Recreation of our 64 C10 "True Blue"

[rastta]

We were fortunate to pick up this 1964 C10 custom named "True Blue" by the original owner in January of this year.   It has a lot of small custom touches which as with all good customs - aren't really visible at first.  So, when attempting to build a model of it - these proved to be some of the greatest challenges.  I'll start with a few pictures of the truck - then follow them with pictures of the model. 

 

This started life as the 65 C10 Stepside Kit by Revell.  All of the custom touches were handmade by me and I also want to thank members “Khils” and “Sam I am” for providing some custom parts I needed such as a 59 Impala steering wheel, Impala rear speaker grill, 65 Chevelle bucket seats and an extra tailgate. While I was able to recreate the original in many ways - there were several things which were limitations due to the model.  First was getting lowered enough in the front.  In order to match the original, the from A-arms would have been touching the ground on the model.  The other major item was the rear suspension.  Our truck has had a 1978 rear leaf spring suspension adapted to the original rare leaf spring frame.  I opted to just use the coil/trailing arm suspension from the model.  Other than that, it's pretty damn close to the original.

I painted it Testors Light Blue enamel with an airbrush which was lightened to match the truck.  The first two coats came out flawless - then I got a bunch of dust in the final coat.  No idea how.  The scallops were hand drawn on tape on the model, scanned and then recreated in Adobe Illustrator and printed on white vinyl.  The wheels consist of "Dog Dish Hubcaps Generic #2" by Parts by Parks with decals added to match the 56 BelAir dog dishes on the original.  The wide whites are from Modelhaus and have the same width white walls as the original. 

You'll notice no vent wings or vents or wipers - those were shaved on the original and a smooth cowel was installed as well.

One of the unique features of our truck is the rear "trunk" that was added by the original owner.  I recreated it with the extra tailgate and making the top.  The wood bed is balsa with chromed strips.  The models opens as well but I need to make a prop to keep it open.

The exhaust mimics the original and was made from a 65 GTO exhaust I had.  The rear gas tank was handmade as well.

The interior was the biggest challenge.  I wound up making the console from the ends of the bench seat.  Cupholders were chrome flash that were inset in it.  Shifter was made from an old antenna and some scrap.  The dash was shaved and the decals added just like the original.  Same with the armrests.

All the decals on the model were created from photographs of the original paint/pinstriping, stickers or emblems and cleaned and scaled in Adobe Photoshop and then printed on decal paper.  This includes the decals on the dash, rear panel, hubcaps and engine compartment.  The gas cap and cap on the overflow tube in the engine compartment were billet aluminum radiator caps by Detail Master.

Definitely the most ambitious model I've done, and I'm pretty happy with the results. 

 

[Jantrix]

Terrific work on the model. Very nice indeed. But about your '64, I gotta say, I'm a pretty picky fella. So when I say that it makes my, very short list of "I wouldn't change a thing" hot rods, I've seen in my life, you should believe it. I'm so glad you own it now, but my hat is off to the builder who did everything just right, nothing overdone or dated in style. That truck will be cool until our sun goes supernova. Well done sir.

[rastta]

1 hour ago, Jantrix said:

Terrific work on the model. Very nice indeed. But about your '64, I gotta say, I'm a pretty picky fella. So when I say that it makes my, very short list of "I wouldn't change a thing" hot rods, I've seen in my life, you should believe it. I'm so glad you own it now, but my hat is off to the builder who did everything just right, nothing overdone or dated in style. That truck will be cool until our sun goes supernova. Well done sir.

Thanks.  I fully understand what you mean.  Unfortunately the guy who built it is in hospice due to cancer.  He had turned down higher offers from folks who wanted to change this and that. He spent 15 years building it along with a shop call Mackey's Hot Rod Shop in SoCal.   We told the guy who was helping him sell it that while there are probably some things well change here and there (added a BT stereo hidden in the console, and the boltless strips in the bed to match the shaved bumpers) we ain't going to change a good thing.  He took our offer.  As a condition of the sale - we wanted his name added to the glove box by the pinstriper who did the other work.  We take it all  over to shows and can't take credit - it's all his.

[KWT]

WOW... Very true to the real thing. Both are awesome. Very nicely done

[espo]

Beautiful and very accurate looking build. I like that you are honoring the original owner's view. He obviously took excellent care of this truck through the years. 

[thatz4u]

Nicest one I've seen,, well done on your model

[PappyD340]

Awesome replication!

[carrucha]

Nice job on the replica!

[rastta]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

[Danno]

Nice.

[Mattilacken]

A beautifull pair! Great work on both!

[ChrisR]

Awesome!!

[Koellefornia Kid]

Beautiful! The original as well as the scale replica! Great build(s)

[Zippi]

Both trucks are looking killer man.  Really like that shade of blue.  Great job on the recreation of your 64 C10 "True Blue".

[TooOld]

That's one beautiful truck and one gorgeous model , well done ! 

[Bainford]

First, let me say that 1:1 is a fine looking truck. The very clean and subtle changes make for a cool street cruiser.

The model is a very nice replica of the 1:1. Nice custom touches. Good work on the graphics, they must have been a bear to do. You really nailed the look. Very well done. 

[rastta]

Thanks again everyone.  The model will make it's debut this weekend at a local car show called Midnight Mass sitting on the dash of True Blue. 

[Street Rod]

Looks just like the real truck. Good job on both!

[slusher]

Beautiful Chevy!!

[ewetwo]

Boy. That is really sharp.