VW Van Camper

[ModelcarJR]

I've seen one of these built on this forum and I saw one at the contest last Saturday that I thought looked good so I bought one from a vendor at the show.  Then it rained Sunday through Wednesday here and I couldn't make much progress. I painted the interior with primer and flat white so I could work on the interior. Since there is not much foil on this build I put my foil to work as trim on the cabinets. I saw one on the internet that was white and gray so I am going to build it the same way. I am also going to add black carpet throughout using gummed felt. 

It cleared up yesterday and today so I got it painted.  Dupli-Color white and Tamiya Coral Blue. Paint came out pretty well. Now I'll rub it out and start putting this one together! Thanks for looking! 

 

 

[cobraman]

Cool ! I liked the colors you chose.

[KWT]

I don't think I've ever seen one of these. Looks pretty interesting. I'm in...

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Ray and Jeremy! I appreciate your comments! 

I've completed the interior, chassis, and partially rubbed out the body. I had to touch up the right side of the body and am waiting to add some clear after partially rubbing out the right side but its been raining again so I'll have to wait. The interior was pretty straight forward. I added carpet using gummed felt and since the floor was flat for the most part it was pretty simple. The cabinetry is glued in but everything else is just mocked up for the photo.

The chassis on the other hand, was a bit difficult.  Since I glued the engine cover in the interior floor in place and covered it with carpet, I had to glue the engine to the engine housing, add the pieces to the engine that were suppose to attach from the top through the floor, and then glue the engine mounting in place. I thought the housing should go inside the border that was engraved in the bottom side of the floor but that left the transaxle and the two suspension pieces short of the floor where they should mount. So I had to unglue the engine housing and move it further inboard on the chassis to that everything glued in place. Same thing happened with the gas tank that is the mount for the rear axle and suspension. Its a little hard to understand where it should go and there really aren't any pins, just little indents with some pimples on the gas tank. But I figured it out eventually and got everything done.  I'll add some blackwash to the aluminum parts and clean up the scuff on the floor. 

Here are some photos. Thanks for looking! 

 

[slusher]

Real nice  paint and trim work John..

[NOBLNG]

Looking great!?

[David G.]

Good progress on this, I like the color combination.

David G.

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Carl, Greg, and David! I appreciate your comments! 

Well, I touched up the right side and it came out OK but I ran completely out of paint so there are a couple of edges that will be lacking paint until I buy some and touch up with a brush. I thought I had a partial can and a full can of paint. However, I realized after I started that I had two partial cans of paint. So, boys and girls, always check your paint supply before you start painting to avoid rookie mistakes like this one! 

So I won a set of Fujimi wheels in a raffle at one of the contests, years ago, and I finally found a use for them. I used these chrome wheels with the kit tires and wheelbacks with some adjustments and I think they worked out better than the painted wagon wheels included in the kit. Chassis, interior and trim on the body is complete so now I just have to finish assembly. Here's a couple of mock-up photos. Thanks for looking! ?

[David G.]

Good call, I think the wheels suit it nicely.

David G.

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, David, I appreciate your comment! 

This one is done, not very well but it is done. In addition to my paint issues, there were some finnicky fitment issues.  Maybe I'll get another and try again. Thanks for looking! 

[slusher]

Good looking camper ,John !

Edited May 26, 2023 by slusher

[David G.]

It looks good in the photos. I like the operational pop-up.

David G.

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Carl and David! I appreciate your comments!