rsxse240 Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Being inspired by George Barris' Dream Truck, I decided to try my hand at it. Starting with the AMT '50 chevy pickup, I destroyed several kits trying to build a custom bed. Failed, stuck it back in the box for several years. That's when I pulled it out again and stretched the cab, then it sat for a few more years. Several kits were started and put back in boxes during this time. Having not built a model in about 5 years now, I decided, after seeing a few of the Kings of Car Horders episodes, I thought I'd drag this thing out again. I feel very motivated this time. I hope I can carry on with it this time around and actually finish something. Here's where I'm at: Wish me luck! It's only been about 5 years since I finished my last model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 bad55 stan Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Good Luck Ken!Looks like a lot of body work,keep us posted.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Cool project ,Hang in there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbwelda Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 love that Barris truck, that will be some challenge recreating it, but looks like its getting there! the fins are really gonna make it happen! jb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 So I have some more work done. not much, really, but it will help you see my vision a little more. Here you can see (if you are familiar with these trucks) that I raised the fenders about 4 scale inches (roughly 3/16") and channeled the hood the same amount. So now the hood is lower profile and the body will have to be channeled over the frame dramatically to fit properly. Here I am showing how I am filling in the area between the 'vette front and the original truck nose. I will be filling it all in with bondo glazing putty and sculpting it from scratch. not much to show here, but I put the engine from the kit together, I am still undecided if I'm actually going to use this or if I want to get a small block old school or even if I want to go with modern LS drive train from a firebird kit that'll probably end up being curbside. I hope you are all enjoying this as much as I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Thanks for the replies! It makes me happy to hear from everyone weather good or bad. JB: I was only inspired by the Barris truck. I really am not trying to recreate it. I may use some of the design ideas from it, but I am going more lead sled styling, low, slow and full of show. I may some day decide to recreate the Dream Truck as it is one of my all time favorite customs. I would just hate to do something wrong and make the custom world hate me for not getting it correct. lol Stan: A lot of bodywork is quite an understatement. lol. I think I'm going to have to build the bedsides from scratch to get what I want. I destroyed the last set of Ford Ranger bedsides I had last time around on this one. That's ok though, I think they have a little too much curve to them anyway. I might source some Chevy silverado bedsides or just bend up some plastic or metal from scratch. There was someone on here or on Google that built one of these a while back and incorperated some cadillac tail lights and used C/K bedsides and it turned out just perfect. I'll have to do another search for it and show it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyrichard Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 ooh yeah thats cool !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychographic Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 (edited) I really like the idea of the 53 Vette nose, it's got the perfect shape for the front of the pickup body. As for the engine, I vote to put that six banger in there, small blocks are a dime a dozen and way too common. Edited April 18, 2014 by Psychographic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Like it. Looking forward to seeing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 (edited) Pulling some inspiration from psychographic's Willis wagon, I have decided that this is going to be more than a kit bash. I feel the urge to build a custom chassis as the stock piece will require way to much modification to be suitable to the image I have in my mind. I have never built a custom chassis to completion, but I've started many. I think I'll be a bit more conservative though, as I don't want to build my own driveline from scratch. On a side note, I'm trying to upload images from my phone but it seems my 4 year old android is being a bit persnickity. as soon as I can, I'll be posting a small update on the corvette nose. I nearly have the basic shape all worked out. Sorry if anyone was eager to see a worthwhile update. Edited April 21, 2014 by rsxse240 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted April 22, 2014 Author Share Posted April 22, 2014 here it is, I'm just about ready to shoot the first coat of primer. Just a bit more filler to take up the space between the hood and fenders. Next is to figure out what kind of bumper or custom lower fascia and grill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baugher Garage Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 The nose looks like a '53 Vette! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLOODBANE Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 Nice work.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Wow..excellent work! Love the vette nose. Looking forward to updates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted May 2, 2014 Author Share Posted May 2, 2014 (edited) well, I got a lot done! jeez, it takes for EVER sculpting bondo. I know it really looks like I haven't done anything, it has been a busy week at work, so I haven't had much time to build. well, here's some pics. I got the area around the engine bay cleaned up and smooth. I didn't think the front fenders went well with the rears, so I used more chopped up corvette parts to make things flow a little more. I used the lower half of the rear quarter panel from the vette, cut off the lower portion of the truck's fender and smoothed it all in with just some good old Ambroid Pro-Weld and some sanding sticks. I also found the wheels I am going to use...Some old deep dish daytons from Aoshima, I think. So here's a quick mockup, Enjoy! Edited May 2, 2014 by rsxse240 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyrichard Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 whouw thats just perfect !!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Looks really cool, very nice work on the nose... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted May 15, 2014 Author Share Posted May 15, 2014 (edited) Hi again. I got some time to play with some plastic. I didn't want to leave the bed as a stock ugly box. I didn't really want to use the vette fenders, but it would have been cool. So I found another solution. I found some old airplane wings from a Dornier DO17Z, chopped it up and made something different. Edited May 15, 2014 by rsxse240 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 Some serious stylin' going on here! Please accept any encouragement we can give you to see this beauty through... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren B Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 wow serious workmanship i am loving this build totally keep up the awesome work I have to see this one done..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2 Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 Nice design, I'm digging it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 Most impressive. Keep it going! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playzwtrux Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 It's looking real good. Keep the updates coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouel88 Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 This is crazy..very impressive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
91blaze Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 I've always wanted to see this truck done up, but never got around to it. Doing good work so far, good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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