Custom Trabant FINISHED- Under Glass photos soon

[Chuck Most]

Trying for something different with the grille...

[Jantrix]

Love it! How about adding the bumperettes from the AMT '49 Ford?

[Chuck Most]

Love it! How about adding the bumperettes from the AMT '49 Ford?

Sheesh, Rob, you a freakin' mind reader or something? Those were among the first pieces I tried on the front end. Might need a bit of filing to fit, but might be workable, if not I'm sure I can find something.

Also trying something a bit different with the wheels. And yes, I'm planning on making it sit this low- I might even keep the wackiness going and not install any rear tires at all.

[Ace-Garageguy]

You could run casters in the rear for some really interesting handling. Sorry, I always seem to relate in 1:1 terms.

Anyway, I think the world has waited long anough for a full custom Trabant with skirts and fins. I'm glad you're filling this aching need.

PS. I vote for the bubble top.

[Chuck Most]

The bubble top still stands a fighting chance at this point- the trouble is I just have to find one that won't make the car look like a Homer Simpson design.

[91blaze]

This is looking pretty awesome, keep up the good work!

[Chuck Most]

Might skip the bumperettes after all and try the bumper from a Revell '48 Ford- it needs a bit of reshaping to fit better but I think it looks pretty decent. Starting to kind of resemble a Checker Marathon up front.

[Joe Handley]

The bubble top still stands a fighting chance at this point- the trouble is I just have to find one that won't make the car look like a Homer Simpson design.

One of the bubbles from the Homer might be your only choice, might make it look like a large scale go-kart or stroller bodied like a random kustom like this one

[Chuck Most]

Might put a handlebar on it now.

Just a couple more wet-sand sessions away from the paint booth now.

[Chuck Most]

First few coats of Duplicolor Malibu Mist. I found a few blemishes and pinholes (in the filler putty) I missed during the endless series of bodywork sessions on this thing. Like the golden oldie says 'too late to turn back now'. Fortunately most of the rough stuff will be covered up- the rest I'll just not worry about. Humidity must be down in my area, too- no blushing of the paint. Hopefully no clear will be needed in the end, but that remains to be seen.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Tasty color and love the fins.

[cobraman]

Looking good. Nice color.

[Austin T]

I think you should give it a big antennae to make it look like a bumper car.Also put some funny communist bumper sticker on it.

[Danno]

"All together, now, Comrades, let's sing: 'RED Solo Cup. I fill zyou up. You are my frient. Let'z have a par~teeee. Proceed to Party.'"

Edited July 22, 2012 by Danno

[Chuck Most]

Danno... go to your room. Your hobby room. And begin working on that stretched Avanti race car you KNOW you want to build as a companion to that Super Starliner.

Latest update-

Cadillac grille and ribbed bumper are in place, and I robbed some parking lamps from a '49 Merc. Still thinking of foiling the headlamp bezels (which are the custom pieces from an AMT '51 Chevy by the way). I also sprayed over the base of Malibu Mist with a pearl clearcoat.

[charlie8575]

This is sick, warped, twisted, insane...

And I expect nothing less from you.

Very, very, cool, Chuck.

Do you remember off hand which manufacturer used the term "Malibu Mist?" That's a pretty color.

Charlie Larkin

[Chuck Most]

Charlie- I don't think it's any specific car manufacturer's color- it was part of their 'General Purpose' line. It's a shade or two lighter than Testors Colors By Boyd Pacific Green when you look at it in person.

[Foxer]

WoW! .. Trablant looking good! Now, that's a contradiction ..

[Chuck Most]

Started on the second version of the interior, using Plastruct stock for the side panels.

BUT...

That would lead to me needing to dig up cranks, handles, armrests, trim, etc. So I decided to go another route.

I cut down some inner door panels from an AMT '60 Ford Starliner, using the Plastruct door panels as patterns. I also narrowed the Ford's front bench seat about 1/2" to fit between them. Planning for a Malibu Mist/ Silver two-tone vinyl motif for the interior. Once these are painted and detailed, I'll start on the dash... not sure if I'll use a modified kit part for that, or if I'll scratch up my own dash. Guess we'll see. And I still have to figure out the steering wheel and shifter situation, not to mention the top/glass issue.

[Casey]

And I still have to figure out the steering wheel and shifter situation, not to mention the top/glass issue.

Predicta stick steering stalk and top from same. Done.

[Tony T]

Wicked Trabby!

[Alyn]

still waiting for the aluminum big block and moveable rear wing.

or, I may have to start believing that you're gonna pull this off

[Chuck Most]

Got a bit more done.

Interior side panels and seat are painted/decaled/foiled. Seat upholstery insert decals are from Scale Motorsport- very nicely printed and very user friendly decals to use!

Dashboard as an infant...

Dashboard as an akward tween...

Dashboard all growed up....

And a better look at those sweet Scale Motorsport decals.

[carsntrucks4you]

Chuck,

I don't like these stinking road blocks on german streets. But your Trabi is awesome.

[Chuck Most]

Was going to post a few pics of the now-completed interior, but all signs seem to point to the car being finished sometime today. I'll just say to keep an eye on the 'Under Glass' portion of the forum.