Paul Payne

Nobling, I just cut off the klunky hinges! The window surrounds are a work of art in themselves- the thinnest die cast sections I have ever seen, and the inner door skins exceed any kit I have come across. Ertl really outdid themselves on a fine tool. BTW, I guess I committed to the hemi, because I just disassembled the straight six engine and cut off the transmission! Now I just have to make everything fit! Another thing I will be doing is filling in the screw holes, and where they bulged out on the frame rails I will grind them down. After this one I don't think there will be any more comments about modifying diecasts! Checked my stash and discovered a brass strip and sheet- may try to fabricate door hinges from this. The inner and outer door pieces have recesses, so there is room between for the hinges to mount. We shall see!

More success! I was able to separate the inner door panels from the door skins! The inner door panels have a complete window surround including the vent windows!

Success! I was able to separate the windshield assembly from the cab. Also a picture of a gathering of hemi parts- we shall see which ones make it to the final assembly!

You are all probably wondering what the heck is going on when there is almost nothing about a truck? Well, the Dodge power wagon finally succumbed to disassembly- a daunting process with any plastic and die cast model. This model is extremely well detailed and I strongly recommend it to any pickup or Mopar fan. The first thing to be disassembled was the towing boom assembly from the bed. persistent gentle prying and suddenly it detached. So far only the front winch on the bumper broke off, looks like an easy fix- may remount it with a couple of scale carriage bolts through the bumper. Another step in the process is to investigate the front windshield and frame to see if they can be detached since I would love to have them open up like the real thing. Today I was able to detach the power train from the frame, then, with a lot of careful prying, the engine, transmission and exhaust popped off. The transmission was mounted to a big boss on the underside of the chassis, hence the resistance. From the beginning I have wanted to replace the 6 cylinder engine with a hemi, but retain the original transmission. I pirated the hemi from the AMT 53 Studebaker and have glued the block and transmission halves together as well as stripping chrome parts in the oven cleaner bath. Like most diecasts, the door hinges are really klunky and look like poop, but they did work well.... The hood hinge is actually very nice- a thin wire threaded through cast hinge sections. The doors themselves have what would be the actual door hinges molded in- nothing on the cab, just the doors. For years I have had a Trimaster hinge package I haven't had the courage to use- maybe I will try to create more realistic hinges with it. I plan on weathering the truck as well- found a picture on the internet I really like. I want to run vertical exhaust stacks through the running boards just behind the cab- not sure if I will have to move the spare tire or not to clear them. Oh, I also sanded the tire treads but need to knock down the shine on the rest of the tires as well.

The number of great vehicles never offered in any model form is astounding!

Love the surf boards and their graphics- nice twist with an iconic mid sixties family grocery getter.

I started a similar thread about cars that were never kitted but we wish were. Maybe combine?

About as believable as it gets- I would say clean build but somehow it just doesn't fit!

Beautiful model! Color looks like Testors garnet pearl metallic to me.

Ace-garageguy and I just completed a great trade- will trade with him anytime- helped him with parts for two projects.

I remember California Model Works advertised a belly tanker kit- tried ordering one and no one could get one for me. I do have a vacuum formed body that is warped with the ends touching and the center areas gapping. Came with what appears to be jenny aircraft wheels and tall skinny tires.

That is really creative and believable! Are you going to add a load for the bed?

Greg, don't know of a kit- bought an Ertl diecast and plastic one and am in the process of disassembling it. Very good detail, hope to do some weathering and drop in that hemi!

My wife and I have moved several times due to job changes. I suggest, if possible, to move your models yourself in your own vehicle- and don't let any movers pack or move them! I have packed as many as possible in the plastic cases I display them in, using foam rubber sheets underneath and smaller pieces surrounding the model, as well as rolled up pieces of worn out cotton sweatshirts and pants (the cotton won't scratch). Then, pack the cases (or smaller boxes), into larger boxes with extra packing if required.

Thanks for sharing!

Ran across this thread, usually don't browse the big rigs, but I'm rebuilding a die cast 1946 Dodge power wagon. Try washing your winch cable in Testors rubber, then dry brushing with steel. Testors rubber is great for grease, oil, and general crud.

The day isn't over yet.......................................................

Great old school roadster! Looks like you had fun- which is what it's all about!

Scott, I will be very much looking forward to it!

Scott, will you be posting a new thread for this in WIP? Really looking forward to seeing what you do with this one.......

great job and especially nice carbon fiber decal work- looks like a contest winner to me!

That's a great restoration- I have a metal body TC as well and the delicate chassis components don't like all that weight- I need to figure out how to reattach a broken front wheel to a broken axle as well as some other damage from household moves.

That is a beautiful build! I think we forget how tall these cars were after seeing so many hotrodded.

I have the Monogram 34 Ford and for 1/24th scale the engine seems a little small, so I would think 1/25th scale parts should look fine.

Beautiful job- love everything you have done- can't wait to see it finished!