Post by AK on Oct 13, 2016 18:32:39 GMT -7
I build an AMT '55 Chevy sedan to represent Bob Falfa's hot rod in the movie American Graffiti about 3 years ago. Since that time I decided I would like to rebuild it and make a few changes. 1). Instead of using the kits stock front suspension I added a home made solid axle that looked like crap! so I wanted to swap it out for something that would look better. 2). Instead of a small block engine, I wanted to upgrade the engine to the (new for 1962) 409 big block. Last week I was inspired to make these changes when I found that the AMT 62 Bel Air 409 kit has period correct Offenhauserr finned aluminum valve covers and a Mickey Thompson Power Ram intake included in the kit! I also scored an AMT 55 Nomad to get the gasser front axle out of so the suspension with all fit together correctly. I only had to shorted the spring to get the front of the car back down to a street stance. While doing these mod.s I remembered seeing a set of old school Mickey Thompson D.O.T. approved racing slicks in my parts stash. I found them and cleaned them up and they look brand new! While I was digging around my tire stash I also found a set of old style stock tires that have little diamond shapes around the perimeter of side walls like I recall seeing on some old tires when I was a kid back in the 60's.
There are still a couple of things I want to improve on this model, but they will require a repaint and I'm not ready for that commitment at this time, so this is only "phase 2". There will still be one more phase to finish this project. here are a few before and after pictures.
chassis with crappy homemade front axle
chassis with front axle form the Nomad kit. Also notice the differance in the both front and rear tires! and that the newer version has traction bars added. (also from the Nomad kit)
Here's a better shot of the front axle. Notice that the front spring and shocks have been cut down to allow the axle to sit higher which drops the front of the car down.
Next two pictures are the period correct front and rear tires.
These last two pictures show the original small block chevy with corvette valve covers and the replcement 409 engine with the OffenHauser valve covers.
I still need to touch up a few little details, but that pretty much rounds out phase two. When I pull this down next time I will strip the paint, fix the body creases that should stop before reaching the doors and try to lay down a smoother black paint job! Thanks for watching! smileyCA9464IN_zpsd9ee499f
There are still a couple of things I want to improve on this model, but they will require a repaint and I'm not ready for that commitment at this time, so this is only "phase 2". There will still be one more phase to finish this project. here are a few before and after pictures.
chassis with crappy homemade front axle
chassis with front axle form the Nomad kit. Also notice the differance in the both front and rear tires! and that the newer version has traction bars added. (also from the Nomad kit)
Here's a better shot of the front axle. Notice that the front spring and shocks have been cut down to allow the axle to sit higher which drops the front of the car down.
Next two pictures are the period correct front and rear tires.
These last two pictures show the original small block chevy with corvette valve covers and the replcement 409 engine with the OffenHauser valve covers.
I still need to touch up a few little details, but that pretty much rounds out phase two. When I pull this down next time I will strip the paint, fix the body creases that should stop before reaching the doors and try to lay down a smoother black paint job! Thanks for watching! smileyCA9464IN_zpsd9ee499f
