Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

1977 Ford Motor Home


Recommended Posts

I recently picked up 2 of the Coke Ford Vans. My plan for one of them is a motor home. 
My plan is a 175 in wheel base and about 24ft total length. 
I started by cutting the frame. I used 1-2-3 blocks to keep it all square. I extended it 2 inches to reach 175 scale inch. 
I cut the cab behind the doors at the rear door line. From all the pictures I can find, this seems to be the right spot. 
I am using wheels/tires from Scenes Unlimited. 
I have not decided if it will have a full interior or not. 
Here is the progress. 
 

B2F254FE-DDFA-4744-B5C8-ECE5099485C1.jpeg

AC9CF67E-98E7-4A11-954F-3CB17F085BC0.jpeg

31DA3C1B-DBB3-481E-8CA8-19EFD32E4C41.jpeg

90F493AA-DCE6-4AD5-AA18-55596E2AC0FD.jpeg

6AE25C66-6577-480F-8B68-8FB81DF6A8C3.jpeg

A166982B-6151-4EA4-8DDA-C7BF053B5C29.jpeg

FD97D64F-0D51-44F2-8705-76CD18F99E5F.jpeg

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, EngineerBob said:

Good start, looks just like a bare motorhome chassis as delivered. What are you going to use to make the motorhome?

I am not 100% sure yet what to do the box out of. I have a lot of just flat sheet styrene, but I plan to see if I can fine some textured styrene sheets that would look right. I may be looking at Rail Road siding or something like that. 
Let me know if you know of anything that would work. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, Zippi said:

Looking pretty sharp so far Scott.  I like your 123 blocks.  I retired a year ago and was a CMM programmer.   I used them all the time on my setups.   

I work on Water Jets and I need them for doing different calibrations. Figured they would work for this too. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, Oldmopars said:

I am not 100% sure yet what to do the box out of. I have a lot of just flat sheet styrene, but I plan to see if I can fine some textured styrene sheets that would look right. I may be looking at Rail Road siding or something like that. 
Let me know if you know of anything that would work. 

I've been thinking about building a vintage looking COE Motorhome and haven't come up with the motorhome portion yet myself. I considered the vintage motorhome model kit but they're pretty pricey. I also considered making the 'box' from scratch from textured styrene siding but didn't think I could get the details, windows, vents, etc, just right. I'm keeping my eye open for something unconventional to start with such as a toy trailer or a trailer christmas ornament or something. I'm looking forward to what you come up with. By the way, checkout an old post here, "Ford 1941 COE camper hauler" to see a scratchbuilt motorhome/hauler.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Smoke Wagon said:

That’s a great project. Another c class camper was done a while back on the forum, but it used a Dodge B van cab and chassis. Are you planning to use the engine that came in the Ford van kit or are you planning on swapping in a 460? 

I have not found a 1/25 kit with a correct 460 yet. I am told none exists. So, unless I find something, or maybe see if there is a resin option, the stock small block will have to do. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Neat project! Check out Evergreen Plastics #4530 Corrugated Metal Siding, just slightly smaller profile than the side panels of the Open Road Camper kit. And 0.040" thickness is just right for a rigid side wall and it's smooth on the inside. Evergreen also has nice corner strips available too for securing the edges..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, Oldmopars said:

I have not found a 1/25 kit with a correct 460 yet. I am told none exists. So, unless I find something, or maybe see if there is a resin option, the stock small block will have to do. 

Fair enough. One would think it would at least be available in resin. There’s a 1/24 scale 460 in the Revellogram ‘91 F-250, but it’s an EFI engine. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, Oldmopars said:

I have not found a 1/25 kit with a correct 460 yet. I am told none exists. So, unless I find something, or maybe see if there is a resin option, the stock small block will have to do. 

The 429, introduced in 1969 cars, is in the same engine family as the 460.  Wonder if there are any car kits with the 429?  Here is a "cutaway" chassis photo.

IMG_1484.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 9/21/2021 at 7:23 PM, leafsprings said:

The 429, introduced in 1969 cars, is in the same engine family as the 460.  Wonder if there are any car kits with the 429?  Here is a "cutaway" chassis photo.

The AMT 1973 Cougar Street Machine comes with an optional 429 engine, and it is also 1/25 scale.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My father drove a 77 1 ton Ford van when I was young and it had a 351 Windsor in it. My friend had a 1 ton that had a 300 6 cylinder too. Just more options to aggravate you.😬 Oh ya, great project, I'll be watching.

Edited by mchook
forgot text
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Well, I now have the sheet plastic for the camper box. I also just got a Lincoln kit that has a MEL, that could be as large as a 462. I may put that in as I plan on a Boss 429 in the Lincoln. 
BTW, the new 70 Galaxie kits (cop and taxi) both have a Boss 429 engine in them. The 351 may find its way into the 70 Galaxie. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 9/19/2021 at 7:01 PM, Oldmopars said:

I recently picked up 2 of the Coke Ford Vans. My plan for one of them is a motor home. 
My plan is a 175 in wheel base and about 24ft total length. 
I started by cutting the frame. I used 1-2-3 blocks to keep it all square. I extended it 2 inches to reach 175 scale inch. 
I cut the cab behind the doors at the rear door line. From all the pictures I can find, this seems to be the right spot. 
I am using wheels/tires from Scenes Unlimited. 
I have not decided if it will have a full interior or not. 
Here is the progress. 
 

B2F254FE-DDFA-4744-B5C8-ECE5099485C1.jpeg

AC9CF67E-98E7-4A11-954F-3CB17F085BC0.jpeg

31DA3C1B-DBB3-481E-8CA8-19EFD32E4C41.jpeg

90F493AA-DCE6-4AD5-AA18-55596E2AC0FD.jpeg

6AE25C66-6577-480F-8B68-8FB81DF6A8C3.jpeg

A166982B-6151-4EA4-8DDA-C7BF053B5C29.jpeg

FD97D64F-0D51-44F2-8705-76CD18F99E5F.jpeg

Gotta love them 1,2,3" blocks.... I have a few sets of those.....👍

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...