NOBLNG Posted February 1 Posted February 1 (edited) I have three of these. Two hardtops and a convertible….so the logical thing to do is get out the razor saw and my panel line scriber. I just got the urge to cut something up.🤪 This is my first section job so I figured I’d pick something easy like this ‘51 BelAir.🙄 I wound up sectioning it a scale 3-3/4”. This is going to be a slow, slump filler project unless OCD kicks in. As usual I don’t have a firm plan of what I want to do with it…just an inspiration pic. All comments or critiques welcome. Edited February 3 by NOBLNG 7 1
customline Posted February 1 Posted February 1 You're in Polynesian territory now, boss. 👍 it looks like you've done your homework. I'm watching 😛! 2
NOBLNG Posted February 1 Author Posted February 1 (edited) 1 hour ago, customline said: You're in Polynesian territory now, boss. 👍 it looks like you've done your homework. I'm watching 😛! Well a wise man said a picture is worth a thousand words and posted this on my ‘36 Ford thread and I’ve wanted to try it ever since. Thanks Jim! Edited February 1 by NOBLNG
LennyB Posted February 1 Posted February 1 I like it! And that last pic with the Corvette cove is pretty cool looking. 1
David G. Posted February 1 Posted February 1 Most interesting! Count me in for the ride Greg! David G. 1
TopherMcGinnis Posted February 1 Posted February 1 That is AWESOME! I remember the Monster Garage episode where Bill Hines, Gene Winfield, Norm Grabowski and several others sectioned a '54 Chevrolet 210. These cars look good with a little trimming. That Corvette alcove and roofline, grille......mmmm mmmm mmmmmm! 1
Zippi Posted February 1 Posted February 1 This is going to looks pretty kewl Greg. I'm diggin the gold colored car. 1
customline Posted February 1 Posted February 1 12 hours ago, NOBLNG said: Well a wise man said a picture is worth a thousand words and posted this on my ‘36 Ford thread and I’ve wanted to try it ever since. Thanks Jim! Where have I seen that before? 🙂 that section came out okay but I screwed the pooch on the rest of that build. Now that I see your Bel Air, I'm thinking about the Fleetline 🤔 2
espo Posted February 1 Posted February 1 #1. Your braver than myself with this section work. #2. I think you nailed the body proportions and even kept the door lines lined up. Should you even consider chopping the top as well error on the side of removing very little. The top height ratio to the body height looks pretty close as is. 2
Lunajammer Posted February 1 Posted February 1 Looks like you caught a little grace from that radiused rear fender. That's the trouble spot that scares people away but to my eye this '51 has a little built in forgiveness to help smooth out without getting into a lot of body work. 1
Steve H Posted February 1 Posted February 1 Wow! Very nice execution on the section Greg, and well thought out. The inspiration car is radical. 1
NOBLNG Posted February 1 Author Posted February 1 (edited) 8 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said: That is AWESOME! I remember the Monster Garage episode where Bill Hines, Gene Winfield, Norm Grabowski and several others sectioned a '54 Chevrolet 210. These cars look good with a little trimming. That Corvette alcove and roofline, grille......mmmm mmmm mmmmmm! THANK YOU for posting that tidbit! I have never seen that before, but I managed to find it on YouTube. I’ve only watched about half of it so far, but it looks like a great episode and they are doing just about exactly what I envisioned. Edited February 1 by NOBLNG 3
NOBLNG Posted February 1 Author Posted February 1 (edited) 21 hours ago, espo said: #1. Your braver than myself with this section work. #2. I think you nailed the body proportions and even kept the door lines lined up. Should you even consider chopping the top as well error on the side of removing very little. The top height ratio to the body height looks pretty close as is. #1. It’s only plastic so there is little to lose. #2. I started scribing a more radical section on the passenger side, but quit before I went too far. I have a little misalignment on the forward door seam. I should have continued the horizontal cut on the front fender back into the door area, then both seams would have been aligned. I may not chop it at all, but I do want to modify the cowl and A-pillar somehow??? Edited February 2 by NOBLNG 1
NOBLNG Posted February 1 Author Posted February 1 (edited) On 2/1/2025 at 1:46 PM, Lunajammer said: Looks like you caught a little grace from that radiused rear fender. That's the trouble spot that scares people away but to my eye this '51 has a little built in forgiveness to help smooth out without getting into a lot of body work. I used a combination square to estimate the most forward point of the rear fender bulge. I used that elevation as the center line of the section through that area so that the upper and lower pieces would mate up and only need a bit of sanding to restore the radius. Edited February 3 by NOBLNG 1
NOBLNG Posted February 1 Author Posted February 1 (edited) Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback! I will attempt to maintain some sort of momentum on this project, but I am seeing squirrels everywhere lately.🥴 Edited February 1 by NOBLNG
NOBLNG Posted February 3 Author Posted February 3 (edited) AMT made the windshield to door transition far too squared off in my opinion. It should have a more sweeping curve. I started by making a cut underneath the upper door trim and along the base of the windshield trim., then removed approximately 1/16” of the door trim. I pushed the two sections together to close the gap and glued them together with CA. I watched a video where Doug Whyte sectioned a car by melting the pieces back together with a soldering iron….so I figured I would try it. I wound up with a dip in the area and had to cut it apart and raise the trim with wedges to get a smoother transition. I think I like this plastic welding…no waiting for glue or filler to dry.😎 I got rid of the A pillar and rounded the roof corner a bit. A bit of filing and sanding and it’s looking a little better. I made a pattern from card stock and some different diameter masking tape circles to design a new A pillar. The card stock conforms nicely to the curves with no wrinkles, so I should be able to make a new windshield from clear sheet. But…before I fab the new A pillar, I want to lower the roof ever so slightly. I still have to duplicate my efforts on the drivers side yet too. Edited February 13 by NOBLNG 5 1
TarheelRick Posted February 3 Posted February 3 Some impressive work on that section job and the A pillar work. These older box-shaped cars just scream to be sectioned. On most of them the key to an easy, clean section is to section the section line just as you did. I did the same on a 50 Ford convertible I am working on. Looking forward to updates. 2
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