Modlbldr Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 (edited) I have had an idea to use this butchered 57 Chevy cab as an experiment for making a bubbletop pickup. I had not intended to start it as I have a few other projects in the works, however, today I received a message from a guy I really don't know but had messaged back and forth with him a while back about airbrushing tips. He messaged me out of the blue and asked if I had ever built a bubbletop vehicle as he has plans to. I told him about my thoughts to build one using this mess and next thing I know I am energized to dive in. I had bought some plastic glasses at the dollar store to use as a top and after a few hours of cutting and gluing this is the start I have. Not sure where I will progress from here or how fast but I'm all in. Later- Edited September 30, 2023 by Modlbldr 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 Now that is a different take on a 57 Chevy pickup. I'll be checking in on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewetwo Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 This is going to be great! I can tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 When you mentioned "glass's" I was thinking you wanted to see better. We have some of these we use on the patio in the evening. Great idea, maybe cut the bubble just a little higher to make it better cover the width of the cab? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted September 30, 2023 Author Share Posted September 30, 2023 1 hour ago, espo said: When you mentioned "glass's" I was thinking you wanted to see better. We have some of these we use on the patio in the evening. Great idea, maybe cut the bubble just a little higher to make it better cover the width of the cab? Thanks. The glass fits pretty well to the edges of the cab. I was thinking of adding strip styrene around the window edge to clean it up and define it a bit. I had cut it a bit long at first and had to cut a strip off of the rear of the glass to move it back and keep it from hanging over the edge of the hood. Last night it came to me to use that strip to define the line for shaping the rear cab wall. I k ow that sounds confusing but I will show with pictures what I'm talking about in my next bench session. Later- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted September 30, 2023 Author Share Posted September 30, 2023 Here is a bit of what I was rambling on about on my last post. Later- 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drugsarebad420 Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 hold up, let him cook 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted October 3, 2023 Author Share Posted October 3, 2023 Well, not sure if the direction I'm headed in is a good one but I'm pressing forward. Worked on the rear of the cab but not sure I like it or not. I was looking for something different for a bed than just trying to modify the kit bed. I had this old rear half of an Avanti body and thought it might do for starters. I liked the shape of the wheel well so I added strip styrene to the front wheel wells to do a reverse image. Got the driver's side roughed in. I am also taking a sugestion from SamIAm and making a tonneau cover to mimic the bubble top. It will be painted rather than clear however. That's it for tonight. Later- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckyg1 Posted October 3, 2023 Share Posted October 3, 2023 This is interesting, I'm following along. I think the rear window would look better as a half oval to mimic the rear of the cab. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted October 4, 2023 Author Share Posted October 4, 2023 (edited) On 10/3/2023 at 10:26 AM, Chuckyg1 said: This is interesting, I'm following along. I think the rear window would look better as a half oval to mimic the rear of the cab. Thanks for the comment and following along. I agree completely. My plans were to change the shape in upcoming sessions once I figure out the bed layout so as not to make some thing that may need to be revised. One thing I had contemplated was raising the bed height to the level of the highest point on the bed currently. Then adding an arched wall that would mimic the rear of the cab, but lower in height for the tonneau cover to attach to. If I do that a rear window may not be in the cards. Later- Edited October 4, 2023 by Modlbldr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 Cool project. Brilliant idea using the glasses for the bubble top. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I Am Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 Keep going ! ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted October 10, 2023 Share Posted October 10, 2023 Pretty neat idea and lots of scratch building! I like it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Street Rod Posted October 11, 2023 Share Posted October 11, 2023 Looking really cool, I like what you did with the wheel wells. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted October 11, 2023 Author Share Posted October 11, 2023 So, making slow progress but this one is still front and center on the bench. I started filling in the front fenders and hood gaps. Also began adding a side cove from a parts kit 58 Vette I had sitting around. Basically just adjusting things as I go and we will see where we end up. Later- 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarheelRick Posted October 11, 2023 Share Posted October 11, 2023 I really like full customs and this one is going to be a pleasure to watch come together. You have some mighty fine ideas, keep those updates coming. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted October 11, 2023 Author Share Posted October 11, 2023 27 minutes ago, TarheelRick said: I really like full customs and this one is going to be a pleasure to watch come together. You have some mighty fine ideas, keep those updates coming. Thanks! Not sure how much of a pleasure it will be to watch and if they are GOOD ideas but it will get built! Lol. Later- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted October 12, 2023 Author Share Posted October 12, 2023 Got some more filling, filing, and sanding done on the cab tonight. Starting to look like something that might work. Next is beginning the work on th bed. Later- 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redscampi Posted October 12, 2023 Share Posted October 12, 2023 I have to admit I wasn't sure about this one. Lots of odd design elements to pull together. However, it does look like you're getting there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted October 12, 2023 Author Share Posted October 12, 2023 6 minutes ago, redscampi said: I have to admit I wasn't sure about this one. Lots of odd design elements to pull together. However, it does look like you're getting there! Thanks! I appreciate the honest opinion. I doubted (and in some ways still doubt) it myself. Part of me still wants to toss it aside and start on another project but I also want to see how it will turn out. I mean, I did spend $3 at the dollar store to buy glasses for bubble tops! Can't back out after an investment of that size. Later- 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckyg1 Posted October 12, 2023 Share Posted October 12, 2023 I was worried the height of the body would make the bubble look out of proportion. Seeing it mocked up, it works. The Cove helps to break up an otherwise flat expanse. I'm enjoying your work so far. Keep it going. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milo1303s Posted October 14, 2023 Share Posted October 14, 2023 pancake the hood !! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David G. Posted October 14, 2023 Share Posted October 14, 2023 Wow! That's really taken on a life of its own. And that's often when good things start to happen. David G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 Starting to shape up, sir.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted October 15, 2023 Author Share Posted October 15, 2023 Thanks for the replies guys. The "reactions" buttons don't seem to be working. Later- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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