1/25 scale 1922 Model T Touring Car

[DavidsScaleModels]

For the next commission build I will be replicating a 1922 Ford Model T Touring for a close friend whose father recently passed away. The car was his pride and joy as he spent many years restoring it. The problem is there are no 1922 Model T Touring kits available. So after doing some research I found two kits that I can "kit bash" most of the parts and sections to replicate most of the vehicle and then scratch build any other specific parts for the 1922 Ford. I have multiple photos of the actual vehicle so this should be easy to replicate. The term "Kit Bash" is a modeling term where multiple parts from multiple kits are used to make a specific model. This will be the first time I will be using the kit bash method so this should be another interesting build. Side note – I started this late in the week as I was busy packing the previous commission and shipping it out to the client.

After researching the available models I ended up purchasing the AMT 1/25 scale '23 T Depot Hack and the AMT 1/25 Vintage Police Car. The '23T has the correct fenders, front end, wheels, and frame. The Vintage Police Car has a similar body and roof. The police car is a 1927 T touring car. The doors, the area in front of the windshield, and the engine cowl are incorrect for a 1922. I started off by cutting the front section off the body. Using the reference photos I measured the correct size of the front end. I thought I could just shorten the front but then realized the engine cowl was smaller so the angle from windshield to cowl was different as well. I used the measurements of the correct cowl and scratch built the firewall. I then built a small frame to hold the firewall and some thin sheet styrene to scratch build the body panels. Due to the angle I ended up making three separate panels to form the angle and curves. These were then covered with a thin coat of putty. Once sanded and shaped will match the reference photos correctly.

As for the doors I will make the door edges with wire and then use a thicker wire for the hinges. I will sand off the kit door edges and then install the formed wires. The rear doors need to be reshaped and have the hinges move to the other side of the rear doors as they are hinged from the rear side of the door.

The plan is to complete the body this coming week then assemble the frame and suspension.

You can see all the photos and details from start in the build log at: https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-25-scale-1922-model-t-touring-car/

 

[BarleyBop]

Model T

Alright!
I'll be watching fer sure... Model Ts in the stash with which I hope to approximate Bagnold's (founder of the Long Range Desert Group) Ts that he used for his epic explorations of the Western desert and the first east-west crossing of the Libyan desert in early '30s.
Bash away!

 

[Tommergun]

And I'll be watching as well. Model T kits are some of my favorites. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

 

[DavidsScaleModels]

The second week of the T Touring car was spent working on the changes to the body. The differences were the section in front of the windshield and the rear doors. After roughing in the front section I laid in some putty and then wet sanded it into shape. For the rear doors the shape of the doors was incorrect and I needed to relocate the hinges. I sanded down the molded lines. I used 30 gauge wire and formed the door edges then used photo etch scraps to make the hinges. Since the door edges and hinges were not exactly like the new rear doors I sanded the front door area down and replicated them with the wire and photo etch as well. I then primed the body with white primer.

While some steps of modifying the body required drying time I started working on the chassis. I started with the wheels and tires. I purchased some gold paint pens as this build has a lot of gold accents. The outer ring and the center cap of the wheels were painted gold while the spokes were painted wood and the hubs were black. The vinyl tires were then installed. I also painted the spare tire with the gold rim and black tire cover. The "FORD" logo on the tire cover was then painted white using a pointed micro brush. The frame was assembled along with the suspension. The engine and transmission were assembled and installed on to the frame. With the chassis mostly done I set it aside and turned back to the body.

The body, cowl, and radiator frame were then paint with gloss red. The fenders/ running boards were then painted gloss black. The next part of the body is the frame for the windshield. I used styrene rod to for the outside frame. I am using clear styrene sheet for the windshield. I need to cut the windshield along the center to replicate the weather strip between the two sections. I am thinking of using some very thin shrink tubing for this.

I have some more detailing on the chassis then fitting the body on to the chassis. It does look like I may need to make some minor adjustments so the body sits correctly I also need to scratch build the mount for the spare tire on the rear, the front and rear turn signal lights, license plate frames, the horn on the driver side door, and the brake light. I also ordered the nameplate as well as a nice display case from Grandpa's Cabinets.

You can see all the photos and details from start in the build log at: https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-25-scale-1922-model-t-touring-car/