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Revell's 1/25 '29 Ford 3 'n 1 Rat Rod

By Chris Banyai-Riepl

 

Overview

So what's a Rat Rod?  Take an old car, paint it with primer, add some scrounged swapmeet parts and you've got yourself a Rat Rod.  Ford's 1929 Model A pickup was a popular car for rodding enthusiasts, resulting in many interesting and wild cars.  The Revell kit provides parts to make three main options, but by mixing and matching the parts you can easily end up with something completely different than what's shown on the boxtop.

The Kit

The kit comes molded in white plastic, with a couple trees of chrome-plated parts and rubber tires.  Another interesting addition is a sheet of clear acetate.  Templates are included in the instructions for you to cut out the windows in this sheet.  Since this is a3 'n 1 kit, you get two engine choices, two cab choices (hardtop or convertible), and two hood front options.  There's also two styles of exhausts and three styles of wheels, as well as two styles of seats (both benches).  While the instructions have you follow specific steps for either stock or custom versions, by careful study of the instructions and making notes you can go just about any direction with this kit.

Starting with the front end, you have to make a choice right off.  While the basic transmission and engine block are the same, there's different cylinder head covers and side valve covers, as well as two styles of intake manifolds.  The custom engine has twin carburetors, while the stock has just a single.  The transmission cover, shift lever and emergency brake handle are common between the two.

The chassis is common between the options, with the frame getting separate front and rear shock absorbers and battery case.  This assembly fits onto the fender piece, with your choice of engine falling in place on top.  There's a separate radiator with both hoses provided.  Choose your exhaust style, then it's time to assemble the wheels, which means the suspension is coming up.

Revell has taken an interesting step in regards to the suspension in the form of metal axles, both front and rear.  The rear axle is a solid metal rod while the front axles are separate pins.  These fit into plastic parts, the rear sliding into the five-piece rear axle housing assembly while the front pins run through the front brake plate.  The rest of the front suspension is somewhat complex and can be assembled to be functional, at least in regards to steering.

The interior comes next, and here's another choice to make.  There's separate cabs for either the convertible or the hardtop, and at this stage you'll also want to make a choice between the stock or custom bench seat.  The kit has separate doors, allowing you to either leave them off entirely, position them open, or even have them functional.  The truck bed is also separate, with a working tailgate also included.  The roadster version also has an add-on rear pan.

Moving to the front of the truck, the hood assembly is engineered to be functional as well, allowing you to display the engine.  Alternatively you could just leave the whole assembly off, a popular option with street rodders.  Two options for the front are just about the last change, with a stock radiator shell or a streamlined roadster front.  The final details are the headlights and bumper, with the roadster getting a final modification in the form of the removal of the front license plate holder.

The decals and painting scheme are a guide only and you can really go whatever way you want here, but you do get two choices of scallops and one set of flames for the hood, and two styles of pinstriping, as well as several small decals for the windows.  There's also two choices of license plates as well as a two-piece decal for one of the seats.  A wood-grain decal with appropriate details is also included for the truck bed.  All the decals are well printed and have great register.

Conclusion

Just having a stock 1929 Ford pickup is a nice addition to a classic car collection, but to have all the custom options makes this a great kit to pick up.  Those parts that you don't use on this model you can use on other custom jobs.  Whatever your choice this will build up into a great model, whether stock or custom.