Converting toy cars and trucks to suit

Hi Chevit2001
If you want a praticular model and no kit exhists I don't see anything wrong with rebuilding a diecast to achieve your model. As for distroying its worth as a collectors item, you do the same thing everytime you break the wrap on a plastic kit box.
One of my ongoing projects is converting the Hess training van into a GM motor home. Its a slow process but I suspect that it will be a unique model when finished.
The combine I mentioned in your farm machinery post started as a diecast and plastic toy that I added some scratch built detail to.
Converting and scratchbuilding are a logical progression of your modeling skills
Carl

QUOTE: Originally posted by chevit2001 Hi! I'm wondering what others think about concerting and doing makeovers on toy and collectible cars and trucks to suit one's taste or build scale vehicles.

I have done this in the past, in fact 20-30 plus years ago when 1/43rd kits were in their infancy or perhaps harder to get with a limited range there was a good selection of diecast cars (eg Solido, Norev, Vitesse etc). A number of transformation kits (trans kits) were produced by a number of different manufacturers (eg Tron, Robustelli etc) specifically to enable different race and rally cars to be produced from the road cars. I build a number of them which enabled me to have models in my collection years before kits became available, eg BMW M1 Tour de Course, the Ferrari 308 rallied in France, Porsche 924 Carrera GT etc etc. Along with other aftermarket stuff they still look fine alongside more moden kits. I recently purchased a diecast of an Australian Touring Car Falcon which had horribly wheels so off they came and better aftermarket ones went on. I reckon its improved the value, it now looks more like the real thing. I have no hestiation in improving any diecast I purchase.

QUOTE: [i] I understand it does destroy the collectablity of certain vehicles.

So who gives a toss? If you prefer to have a specific model and this is the only way to get it then why not? There are no rules you have to follow, its your collection after all. "Collectability" is often meant as a synonim for "investment" but I also think this is highly doubtful except in a very small number of cases. I was at a toy auction recently and a large collection of 1/18th scale was under the hammer, it all went for about 1/8th to 1/5th of its purchase cost. Even the Franklin Mint cars (which I think are quite substandard and I know I'm in a minority here) were going for less than 1/3rd of their purchase cost. So where is the perceived "investment"?

You buy it, you do want you want with it.

Hey thanks for the replies. Yeh I keep coming up with ideas and subjects to model that are not available. So I love to scratchbuild or kitbash. I know vehicles like the HESS are considered collectibles but they are only worth what someone else is willing to pay. I have so many ideas on what I plan to model that I won't have to worry about being bored in my spare time even wat into retirment years and i'm only in my 40's.

"Toys" are a mainstay of supply for me. Kitbashing a cheap toy into something that looks like a good model is a terrific challenge and often you can find some with pretty good details. The problem I find is getting them to be correct to scale (I model 1-87). So carry a small ruler with you and visit those dime stores.