Gluhead

Here's one I keep going back to when I'm waiting for this or that to move forward on something else. A "what if" build...what if Dodge had taken the A100 and given us a full-framed, cab/chassis-only to bridge the gap between the standard van-based pickup and the semi-tractor L700? Since it's based on the A cab rather than the L but is heavier duty...why not call it an A500? Works for me, anyway. I'll build it as though someone got hold of one of these and restored it with a little hot rod flavor for hauling around a old Dart or 'Cuda weekend racer. Should be fun. First hurdle was the frame. Not wanting to over-think it too much, I based it loosely on the design of the kits "frame" (these were unibody in 1:1). Lots of Evergreen stock later, I have this: Here's the body, hacked down to just the cab. After installing a one of the leftover bed sides as a new rear cab wall, the new cab corners were glued in well over-sized, and whittled down to match the contours. They still need a little fine tuning yet. Thanks to bill_rules for sending me a seriously glue-bombed Lil' Red Wagon from which I was able to scavenge the floor. Here it is cut down, cleaned up, and given new bits at the rear to tie it in with the cut-down cab. This shot shows why that was necessary...couldn't leave this area under the back of the cab looking unfinished. Finally, a mock-up to show the overall length of this lil' beast. Cheers, Glu

Heheh. Okay, so the perspective displacing rear window didn't go over well. That's okay, we'll move on! Rest of the interior is finished up. Hard to show it with the way this kit goes together, but I think it's all just visible enough.

Nice.

Sounds like a Murphy finish! I hate those, too. lol. But it looks like you pulled it through well. It looks great.

Too bad about the hood, but what'aya'do eh? Real nice rebuild.

Very cool.

Sweet! Moar peez!

Wasn't expecting that...interesting!

Killer, Andy.

Welcome to the hobby, Greg. That's a great kit to start out with. You may want to search the forum for tips about the windshield...it can stand a little extra attention to get it to fit better.

Very cool, Don!

Wow. That greasy gunk looks fantastic. Brings back a lot of memories. Haha

That's one sweet Vicky!

Rad.

You're probably right, Chuck. Hard to tell on the dimensions from two pics. The overall curves look right from here, then I focused on details such as the beltline(s) under the door windows, the transition area at the windshield/cowl and lower corners of the A pillars...comparing those to my '50 Ford and '41 Chevy models, the '50 wins out. But if the overall proportions are significantly off, then it's certainly more work than I let on. lol. I think I'd still start with the '50, but it's one of those "pick your battles" things...whichever works for ya.

Thanks, Rich. I guess the effect doesn't translate well in pics. Guys, look at the perspective of the view through the back window. The last two shots are what you should be seeing in the first one. I used a layer out of an lcd display from a dissected digital camera. When you look at it straight on, it's kinda mirrored. It's not 'til you move above that the inside of the cab comes into view. It may be easiest to see in the second pic, where the truck is viewed from well above but through the window it's as though you're looking straight down the nose.

Okay, either it's a really slow day, or you guys aren't seeing it.

I'd start with the '50 Ford, for sure. The cab is pretty close, at least from these perspectives. You could get the work on the front parts done with nothing more than a file and sanding stick. Can't see the back so not sure there, but I doubt it'd be much. The hood? Easy. Use the stock Ford hood for a foundation. Looks like if you smoothed off the Ford hood and sliced part of the sides off, you'd be well over halfway there. And that grill would be easy...just set up a jig to keep the spacing right. The fenders are pretty basic...I'm sure you could figure those out. Go for it!

Wait...what the...??? Let's see if these pics work to show what's going on here. lol.

BMF is the shizzle, but so are those builds even without it. Nice work.

Thanks, Dan. Yeah, new cars (new for me being anything in the last 30 years. lol) don't do much for me at all. I'd take a big ol' 60's boat over anything produced now, by far. Absolutely zero hesitation. I'm more of an Olds guy, really. My daily driver for 10 years was a 1962 Olds 98, and if I can ever get my body to cooperate again, I've got a '66 Olds 98 awaiting some attention. The 60's were great for cars...no doubt about it. Even cranking up the brightness and saturation, the pics from yesterday don't do the color justice. I managed to haul it outside for a few clicks today.

I can stand okay today so I took a couple models out into the sun and clicked off a few pics.

Thanks, all. Jon - Yep, I've got a polishing kit. I'd polished this one out when it was originally painted, but that was almost 20 years ago and they do shrink up a tad as they age. The finish is thin enough that I don't dare attempt another full polish. It'd for sure end up meaning a full repaint because of burn-throughs. It does look a little more peely in these pics than it does to the naked eye. My camera isn't all that great at fine detail, or I'd show one of the clear reflection. I can easily watch tv or read a label in the roof. Monty - Yes, it's the kit chassis with the metal axles...through the engine and all. lol. I posed the fronts in the simplest way possible; by drilling new axle holes in the wheelbacks...quite cockeyed.

Thanks, guys. Yeah, the aprons are staying black. It's grown on me. I'll be back on this one soon...the carbs for my '41 Chevy showed up so I'd like to finish that one up and check it off the list.

Thanks, guys. Much appreciated.