DRIPTROIT 71 Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Very nice engineering and fabrication! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gilkeson Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 great build and imagination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fractalign Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Wow ! This is very impressive, unusual but logical at the same time. I am wondering if at some point someone took one of these original 1:1 buses and did this conversion for a car transporter. I am looking forward to seeing this one finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted November 15, 2015 Author Share Posted November 15, 2015 Thank you guys again!@Robert; I don't think so, Google didn't come up with anything. I know we do convert regular busses in transporters, but only for one car. One week further and I was able to get some steps done, but the big steps that I could take before have been minimised to small detailwork. I worked on windowframes on the divider, to give it a bit more depth And added crossmembers for the ramps Than started a long and tidious project, getting the ramps to hinge. I used a fairly simple, but effective system in making my own hinges out of copper tubes The top ramp has the same system, but over the whole length The divider, the door opening got the same treatment too. I wanted to make a compartiment for the hydraulic jacks that are needed for the ramps, because I want it to look a bit crude, but that's for later. I found quickly that this compartment is too small, or at least not deep enough So I got it out again This is something that I will be doing for quite some time through the project; filling! The drivers side divider got changed too, since I want the driver to get into the workshop, I opened a hole And gave it some steps. Some more work on hinging, this is for the rear-ramp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted November 15, 2015 Author Share Posted November 15, 2015 The bus side of the rear ramp, which will get a mesh insert, so people can step on it. The whole ramp, hinged closed And hinged in rest position Some strengthening for the hinges. I use a long rod, that way I know everything will line up later on. And the whole ramp, completely open. Should be adequate haha And in closed position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgeback Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Excellent work. Really looking forward to this build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominik Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 wow...like your work! very impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgeback Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 I've been scouring the Web, to see if there were any Routemaster conversions for race cars, but zilch, so this is going to be unique. As you know, there were quite a few coaches converted for stockcars etc, but this one is going to be the nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Awesome build thus far! Lots of forethought and planning and good building technique. I really like it. Be Well Gator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesla Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 You certainly have the creative juices flowing on this project! Awesome work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted December 27, 2015 Author Share Posted December 27, 2015 Thank you guys! After being quite sick and after that being rather busy with work and the holidays, I finally got to another update. Due to being busy, the progress has been little, but there was some stuff done. Let me run you trough it. I worked firstly a bit more on the ramps, they are basically ready to be painted, but since I want to give weathering somewhat a try, so I added a few pieces of BMF under the paint, allowing me to give somewhat a more realistic paint chip off at the ramps The drivers compartment is painted and partly put together, being able to still weather it before final assembly The undercarriage is somewhat dissappointing with detail, it could have more parts to give it more oompf, I tried with paint to pick up on some detail. A box full of painted parts The mainfloor is painted in a nice flashy color, I wanted to go a bit different haha The engine is painted in different shades of Alclad Because the floorpan is quite warped, I need a few clamps to get everything a bit straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted December 27, 2015 Author Share Posted December 27, 2015 I installed the engine inside the bus And the other floorpan was warped too, so needed to clamp that as well I hope it is visible, but I added paintsplatters to the floor, to create a bit of garagefeeling to it (not sure that even existed then) I keep fitting throughout the build, just to make sure, since there is so much adjusted. Because the drivers seat is not mounted to its backwall no more and is visible from the back, I closed it on the back The drivers cabin a little further And the first glimps on the exterior colors! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesla Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 It's good to see you back on this project. The Alclad treatment on the engine looks very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled modeler Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I really dig this..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted December 27, 2015 Author Share Posted December 27, 2015 I've never been off the project, I just didn't had much time to work on it. I believe there has not been a project that I've been so commited too for such a long period. The lower ramp is not fixed in the bus and the wheels are mounted, it is starting to give the transporter shape And by now I reached a dilemma, I added the front part on it again and the top floor, even though I had in mind to make a fully closed of car transporter, I kinda like the looks of the transporter with no roof. What do you guys think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gino Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I think this looks great with no roof, you are doing an awesome job on this ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted December 27, 2015 Author Share Posted December 27, 2015 (edited) I found this picture online, I start to believe that the roof needs to be left off, it makes more sense for a transporter. (unfortunately) Edited December 27, 2015 by The Creative Explorer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Great work! And I'm happy to see this progressing. I liked the original double decker look. I'd stick with that since that is the classic look and universal appeal of the bus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilrathy10 Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Definitely a serious undertaking.....I'm really digging this one.....Very nice work.....I love builds like this....Looks like you're designing it as you go....Awesome work.....Well thought out....Everything looks very doable in the 1:1 world we live in.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Erik I would stay with your original plan with the top. It will give better protection for your cars. This is a very interesting build and excellent workmanship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Buckaroo Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I really can not decide what I like the best on this one - The idea or the AlClad engine (so cool) or the folding "tank type bridge/ ramp" This is such a great project ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Erik, I would stay with the original idea. That is very unique. If you wanted you could build another without the roof??? But I do like very much what you are doing here. Be Well Gator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamsuperdan Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 Wow. This is a fantastic conversion! Watching for more updates for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridge Rider Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 I really like the design and your execution of it. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 Thank you guys for the input, it made a difficult decission a bit easier. With top is the way to go! I had yesterday finally some time to work on the project again, I haven't been able to give it the time I wished I could.But I am grateful that I made some progress yesterday. I worked yesterday mainly on scratchbuilding some new bodyparts. I had to add bodypanels to the rear, where they were too short or non-existing. I added the lower 'walls' And added BMF to the upper rail Then I started to mock-up the body as much as I could, that way I am able to get the right measurements for the new bodypanels. As you can see, there is quite a gap in the back And a smaller one on the right side. With roof and the mock-up car inside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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