kennb

How did you make the taillights? I made the tail lights from pale yellow and red clear plastic coffee markers I got at the local quickie mart. The clear white was cut from a shower clip ring. The base was cut to shape and sprayed with chrome, then the different colors were shaped with needle files, polished with 600 grit W/D, and then toothepaste, and glued to the base. (it takes less time than you would think) The front side marker lights are from a lighter. The springs from the lighter were used on the front shocks. Further details,,,the rear window is from a soda bottle and the front is from a donut box, as are the rear side vent windows. I would suggest that for windows you use the clear donut container, (any light plastic works just as well) the soda bottles are a little to thick and since they are heavy thermal setting plastic they tend to hold their shape more. I use needle files, exacto knife, needle nose pliers, metal edge wood ruler, and sandpaper for my toolbox. Kennb

This is a final installment on this build. A fitting end to an enjoyable project. I took it ti a model car show this last weekend (my first one at that) and came home with the top prize and first place int he show. I am posting the final photos of the finished project also. Kennb

Just update and some added photos. I took the finished car to the first model car show I have ever entered. I picked up best in show and first prize of a great model. I also put together a magazine that is a photo essy on the entire construction of this car. Since the model car show was in conjunction to a car show I had a lot of people looking at it from there I managed to pick up a commision to model a 1951 Chrysler Saratoga. link to the magazine: http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/227067 Kennb

This week has been spent working on the interior tub, frame, and massaging the body. I finally have the front fenders close to what I want. The rear fenders still do not look the way I want so I guess I will have to add some material to get them the way I want them to look. The interior is compltely different from the inspiration car but I want to get the classic art deco dash with the curves. I am still not settled on the seats but playing with a few ideas. I have not covered all the work done but giving overveiw of the progress. Changes are made along the way and parts are ripped out and changed. As in the case of the front fenders, several ideas have been tryed and tossed into the trash. I may change them again I am not sure. I am looking at how I want the front grill to work and it is going to be a challange since it has no straight parts, but rather all curves in all directions. The grill I have is nice but does not work for me. Thank you for looking and the comments. This one came out bad but it does give hint of what is happening. More will be posted when it is more complete. I have dropped the body down more over the frame. additional images are available here (46 so far) http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/shutter-bug/bmgatti/ Kenn B

I guess it is about time I start the frame for this. I worked this up from the plans I have, skimpy at best, and added some things to dress it up a bit. I decided I will use operable steering on it. I am hoping that others will find some ideas on construction that they can use, or even enticing some others to try their hand at a project that is all scratch built. It can be a challange but taking your time and breaking it down to components it is not out of the realm of possibilities for the average modeler, it just takes a lot more time. I generally work in one hour segments roughly, and walk away for a while and get back to it. If a part is giving me a problem I will go to a different area to work. The front fenders have given me a lot of problems in getting them to work right and getting both sides to match. The first one went very nicly but the second has been nothing but trouble. Some times you just have to keep doing one part over a few times to get it the way you want it. It all boils down to creating a feel and look of the car. I added the front body mounts but since the photo I have moved the up some to get the body lower. Overall I think it is a reasonable representation for the frame. I still have the motor mounts to do but will get them afer the front fenders are completed. KennB Thank you for looking and for all the comments. I am basing the model on a specific car but making changes to fit a look that I am trying to acheive so some details will be omited, changed, or left off entirely. As with the concept of scratch building I am trying to make all the components and not use commercial shapes other than flat sheet stock and tubes. The seam down the middle of the body has been turned into a chrome spear that will go over the top of the body. This will match similar ones on the front fenders.

I have the front fenders roughed out and the grill. I have also started the V16 block. I have the trim on the body pinned now and the windshield is fitted to the body. Now I can chrome the frame and glue it inplace after the paintwork is done. This will get the seperation perfect. I have also started to detail out the firewall. Thank you for looking and commenting. Kenn B

I have been fighting with the front fenders to get them right. After about 4 trys I think I have gotten the look I am wanting. I also started working up some chrome trim ideas and the front window trim that will be chrome. There are some spears on top of the front fenders and up he windshield across the top and down the back ending in a matching spear. There is also a latch in the back spear that opens the tire hatch. The spears will be attached after the paint with pins that will be mounted on the back of the chrome. This will permit a cleaner look that more resembles the real way of doing things. Right now I am thinking black and red for the colors with the chrome trim. front fender parts, some have been trashed and redone since the photo was taken. Thanks for al the comments Kenn B

I have the basic body roughed out. It is getting close to the look I am after. I do make changes as I go and design on the fly. I will be working on the grill section and hood today. I am planning on useing a V16 in it and will need the longer hood for that. The firewall is still up in the air a bit but it will work itself out. Adjustments are made along the as the shape forms itself as I progess. The final is not going to be a faithfull reproduction but rather something that I like the feel of and look that reflects the design stradigies of the time period for the exotics. there are additional photos here: http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/shutter-bug/bmgatti/ Thank you for looking and commenting. Kenn B

It is more fun this way

I have started new project that will have parts from 37 Bugatti and 38 BMW. A few photos posted. It will also be scratch built using .40 styrene and no commercial parts.Comments are always welcome. Kenn B

I started it on the 29th of May this year.

yes it would but all I had was gel youa re right.

This is my first plastic scratch build. I used all .40 styrene and no commercial parts. The finish is rattle can rubbed out with gel toothpaste and pledge. Full picture file can be seen here, there are over 100 photos. I started this 45 days ago and have about 40 hours in it. http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/shutter-bug/2nd%20set/ Kenn B comments welcome

I have been making a little progress this week. I have the interior taken care of and am working on the windows. Still have to add the front and some side glass. This is how it looks today. The rear taillights need to be made yet also. Comments are welcome KennB

The final color coat is on the main body. I still need the final sand and clear coat. I will let is set up a few days before I do that. I have to get the chassis painted, then engine detailed and painted and the tires finished. The posted photo will give some tease to the final body finish. I tryed to get 2 places that would show the finish the best. KennB

The interior is progressing. I have the front seat done and door panels. I think the steering wheel is good now since I started that over. I also did some wet sanding. The only trouble spot was on the left rear roof which I have not been pleased with from the start. This is becasue when I put the roof on it was in 2 pieces instead of 1, which is should have been. I have it straighted out now. It still need some more sanding in some of the tight spots and corners but it is almost there. Some people may have suggested that it was too early for the first color coat, but have faith, it will be all right. When I started this project I had no clue as to how I was going to build this and just started cutting sheet plastic and bending it. Each day is a series of trial and error in the details, and methods of building. There have been some misteps and tearing parts out and replaceing parts as I went along. This has been a learning process for me using skills that I have gained over the years of building models and real customs cars.I will say that the whole thig has gone better than I had hoped. I am going to hold off for a about a week or two on this so that I can get some special papers, some paint, and more glue. It amazes me how much glue is used in one of these. I bought 1 bottle thinking I would use about half of it. Two bottles later I am still short. There are additional photos on photobucket that I did not post if anyone wants to see more. http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p100/shutter-bug/2nd%20set/ KennB

Have the colorcoat on. Rattle can black. I have not sanded or polished yet, still tacky. I have to wet sand and they put on final coat and clear coat. I will let this set up for about 3 or 4 days before I do any more on the paint. I have spent some additional time detailing more on the frame and the interior. More on that with the next post. KennB

I am researching for a new project and need some closeup pictures of the information stickers, identifications stickers and tags that are located on the radiator support, fender wells, air cleaner, door jambs, visors, or any other locations. I would like them sharp and clear so I can use them on the model. If someone has a window sales sticker that I could get a small copy of for the model that would be great. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Ford truck 1980 to 1986. 1983 would be optimal. KennB

sent PM

I have no new photos of this one tonight. Thought I would show a Russian Ford truck that I started some time ago but dont have done yet. Oh,,,did I mention,,,this is all paper. Kenn

Posting some additional photos along with the drawings that I used to build this.There are some small added details and minor sanding some areas. One final primer coat to go and color coat. Kenn