64 Thunderbolt wagon

[Modlbldr]

I got this rebuilder quite a while ago and liked the looks of it. Since I am getting close to finishing my 67 Impala lowrider I figured I would get some things started on it. 

The roof has a slight hump in it where the OB molded the roofs in. It can be seen pretty good from the side view. I think the easiest way to fix this is a skim coat of putty on the front section of the roof. After running a sanding stick over the roof the low spot was much easier to see.

I put a coat of putty in that area and I'm waiting for it to set.

I'm thinking I'll do a bit of detail to the bed floor with runners made of styrene and I'll pull the seats to carpet the floor with some embossing powder.

Later-

Edited April 26, 2022 by Modlbldr

[chris chabre]

I see this thing sitting low in a bellflower style!

[Oldcarfan27]

That's a cool idea, looks good!

[espo]

I like the sedan delivery look better on this than the resin bodies I have seen where they have a rear quarter window and side glass.  

[Modlbldr]

Thanks guys!

11 hours ago, chris chabre said:

I see this thing sitting low in a bellflower style!

That sounds interesting. Not sure what route I am going to go yet. I was thinking of a shop rig with just bare steelies and narrow slicks in the rear. I'll have to give it some thought and do some mock ups to see what I like.

24 minutes ago, espo said:

I like the sedan delivery look better on this than the resin bodies I have seen where they have a rear quarter window and side glass.  

I haven't seen that one. I did really dig this though when I saw it and thought the OB did a fairly decent job that should need little work (fixing the sunken roof and scribing rear hatch lines.

Later-

[Sam I Am]

Glad to see you getting into this one Tom.  I will pull up a seat and find the ?. 

[slusher]

you have a real nice looking body to work with..

[flamepainter]

This is a bit different. I really like the look. A couple tweaks and you will be all set. Waiting for the finished product, can't wait! It also would look good as a hearse???

Jim

Edited April 27, 2022 by flamepainter

[Modlbldr]

Did a bit more on this last night. Fixed the driver's side drip rail by adding a strip of styrene a d sanding it to shape. Sorted out some tires and wheels for it and I think I've settled on a color. It is Testors Sunrise Red Pearl over Bright Platinum to darken it just a touch.

Also started making a wood bed for it. Although, as I'm thinking about it this morning, a wood bed doesn't make much sense. But it's a custom, right? The wood will get stained and the brass rails will get chromed. I still need to do some clean up on the body and scribe some lines for a rear lift gate.

Later-

[Sam I Am]

I really like your choices for wheels and paint.  

Have you thought about polishing the brass instead of going chrome. Also, take a scrap piece of wood, thin out a little of the body color (real thin) and do a wash on the wood. A friend of mine did this with his '57 Chevy pickup wood bed pieces.  It looked really nice with the wood having a slight tint of the body color. 

[Modlbldr]

I'm having second thoughts about the paint color this morning. However, I'm not sure what to go with. Any suggestions or photo examples welcomed. Thinking about a dark maroon with decals similar to this.

Later-

[Sam I Am]

The fathom green was the second one I liked. 

[espo]

Your initial Ford OEM color pick would look great. Now if you're thinking about a Drag Racing style like the Ford Thunder Bolts than that maroon color would be fitting. Just how visible is the floor in the back going to be? 

[slusher]

Dark maroon would look great,, I thought it looked good in white with the wheel choice!

[Modlbldr]

17 hours ago, espo said:

Your initial Ford OEM color pick would look great. Now if you're thinking about a Drag Racing style like the Ford Thunder Bolts than that maroon color would be fitting. Just how visible is the floor in the back going to be? 

I may go with the original color I picked. Just not sure yet. 

The.floor will not be too visible but the rear window is pretty good sized. Besides, I've wanted to try this for a while and I don't have any pickups in the queue to do it on.

19 hours ago, Sam I Am said:

The fathom green was the second one I liked. 

You know i love that color, but I've got that Firebird to do the Fathom Green on.

Thank you all for the input. I appreciate it.

Later-

[John B.]

Whatever color you choose, a very nice build!

[Modlbldr]

Been working on this one again and it is fmgetting closer to the finish line.

I changed my thoughts on the paint choice and came up with Testors Honduras Maroon. I've also been playing with my airbrush and myriad of paint supplies I inherited from my buddy. I mixed up Tamiya X-22 clear with a bit of Mica flakes and shot a couple of coats on it. Then more X-22 with gold flakes for a couple more coats. 

Here is a mock up this morning. Now to build an engine and finish the suspension.

[Scott8950]

Nice job

[espo]

Good looking color. Might keep the rear window as clear as possible so that the cargo floor can be seen. 

[Slotto]

Glad to see that you're back on this Tom. Looks killer. Reminds me of a hearse with the paneled wagon top. I dig the floor you put in.

[Sam I Am]

That color looks awesome. ? 

[Zippi]

Good looking Thunderbolt wagon.  I'm liking it so far.

[Modlbldr]

Thank you everyone. Sure wish I could get my paint jobs smoother before the clear coats though. 

Later-

[Modlbldr]

Got quite a bit done tonight on this. Made some headers, installed the engine and driveline, instlaaed the front suspension- then removed it to lower it and put it back. Not much left to go.

Later-

[Slotto]

Looking good Tom. I dig them headers.