Chirps

Those are awesome. Very tiny and fiddly too I bet.

Killer stance on those trucks! Outstanding builds.

Looks great! Nothing better than a parts box build to get the creative juices flowing.

Looks awesome. We’ve all had ones that go like that. It’s how you approach the issues that ultimately brings about the satisfaction in a job well done.

I remember building this one as a kid and figured I’d give it another go as an adult with the repop. I was surprised by the lack of detail out of box, so I decided to add shocks, a brake booster, heater box, wiring, different tires and wheels, a winch, bumper, etc. This one doesn’t even come with a molded windshield, just a square of acetate that has to be cut to fit. As usual, things get out of hand, and here’s where I wound up. It was a fun project!

Love the work on this. Huge van fan here also. What did you use to make such precise cuts for those shamrocks?

Absolutely stunning work. Your level of detail is amazing.

Awesome color choices. I remember these were everywhere at one time.

The imagination on here has no boundaries! This is fantastic.

Very cool build!

Outstanding build and super-realistic weathering. Well done!

Outstanding - love every bit of it!

Thank you so much for your comments! As is always the case, it seemed like it would be easy at the outset, but once I got into it, there was quite a bit of modification needed. Nothing is ever simple!! I know that MPC/Amt? made a 4x4 version of this van back in the 80's but they're rare and prohibitively expensive.

Thanks for the comment. I didn’t know either until they showed up as “suggested for you” on Amazon. It certainly helped move the build along.

Thanks for the comment! This one had been rattling around in my head for a while and it was just time to get it done. I had the original (mpc?) 4x4 version of this van as a kid but they are as rare as hen's teeth now and stratospherically expensive. One would think the conversion would be easy, but the pickups seem to be much narrower for some reason. Good luck with yours and I look forward to seeing it when it's done!

Thanks for the comment - it's much appreciated! I highly recommend Fireball for the tires. Much better than 99% of the kit tires out there.

Thank you so much for your kind words Michael! Your LR is amazing! That's the kind of work I aspire to do. Your weathering is spot on and the rack contents are outstanding. It looks like it's ready for whatever journey throws at it!

Wow!! Incredible weathering work and a fully equipped rack. It looks like it's ready for whatever the journey throws at it!

Thank you Bill! I have lots of ideas, just limited time and skill; hopefully I'll knock out a couple this winter.

Thanks for the comment! I'm a slow builder, but there's a few different things in the works!

Thank you for the comments - your builds are quite impressive!! I'm actually working on the 1955 ford panel now and contemplating whether to do it as a 4x4 or a slammed truck. Decisions, decisions!

Thanks for the comments! Highly appreciated...

Thanks for the comment! I wish I could say that I scratch built the rack and the cargo, but I didn’t. The only scratch built item on the roof rack is the tarp, which is made out of Kleenex soaked in Elmer’s glue and then folded into shape and painted. The rack and accessories are actually 1/24 radio control rock crawler accessories which can be found on Amazon using some key words, “1/24 RC luggage” and “1/24 RC crawler accessories.” You will be amazed at what is out there. With some painting, weathering, and clever hiding of the fasteners, you’d be amazed at how convincing these parts can be. Feel free to ask any other questions, I’ll help however I can although this was all new to me!

Sorry, just getting used to posting, see response below.

I really appreciate it! Was on a long hiatus from the hobby and just back during Covid. Loving every minute of it!