Hot rod T

[geezerman]

Starting one of my new kits. Have no plans for taking this from an ordinary build, but there's no way I could live with the wire wheels as they came.
First attempt at changing the plastic wires almost discouraged me. But when I changed from difficult piano wire to softer copper wire, I deceided to continue. These wheels are barely larger than a US dime!

[bob29579]

That looks real nice and I love this kit. How much are you going to sell the wheels for after you get a chance to make some ? I need about a dozen or two...

[dogfish7]

Yeh, put me down for a dozen also:)

[geezerman]

You guys do realize that an ordertaker at McDonalds is getting $15 an hour, don't you?

[dogfish7]

Never mind..... cancel that order.

[geezerman]

[geezerman]

I just wrapped up these, except for maybe getting to Ocala HS and picking up some of that good chrome finish that you spray over a black base,[senior moment, I forgot what it's called] before I finish the model. I have some chrome silver rattle can stuff, but it goes on pretty thick. Don't want that !



I have the block painted and now have to see what the rest of the kit will entail. This was a new, wrapped box. But when I opened it with my first intention to respoking the wheels , I didn't pay too much attention to the contents other than noticing there was no instruction or decal sheets. Didn't think that would be much of a[problem though. The box art shows a tall magneto (There is one on the chrome tree) but the manifold has a molded on distributor. Couple of parts on the chrome tree that I don't recognize. Guess I'll have to figure that out when the time comes.

[dogfish7]

The wheels turned out magnificent as usual Clay. Gonna have to try doing it one of these builds.

[bob29579]

Yep, came out real nice. I think drastic plastic has this instruction sheet and if you can't find it, let me know, I have one somewhere too.

[geezerman]

Where to start?
I hope y'all will tolerate a mild rant.
Opening this gift from my son-in-law, the first clue I noticed, and wrote off as no consequence, was the absence of direction and decal sheets. I only noticed that the wheels were totally unacceptable.
Now that I'm getting into it, i am amazed that Monogram thought this assemblage of random parts trees would make into a decent model.
I had opted for the highrise manifold and the tube axle (like the box art). The kit supplied a 4BBL and molded in distributor manifold. The manifold would in no way take the hirise unit, and I had to make something to fill it in between the heads. They did supply a magneto (with no place to put it)

I drove 30 miles to Ocala to my not-so-local hobby shop to get, specifically, some Alclad for the wheels.
While browsing there, I spotted a REVELL kit with the EXACT SAME T model and trailer pictured on my Monogram box art. I was not about to buy it just to see what was in it.
Back to the rant.  This kit is so screwed up. I wish I had taken a photo of the parts trees like some of you do.
The frame has no visible mounting points for either of the front ends {there was an airbagged dropped axle in there). There is no dash panel , and the only thing for seats is a lone bench type cushion with no back nor mounting pedestals. There might be more  bogus crap that I find, but I'm carrying on.
I have got the fiddly tube axle ends together and managed to keep it pose able.

I'll try not to bitch any more and keep going.

[dogfish7]

Looking good! Just shot some Alclad chrome myself.

[bob29579]

That's ok. Bitching is informative. I had an older version of this one, it's been 15 or 20 years since doing it.

[geezerman]

The engine is detailed, and today, I got the Alclad sprayed on.

[bob29579]

Nice job. Wheels and pipes look great.

[dogfish7]