An under-rated long-roof: Magnum!

[TarheelRick]

My former VFW post commander owns a black one.  It had been dropped a little bit and has one healthy rumble when he gets a bit heavy-footed.  Here is one I began working on over two years ago, it stonewalled over how to build inner-fenders. Will need to get back on it when I finish three or four more that have been idle for more than two years.  That hemi engine is a masterpiece.  I opened the grille, it will be backed with black mesh.

Edited August 29, 2023 by TarheelRick

[Chuckyg1]

4 hours ago, TarheelRick said:

My former VFW post commander owns a black one.  It had been dropped a little bit and has one healthy rumble when he gets a bit heavy-footed.  Here is one I began working on over two years ago, it stonewalled over how to build inner-fenders. Will need to get back on it when I finish three or four more that have been idle for more than two years.  That hemi engine is a masterpiece.  I opened the grille, it will be backed with black mesh.

That's gonna look cool. Are you planning a half roof?

[customline]

5 hours ago, TarheelRick said:

My former VFW post commander owns a black one.  It had been dropped a little bit and has one healthy rumble when he gets a bit heavy-footed.  Here is one I began working on over two years ago, it stonewalled over how to build inner-fenders. Will need to get back on it when I finish three or four more that have been idle for more than two years.  That hemi engine is a masterpiece.  I opened the grille, it will be backed with black mesh.

Rick, I was kicking this idea around but more likely I will just do the Charger nose and make it the 2 door it always should have been. I do, however, endorse the "Ranchero" option. I still want to do that but on a '57 Nomad because I picked one up at Ollie's for 13 bucks. Maybe.

Why is there a problem with inner fender sheet metal? Did you change something up front?

I have no plan to change anything mechanical, only the body but the nose swap may cause a problem like you mentioned. I'm thinking just some Evergreen sheet will cure it. Do you have more photos of this build?

[espo]

23 hours ago, customline said:

Ah yes...they're coming our of the woodwork now.....that's a nice shade of purple, David. Can't wait to get this one started. ? I think the charger clip would really work for this. I'm going to look it over again and try to see if what I'm thinking is feasible.  Keep 'em comin'!

Hey David, where'd you get that checkerboard you use for photos?

I found them as Hobby Lobby. They have an area for "scrape booking" supplies and offer several different colors. I liked the checkered flag look. 

[espo]

23 minutes ago, customline said:

Rick, I was kicking this idea around but more likely I will just do the Charger nose and make it the 2 door it always should have been. I do, however, endorse the "Ranchero" option. I still want to do that but on a '57 Nomad because I picked one up at Ollie's for 13 bucks. Maybe.

Why is there a problem with inner fender sheet metal? Did you change something up front?

I have no plan to change anything mechanical, only the body but the nose swap may cause a problem like you mentioned. I'm thinking just some Evergreen sheet will cure it. Do you have more photos of this build?

Look around on some of the resin offerings. I remember seeing someone at a model shop that was selling resin Charger bodies done as a two door. Also, there is a Charger for sale on EBay that has been converted to a Ute type body. I think there is some shop offering to convert your 1:1 Charger too that body style. I have never been a fan of four door sedans for myself, reminds me of something of a family car, I guess. That said I'm on my second Charger and have really enjoyed them both. I may have to make my '18 Charger last since I'm not a big fan of the EV's as well. 

[avidinha]

17 hours ago, customline said:

Yup. Trying to get one now. I hate to spend the money but it's the only way. That nose should be on a Magnum. It's the right thing to do. (I hope it's not illegal)

Jimmy Flintstone already did the work for you, not a bad price either.

https://jimmyflintstonestudios.com/NB166--2007-Charger-Magnum-Wagon_p_237.html

[customline]

3 hours ago, espo said:

I found them as Hobby Lobby. They have an area for "scrape booking" supplies and offer several different colors. I liked the checkered flag look. 

That's Wifey's territory ?.  I always just make a bee-line, first, to the clearance area (because I scored there twice in my lifetime) and, failing that, zip over(not really, more like wobble ?) to the styrene isle. Thanks, Dave, I'll follow her next trip.

[customline]

2 hours ago, avidinha said:

Jimmy Flintstone already did the work for you, not a bad price either.

https://jimmyflintstonestudios.com/NB166--2007-Charger-Magnum-Wagon_p_237.html

Oooooo yeah.....but it's still a four door. Thanks Andy! 

[TarheelRick]

19 hours ago, Chuckyg1 said:

That's gonna look cool. Are you planning a half roof?

No, this is going to be a Magnum SRT8RPU (Roadster Pick-Up)

18 hours ago, customline said:

Why is there a problem with inner fender sheet metal?

I am talking about the rear inside fenders. The problem is finding or building something that looks right. Sort of want it to have a factory look, but may have to resort to scratchbuilding something to fit. Will look at that again when I get it back on the bench.

Edited August 30, 2023 by TarheelRick

[customline]

3 hours ago, TarheelRick said:

No, this is going to be a Magnum SRT8RPU (Roadster Pick-Up)

I am talking about the rear inside fenders. The problem is finding or building something that looks right. Sort of want it to have a factory look, but may have to resort to scratchbuilding something to fit. Will look at that again when I get it back on the bench.

Of course you will be building a "pick-up" floor ( I would make mine from diamond plate and foil it with chrome or use real wood) but what's wrong with the original rear fender wells? Where'd they go? What am I missing, Rick?

[Blueprint]

Chrysler sold the Magnum as a 300 in Europe - and it looks much better than our NA front clip!

[customline]

Here we go....for now, anyway. I started by removing the door handles and side trim.  Then I cut a new door line 1/4" back from the existing, giving me a scale 6" longer door.  

Then I removed the filler in the back door because it breaks up the smooth lines.  The glass just won't go down as far but it looks better.

I cut the B pillar with my favorite new tool, the PE razor saw. Then I glued a strip of .005 scrap to the back to facilitate re-installing it over the new scribe line (it's only taped right now)

Gotta be really careful removing the door handles because of the character line. I will need to re-constitute it where I rounded it. Bondo time....gotta fill the unused door lines and handle depressions anyway?. I actually filled the handle depressions with CA and kicker but, in retrospect, Bondo would be better. I expect the Charger kit tomorrow. Can't wait. Thanks for hangin'!

[TarheelRick]

17 hours ago, customline said:

what's wrong with the original rear fender wells

Originally there was a rear seat in the car, the rear wheel wells came just that far.  Since I have removed the rear seat the original pieces are too short.  I have thought of trying to add on too them, but they do have some compound curves that would be difficult to match.  However, if they can be modified to use it would carry the "factory" look to the pick-up box.

[Rattlecan Dan]

Nicest wagon I've seen in ages. Great build.

[customline]

2 hours ago, TarheelRick said:

Originally there was a rear seat in the car, the rear wheel wells came just that far.  Since I have removed the rear seat the original pieces are too short.  I have thought of trying to add on too them, but they do have some compound curves that would be difficult to match.  However, if they can be modified to use it would carry the "factory" look to the pick-up box.

Look around for small over-the-counter plastic pill bottles with rounded bottoms or bubble type packaging.  Or maybe an old discarded model floor pan with wheel wells that . you can cut patches from. Bottle caps. As long as CA will stick to it. This bottle is a bit large but hey, look around, yeah? All you need is one. Scratch building at it finest ?

 

[customline]

Then it occurred to me that I had to make changes on the inside too ? . The interior panels have a pronounced post area between the doors and it had to be matched up with a B pillar that was now 1/4" to the rear. I needed a practical solution and this is what I came up with. I removed part of the rounded area below the inside handle and the handle itself and covered the handle area with styrene scrap. I cut a piece of .010 sheet to fit into the recessed area and then filled the void at the front of the arm rest with more scrap. BONDO TIME !

More later.....thanks for not judging ?

#2 a

Edited August 31, 2023 by customline
Oops! Forgot the photos!

[Chuckyg1]

I was thinking about the door panels too. Your solution looks solid so far. Any thought as to how you'll lengthen the front door panels?

[customline]

7 hours ago, Rattlecan Dan said:

Nicest wagon I've seen in ages. Great build.

Thanks, Dan, I hope you're right.

[customline]

3 hours ago, Chuckyg1 said:

I was thinking about the door panels too. Your solution looks solid so far. Any thought as to how you'll lengthen the front door panels?

With a scribe line.  I'm creating an illusion. I still need to re-configure the "grab handle" in the front and fill the one in the rear. Thanks for asking, John, you just helped!

 

 

 

 

[customline]

John just made me aware of a mistake. I need to move my new scribe line forward. It would not line up with the outside line. ?....It should be 1/4" back from the original inside line. My bad ?.

The door pulls will be filled and the front one ....well...I dunno. Ain't this fun? ?

[customline]

Just a quick one, friends.... they need a little Mr. Surfacer to make 'em right but I think this will do. I think a gray/black factory-like scheme will work, keeping it simple and stock looking. 

I made simple door pulls further back on the arm rests with a drill and some scrap on the underside. My Charger kit seems to have been diverted. Hopefully, it has reached it's destination today, although tracking said it had but it had not. ?.

Thanks for stopping by ?

Oh... I know it doesn't make sense if you scrutinize it to much but it didn't make sense to make a Magnum with all those doors to begin with.... Jus' sayin' ?

[customline]

Once assembled, the mods will pretty much disappear unless you look for them. It's all about the overall 2 door look. Some people won't even notice the change ?. 

Incidently, this thing goes together phenomenally!  ?

[Chuckyg1]

Nice job on the panels. Now....  let's fold down the rear seat, (just kiddin'). It's coming along nicely. Your work is very clean, not one of my strong points.

[customline]

37 minutes ago, Chuckyg1 said:

Nice job on the panels. Now....  let's fold down the rear seat, (just kiddin'). It's coming along nicely. Your work is very clean, not one of my strong points.

I just take good pictures ?.....wait....ya know....that's not a bad idea ?.

Edited September 1, 2023 by customline

[customline]

The Charger found its way to my zip code this afternoon and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  When I did, I got a surprise. I knew it had "scissor" doors. That's OK because I was just going to use the nose. I thought it was going to be a kit like the Magnum kit. Nope totally different except for the front seats. It's a great kit to build OOB. Its appears to be larger than 1:25 and I think it was originally a Monogram tool. It's molded in white, medium gray, and black, with transparent gray glass.  There's a bunch of tiny screws and two metal axles.  It's made like a promo with all the chassis details molded to the curbside style floor pan. There are engine parts to add on top but it's just cursory. There's some blingy rims with watchband tires and sub-woofers, 3 video screens  and that sort of nonsense. But it is a Charger, and if I want that nose for my Magnum I'll have to cut it off and graft it on but I'll be destroying a fairly cool Charger with flip-up doors. Personally,  it's not my thing but it will make a pretty cool display. So the Magnum will keep its mini-van nose. Sorry to disappoint ?. The Charger was an open box buy and I am going to build it but it's way down in the queue. Maybe I can trade it off to a millennial for some brownies  ?