oldcarfan

While researching my Mercedes Sprinter rally van, I came across this van. Now I want to build something like it too. Any suggestions for this type of grill to go with the AMT Chevy van as I've got a couple of that kit. Were the vans the same except for the grill?

If I were more detail oriented right now, I'd rehinge the front and back doors as they are done diecast style rather than prototypically correct. However I meant this to be a relatively simple build so I'm happy to ignore that issue. I originally looked at an 3D printed kit, but the price was not in my range. I came across these toys by accident and decided to take a chance and am happy with what they are. I may buy another someday and do a camper van of some sort, or use just the cab and do a Class C Motorhome. Here's a shot of a Cab and Chassis setup.

In looking at the pictures on screen, I see some rough parts and some sink marks I missed but I don't want to start over. I'll finish polishing the paint this weekend.

I always like to create a backstory for my builds and this is no exception. I decided this would be the tow van for a small racing and car restoration team. I've also started a trailer for the team. Now back to the project. The original plan was to use Tamiya Camel Yellow, but I don't have enough. I did have Krylon's Sunrise Yellow and Citrus Green though. Plus, both are the old school quick drying type of Krylon. I went with the Citrus Green over white primer and wow! It's more yellow than green, and is close to the safety yellow of a worker's vest. It's also slightly transparent so it works best over white primer. Since the Citrus Green doesn't cover well, I used Duplicolor white primer over the pink Tamiya the other night. The next day I put in the sun to dry. This morning we were supposed to have light showers and clouds, but they held off and it was hot and sunny. I got impatient and made a rookie mistake. I shot the paint forgetting to fine sand the Duplicolor primer. That 'Sandable' in the name is more than just suggestion! Anyway I rushed the paint, put it back in the sun, and it was dry to the touch within three hours, right before the rain. That's when I noticed the paint was a bit lumpy due to the primer. After cooking in the sun I took a chance and broke out the Micro Mesh sanding pads. It's not perfect, but it'll do. Before taking these pictures, I masked the plastic side trim and reshot it in Duplicolor Hot Rod Primer because there was some overspray. The Hot Rod Primer is a dark gray. I like using this primer on plastic trim and on resin tires as it looks like rubber that's been used a bit. Anyway, this is today's progress, hope you like it.

Thanks, for the idea, I'll try ordering it directly. I do masking and painting in some cases, but I still like the look of BMF for some things.

I came across a few of these a while back and started planning a similar project. I did find that the body is a little shallow for a 1/24th engines to fit cleanly. I think a 1/25th flathead or similar should work nicely if that helps. If I ever remember where I put them, I want to put two together to make a longer version. I also found some 1 inch tall r/c aircraft wheels that looked about right. Can't remember the brand, but they were at Hobbytown and had machined aluminum centers.

Not sure, but I think it came out in 1996. I love rally cars!

Since Wild Bill's Hobby in Arlington Texas got bought out by Hobby Town some of the local Dallas/Fort Worth HT branches have started carrying some old stock kits. It this only a local thing? While in town today, I went to one in Hurst that I haven't visited before and came across this kit. It's something I've low-key been wanting for a while and for the price I couldn't say no. They also had some of the Doyusha Nostalgia Series kits that now I wish I'd gotten. They had the 73 Toyota Corona, a Mazda, and a 70 Honda 1300 99S.

Made a day trip to Dallas/Fort Worth today and saw a surprising number of Teslas.

I would so love to have one of those!

I need to get a new sheet of the black BMF, I know it has limitations, but I don't know of any better options.

I'm making small progress on the van. Last night I primed it in Duplicolor white sandable and this morning the primer felt a little soft still. No problem, our high today was 97, with bright sun and low humidity. A couple hours in nature's dehydrator and the primer was good and cooked. This afternoon with the primer dry I went ahead and did the gray side trim and started thinking of paint. I'm leaning towards a Marlboro scheme or something like the yellow van as I like yellow.

Sadly no, the underside is basically a curbside with a vaguely done drive train. One could probably built up, but I'm just happy to have an accurate curbside to do! lol I'm doing this one as a combination travel/rally van. I'm thinking of getting another to do a camper van. Now if only someone would do a current body-style Ford Transit and Transit Connect.

These last few years my tastes have changed, and I've pretty much gotten those kits I still want. During COVID I was down with it three times and so spent a lot of time in bed or on the couch. That was good for my eBay hunting but bad for my wallet. The one thing I've wanted more than anything else is the Otaki Lamborghini Cheetah. Every one I found went for way more than I could afford. On the bright side I got a really good deal on two Otaki 1/24th Porsche 911s. The other thing I'm still searching for is a decent 1/24th Lamborghini LM002. I had a 1/24th toy diecast that had an accurate body, and I'd planned to build it up, but I misplaced it somehow.

Great, another kit to tempt me!

Looks like a fun project!

That's a cool project! Looking forward to seeing it when it's done.

I got a little more done today starting with gluing the cab to the rest of the body and filling the seam. In case anyone wants to build one of these, the body is made up of a cab and the rest of the body. That way they can also sell a cab and chassis toy for wreckers and stuff. The seam is right where the front of the sliding doors starts. I scribed the doors on both sides and it would have been easier if I didn't have to scribe through the putty. I started with Duplicolor gray sandable primer because it make it easier to see flaws and got the body about where it needs to be. Was planning to use Tamiya fine gray primer to finish up but both my cans were empty. That's what I get for putting them back on the shelf instead of throwing them away. Since the closest hobby shop is 2 hours away, I ran to Hobby Lobby to get a can of Mr. Surfacer. Guess what the only paint they were out of was? Luckily I came across a can of Tamiya pink primer on the shelf I forgot about. I love the smooth finish of the Tamiya products. As for the body, here's what it currently looks like. The scribed lines are a little ragged but straight. The opening doors on the rear don't quite close all the way. I tried heating and bending them but this is ABS plastic and it doesn't seem to respond to hot water. I'll figure something out. In the meantime I've been checking out paint schemes. I love the Rothmans and Marlboro liveries so maybe I can do something similar but with different colors? Another possibility is something like the late Ken Block's service vans. If you want to go down a van rabbit hole try googling 'Rally team vans' or 'Dakar Rally support trucks' for some cool, different stuff. I didn't know that some European teams used GMC or Chevy vans for their support trucks. I may have to dig one of those AMT vans out of storage and give it a try. Wonder if any one makes the later style front grill?

Seeing really cool concepts and excellent work. Can't wait for the finale!

It's been a long time but I saw a supposedly original paint Cuda in Plum Crazy and it was metallic. This is a cut and paste off Google: Original Plum Crazy paint, introduced for the 1970 model year, was a metallic paint. It's a vibrant purple with a metallic flake that gives it a distinct sparkle. The color was available on Dodge and Plymouth (where it was called "In Violet") muscle cars of that era.

I'll be on the lookout for this!

I'm surprised some company hasn't repackaged a two part putty into smaller containers for hobby use. It would sure be nice!

I was at the auto parts store buying a can of sandable primer and the guy asked if I used a sealer between the primer and the paint. I haven't but now I'm wondering if I should. I normally use Duplicolor sandable primer under any type of paint with no issues, so what does the sealer do? It says it gives an improved gloss. Any thoughts?

My wife has been on me to purge my phone of some of the 2000+ unused screen shot pictures I've saved. While clearing some out it made me wonder if I'm the only one who does this. As for the subjects I actually went so far as to buy a Fast and Furious Gladiator to do the camper and I have a Tamiya Grand Cherokee waiting to someday be made into this offroader. I really love the Mayflower van because it looks like one of the transporters Ferrari used to use in the 50s. If you're in the mood, play along and post up some inspiration pictures you've saved.

With the heat, I've lost my ambition to build. However, sitting on the couch in the house with the A/C is not doing my ADHD any favors. Plus my wife is binge watching Friends, first to last episode. She has a few left so I escaped to the shop. It's not too bad if you start the A/C early and minimize opening the door. I did some of what my dad would have called piddling around. No real plan, just seeing where my boredom would lead. I really need to clean and organize my work spaces, but that involves moving around in the heat so maybe later. What I did instead was start on the MB Sprinter van that I ordered a while back. It's a 1/24th toy from Tigres in the Ukraine. https://www.amazon.com/Tigres-Mercedes-Benz-Sprinter-Ambulance-Stand/dp/B0CCW1YD48 I got mine through Walmart online and it was cheaper than the Amazon price. For a toy, the body works out close to scale, and is decently detailed except the side sliding doors are not depicted. The interior and chassis are not detailed, but I'm just happy someone makes a modern day van and for the price it's a good option. The body is thick ABS plastic, and the markings are all paper stickers which come off pretty easily. As you can see the body is in two parts and that's because Tigres does cab and chassis versions too. Everything is assembled with screws so I took it apart and this is what body looks like. Notice the body is close to an 1/8th inch thick, built sturdy for play, probably. The front and rear doors are hinged much like a diecast. I cut the back out of the cab to open it up more like a real van, then glued the two body parts together this afternoon and puttied the seam. Tomorrow I'll start some body work and see how it goes. Just a note, the plastic is tough. I can't imagine trying to open the back of the cab up without a Dremel. It took two batteries to get it done. I want to add the side door lines, but that's gonna take some serious scribing work! I'm actually feeling a little excited about this thing. Below are a couple of 1:1 vans I'm using for inspiration. I think I'll go for a rally tow van style thing with a roof rack and bumper guard like the second picture. I'll probably keep the curbside chassis and add some detail inside. I may order a Heller car trailer to go with it. That's all for the moment, I'll try to stay on task and update as I go. Sorry for the picture sizes. Still haven't gotten the hang of that!