‘55 El Camino

[NOBLNG]

What can I say…I have to build it.? I got this kit for $3 due to an estate sale. I am separating the box from the interior so that the box can be attached and painted with the body. All comments welcome as always.?

Edited August 1, 2024 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

The half cab roof section supplied with the kit is narrower than the original roof and needs a fair bit of work and putty to look like it belongs there.?

And I’ve removed the vent windows while I’m at it.

 

I am going to install a real walnut bed made from 2” wide edge banding. Once I get enough clear lacquer on it, I will add styrene strips and foil them.?

Edited August 1, 2024 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

The engine will be an  LS from a Revell Camaro. I plan to use the dual exhaust from a Revell ‘55 chevy…or scratch build something? So I removed the molded in exhaust and patched up the chassis. I have not yet decided on wheels/tires and stance. That’s all for now.?

[Zippi]

This is going to be a pretty nice build Greg.  I just got in those two colors on the box art in from Splash Paints (Seamist Green & Dover White) anticipating another 55 Nomad build down the road.  

[JNordgren42]

That's looking awesome so far! I can't wait to see the finished model. And I thought I was being ambitious by sawing the front off of a '64 Malibu and mating it to a '65 El Camino body to make a '64 Elky.

[NOBLNG]

2 hours ago, Zippi said:

This is going to be a pretty nice build Greg.  I just got in those two colors on the box art in from Splash Paints (Seamist Green & Dover White) anticipating another 55 Nomad build down the road.  

Thanks Bob. I like those colors but as usual, I won’t know what color mine will be until I start spraying.?

2 hours ago, JNordgren42 said:

That's looking awesome so far! I can't wait to see the finished model. And I thought I was being ambitious by sawing the front off of a '64 Malibu and mating it to a '65 El Camino body to make a '64 Elky.

Thanks Jason. Slicing and dicing can be addictive.?

[Speedpro]

Nice work so far! Look's good with the white walls and stock caps in the mockup.

[NOBLNG]

7 minutes ago, Speedpro said:

Nice work so far! Look's good with the white walls and stock caps in the mockup.

Thanks Paul.?

[NOBLNG]

There is a mold seam running right down the center of the front fender chrome trim that needs to be removed. I used a modified hobby blade and a piece of 26ga. metal to carefully scrape it out.?

[DJMar]

Awesome idea, and it's not just because I was just looking through this and thinking, "Wouldn't a '55 Nomad pickup be sweet? I think I have that kit in my stash somewhere..."

Great minds think alike. ?

But seriously, you've got this one off to a great start.

 

[dino246gt]

It's looking great already, that roof is way better integrated after you worked on it!

Love the attention to detail on the side chrome spear, these little things really pay off on the finished model.

If your spare parts boxes are a little short, I have a ton of stuff, just ask, I'm only a cappuccino away from you!

[NOBLNG]

4 hours ago, DJMar said:

Awesome idea, and it's not just because I was just looking through this and thinking, "Wouldn't a '55 Nomad pickup be sweet? I think I have that kit in my stash somewhere..."

Great minds think alike. ?

 

But seriously, you've got this one off to a great start.

 

Thanks DJ. Dig it out and get started on it.?

1 hour ago, dino246gt said:

It's looking great already, that roof is way better integrated after you worked on it!

Love the attention to detail on the side chrome spear, these little things really pay off on the finished model.

If your spare parts boxes are a little short, I have a ton of stuff, just ask, I'm only a cappuccino away from you!

Thanks Dennis! Yeah, the fit of that roof was BAD.? Thanks for the offer…I think I have all I need. But the cappuccino sounds good.?

[Tim W. SoCal]

Following your build on this one, Greg. Can't wait to see it finished...

[Bainford]

Cool project Greg, and it's looking good. Nice work around the bed rails and roof integration. Of all the old AMT kits I built over the years, the '55 Nomad is the only one of which I used the custom parts. I am going to do another one some day.

[slusher]

Another one of your sharp builds. You have been building som fabulous builds. This one is looking great! May I ask what you used to remove the molded in exhaust?

[espo]

Like the idea of the extra steps removing the bed from the interior and adding it to the body. The added trim around the top of the bed rails looks far better.  

[customline]

Oh boy.....glad I caught up with this one, Greg. I've got a Mono '57 that has been begging for this treatment.  It looks like you had this one well planned. I'm on board. I have lots of  questions. ?

[NOBLNG]

20 hours ago, Tim W. SoCal said:

Following your build on this one, Greg. Can't wait to see it finished...

 

10 hours ago, Bainford said:

Cool project Greg, and it's looking good. Nice work around the bed rails and roof integration. Of all the old AMT kits I built over the years, the '55 Nomad is the only one of which I used the custom parts. I am going to do another one some day.

 

7 hours ago, espo said:

Like the idea of the extra steps removing the bed from the interior and adding it to the body. The added trim around the top of the bed rails looks far better.  

Thanks Guys! I don’t plan on getting crazy with it. I just want to correct deficiencies, add some details that are lacking, install some nice wheels and tires, and hopefully get a decent paint job on it.?

Edit: At least that’s the plan as of today.?

Edited August 3, 2024 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

8 hours ago, slusher said:

Another one of your sharp builds. You have been building som fabulous builds. This one is looking great! May I ask what you used to remove the molded in exhaust?

I hogged out most of the exhaust with a 1/8” end mill in my drill press. Then some careful whittling with a #18? Exacto Chisel blade, then some curved needle files and some scraping with the same modified hobby blade that I used on the side molding. Thanks for the compliments Carl.?

5 hours ago, customline said:

Oh boy.....glad I caught up with this one, Greg. I've got a Mono '57 that has been begging for this treatment.  It looks like you had this one well planned. I'm on board. I have lots of  questions. ?

Thanks Jim. Does the ‘57 come with a half roof? If not, I’m sure you could use the back 1/4 of the Nomad roof. Just cut a chunk out and move it forward. I’ll do my best to answer any questions you may have.?

[customline]

1 hour ago, NOBLNG said:

 

Thanks Jim. Does the ‘57 come with a half roof? If not, I’m sure you could use the back 1/4 of the Nomad roof. Just cut a chunk out and move it forward. I’ll do my best to answer any questions you may have.?

Yeah....about that....I am thinking that I would like to maintain the identity of the Nomad by making use of that B-pillar in some way. The top half of the tailgate will be the easiest way to close up the cab but I don't want to lose that Nomad look if I can help it. In my mind (?),  that's important. The T-bird is going in the box so there's room on the bench.  This is your fault, Greg. ?

[NOBLNG]

2 hours ago, customline said:

Yeah....about that....I am thinking that I would like to maintain the identity of the Nomad by making use of that B-pillar in some way. The top half of the tailgate will be the easiest way to close up the cab but I don't want to lose that Nomad look if I can help it. In my mind (?),  that's important. The T-bird is going in the box so there's room on the bench.  This is your fault, Greg. ?

Maybe put that spare T-Bird roof on it Jim.?

[customline]

On 8/2/2024 at 11:50 PM, NOBLNG said:

Maybe put that spare T-Bird roof on it Jim.?

Hey, you may have something there, Greg. The roof of the Monogram Nomad is way too flat and its really obvious (It's not a great kit so I don't mind if it ends up back in the box ?.)  I'm considering grafting a portion of some roof to the nomad to raise the "crown".   This particular conversion involves a lot of scratch building but I have a ?-ton of Evergreen.  I spent half the day on it.  So far, a lot of fun ?.  

[TheBEAUMONTGURU]

Nice scratchbuilding work there Greg!  whats that putty you are using on the roof?  looks like good stuff.

[NOBLNG]

35 minutes ago, TheBEAUMONTGURU said:

Nice scratchbuilding work there Greg!  whats that putty you are using on the roof?  looks like good stuff.

Thanks Dave. That is the fine white Milliput. If you’re not familiar, it is a two part epoxy putty. A very tiny amount of water added will soften it greatly so it can be sculpted to an almost finished shape, and it sands like drywall mud.? I like it WAY better than the Tamiys brand.

Edited August 5, 2024 by NOBLNG

[Rattlecan Dan]

Great work there Greg. Gonna' be a beauty. Bet they would have sold a million of those.