Who would be interested?

[Ben]

I was wondering what kind of interest there would be in a resin, curbside 1/25 kit of a 1997-2006 Ford E250 van. It's a delivery style van without the side windows but they could be added by the builder. It would be a curbside with the drive train detail molded into the chassis. The builder could add the drive train from a Monogram F250 if more detail is wanted. The master for this is a diecast. That being said, there's not much detail on the interior. There's good dash, steering wheel, bucket seat detail but in the rear, there's just the floor ribs. Pretty much just like the real one.

The body and interior could be cut into a cab/chassis to build a class c motorhome, a Ryder truck, ambulance, swat van. There's many possibilities! Let me know whatcha think!

Edited May 5, 2011 by Ben

[Agent G]

That's what we used for prisoner conveyance. I'd take at least two to start.

G

[highway]

I like the idea! One suggestion, if it would be possible to cast the side emblems separately, offer both the E-250 and E-350 emblems for those who might want to make a Ryder truck or ambulance, since many of those are E-350 dually setups anyway. Heck, even the E-150 emblem would be nice for a light duty delivery van like bakeries or florists might have. I know making the separate emblems would be probably a pain, but even more possiblities!

[Ben]

I like the idea! One suggestion, if it would be possible to cast the side emblems separately, offer both the E-250 and E-350 emblems for those who might want to make a Ryder truck or ambulance, since many of those are E-350 dually setups anyway. Heck, even the E-150 emblem would be nice for a light duty delivery van like bakeries or florists might have. I know making the separate emblems would be probably a pain, but even more possiblities!

Hey Matt, there are no "raised emblems" on the body. There's just a tampo on the rear door stating that it's a E250. If someone could draw the emblems up in the proper program, I can get them made in photo etch.

There's two Ford ovals, one on the grille and one on the rear door. These could be made as decals. The E150, 250 and 350 could be as well for those that don't care if the detail is raised or not.

[Wagoneer81]

There'd be so many possibilities with this one, like you said. I'd like to have one, myself... An E-350 would make a nice pull vehicle for a race team. I could see one with a Galaxie Ltd. tag-along trailer hooked up to it with some "Weekend Warrior" race team graphics. Scratchbuilding a motorhome body would be a lot of fun as well..... Hey... A class 'C' E-350 Motorhome pulling an enclosed race car trailer ... Wow, isn't it amazing how I just talked myself into that ...lol! Ok, so I'd want two then...

[Eshaver]

Oh boy, a NEW VAN !!!!!!!! HOTT DANG ........... bein as I was in the business of Van accessory manufacturin fer years , that sounds real dang fine . Ed Shaver

[highway]

Hey Matt, there are no "raised emblems" on the body. There's just a tampo on the rear door stating that it's a E250. If someone could draw the emblems up in the proper program, I can get them made in photo etch.

There's two Ford ovals, one on the grille and one on the rear door. These could be made as decals. The E150, 250 and 350 could be as well for those that don't care if the detail is raised or not.

I see what you mean, Ben. I found these pics on Wikipedia, and didn't relize the regular van didn't have fender emblems.

That's what I get for hanging around the commerical ones too much! I guess since the chassis cab doesn't have rear doors, they needed someplace to put an emblem.

I also found this one, I can't believe none of us thought of this possiblity!

As for the emblems being decals, that would work for me. Would it be possible to photoreduce the emblem to make the decal? If so, let me know and I'll try to hunt all three up, which shouldn't be hard in the E-350 chassis especially. The towing company right down the road has U-Hauls and also use the standard van for a service truck. My town's volunteer fire department also has one of the chassis cabs as their ambulance.

[Nick Winter]

I did Matt.

this one just happens to appear once and while when my mom ain't driven the normal "Big" Buses.

Nick

[RodneyBad]

Johnny Lightning 1/24 2004 Ford van diecast.

There is a good start for one.

[Chuck Most]

Not sure who, but there is an E-series (cutaway cab) ambulance on the market in resin. But to answer the question, yes, I'd love a late model Ford van in scale!

[Ben]

As for the emblems being decals, that would work for me. Would it be possible to photoreduce the emblem to make the decal? If so, let me know and I'll try to hunt all three up, which shouldn't be hard in the E-350 chassis especially. The towing company right down the road has U-Hauls and also use the standard van for a service truck. My town's volunteer fire department also has one of the chassis cabs as their ambulance.

[Ben]

Not sure who, but there is an E-series (cutaway cab) ambulance on the market in resin. But to answer the question, yes, I'd love a late model Ford van in scale!

Hey Chuck, that would be SSB Resins that offers that E350 cutaway. I have asked him if I could just purchase the cab chassis without the ambulance parts and he told me no.

With my kit, you can keep it a van or cut it into a cab/chassis so you have many options!

[Ben]

I also found this one, I can't believe none of us thought of this possiblity!

I didn't mention the short bus because it brings back painful memories!

[Corvette.Jeff]

id buy one! ive always wanted to build a bagged van!!!

[Custom Hearse]

I'd take several! I could think of another idea or two...

[skmodelcars]

I'd consider one too!

[niteowl7710]

[highway]

Hey Matt, I don't have the equipment to make decals so that would be up to whomever was to offer them. It would be a good idea to take a good, clear, up close picture of the emblem and then reduce it. This will help maintain a clear image when reduced.

I will see what I can do at least with getting the pics. I'm sure with the professional decal makers around here, something can be worked out.

[charlie8575]

I'd be interested in buying one possibly. I do think the idea of some newer vans is a nice one.

Charlie Larkin

[Rick Schmidt]

Hmmmm I'll try to be as calm as possible in my reply but I WANNA VAN I WANNA VAN I WANNA VAN I WANNA VAN!!!

[Ben]

I will see what I can do at least with getting the pics. I'm sure with the professional decal makers around here, something can be worked out.

Hey Matt, don't jump the gun just yet. I still need to get the diecast turned into a resin kit. I should be able to disassemble it and send it to the caster this weekend.

[Ben]

It's looking like there's some good interest in this so I'll be sending the pieces to Eric at P&P Resins. He has cast some big truck cabs for me and the quality was great so this van kit should look really good when cast!

[Chuck Most]

Hey Chuck, that would be SSB Resins that offers that E350 cutaway. I have asked him if I could just purchase the cab chassis without the ambulance parts and he told me no.

With my kit, you can keep it a van or cut it into a cab/chassis so you have many options!

Yep- SSB. (I was thinking RMR for some reason, even though I knew that wasn't the company.) He also casts a Ford Super Duty, but will not sell just the cab, only the whole kit. That's why I like your idea!

[Corvette.Jeff]

what would the underside be like?

one whole piece or axles seperate?

jeff

[Danno]

Excellent idea, Ben!