VW Dave

As a fan of weathering models, I had to get a closer look....and I like what I see. Nice job!!

IMO stripping and re-shooting should be the absolute last resort. After shooting the base Tamiya white on my Geek Squad nubie and leaving it alone for a few months, I masked it with regular Scotch tape to shoot the black....the tape must have been old, and it left sticky-ickies all over the white. I used Goo Gone and then wet sanded it in soapy water before clearing the whole body, and it all worked out fine.

I forgot about the PL Herbie...Bob's right, that one has pretty decent wheels. If I don't have a spare set of Gunze wheels, I certainly have a set of those I wouldn't miss. I'm sure I also have a set of the Revell '68-72 taillights if you need them. You have a PM, Mike.

Totally off the wall and cool; I like it a bunch. Andy.....please keep me in mind if you ever feel the need to let that other Avenger kit go. I have a buddy with a 1:1 Avenger who would love to have his car done up in scale. I also forwarded this thread along to him, as he's a long-time gasser fan.

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).

Nice work, Mike; if you hadn't told us about making the bumpers, they would surely pass for kit parts. ..........is that little bunny agate brown, by any chance? My mom's second VW was a '77 Rabbit in that color.

I'm just hoping that they reissue it as a '70 convert at some point; my oldest brother has a '70 4-4-2 droptop that he's owned since about 1983, and I'd love to do it in scale for him.

Great work on the Kombi and the backdating, Mike; the palm green/sand green is a very popular combo among the Type 2 guys I know, and you are doing it up nicely. If you can find them, the Gunze-Sangyo oval Beetle or Ghia have nice wheels and tires that are more correct for your needs. I'll check my stash and see if I have a full set to spare. Since you're planning a respray anyway, I noticed a couple of details that could help the backdate job: The pronounced 'lip' on the rear fender and side cargo door handle recess need to go, as they weren't added until '58. The upper cargo door hinges are also higher on a pre-'58 model as well, as seen on this PG/SG '55: I built a replica of a guy's '58 double-door panel a few years back, and he 'schooled' me on those little details I overlooked. I've since augmented my reference library, and I'm making sure my barndoors are done right.

As it seems to have the 'fish eye' or 'fried egg' front turn signals(like on this modified 21-window), I'd narrow the model's age down to '62-63. Another option for better-looking wheels for the Hasegawa/Revell kits would be the Gunze-Sangyo '56 Beetle or '63 Ghia. I used them on this Tamiya kit to help backdate it from a '66 to a '65:

On my '56 Beetle roof rack I used 5-minute epoxy, applied sparingly with a small disposable brush: The wax paper is under it to handle any errant drips; epoxy doesn't stick to it, and peels right off after it sets up.

If you re-read my post, you'll see that I suggested brass or aluminum rod rather than tubing. The aluminum armature wire I use for exhaust is surprisingly light, but there is indeed more weight than styrene. I was just offering EmoKid another option, that's all.

I couldn't make out part numbers in the pics........where are these parts?

For any of this kit's possible shortcomings, I am impressed that they included the underbelly 'splash pans.' All of the 1:1 sunroof-equipped Type 2's had them, and no kit until now has had them....cool IMO.

I like those guards, Abe; that looks like a tough truck, even unfinished. Brass or aluminum rod can also be used for the same purpose, and it can be shaped without heat.

In theory, yes....but the new Chargers have too many doors.

Take it down a notch; although wrong, I'm sure he was trying to help. I know of the wheels you need, made in the mid 80's by ET; I seem to recall they were referred to as the 'Kelstar.' I had a set on an MPC '84 Mustang back then, but I'm not sure if I still have them. I understand your reluctance to purchase a whole kit for the wheels, but there may come a time when you will do just that to get what you need.....I got 2 of the "Hogan's Heroes" WWII Jeep kits for just the steering wheels....you can use the remains of the kit as trade fodder right here on the board. Hopefully you and your trading partner get it all worked out. I've had nothing but excellent dealings with many folks here.

Count me in as another fan of the color; I'm looking forward to more updates on this one for sure!

I'm another who is not limited by scale; I go by the subject matter. My car builds are primarily 1/24-1/25, but doing some LGB 'G' gauge(1/22.5) buildings and such on my buddy's model RR layout...luckily. I've also dabbled with a few HO-scale builds, and I modify the occasional Hotwheels car as well. I used to collect 1/18 diecasts, but they take up a lot of room; I buy a lot less pre-builts nowadays, and 1/43 is a good one for collecting IMO. I'm going way out of my 'comfort zone' on this one scale-wise: I'm currently laying out plans for a 1/3-1/2.5 scale Kübelwagen go kart.

Nice job! White and blue is the classic Shelby Mustang color combo, and I've been a fan of the new ones ever since my neighbors got their '07 GT500 convertible. One minor nit-pick and a question about the build: *You should try to tuck the tires into the fenders a little more *That white is really-really white - what paint did you use for it?

Peter, your builds never cease to amaze; I'm looking forward to more updates here on the board, and also the chance to see it in person at the NNL East....finished or not, and you have got to bring the wood buck along too.

I could be easily talked into a couple of those as well. please keep us posted.

LOL. Reminds me of the old song: "my Suzuki is really sturdy, as long as I don't go over 30." Seriously, Jeepster25 - Great job on that Zuki, and the personalized touches/scratchbuilt bits make it very special indeed.

You sold it? I hope you took more pics first...I'm known to be a sucker for weathered wing cars:

I like it so far, but I think you need to show us more pictures of this gem.

No stripes, scoops or dual exhausts....capless Rally wheels....six cylinders...me likey.