Project Silk Purse,,,, The Corvan

[Atmobil]

Wow!! Now this is bodywork

Amazing amount of work you have done on this, you really have transformed it. If I had gotten a resinbody looking like the one you started with I would have put it back in its box and hidden it somewhere and just tried to forget about it.

[Psychographic]

Thank you all for the compliments, they mean a lot to me. Bob, I thought about pinning the guide, but it fit so well I only needed to hold it in place.

I decided I have enough of the major body work done to cut out the front windows, I waited on this step to keep the shell as strong as possible.

I've got the side doors lightly scribed and I'm happy with how straight they are this time. I did try to scribe the right front door again and failed miserably. Again, I think the problem is the body filler and pinholes keeping any tool from making a smooth clean scrape. My next thought is to try using some photo etch saw blades. I've never used them before and don't know what ones I should get. I also need to find a way to fill in the scribing on the back doors as they are real deep.

Other than the scribing, I am gettting real close to a final sanding and priming.

Edited December 17, 2014 by Psychographic

[Danno]

That's really starting to look like a real Corvan! Great work on a challenging core.

[Platerpants]

wow nice improvement

[91blaze]

Love the work you've done so far, looking good.

[Sixties Sam]

Simply amazing work! Wow!

Sam

[slusher]

Very impressive work David. Man, its looking great..

[crazyrichard]

stunning build !!

[1930fordpickup]

Have you tried to lay several layers of tape as a guide ?

[Psychographic]

I cast the front bumper from a 65 Chevy P.U., then shortened it, narrowed it, and trimmed the ends. Unfortunately it needs to be a bit longer to fit the back, so I'll cast another and repeat the process.

The stock P.U. bumper with my modified one.

On the van.

Edited December 20, 2014 by Psychographic

[FASTBACK340]

Saying this is impressive is a huge understatement. Considering the lump you started with and where you are at is truly amazing. Fantastic workmanship and vision!!!!

BTW: If this is cast, PM me when your ready to take money.

[Psychographic]

I'm going to cast another headlight, then if it comes out OK, I'll glue it to the original master and make a final mold. This way I will be able to cast a pair of headlights at a time. I've got the grille, grille bar, and headlights in silicone waiting to cure.

Here's the setup for the headlights.

After I shortened the back bumper I noticed it wasn't straight. I cast another one and got it right this time.

Edited December 21, 2014 by Psychographic

[Randy D]

Hi David,

Much respect for you on undertaking this project !!! Your progress looks great and looking forward to more.

Randy

[Psychographic]

The new master for casting two sets of headlights. I just need to sand the bottom of the "feed tube" going to the original one so it will flow faster.

Here's a shot of the front with a pair of reject headlights and the grille I cast, along with the bumper that is still in the making. The right headlight bucket is not done yet, which is why that assembly is crooked.

Edited December 22, 2014 by Psychographic

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nice work. A thought on the door line scribing. Once you get the lines scribed you could fill the lines and then use an xacto and rescribe them to get a more precise line. Just a thought.

[hjracing]

This is an awesome job, lost of details that are taking this model to another level!

[Psychographic]

Not a lot of progress lately. The body line above the headlights and grille had too much of an arch to it that needed to be addressed. It only took about three tries with the filler and shaping to get it right.

Before,

After,

I also manged to drop one of the bumpers on the floor and broke an end off of it with my chair. I can't find the end that broke off, so I'll be casting and modifying another one. I've also run some tape as a guide to see how straight and parallel some of my lines were, they weren't as straight as I thought. I filled the areas with filler and as it started to set up, I pulled the tape which gave me a straight line that needed just a little sanding. I still have to straighten out the coves and the taillight panels, then it will be time to wetsand the body to get the scratches out.

Edited December 28, 2014 by Psychographic

[Dirty Dave]

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying watching this come together. I remember a series of articles on Dean Milano making one from a Vanagon body, but I think you're miles beyond that build at this point.

[FullPowerGarage]

Wow! Some high quality modeling going on right here!

[charlie8575]

Excellent work, David. This is definitely a credit to you and your skills. I'll look forward to this one coming along.

Charlie Larkin

[Tom Geiger]

The irony is that you said you bought the resin van to avoid scratch building one, then you pretty much scratch built one. Great work!

[michael1969]

I applaud your perseverance.I would have shelved this more times than I would want to count. You work is spectacular. Can't wait to see it finished

[Psychographic]

I'm still plugging along on this thing. I'm tying to get the two coves that run down the body straight. I thought it would be easy, wrap some sandpaper around a rigid tube and be done,,,,,,,,,,,,,WRONG! It's taking forever for me to get them straight and even. One thing I noticed, I didn't have the body straight enough and where it bulged out would make the cove bigger. I've got them pretty straight, but have a ways to go.

[Pat Minarick]

Looking good Dave, can't believe how much work you are putting in to this. I know this going toa good one.

[Danno]

The irony is that you said you bought the resin van to avoid scratch building one, then you pretty much scratch built one. Great work!

Dittos!!