Foxer Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 (edited) This is modeled after the '54 Bug I owned while in Germany in 1967-68. I was in the Army and this served me well with little cost .. it just kept running! It was rolled 3 times, but just edged over on it's side. We just turned it back over and kept going! I don't think the oil was ever changed since the drain plug was worn and couldn't be wrenched off. I just kept adding fresh oil to replace what was burned off. I used the Gunze Sangyo 1956 Volkswagen Oval Window which required little backdating to a '54. Following is a photo of the original taken near the end of my ownership. The wheels went through a few changes including a period where they were were mounted backwards. They were "deep dished and WIDE track"! They returned to normal and the hubcaps never made it back on. I modeled it after a few rolls, but before the hub caps were lost with a bit of faded paint and weathering. The USA plate was made in Photoshop and printed on decal paper. The plate is made from an aluminum soda can with Grandtline bolt heads. This was completed about 15 years ago as I was coming back to modeling and there are some things I would add or touchup, like the window trim and the fender mounted mirrors. The color is off also and I now have some factory matched paint, Maybe some day.. Edited August 24, 2017 by Foxer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Zoom Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Neat model Would the Gunze be a good candidate to backdate to a split oval window? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Nicely done Mike, the Gunze kit is a great starting place for your replica build. One of these days when I get all these Traditional Rods off the bench I need to dig out the Gunze '56 and get it built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted November 26, 2009 Author Share Posted November 26, 2009 (edited) Neat model Would the Gunze be a good candidate to backdate to a split oval window? I wouldn't consider myself a expert, but this is the closet kit to a split window I know of. The window split would have to be fabricated, of course, but the overall size is the same. The outer edges have a tighter taper also. Someone here had a WIP thread making a split window some months ago. He added the split but don't believe the outer shape was modified. The dash is also different, but this should be a pretty easy change as they are all pretty flat. I don't think there's much else. The bumpers look the same although I've seen some split windows with a small recess in the center of the bumpers. These may be only the real old ones. I'm sure we have some VW people here knowing more than I. Overall though, I think the Gunze kit is a pretty nice curbside. Some details are a bit heavy, but it looks good when built and detailed. Edited November 26, 2009 by Foxer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VW Dave Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 Another neat story and a model to match, Mike; I like it a bunch. Bob - The Gunze kit is the best candidate for a split conversion in this scale IMO; There's not too much needed to make a passable splittie from it. The narrower 'grooved' bumpers and 16" wheels would be needed, and the dash is indeed different(but not too intricate). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Cowboy Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 Looks like a perfect match. Great weathering thanks for sharing.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 Very nice work, great weathering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmvw guy Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 I like this one, I've got to have one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelmike Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Nice job..... i liked doing my 56 build as well.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAGNUM4342 Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Nice build. Superb weathering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Excellent, perfect weathering. Great job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 VERY REALISTIC! Nice Weathering... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Beautiful job on this little Bug. My first car was a '62 about the same color, in about the same condition when I got it. Your fine model really brought back some good memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted July 6, 2017 Author Share Posted July 6, 2017 All photos reloaded from Fotki, some are new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagercr Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DumpyDan Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Neat looking VW, nice work Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89AKurt Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Thanks for your comment on my WIP. I see you started this 2009. Seems like the kit has become gold-plated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewetwo Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 You have to love those old beetles. Nice job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RancheroSteve Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 On 1/15/2019 at 8:38 AM, 89AKurt said: Seems like the kit has become gold-plated. Yes, but it looks like the non-High Tech version can be had for around $25. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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