SCRATCHBUILT "34 fORD-1/20 SCALE

[E St. Kruiser50]

Howdy guy's

One of the nice things about being an "Older" builder, and being retired for about 6 years, and been buildin' "awhile", is that you get a nice collection of things you've built over time. Fun to have.

Got some fun things stashed away in the 'Ol Cellar" where I keep the "Prime Stock" you understand ,.

Built this 1/20 scale hand made '34 about 7 years ago.

Sometimes I see bits and pieces that just "Trigger" me, along with other stuff in my head and the next thing ya know, I'm doin' it .

Most of my bigger builds "Simmer" on the back burner for a year or two as I collect parts for them, and as I'm building other stuff. I'm pretty patient about my projects. Don't do contests anymore, so I'm freed up to build at my leisure. Everything get's finished, even if it takes a few years.

This build was inspired by the suspension on a diecast designed by Tom Taylor.

I wanted to build something kinda "Swoopy" that would showcase the incredible front and rear suspension/wheel package and use a windshield/interior set that would compliment the design.

I decided on the Plymouth Prowler, as the size and style fit perfectly and the windshild was just right to get the contemporary look that I thought might work.

I was originally going to incorporate yellow and orange flames all over the car, but the eventual pureness of the design was so clean, that I didn't want to destroy the simplicity that I enjoyed about it.

I built the body void of any lines or moldings, like the one around the rear wheel opening and goes the full length of the bottom of the body, and added those later.

The rear end of the car was built up pretty high, for the rear suspension to be exposed.

To keep the body clean and simple, the only thing added to it was the tiny tail lights, and the grill.

That was a long post, just to say I had fun

Anyhow, I hope you enjoy.

Thanks - dave

I see I knocked the windshield loose handling it for the photo's.

Maybe I should glue that back in

Edited December 12, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[Jantrix]

Hmm.......them big wheels again. Well at least they're not cut off at the top.

Just kidding Dave, that one really works for me. It's a nice package all around, great work.

[E St. Kruiser50]

Hmm.......them big wheels again. Well at least they're not cut off at the top.

Just kidding Dave, that one really works for me. It's a nice package all around, great work.

YUP

I know what Ya mean about about them big 'Ol wheels and tires. Guy's in the clubs I belong to give me a bad time too.

Seems like most hate 'um, but "Oh well", I likes 'um .

Keep on doin' what ya love - dave

( Hey, why is it that the latest look on 1 to 1's is the big tire/wheel package that ye see on nearly everything late and cool, but the model guy's hate it on small scale??? Me no understand !!

Who sticks whitewalls or "Stockers" on late models to look "Cool"???

Ever see a brand new Lexus or Corvette in the parking lot with whitewalls and hubcaps or "Steelies" and baby moons??? Go figure !!!

WONDERING MINDS WANT TO KNOW ) Oh well

Edited December 12, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[The Creative Explorer]

Dave, great subject, great build. I love it!

I was wondering; how did you made the body? is it just styrene? I couldn't get it out of the text, so I am sorry if you did mentioned it before.

[E St. Kruiser50]

Dave, great subject, great build. I love it!

I was wondering; how did you made the body? is it just styrene? I couldn't get it out of the text, so I am sorry if you did mentioned it before.

Thanks Erik

And good question.

To me, and this is only my opinion, there are several different styles and kinds of scratch building, and somewhere in the mix is that gray area about kit-bashing.

Everyone seems to have a bit of a different opinion, so this is only my opinion that I build by, and how I explain my work.

To answer your question, in this build, as well as all my other "Scratche's" , I use donor parts, and bodies made of styrene, like you mentioned.

I cut up parts from different bodies, that have a general shape that I want, glue all the pieces together, add some styrene stock and sheet pieces, as I did in this build, add whatever "Evercoat Rage" I need, then file and sand to shape before I add the details.

There are at least two other styles of "Scratch-building" in my way of classifying.

This next style of scratch-building is what I did in my career as a pattern maker for around twenty years. Like I did at LANCER SLOT RACING BODIES for 13 years in the 60's and 70's, and several other companies I worked for later.

You start with nothing but a design or idea. Depending on the compexity of the project, you may make some sketches, or several detailed drawings, and eventually a series of templates, so the body will be symmetrical, or a "Mirror image" of the other side.

The next step is number crunching for the scale of the car, and add those numbers to the drawings.

If there wil be a chassis and interior, all that has to be figured in also.

A project design can take from several day's to several weeks depending on how complicted it is.

On several projects at work, I spent many hundreds of hours, just designing and engineering the project.

The next step, is to decide on the material to be used fot the Master pattern. Usually plaster or a good pattern wood.

I bought some pattern wood this year, and have plans to do my first model car project like this in 2009.

I'll start with a pattern wood called "Perfect Plank", which is a well seasoned, reverse grained "Sugar Pine". Very stable and doesn't warp .

After shaping it and adding all the details and sealing it, I will then make a 4 or 5 piece mold off of it using fiberglass, and a gel-coat.

From this mold, I will spray a gel-coat and back it with fiberglass and a "Veil" cloth, instead of casting it, as this makes a much thinner, stronger and warp free body.

The original wood master pattern may be made in several pieces so that door, trunk and hood jams can be made as part of the body, and then the wooden door, trunk and hood piece can be replaced into the body later so they can be made.

I hope I didn't try to explain too much here in too great a detail. I tend to go on and on sometimes

The last scratch-building style I know of is hand shaping thin sheets of brass, copper or aluminum.

I'm starting to sound like a coupla other guy's here who post long responses

Anyway, I hope I answered your question without too much information. I can "Ramble

Edited December 13, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[Raul_Perez]

Another very nice build, Dave!!

I really like the sloped grille and the slanted hood/door lines that parallel each other!!

The high rear end of the body does well in showing the rear suspension...kind of like a short skirt on a girl with long, thin legs!

Later,

[Jantrix]

( Hey, why is it that the latest look on 1 to 1's is the big tire/wheel package that ye see on nearly everything late and cool, but the model guy's hate it on small scale??? Me no understand !!

Dave, I don't think model guys hate the big wheels per se, just when it's obvious that if the car had been 1:1, it would not have been a functional car. No steering room, suspension travel etc., or they just look horribly out of scale. However that is not the case with this 34, it looks great.

I know I kid you about it, but that's all it is, just friendly banter.

[E St. Kruiser50]

Dave, I don't think model guys hate the big wheels per se, just when it's obvious that if the car had been 1:1, it would not have been a functional car. No steering room, suspension travel etc., or they just look horribly out of scale. However that is not the case with this 34, it looks great.

I know I kid you about it, but that's all it is, just friendly banter.

Hey Jantrix

Just jokin around. No seriousness intended

I love friendly banter

Edited December 12, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[E St. Kruiser50]

Dave, I don't think model guys hate the big wheels per se, just when it's obvious that if the car had been 1:1, it would not have been a functional car. No steering room, suspension travel etc., or they just look horribly out of scale. However that is not the case with this 34, it looks great.

I know I kid you about it, but that's all it is, just friendly banter.

Hey again

One of the things you'll learn about me is I'm an artist first, then a model builder.

It's not an agenda, it's probably just the glue

Building for me is about expression and my love of cars and design. Always has been since I was just a kid.

Who cares if it can work or not, sometimes it's just about art, the way I see it. Hard for some people to understand . It's just weird Dave , and I like it.

Someone has to see things differently, so I guess it has to be me . Oh well. I like me the way I am with my strangeness.

Be cool - dave

How about this?

Wheels are half gone, but I love it.

What's wrong with me???

My really outrages one's are in private collections.

One guy has 20 of mine in his collection . Must be weirder than I am

He's been after one of my '40 Fords for years, but he ain't gonna get it.

Edited December 12, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[buba39]

hey dave thats a sweet ride dont let them give ya hell about the wheels it looks good to me

[E St. Kruiser50]

hey dave thats a sweet ride dont let them give ya hell about the wheels it looks good to me

Thanks buba

Yeah, we're just jokin' around.

Have a great Holiday my friend - dave

[plumnuts]

OH Dave ,you'v done it again. floored me with this one too. and as you feel your rambiling on I'm over here with pen and paper takin notes. would love to meet ya one day and shake your hand . mutch respect from the younger guy. and one day I will produce a build that will compair with your work.( I REALLY HOPE SO ANYWAY ).

PS. I like the big wheels, there is a reason everybody is going with that look..... the designers figured out it looked good

[E St. Kruiser50]

OH Dave ,you'v done it again. floored me with this one too. and as you feel your rambiling on I'm over here with pen and paper takin notes. would love to meet ya one day and shake your hand . mutch respect from the younger guy. and one day I will produce a build that will compair with your work.( I REALLY HOPE SO ANYWAY ).

PS. I like the big wheels, there is a reason everybody is going with that look..... the designers figured out it looked good

Hey Mike

Thank you.

Yes it would be nice to meet you too .

I'm sure you will build many more beautiful projects in the future. In my experience it takes time, desire, and drive to better yourself at anything.

Over the years I discovered a deep joy of living, pushing my limits, and discovering my own personal talents, and working hard to develope them.

Nothing ever comes easy worth having, but there is a day you discover the rewards for all that committment and hard work, on your job and in your personal life.

God blesses us with a multitude of talents and abilities in raw form, for us to use to mold and shape our lives, any way we want.

Growing and learning can be hard. There are always failures to deal with. But I learned that these can be the teachers to help us get better, if we'll embrass them, accept their purpose, and allow them to make us better during the challanging times.

Everything you see that I build, that comes easy now, always had a price to pay to get there. My personal life is easy now too, but there were the struggles to get there also.

Yes, this is just a hobby, but what I'm saying is that there is a cross-over affect to your real life and to your hobby, in how you approach life in general, what the foundation of your beliefs are about life, and that approach will determine the level of your sucess in all of your lifes choices.

Good luck and God Bless on increasing your skills and talents - dave

[Mr.1/16th]

Hey again

One of the things you'll learn about me is I'm an artist first, then a model builder.

It's not an agenda, it's probably just the glue

Building for me is about expression and my love of cars and design. Always has been since I was just a kid.

Who cares if it can work or not, sometimes it's just about art, the way I see it. Hard for some people to understand . It's just weird Dave , and I like it.

Someone has to see things differently, so I guess it has to be me . Oh well. I like me the way I am with my strangeness.

Be cool - dave

How about this?

Wheels are half gone, but I love it.

What's wrong with me???

My really outrages one's are in private collections.

One guy has 20 of mine in his collection . Must be weirder than I am

He's been after one of my '40 Fords for years, but he ain't gonna get it.

WHAT SCALE IS THAT BRO? I LOVE THE COLOR COMBO!! I THINK I WILL ATTEMP IT ON ONE OF MINE IN 1/16TH

[Peter Lombardo]

Dave, those are beautiful. Really smooth and fluid. I love the color combo on the coupe; the black and red/orange really work! I am very impressed with the detail and cleanliness of each car….no lose edges, like I said before they have a “fluid†look to them…..sweetness.

P.S. Looks like we are both guilty of the same trick, cutting off the top portion of a wheel and tire to get the car down in the weeds where it belongs……I love big, absolutely huge, wheels on a car just off the ground…sick, I know, but looks great.

[E St. Kruiser50]

WHAT SCALE IS THAT BRO? I LOVE THE COLOR COMBO!! I THINK I WILL ATTEMP IT ON ONE OF MINE IN 1/16TH

Hey Santiago Thanks

Sounds like a fun project.

This is a Revell 1/25 scale. I have built a few of the Revell 1/16 '34's, which is a very nice kit, that goes together really well. Would look very nice similar to mine here.

Make sure you keep us up to date if you choose to do it, I would love to watch the progress.

Have a great holiday Santiago. God Bless - dave

[E St. Kruiser50]

Dave, those are beautiful. Really smooth and fluid. I love the color combo on the coupe; the black and red/orange really work! I am very impressed with the detail and cleanliness of each car….no lose edges, like I said before they have a “fluid†look to them…..sweetness.

P.S. Looks like we are both guilty of the same trick, cutting off the top portion of a wheel and tire to get the car down in the weeds where it belongs……I love big, absolutely huge, wheels on a car just off the ground…sick, I know, but looks great.

Thanks Peter

Yeah - some of us can't help ourserlves.

We're "NATURALLY TWISTED AND SORTA WEIRD"

Merry Christmas and God Bless - dave

Edited December 13, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[BKIN10SECS]

YUP

I know what Ya mean about about them big 'Ol wheels and tires. Guy's in the clubs I belong to give me a bad time too.

Seems like most hate 'um, but "Oh well", I likes 'um .

Keep on doin' what ya love - dave

( Hey, why is it that the latest look on 1 to 1's is the big tire/wheel package that ye see on nearly everything late and cool, but the model guy's hate it on small scale??? Me no understand !!

Who sticks whitewalls or "Stockers" on late models to look "Cool"???

Ever see a brand new Lexus or Corvette in the parking lot with whitewalls and hubcaps or "Steelies" and baby moons??? Go figure !!!

WONDERING MINDS WANT TO KNOW ) Oh well

Right on Dave!!!!! Just as the 50's had the whitewalls and the 70's had the Cragars in this time period its all about filling them wheelwells. Now if you are building a Sled....go with the whites, if you building a 70's 80's style street machine go with 60-70-whiteletter tires with mags, if you building a pro street go with the 33's and the Convos. But if you are building a MODERN looking street machine, hot rod, street rod, pro touring what ever you may call it....its big rims and rubberbands. At Barrett-Jackson.....most of the cars bringing the big money.....other then super super rare stuff....it was all the Pro Tourers...stock looking exterior, modern underpinnings, modern powerplant.....and big rims and rubberbands.

[george 53]

Dave, just another OUTSTANDING build! So what else is new? I'll tell ya what's new, I'm changin my name to "freindly banter" an since you love, freindly banter, YOU'LL LOVE ME TOO!!!,NOW can I have the HOLLYWOOD!? It'll make ya feel better! I KNOW it! Have a GREAT HOLLY(WOOD)DAY!!!!

[E St. Kruiser50]

Dave, just another OUTSTANDING build! So what else is new? I'll tell ya what's new, I'm changin my name to "freindly banter" an since you love, freindly banter, YOU'LL LOVE ME TOO!!!,NOW can I have the HOLLYWOOD!? It'll make ya feel better! I KNOW it! Have a GREAT HOLLY(WOOD)DAY!!!!

Now George, ya know that's an old build.

Even when it won 1st at the GSL, it never got a cover shot, article, or mag pics 'ceptin a "Baby"

one , so can't be nearly as good as ya think. One of those "10 Footers" LOL .

Got nothin' to prove I even won exceptin' an "IDDY BIDDY (Tiny Winny) TROPHY" . ME BAD .

Wouldn't want my friend disappointed .

Ya hav a real nice HOLLY-DAY yerself there George - your friend dave

Edited December 14, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[george 53]

Well in that case Dave ol buddy, ol pal I promise to stand 10 ft away from it EVERY time I admire it!And , if I may add, even if it's old, it still looks new ta me!!! Yer ol bud, George.AKA,Freindly Banter!

[E St. Kruiser50]

Well in that case Dave ol buddy, ol pal I promise to stand 10 ft away from it EVERY time I admire it!And , if I may add, even if it's old, it still looks new ta me!!! Yer ol bud, George.AKA,Freindly Banter!

Gotta love ya George.

Merry Christmas to you again my friend - dave

( Hey, we got almost 4" of snow here at my house yesterday. Went out and played in my 4X truck this morning - EEEHAH )

Edited December 15, 2008 by Treehugger Dave

[Mr.1/16th]

Hey Santiago Thanks

Sounds like a fun project.

This is a Revell 1/25 scale. I have built a few of the Revell 1/16 '34's, which is a very nice kit, that goes together really well. Would look very nice similar to mine here.

Make sure you keep us up to date if you choose to do it, I would love to watch the progress.

Have a great holiday Santiago. God Bless - dave

Thank You Dave!! I will keep you all posted on it once i get started on t! looking for all the peaces for it already Happy Holiday to you and your family and to all of MCM Forum members aswell!!!!

[E St. Kruiser50]

Thank You Dave!! I will keep you all posted on it once i get started on t! looking for all the peaces for it already Happy Holiday to you and your family and to all of MCM Forum members aswell!!!!

Hi again

If you need anything, I have quite a few extra pieces from several kits, and I would be happy to send whatever you need, if I have it.

Merry Christmas - dave