VW Dave

Twas a long day filled with lots of familiar names & some new faces....and lots of models. I did my best to include the builders' names in my photos, but I'm sure many of them are already familiar to folks here. Enjoy! http://public.fotki.com/VWDave/model_car_shows_/nnl-east/

I used a dollar store baby wipe cloth for this one, and shot it with Krylon 'Make It Suede' paint to represent an old canvas tarp. (note to self: need to take better pictures of this one)

Took the words right out of my mouse, Bill. 8)

I'll say it, but it will be much earlier in the day (I'm riding with Matt to NNL)

The FnF Jetta was a Mk3('93-early '99); it was the earlier one:

I agree the black over tangelo would make that wagon pop.....although somebody's earlier suggestion of yellow & white inspired me to dig up this pic:

Welcome aboard from another northeasterner, Doug; it's very good to have you here. 8)

I can't believe I missed this one.....maybe I can help. The 'Bora' is indeed the same car we call the Jetta here in the US. The Tamiya Mk4 Golf could be converted into a Jetta, but there would be a ton of work involved. To the untrained eye the two cars are pretty much identical, save for the Jetta's extended posterior.....actually, the two cars share little more than the main platform and the doors. The noses are completely different, from the headlights and grille, to the hood and fenders. Golf: Jetta(my wife's 2002): For the money, the Welly diecast isn't too bad. Minichamps did a really nice series of 1/43rd-scale diecasts, and there was even a Chinese-made 1/18th-scale one that looked pretty nice(although I haven't seen one up close). Here's one on 'the Bay:' http://cgi.ebay.com/1-18-Precious-Brand-Ne...VQQcmdZViewItem www.peoplekars.com has the Minichamps one in stock 8)

Nice work on the truck, Matt.....and it looks even better in person(tell the new camera 'no offense' for me )

Here's my only bucket....although I prefer to call it my 'V Bucket.' I shortened the frame about 6" in scale, ahead of the firewall; it came out of the box broken anyway. Here's an idea how short it really is: A Tamiya '66 Beetle gave up the basic motor, and about 6 other kits donated goodies to it as well.

I'd love to see that one, actually.....Any plans for the leftover stock parts, Bob? I've got the same kit, although I haven't started it yet. My friend in CT has an unrestored '56 Ghia that he may want a replica of, so I've put that kit on hold until I can get up close & personal with the real one. For now, it's tucked away under the Revell AG split Beetles in my storage room:

The inboard ports are 'siamesed,' so they each handle gases from two cylinders. A flathead V8 would have only three pipes, for the same reason. Here's a Lincoln V12 that is in a local guy's model A coupe:

Very well put, zeb; as an early car advert(Duesenberg, IIRC) stated: 'Ask the man who owns one.' 8) I'm with Bill.....a kit would be tremendous, but even a diecast of the 'razorback' (or 'European Corvair' ) would be great. I know of 2 Type 3 Ghias in my area, so reference material is plentiful.

zeb - There is no 'interior sheetmetal' to strip out; what you're looking at is the body unit itself, separated from the pan. The stiffener bars in the door openings were put there because that particular car was having major body structural parts replaced. The shiny metal on the underside of the rocker panels and fresh black panel under the nose are dead giveaways. The diagonal tubes just ahead of the rear wheelwells(under the rear seat area) are not structural, they just carry heat to the rocker panel channels from the engine. Doug - The Ghia you're building is not referred to as a Type 3, as it is based on the Type 1(Beetle). There was a Ghia based on the Type 3, however......the Type 3 Ghia(type 34): Like the Type 3 notchback, the Type 3 Ghia was never exported to the US by VW; any of those cars you see here today were 'gray market' vehicles.

Took the words right out of my mouse, Doug. Jake is a great guy, makes a great bunch of parts, and he's lightning fast when it comes to turnaround time.

Actually, the 411/412 were the first unibody VWs; the Ghia was on a widened Beetle floorpan. As far as 'yu could never do that to a real Ghia', 1:1 baja-style Ghias have already been done, so I say it's definitely feasible: Looking great so far, Doug. 8)

MM over Tamiya shouldn't be a problem IMO, as long as the Tamiya paint has had a day or so to gas out.....Tamiya over MM would need much longer for the enamel to cure(maybe a month or two).

Some of us don't think they ever left. :wink: Very cool job so far, Mr. Bill; I'm looking forward to seeing what you add to it.

Not the greatest pics ever, but here's the local one I saw at a show on Labor Day weekend this year; I've seen it probably 4 or 5 times since, but it's always moving too fast for pics. 8)

Feliz Navidad, amigo.(three years of Spanish classes in HS finally paid off ) And happy holidays to all.

I figure shortly after I move the rest of my unbuilt kits from my mom's house to ours....my wife will say I have enough.

I'm not sure if the display was to be permanent, but here's the one me & the missus saw at the Petersen Museum in early 2005: Anybody within reach of or planning to visit the L.A. area really needs to add the Petersen to their itinerary.

I can't wait to see this gem in person next week. Nice job, especially on the paint. 8)

If it's well-proportioned, I'm in. As odd as the Thing is, I'd love to build at least one in scale.

Shall I assume you no longer need the Torino glass from me, Charlie?