'54 VW Bug ... reloaded from Fotki

[Foxer]

 

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

[Zoom Zoom]

Neat model

Would the Gunze be a good candidate to backdate to a split oval window?

[Fletch]

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.

[Foxer]

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

[VW Dave]

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).

[Space Cowboy]

Looks like a perfect match. Great weathering thanks for sharing..

[Guest]

Very nice work, great weathering.

[rmvw guy]

I like this one, I've got to have one!

[modelmike]

Nice job..... i liked doing my 56 build as well....

[MAGNUM4342]

Nice build. Superb weathering.

[Dr. Cranky]

Excellent, perfect weathering. Great job.

[Ira]

VERY REALISTIC!

Nice Weathering...

[Ace-Garageguy]

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.

[Foxer]

All photos reloaded from Fotki, some are new

[vintagercr]

Very nice!

[DumpyDan]

Neat looking VW, nice work Mike

[89AKurt]

Thanks for your comment on my WIP.  I see you started this 2009.  Seems like the kit has become gold-plated.

[ewetwo]

You have to love those old beetles. Nice job.

[RancheroSteve]

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.