[KensRedZed]

I've been a Hot Wheels vendor for several years. I have a few Hot Wheels laying around. A friend that makes scratch built HO hot rods inspired me to dig into a few boxes. This is what I've come up with.

The 32-Ford has the most complete engine for a hot rod with exhaust and grill

   
   

The 33-Ford has no exhaust, or engine scoop. But it comes with plastic fenders, grill, and headlights.

   

The 34-Ford is similar, but it has an engine scoop. It also comes with plastic fenders, grill, and headlights

   

The "1/4 Mile Coupe" has the nicest valve covers and blower belt. But you need to add your own engine scoop and exhaust.

   

The Hooligan comes with nice flat-head V8 cylinder heads. But they likely need to be modified to change the head angle. Odd casting. Nice fenders again.

   

The Surf Crate comes with a flat, wide engine. Cut some material out of the middle and install a scoop. Trim the crazy long exhaust pipes to barely show 4-pipes on each side under the hood of a car and you're done.

   

The 56-Ford panel truck comes with a really nice air cleaner mounted on a blower in both chrome, and gold chrome.

   

The Anglia had a very cool gem hidden under the hood with 8-square intake runners.

   

Welcome to Ken's Engine Shop! (And surf boards)

   

Some of this may end up as door prizes for the next HO proxy. Anyone interested?

[KensRedZed]

My humble apologies. I forgot to add this car. It's called a 57-Roadster. It has a nice blower and scoop.

   

[Model Murdering]

Are we done yet? LOL

I'll take the whole enchilada.

Thank you Ken.

[KensRedZed]

Bill,

You were the inspiration for the hunt. Yes, much is reserved for you.

But some of the engines and surf boards are going to Andy as door HO prizes. Even if only to sit on a 1/64 engine stand. 

[Model Murdering]

Thank you for the needful things Ken.

I'll work them in where they fit!

[Model Murdering]

Thank you for the needful things Ken. They're a key component for my scratch builds. I'll work them in here and there. Over time HW's has pretty well discontinued making the nifty chrome bits. They're often styled incomplete, or integrally mated in with the diecast part.  
With builds starting down on the frame rails, it's nice to have a bit of gumball treasure to bring things right.


It all started here, in the before time. I needed something to fit properly.


There's nothing in the rule book that says you have to use it as delivered.  Typically oil pans dont belong in the glove box. I knew it was kinda what I wanted, but not how I wanted it.

A Hot Wheel core with re-angled zoomi pipes, and some Johnny Lightening breathing apparatus is what fit in the end.


A little blade and saw work can make all the difference. With the valve covers now down near the tunnel it, doesnt look like I glued the dummy motor on in third grade. Never satisfied, I may trim the grill shell now ... LMAO!




The full on butchery, cutting and pasting really started here, because the Dash pipes wouldnt clear. I had to clear the frame rail and the radius rod. Prior to this I was just passively adding complimentary bits.


Once in a while everything just fits as is. Mechanical injection and fenderwell headers are one of my favs.


Not much room here, so there's just the heads, the pipes and injector scoop. Sometimes, just a suggestion is enough to sell the illusion.



Then there are times when you got nuthen'. A plain gumball small block where the intake and exhaust were fabbed from brass. It could have just as easily been evergreen plastic tubular stock.

It didnt happen overnight, but it in the end it serves one purpose: Filling a huge gap between the firewall and the core support!

[KensRedZed]

Bill,

Thank you very kindly for posting these lovely pics of your cool Hot Rods.

A little inspiration always helps the imagination.

It will be fun to see what you come up with.

[CBWho]

Wow! These look awesome.

[Bon_Slott]

What a lovely attention to detail!  After seeing your work I started searching in the 1/64-cars section every time my kids want to go to a toy store. Finally they found someone who enjoys the visit as much as they do!!