1957 Chrysler Hemi Wagon - FINISHED ! 5-23-12

[Jantrix]

Looks great so far.

And Bob, the mods get crazy if you open up a new thread for every update. Just add more info to your original post.

[bbowser]

I really like this. I'm working on a similar project, trying to make a 'phantom' 59 Cadillac Nomad 2-door wagon. The interior is where I'm stalled now, what are you doing in that area?

[Dr. Cranky]

I like it, keep it going. That chassis is beautiful. And love the overspray on the fender wells. Nice engine too. More, please.

[TooOld]

I really like this. I'm working on a similar project, trying to make a 'phantom' 59 Cadillac Nomad 2-door wagon. The interior is where I'm stalled now, what are you doing in that area?

A '59 Cadillac Nomad sounds cool ! Interiors are always tough on these builds . I did a '67 Nova with a Nomad roof on it and dark tinted windows . The rear of the interior was not visible so I didn't do a lot with it . In this one it will be seen so I've built a floor and side panels with sheet styrene and plan on flocking the whole thing . Plus an extra bench seat placed in back . How about some pics of what you have so far ?

Thanks everybody for the comments . And thanks Jantrix for the info .

BOB.

[bbowser]

I'll get some pics up soon, start a WIP thread. The idea of tinted windows in back is interesting, might save a lot of work.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

SWEET!

[TooOld]

I spent some time on Sunday installing the plug wires . It really makes a big difference !

So , here are some photos of the finished engine .

Edited March 4, 2020 by TooOld

[wraith]

Looking sweet!

Love the detail on the HEMI!

[Deathgoblin]

Unreal! I love what you've done so far. Good Work!

[TooOld]

Here's a few more pictures to show what I've gotten done lately ( not much ) .

The suspension and brake lines are installed . I had to remove the torsion bars to test fit the engine . . . the headers wouldn't clear . I think they will fit after final assembly .

I used the '57 mufflers and made custom exhaust using .094 Styrene tube . The tips are polished aluminum . I also painted the inside of the body and engine compartment satin black .

The aluminumtips might be too long . What do you think ? Also have the carpeting done .

The interior pieces are painted and waiting for some trim and BMF .

Finally , I've painted the roof and hood with Krylon Almond . I can see it needs a little more body work around the B-pillar and drip rail . The roof will be trimed with BMF . The body will be painted with Testors One Shot Purple - Licious .

I have a question for you guys . This is my first attempt at BMF , but I've practiced on an old body . Question is . . . do I spray the clear before or after I apply the BMF ?

Thanks again .

BOB.

Edited March 4, 2020 by TooOld

[cobraman]

That is going to be so..................nice. I have used BMF both over and under the clear. Some I hear prefer to clear over the BMF so there is no chance of it letting it go later. I had some old BMF at one time that would not adhear good so I cleared over it and that worked prety good.

[TooOld]

I thought I read somewhere that a clearcoat over the BMF caused it to turn dark . Is this true ?

[bbowser]

The exhaust tips are just right, need some flamethrowers . I don't clear any of my builds so I can't comment about the BMF.

[TooOld]

I spent a little time over the weekend and set the body on the chassis to set the ride height . The rear is stock and the front was lowered by flipping the spindles . I was hoping it would be lower , but it looks okay . Stock height would have been terrible ! The wheels and tires are from the 'cuda kit . I gave the wheels a wash with Black Detailer and a coat of dullcoat . the chrome is very thin and peeled right of with masking tape , so I touched up the rims with Chrome Silver . The redlines are stickers .

The interior is pretty much finished . Just need to adjust the fit of the side panels . I tried BMF on the trim , but I just don't have the knack for it yet , so I used my trusty old brush .

Any comments ? I've never spent much time on interiors , so I'm learning here .

Next , I can get back to the body work and paint . Then I can set that Hemi in there and finish it up !

BOB.

Edited March 4, 2020 by TooOld

[Bartster]

Coming along great, Bob. Nothing cooler than a longroof hotrod!

[crazyjim]

Exciting build.

[TooOld]

Over the weekend I sprayed some color on everything . The body looks blue in the photo but it really is Purple ! I'm happy with the way it looks , so I'll let it dry a few days . Then I'm going to try the BMF again . After that I'll spray some clear onto it .

The engine is installed in the chassis and looks good . Everything is close with the body on , but it fits . While test fitting the body I found a few issues . The inner fenders got trimmed a bit because they hit the upper control arms . The firewall was hitting the top of the floorboard so I trimmed the top about an 1/8 inch . All this got the body down on the frame where it belongs . I also removed the dash from the interior . It will be glued into the body after the windshield is lnstalled . This should eliminate any interference problems .

Hopefully , by my next update it will be nearing completion .

BOB.

 

Any suggestions ? Thanks for looking .

BOB.

Edited March 4, 2020 by TooOld

[TooOld]

These photos are closer to the true color .

 

There's some dust in it , but that's no problem . By the way , this is my paint booth .

Edited March 4, 2020 by TooOld

[Bartster]

Looking real nice.

[crazyjim]

X2

[imatt88]

Bob,

Love it! What kit did you use for the main body, and how did you get the roof to fit? Did you scratchbuild it? It looks like it was made to be a station wagon.

How did you make the hood? Is it a resin copy of something?

The Cuda parts are 1/24th scale, and they don't look out of scale with anything else. How did you work that on out?

Looks good,

Cheers, Ian

[TooOld]

Ian , I started with the AMT '57 Chrysler 300 kit . My original post is on page 9 or 10 of On The Workbench , dated April 2 . It will answer most of your questions .

As for the 'cuda parts being 1/24 scale , the difference is less noticeable on smaller parts . With large parts like bodies , the size difference is obvious . Engines are usually almost the same size . Wheels and tires are only slightly larger . Think 16 " instead of 15 " diameters . Again , not really noticeable .

BOB.

The two seperate posts have been merged . Thanks Harry P.

Edited May 8, 2012 by TooOld

[Joker]

Building a longroof has it's challenges..

Like the Testors Purple-icious..

Try removing the flash function on your camera.

It will give you a truer color.The interior is looking sharp.

The engine is a build on its own..clean work.

James aka Joker

[TooOld]

Building a longroof has it's challenges..

Like the Testors Purple-icious..

Try removing the flash function on your camera.

It will give you a truer color.The interior is looking sharp.

The engine is a build on its own..clean work.

James aka Joker

Thanks Joker . I take all my photos with no flash because it gives truer colors . For some reason the purple doesn't like the lighting inside . It looks much better in the natural lighting near my open garage door .

[wraith]

WOW! Those colors just make this thing pop! Can't wait to it finished!