fatkidd Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 here's a model that I've been working on off & on lately. It started out as an MPC Truckin' USA West Coast van From what I can tell, this is not a reissue (not sure if there was ever a reissue of this kit). From what I believe, this kit is from 1974/1975ish. I bought it at a swap meet a few years ago, got home, opened the box, and found 2 complete kits in the one box. Well, lets see what I've done so far shall we? 1st pic is the stock body. 2nd pic is the chopped & sectioned body. 3rd pic is the two bodies back to back for comparrison. 4th pic is the mock up of the stance. I still have a lot of work to do on this thing. Hopefully I will get it done before I move on to another project or kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatkidd Posted September 29, 2010 Author Share Posted September 29, 2010 forgot to add that the chop is approx. 4" in scale & the section is approx. 3" in scale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 (edited) I'm working on a '85 GMC Vanthat my daughter had and using the A-Team Van kit. This is virtually the same body .. it was used for every Chevy van AMT/MPC made. There were little variances every edition ... I really like the look after the chop and section. It has good proportions and looks longer. I love the fact that you're chopping up that old kit! Edited September 29, 2010 by Foxer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randx0 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 I like it .and it is pretty cool when you get home and find a whole 'nother kit when you were only expecting one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romell R Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 looks good so far!, i had this kit as a kid my brother and i used to love building vans and trying to customize them. I would love to get my hands on that kit now that im older and a lil more skilled have fun and Im headed to ebay to look for it now LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARAUDER Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 very VERY kewl!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Cole Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Custom van! Nice chop & section! The wheel/tire size is a little much for my taste, but it's not my model! Hope you keep on truckin' (*>~groan!~<*) with this build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelguy( jeff) Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 hello great looking van iam a vanner i have seen a 1;1 like this at a van event if i can ask will u sell the 2nd kit plz i beeen lookg for the truckin usa van for yrs i have 12 van models but never tryed chopping one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 I'd love to see a realistic tire/wheel combo, but aside from that- great work. Way to be original! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustybill1960 Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Nice chop! I remember that kit, my brother built it way back when . . . . Looks interesting Thanks for sharing Later Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatkidd Posted September 30, 2010 Author Share Posted September 30, 2010 thanks for comments/compliments to those that replied. the wheel/tire combo that i you see was used because i wanted a big/little set and that was all i had in that category. i went through some of the wheels i have and i think i like this setup better. let me know what you guys think. i plan on putting a viper engine in it mid-engine. the from seats will prolly be wrapped in leather. the rear doors were opened as one door and will open upwards, like a hatchback style. the side doors will open traditionally...like saloon doors. oh, btw, this is my first chopped top and section. these wheels are hopppin' hydros slim 20's Shokks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Most Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Liking what I see so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lownslow Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 niiiiiice now i know what to do to mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gray07 Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 This is coming out great, i have hundreds of van kits, and i have this kit, its a great kit, if you want inspiration to finish this model go to www.vannin.com, iam a member there to. I will be watching this build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatkidd Posted September 30, 2010 Author Share Posted September 30, 2010 thanks again for the comments. it means a lot to me! here's a few pics with the rear door hinged (taped for mock up purposes) i still have to make the hinges for the side doors. the paint scheme has been floating around in my head, but we'll see how it goes. thanks again for looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hattley Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 I like it .and it is pretty cool when you get home and find a whole 'nother kit when you were only expecting one. For Real!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hattley Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Why is it that I’m getting the munchies just looking at this van? Kidding aside, I’ll be following your build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hornistfuller Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Yeah hahaha i can just imagina this van bombin down the highway with smoke porin out of the cracks of the rear door, and the popo in hot pursit hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Handley Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 I'm going to be watching this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatkidd Posted October 1, 2010 Author Share Posted October 1, 2010 For Real!! this isn't the only time it happened. i bought a 1/20 scale mpc van at the same swat meet (different years). i got home, opened it up, and there was a revell baha bandito vw van...with the red glass (no box, but it had instructions, decals, and all the pieces). i love going to swap meets. Why is it that I’m getting the munchies just looking at this van? Kidding aside, I’ll be following your build! Yeah hahaha i can just imagina this van bombin down the highway with smoke porin out of the cracks of the rear door, and the popo in hot pursit hahaha the munchies comment had me laughing. here's a small update for today (so far)... i got one of the hinges for the side doors completed and the interior tub cut for the rear door assembly. i also removed the "dog house" from the interior tub as it will no longer be needed (no picture of that). i hope to build a nice center console for it. here's a pic of the rear door open and the interior tub and a pic of one of the side doors hinged (2 down, 3 to go) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatkidd Posted October 8, 2010 Author Share Posted October 8, 2010 so, here's a small update... progress has been slow and a bit of block has kicked in. but, slow progress is still progress. the side doors are hinged, hung, and in place. the interior tub has been cut to clear the engine. the engine has been mocked up to see what's needed. here's a few pics to show the engine placement and one showing the interior tub without the body blocking it. the seats are next. I'm thinking about using leather. on with the pics...enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hattley Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Hey man. Any plans for the interior? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatkidd Posted October 8, 2010 Author Share Posted October 8, 2010 Hey man. Any plans for the interior? yes siree... interior will be: Leather Wrapped Seats Smoothed out inner walls (possibly leather) Not sure if I'm using the stock dash or not Haven't thought about the rest yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1320wayne Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 Very nice work so far Paul. I have this very same kit that I started a similar project a few years back. No chop on mine but I did choose to go with gullwing style doors. I need to think about getting it back out of the box and continuing with it. I can't wait to see where you go next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Handley Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 Very nice work so far Paul. I have this very same kit that I started a similar project a few years back. No chop on mine but I did choose to go with gullwing style doors. I need to think about getting it back out of the box and continuing with it. I can't wait to see where you go next. I wondered what happened to that build......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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