Paul Canney - Avon Ohio -  01/20/2000 - 02/03/2000

It was a tough decision where to actually "start" this project. I read a lot of old model magazines all the way back to the early 60's looking for ideas. I kept getting stuck on one particular 40 Ford. "The Crusader". So with saw in hand, and following the same basic procedures described in a 1963 article, I decided to section 1/4 inch out of the body. The body was easy. The hood was another story.  

First I made a template on an old manila folder by holding it up to the body, and traced the lower edge of the body including the fender openings. Cut the template out, held it to the body and drew the new openings. Then cut the bottom with the saw, and dremeled out the fender openings.

Next, following 30-odd year old how-to directions, I sliced 1/4 inch out of the hood.

After the V section was removed, I taped the lower section of the hood to the fender assembly, replaced the body as a guide, placed the top of the hood on the body and now sliced bottom and superglued the two pieces together.

Next, I added a strip of Evergreen plastic to the bottom to keep the rear of the hood's width correct, and used Devcon 2 part epoxy to seal the two parts and give it somewhat of a finished appearance. (instead of 2 rough edges). As well as a strip to fill the gap on the top and to restore it's basic profile.

As the 1/2 moon cut outs for the hood didn't fit the hoods curve anymore because the body was now sitting lower in the fender assembly, that left a gap that needed to be addressed. After a while of pondering, I decided to fill the 1/2 moon openings with automotive bondo fine filler and angle cut the hood so it could be opened from the rear, front or side or leave it as a lift off.. (someone else will do the hinging... or not)

Right around here I remembered that long time rule. "Build each part like it was a separate model" So I got into this hood thing pretty seriously. Keeping in mind I was now building a model of a hood, I was determined to build the best darned hood I could. So after some serious sanding I saw I was losing the crown on the edges, so I added another strip of Evergreen, putty and started sanding again. It's primed with Duplicolor automotive sand-able primer.

Sand Paint Fill, Sand Paint Fill - all work and no play, makes Paul.. oh, Sand Paint Fill....

There's a slight over hang at the new slanted edges in proportion to the body. But, I have a feeling the fenders have a good chance of being molded to the body, so I left it that way. - I had a slight problem with pinholes in the putty, but drops of super glue fixed that in the final sanding. This was fun. And as a final footnote, this is the first 40's style hood I've ever sectioned, so it was a great learning experience for me.

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