Spex84

That reminds me...I frequently see the growing suburban sprawl surrounding Calgary (it's shocking how much it has grown in even the last 10-15 years) and think "dang, that's a lot of rooftops!" Ugly, too. People complain about the appearance of solar panels, but you can't get much worse than all those acres of offwhite stucco and grey-brown asphalt tile. Apparently Calgary gets 2396 hours of sun per year, over 333 days, making it Canada's sunniest city. If ever there was a case for rooftop solar on a mass scale in Canada, that would be the place. The sprawl can't be stuffed back in the bottle, but it could be useful for more than just housing. Politically, though, it would be like selling veggie stix to steak lovers.

Paint is undecided. I was thinking of something green-blue; there's a '65 Pontiac color that I like. Other options are a hot metallic orange-yellow or copper-orange. I don't have access to House of Kolor paints, which is too bad, they have a bunch of cool candy colors. I'll wait until the body is in primer, then start doing some tests. The gullwing door opening has been pushed back somewhat as well. I'm hoping to make the driver's seat swivel...so it would be a "slide in" operation, maybe with grip-handles on the dash, A pillar, and/or console to aid entry and egress.

This is super cool so far! I'm curious to see more of it

Thanks fellas! Now I have to see if I can actually deliver a finished model...it's a long road still! Re: planning...I did do a lot of sketching before beginning this; I also created a 3D mockup on the computer using a free 3D model of a '63 'vette. That initial plan has changed somewhat. I also didn't bother planning out hinges, driveline, frame, etc in great detail because I knew those plans would have to be flexible to accommodate problems that would inevitably pop up. I can plan to a certain degree, but then I get bored and it's time to 'wing it' and have fun. One example is moving the cabin rearward--that wasn't in the plan and it added a ton of work, but it helped the proportions in the end.

This is beautifully done! Subtle and convincing weathering...nice conversion work, too.

Time to bring this one up to date a little.... Additions: -rear fender coves to match the fronts and take some of the "fat" out. -hinged surboard-loading mechanism (still needs surfboard rack/attachment unit). -driveshaft offset: because the centerline of the new asymmetrical cockpit is actually closer to the midline of the car than stock, there were problems with leg-room and driveshaft clearance. It looks like maybe a couple of offset-boxes inspired by the ones on 4x4 rigs could do the trick. Not sure if the transmission placement is realistic...but the other option is to combine a 4-speed with a quick change rearend into a DIY transaxle similar to the Bob McKee '65 Can-Am car. -hinged gullwing door, and possible switch to early 'vette fuel injection instead of the Webers mocked up earlier.

Aw, I wish I had the opportunity to warn you! I discovered Purple eats aluminum a while ago...I think I was stripping a steering column with an aluminum adapter and it was destroyed Oh well, live and learn! The build is progressing nicely, lots of cool details to check out, so far. Your solution for drilling those angled carb stacks is very trick.

Sounds like you had fun! That's kinda the whole point Cool truck! I have one of these kits waiting to get built; at first I wasn't into the subject matter, but those 70s-style trucks have been growing on me lately, so I'm looking forward to it.

Looks mean as anything! Looking forward to seeing more!

Could you share the source of this information, Jonathan? I don't want to believe it

I took some photos of a couple Vauxhalls in a field south of my hometown a few years ago. Sadly, they've since been crushed. As Richard has mentioned, they were imported to Canada and were fairly common here at one time. They're funky little critters, but the one in your photo looks like a clean example!

Nicely done! I like the rock wall, and the Pinion Pine is quite convincing! I have fond memories of visiting the Grand Canyon, maybe someday I'll get back there.

Congrats Ace! Looking forward to seeing more of both

The rear wing-arms are brilliant. Love this thing so far! What kind of pins are you using for the suspension? They have a very flat head...I need to buy a whole whack of 'em.

Classy! I like the understated color and that Chevy roof, and the stock-style Caddy grille is a welcome addition. I agree the hood could use some massaging. Another prime example of how the Eldorod has tons of potential with a little strategic kitbashing!

Looks like fun, Steve! It's a challenge trying to make something hot-rod-like out of the bricks available. I have some of my childhood LEGO kicking around, made this little rat rod to sit on my desk:

Way cool! This thing would be an absolute blast to drive; it's an overgrown go-kart. I like the transverse Audi mill...makes me wonder if people have swapped those into VWs in 1:1.

That's a sharp little VW! I love the Thule box and mountain bike combo...I see similar rigs around here all the time (just not so customized).

Definitely deuce. Worth WAY too much money to the grey-hair crowd....so I sell it, and then buy 3 Model A coupes with the proceeds

Some of the crazy projects appearing on these pages lately have inspired me to share this one here...the general idea is to create a '60s custom-rod referencing a bunch of 1:1 1960s hot rods and customs, like the Invader, Asteroid, Manta Ray, Strip Star, Cosma Ray, and others. There will be a mild "surf" theme, but nothing super outlandish. The plan is for Indy-style independent suspension front and rear, and hopefully an opening gullwing door. This project has been creeping along for about 3 months now, so I'll post a few photos to bring things up-to-date. The victim: After pushing the cabin back, filling in the nose, bracing the body: Front fenders cut out and replaced with concave sections of sails from a model sailing ship: Hood roughed in, passenger-side A-pillar removed in anticipation of creating a partial wrap-around window, custom taillight made from Edsel grille and CD jewel case plastic: There are a few more details not shown here (ie, chromed headers will exit from the fender cove), but that pretty much covers it so far!

I can't believe how many awesome projects you have running. The electric 'vette looks relatively close to being finished, no? Very creative ideas there; I like the transverse-mounted motor and IFS setup. The Indy-powered Ranchero is so wrong, and so perfect, I love it. The PT cruiser, while much-maligned in its production form, has a ton of promise as a subject for customizing...and your version is looking very cool so far. It strongly reminds me of the PT's original concept vehicle, the Pronto. That thing was so friggin' rad.

Awesome weathering! Love the rust effects, paint fade, and stake bed. I'd also love to know more about the hay bales. ....I keep wanting to believe this truck is the real thing and could drive off at any moment! Well done.

I'm not a fan of the new Chevy's design at all. *edit* that said, I still like it MUCH more than the 2018-19 trucks. So...I'm OK with this! The proportions are pretty lazy on the rear fenders, though...they should really be extended vertically to bring the step level with the bottom of the cab. Why the heck not. It's not any dumber than 99% of what people are doing with their trucks and cars these days, from mall-crawler Jeeps to lifted bro-dozers, to sticking fake eyelashes on headlights, to buying buying bloated luxury SUVs that are pure caricature. For all the "useless size bed" comments: you thought new pickup trucks were actually being used for work? Lololol! Let 'em have their fun, I say. Might as well go all the way....2018 Ram Warlock, perhaps?

Sweet! Love it so far! Great idea starting with the Foose body, which has already had some important modifications made, like the front wheel arch re-location. The paint is punchy and the scallops look period-perfect. I was planning to build a truck a lot like this, but got hung up early in the bodywork stage. It was going to be inspired by the truck below; then the project veered off the rails into the '70s, and the canted quads/Chrysler grille didn't quite look right any more. Final styling direction TBD! In the meantime, I'll enjoy your build instead!!

InSANE!! I recognize the Infini-T. Normally I don't go for show rods, but that project has been in my inspiration folder for quite a while now! The Indy corvette and twin-engine projects are great inspiration for something I'm working on right now--A pinched '63 vette with independent suspension and some serious bodywork. Beautiful work!