Steven2

Very cool, it's definitely got "the look".

Great work! Far better than my first model.

Thanks everybody. Too late for new wheels, they're glued on!

Thank you everyone! You may be right about the bed but it's too late to change now, decals and half of the paint are on. I'm glad you like the flip nose, it's one of my favorite features and I'm amazed I got it to work as well as it does. Of couse I haven't painted it yet so there's still plenty of time for me to blow it. I think it came to about 1/8" on each. I lost track because I went back after the first cut and cut some more.

Thank you for the encouragement everyone. This has been a true learning experience.

I like the way the brakes look. I've done some vacuforming along the way. This is a new section for the firewall. (I had a serious miscalculation when locating the engine) There's also the back of the bed,tonneau cover, wheel wells for the bed and some minor parts. My first attempt at cutting out doors. (Likely my last too, LOL) I chose to stretch the top rather than lean it to compensate for the chop. I filled in and recut the dash for this nifty PE instrument panel. Mocked up again, I can't believe I finally got that flip nose to work. (for the moment, at least)

I was looking at Darren B's incredible '41 build here and decided to post my own effort with the same kit. I had intended to build this as a curbside, nearly OOB, mild custom but I started gettin' ideers and wound up with a model that's occupied my last 3 months and looks to take one more. I tried to make my mods "technically realistic" but with my meager mechanical knowledge I'm in a bit over my head. Every time I solved one problem 2 more would pop up. Anyway, here goes: The first thing I knew I wanted to do was to section and chop the body. This was probably the easiest part. The hood vents got smootherized, more would come later. The chassis got some smootherizing too, as well as zeed. Here's an early mock up. I decided to make it a flip nose but had a problem. If I removed the entire fender there would be a backdraft with the cab, not allowing it to open and I've never liked the break line running across the outside of the fender like some set-ups. This was my solution. Finally something to show. I used a parts pack caddy engine, just because it looked nice but I gave in a little to reality and put a double pumper on top rather than a city of Strombergs. It'll get an air cleaner later. I cut down (narrowed) Pegasus tires and wheels. The wheels and brakes are stripped of their plating and repainted. I also scratchbuilt the exhaust system and clamps. I changed the front suspension to coil springs with a fair amount of scratchbuilding and installed a Camaro rear because it was lower profile and I had an extra one around.

Wow! I'm new to the forum and I just came across this build. I'm loving every minute (or pic) of it. This is gonna be an epic show stopper. I've got a '41 Chevy pickup underway too and I'll have to post some pics, although it's gonna seem awfully boring now.

Good call to leave them as are. I know I would never get them to look sharper then they are now.

Great lookin' wagon! I really like the color combo. I picked up a couple of these from Big Lots a while back for $5. Who says there ain't no bargains out there anymore?

Nice work, learning to do something new is one of my favorite parts of the hobby. (right up there with sniffin' glue)

Great job, it's amazing how far the wheels go to toughen up the looks.

Wow! That's one of the sleekest 'vettes I've ever seen.

Thank you Brian and Doc. Doc, I loved the book!

Thank you for the kind words everyone. Looks like there's no shortage of nice builds here though. Thank you Randall, here are a couple more.

I believe it's some sort of lacquer and pretty potent. It can attack bare plastic so definitely prime. I always decant it with a straw. I've used several clears over it and they all worked. (duplicolor, testors gloss enamel, testors CLS gloss, 2 part urethane and even future on some small parts) As you say, there's a great choice of colors and one can will probably be enough for 3 or more cars if you decant.

Thank you for the kind words everyone! This looks like a really high traffic forum and tough to keep up with. There's certainly enough eye candy and great info here to keep anyone busy. Thank you James, the car with the Skeleton is the Lil' Coffin. The Coachman figure came from Eldritch Designs. He's one of the best sculpted and cast figures I've ever seen. (of course for the $125 dollar price tag he should be good) He's pretty big, probably about 8 1/2" tall, not counting the whip. Unfortunately, Eldritch Designs seems to be OOB for now. William Basso, the sculptor talks like some of the figs may be available again at some point.

I just wanted to introduce myself as I see new members on most forums do. I hope this is the right place. I'm Steven and I've been building models off and on since I was a kid. These days I split my modeling time between cars and large scale (1/8, 1/6) figures, mainly anime but also horror and fantasy. I occaisionally throw something else into the mix. As cars go I mainly like to build customs, hot rods and factory stock cars of the 50's and early 60's. Here are some of my builds. Phantom Rambler pickup conversion in original AMC colors 1960 Starliner, one of AMT's nicest kits This Doosey hearse w/ zombie driver was my first major conversion A tough kit but I love this car Had to chop up two Camaros and an Elky to make this Roy Rogers '63 Bonneville (customized by Nudie Kohn) I saw this car when Roy was still driving it years ago. Hank Jr. has a '64 Nudie did which is often confused with this car. Nudie did several cars, mostly Bonnevilles, in this style. I scratchbuilt the guns and other details, except for the horses. Phantom '41 Sportsman, converted from a wagon w/ vacuforming and styrene strip. The trailer is scratchbuilt. 1960 Elky, resin conversion I just finished Dr. Cranky's excellent book so I'm posting this so if he sees it he'll know I don't always do shiny. The book was a great inspiration and I'm looking to come around to the rusty side for a spell. Sometimes I build 2-wheelers or 8 and sometimes I build boats Other times I just build the driver