine with a 4 speed, Dancing Bear aluminum wheels. Tires are on their site pictured with the wheels, so they probably came from them too.

I elected to use the original kit fender/floor/bed unit instead of the resin, as the resin was cracked and required more body work. The only difference was the bed - a bit shorter on a '35, an easy mod. I erased the spare tire recess in the right running board and sketched the ribs back in with Evergreen strip.

No recess, recess.

First mock-up with ride height dialed in.

Chassis almost done. I used a Revell '32 front drop axle and de-arched the '37 spring and the height turned out well. Split wishbone. I flattened the rear crossmember and raised it in the chassis to lower the rear. I don't know where the engine came from, but probably the '55 Chevy truck kits. Manifold, triple Rochesters, and air cleaners were in a medicine bottle in the tote. Several manifold setups were there, I chose this one. Valve covers were also in the tote, I added Tamiya clear orange between the ribs. Exhaust is modified '70 Mustang with shortened mufflers, ram horn manifolds were from my parts stash. Driveline/chassis paint is Tamiya Metallic orange. I made the wheels roll by adding axle retainers under the hub caps.

Interior - resin '35 dash, shortened column with parts stash steering wheel, custom mixed flocking. I threw some pleats on the seat and gauge decals in the cluster. Paint is Tamiya Racing White.

Body is Tamiya Brilliant Orange, AKA McLaren orange, over Tamiya fine gray primer. I was going for a Creamsicle look. First fit to the chassis.

[Chariots of Fire]

Very nicely done!  Does the Ford emblem on the hood sides get BMF?  Great wheels, stance and color choice.

[Danno]

I saw this build Saturday night. It is exceptional!

[Maindrian Pace]

6 hours ago, Chariots of Fire said:

Very nicely done!  Does the Ford emblem on the hood sides get BMF?  Great wheels, stance and color choice.

Thanks. I did the hood and grille emblems in Molotow ink applied with a 000 brush. 

[Zippi]

That's a nice looking 35 Ford pickup you finished up.  

[NOBLNG]

Very nice!? I’m sure your friend would be proud.

[slusher]

Greart color and looking really sharp!

[DJMar]

Now that is TASTY! ?

[Dennis Lacy]

Man, what a neat project! I had never heard of this conversion kit, either. Nice work!

I just finished lowering a 1936 Pickup (subtly different from a 35, most notably the grill shell is thicker) 5” in front and 4” in rear for a customer. We were discussing models because he knew I built them and he asked if there was any way to build a 35 or 36 and I said no. Looks like I was wrong. Now I want to track a conversion kit down and replicate his truck. ?

Edited June 20, 2024 by Dennis Lacy

[Kit Karson]

On 6/17/2024 at 11:16 AM, Maindrian Pace said:

This truck is done, so here is a one page build thread. This project was started by Brad Norgaard, a member of our club who passed away last year. This truck was in the early stages on his bench, so I took it on to send it over the finish line. We will never know exactly how Brad wanted to do it, but the parts selection in the tote told part of the story. So, there I was.

Seen here are the basics, an AAM resin transkit to convert the Revellogram '37 Ford pickup into a '35. I never knew this kit existed. I supplied the '37 kit. Tote contained a small block Chevrolet engine with a 4 speed, Dancing Bear aluminum wheels. Tires are on their site pictured with the wheels, so they probably came from them too.

I elected to use the original kit fender/floor/bed unit instead of the resin, as the resin was cracked and required more body work. The only difference was the bed - a bit shorter on a '35, an easy mod. I erased the spare tire recess in the right running board and sketched the ribs back in with Evergreen strip.

No recess, recess.

First mock-up with ride height dialed in.

Chassis almost done. I used a Revell '32 front drop axle and de-arched the '37 spring and the height turned out well. Split wishbone. I flattened the rear crossmember and raised it in the chassis to lower the rear. I don't know where the engine came from, but probably the '55 Chevy truck kits. Manifold, triple Rochesters, and air cleaners were in a medicine bottle in the tote. Several manifold setups were there, I chose this one. Valve covers were also in the tote, I added Tamiya clear orange between the ribs. Exhaust is modified '70 Mustang with shortened mufflers, ram horn manifolds were from my parts stash. Driveline/chassis paint is Tamiya Metallic orange. I made the wheels roll by adding axle retainers under the hub caps.

Interior - resin '35 dash, shortened column with parts stash steering wheel, custom mixed flocking. I threw some pleats on the seat and gauge decals in the cluster. Paint is Tamiya Racing White.

Body is Tamiya Brilliant Orange, AKA McLaren orange, over Tamiya fine gray primer. I was going for a Creamsicle look. First fit to the chassis.

Inquiring minds want to know more about the AAM resin transkit to convert the Revellogram '37 Ford pickup into a '35... -KK

[bobss396]

I was thinking of doing something similar with a '36 Ford kit as the donor. I think I may have seen this done in a magazine article. But good to see some AAM pieces being used.

Art did some awesome stuff. I wonder what happened to him. I met him at a show once. He was vilified for a while about some masters not being returned to people. As usual with keyboard warriors, people were all over him. I know he had some serious health issues.

[Maindrian Pace]

13 hours ago, Dennis Lacy said:

Man, what a neat project! I had never heard of this conversion kit, either. Nice work!

I just finished lowering a 1936 Pickup (subtly different from a 35, most notably the grill shell is thicker) 5” in front and 4” in rear for a customer. We were discussing models because he knew I built them and he asked if there was any way to build a 35 or 36 and I said no. Looks like I was wrong. Now I want to track a conversion kit down and replicate his truck. ?

That's a major improvement! Ford went to a larger radiator in '36 to combat overheating on the flat heads, hence the wider grille shell.

About 15 years ago, I built a '37 for a friend/customer, full rod build with a 312 Y block, C4, 9 inch rear, and dropped stock axle. Very fun truck, and surprisingly quick. Before/after:

[OldNYJim]

16 hours ago, bobss396 said:

Art did some awesome stuff. I wonder what happened to him. I met him at a show once. He was vilified for a while about some masters not being returned to people. As usual with keyboard warriors, people were all over him. I know he had some serious health issues.

He had worse issues than just his health:

 

[bobss396]

7 hours ago, CabDriver said:

He had worse issues than just his health:

 

Holy crow.... who knew?

[68shortfleet]

On 6/19/2024 at 8:00 PM, Dennis Lacy said:

Man, what a neat project! I had never heard of this conversion kit, either. Nice work!

I just finished lowering a 1936 Pickup (subtly different from a 35, most notably the grill shell is thicker) 5” in front and 4” in rear for a customer. We were discussing models because he knew I built them and he asked if there was any way to build a 35 or 36 and I said no. Looks like I was wrong. Now I want to track a conversion kit down and replicate his truck. ?

 

On 6/20/2024 at 2:44 AM, Kit Karson said:

Inquiring minds want to know more about the AAM resin transkit to convert the Revellogram '37 Ford pickup into a '35... -KK

I've got this AAM kit conversion new in the box if you want to see what's in there, I could get a few pics.

[TNT]

Cool build.

[damodelguy phx az]

mike,  that turned out really sharp. it was dry fit together on your bench last time i seen it. glad you got to finish the truck in brads memory, we all miss his smilin grin, his interests and input into our hobby. specially among the phoenix area model guys, but he reached far beyond us. thanx mike.