1975 Chevy Van NYPD

[ABC Auto Industry]

This one has an interesting story behind it. This was built using an original issue of the AMT Chevy Rescue Van kit, which I purchased off of eBay almost two decades ago for about $36, which I thought was a steal for that particular kit. I had it laying around for a while and was originally going to build an ambulance out of it, but after seeing AMT re-release the Police Van kit, I decided to build it as an NYPD van. Besides, the solid-side panels that came with this kit were all gonked up with some weird green filler-like substance.

I know some of you will claim that the NYPD never used GM G-series vans, but I have quite a bit of proof that they did, including this 1978 ESU documentary (WARNING: Contains bad language)

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Also, this screenshot from the 1982 slasher movie The New York Ripper: https://imcdb.org/vehicle_325610-GMC-Vandura-1978.html

 

Anyways, about the kit itself: This was pretty much stock. I used the Gates Commando X/T rear tires because they could emulate snow tires. I also used a rear cage and bench seat from a reissue of the Police Van kit, plus a couple of decals from that kit in addition to decals from policedecalsanddeals on eBay. I fabricated the Signal-Stat crossbar using mounts from an AMT Ford Galaxie police car kit, Plastruct square plastic rod, plus rotating beacon lights and a speaker from a crossbar kit from FAB Resin Works. I scratchbuilt the can lights using extra sprue plus lights from various AMT big rig kits. Again, the beacons aren't accurate for an NYPD van, but again, I couldn't find any four-bulb beacons to emulate the Signal-Stat 374s used by the NYPD, so I just worked with what I had. Overall, I'm proud of this one, except for the sometimes-crooked decals (darn my shaky hands!) and the fact that the rear doors kinda split when I was attaching the body. Still, I'm glad I got this one done.

[ncbuckeye67]

Nicely done conversion! Your research & attention to detail are very in-depth. 

[ABC Auto Industry]

3 hours ago, ncbuckeye67 said:

Nicely done conversion! Your research & attention to detail are very in-depth. 

Thanks! I try to do as much research as possible, whether model building, doing art or writing.