The 2014 Automotive Group Build

Thanks Dale.

Hey Cody, glad to see ya back. Truck is lookin' spiffy.

rommelkiste, I think I may have found a solution to the bad fitting body on the Gremlin. Since I used the dark glass in the rear I am thinking of just cutting the upper back end off the interior tub LOL.... Are you adding the "T" to the diorama also?

Welcome to the group lostagain. Tony will be along soon to get the new folks added. I think he may be traveling again as I haven't seen him post in a while.

As far as progress, I glued in the windshield on the MonkeeMobile last night so I should have it finished this weekend.

L8TR,

Eric

Next I modified the bumper to match the Duel truck's. I filled in the recessed lights and cut the plate extension off.  I will need to add a steel beam on the front like the Duel truck but I will do that later.  I used a different style Exhaust stack and added Aluminum tube for the top pipe.  I also finished the interior.  Originally (and according to the instructions) the passenger seat sat on the floor and looks really silly that way.  I built a support and raised it a bit.  Thanks for looking more updates to come!

The Tires were an issue as well.  I needed the old style steel wheels not the more modern chrome ones.  A friend found some in his stash and gave them to me.  I copied them in resin and used them for the semi and will use for the trailer too.  

As I mentioned the parts on this Truck are nearly all plated chrome.  Even things that would never be chrome.... even for a show truck!!!  Here is a pic of all the stuff I Stripped of the chrome finish.  This does not include the grill and bumper.  Normally I'd leave the horns, grill, cab lights, mirrors and bumper chrome, but since this will be weathered I am stripping the chrome and will use metalizer to give is a shine but not a mirror finish.

Speaking of the grill,  I decided to change the center of the grill to look more like the 281 peterbilts with the horizontal grill slats.  I cut out the center and used styrene for the slats.  I of course still will paint it.

I got the Peterbilt "California Hauler" for the Truck. Its a new AMT "Retro" kit meaning old molds. Let me say this is really not a very good kit in many ways. The chrome amount is ridiculous. Nearly ever mechanical part is chrome and I literally took 2/3 of the parts and stripped them. The frame rails are bent/warped. The hood doesn't tilt. There are many over sized rivets on the body panels. Some cross members must be filed down to fit. It doesnt come with the sleeper the origianl "California Hauler" did back in the day. The good is the engine is nice, good tires, clean decals, air ride suspension fits well, has the long frame many old rigs had which can make for a better looking log truck (If you ever want to make a log hauler).

The Trailer is the Italeri Jumbo Tank Trailer. Good shape. Fits Ok so far. I will scratch build the skirting and suspension. Problem is this a European trailer and has the Single big tires. Those needed to be swapped. I will talk more about that later.

Hi folks.  I kinda disappeared there for a bit but I be back.  Great Work on your projects everyone.  Nice Gremlin Eric!  I haven't been on the forum since you picked the color.  Its neat to see it in that wild green!  Really cool!

I mentioned I was going to take on a project for a friend and make a Duel Semi truck (a look alike at least.  No company actually makes a Pete 281).  I am doing this currently and well.... got rolling and forgot to take and put up pics.   Here is what is going on.....

Hi Tony, 

Put me down for the Auto GB. First car in a long time, I will be doing the Tamiya Lotus 7 Super Special

Bit surprised by the cast quality in this kit, ejector pin holes, sink marks, mould flash;

So step 1 is filling:

And we will see how that all goes...

Lostagain

I know I won't catch up with Eric on builds but here is my latest project.  I am building a 1925 Model TT truck, yes, another T LOL!  The TT or Ton Truck, was a little longer than the standard and used a worm drive rear axle, which I will have to scratch.  I will get to that later.  So far, I have stretched a frame 1 1/4 inches or more which is pretty close to scale for the 123 inch wheel base TT.  

I have not made up my mind for a cab just yet.  I have a Jimmy Flintstone resin tall cab but it is so rough I am not sure I want to put the work into it.  I hacked up a tall  T coupe gloo bomb I found and made a cab.  Even with all the cutting and putty I think it will be less work than the resin cab.  So much for a time saver.

Who knows, I might change my mind and build a C cab or build one out of wood.  I will build a stake bed for the rear and that might change too if I find something that pulls my string hard enough.  Here is a quick mock up with the modified fenders just for some ideas.

This one won't "Shine" either as it will be worked but not used up.  If you ever get the chance to Really look at an authentic T do so.  They are a wonderful piece of Automotive history.

The Buick and Monkeymoble are coming along nicely!

Thanks its supposed to be a burnt orange metallic but the lightening sucks in my build room

HAHAHA rommelkiste. It must be a direct reissue because it is bad. I don't mind correcting parts and such but this one takes the cake. It might still be converted into an airplane and take a maiden flight somewhere LOL. I didn't think to look for a PE set for the Buick. I've already re-chromed everything and like the way the grille came out. I'll ost some photos later. I do already have the PE set for the 59 Impala that's after the Buick.

pws73703,

Welcome to the group. I'm sure Tony will be along soon to add you in. I like the paint job. :)

L8TR,

Eric

LOL! Eric, it will be a while before the diorama is finished.   It's good to know that you did not put the Gremlin in the wall or give it the "Mossberg" treatment.  I did that kit back in the 70's and didn't like it.  If it is a direct reissue of that, I will stay away from that one.  Nice work on the Monkee car and the Buick.  There are some PE sets for the Buick, if you have time give em a look.  I have always liked the 68-70 era Buicks, they were a real stump puller if you could get your hands on one.  Don't shoot me, but I cut up a 1:1 70 GS and used it up on the local dirt track once.  We do crazy things in our younger days.

rommelkiste,

That is super nifty. Now when can we seethe diorama? :)

Seabe, I agree with rommelkiste. It's to tiny for me hehehehe. Looks sharp!

I did make some progress on my 3 current builds.

First, the Monkeemobile. It finally finished stripping so I have it repainted. It must have been the primer because I sprayed a red basecoat and then the wicked red on top of it and no issues.

And I have all the pieces needing re-chromed for both the MM and the Buick painted with Gloss black.

Now for the Buick.

I got the pearl yellow sprayed and it looks good. It's my first attempt at using pearl paints.

Sprayed the black on the hood the same time I sprayed the chrome stuff. I got a little overspray on the side due to not having the frisket paper down all the way. Hopefully it'll clean up without to much trouble.

Finished cleaning up all the parts and started assembling the engine.

And sprayed the undercarriage so I can start doing stuff to it hehehe.

At last because I'm sick of it is the Gremlin LOL. I have never had one so aggravating. Hardly anything fits, hood had big gaps, body is a good 1/4" away from the frame on both sides, Body will not fit right with the interior in it, agh I could go on and on but It's almost finished so I won't.

L8TR,

Eric

Seabe I have the BT 50 built but it has been over 10 years ago, I can't remember all the glitches but the decals gave me a fits!  I just don't see how you guys work on that 1/43 stuff.  I have a tough time seeing 1/25 parts!  Keep going if you have the eyes!   I don't, I will just have to settle for the close up shots on the  builds you guys do.  

Okay, stop press - he's still alive!

I can't remember where I was last time around... But I do know due to various reasons, building has been limited. So here's where I am at now.

The Jordan's undertray and rear suspension is done. It does require some touch-ups from the CA drying, but this is as is:

Next to-do's here: seat belts, wheels, front wing pillars (to enable decals)... and yeah, that'll all take a while!

Current status on the BT50. Now, don't giggle too much, but I really could not get excited about the sink holes in the first shot, it will be closed up anyways. Really, my OCD only stretches that far!  So yeah, the undertray and front suspension done. The extinguisher straps also have some slips, but really, who'se going to see that under there?! (It shows much worse on the photo, as always.)

Also the mini assembly of the cockpit surround done. It looks as if the black section could do with another layer... it doesn't show to the naked eye, but I'll most likely budge to the OCD on this one! 

Looks great Rommlekiste!

Brilliant!

A little more dirt and grime and it goes on the shelf.  I call it a Hoyt-Clagwell Model T Tractor Conversion.   If you have ever had the chance to drive a T, you know that they are a handful to drive just as they are.  This thing would really give you a workout plowing the south 40.  Enjoy guys.

Well guys, this is the final mock-up before painting and some detailing.  I added a plank floorboard with some square bolt heads from Grandt Line.  I wasn't sure what to do about the seat so I looked at my 1:1 39 and made this one from a plastic coffee spoon.  I added a couple of rivets also.  The shifter for the extra Transmission is a round head pin.

I figure to shoot the whole thing in good old implement grey and go red on the wheels.  Then I will grunge it up some to look like it has worked some.  So far I have been able to build this out of the parts box and detail drawer and I like cheap builds!  The above mounted fuel tank is sheet plastic and evergreen half round for the trim.  Once everything is painted, I will wire the engine and finish off the hoses, the tank will be the last item attached along with a fuel line.   It will go well with the 23 Farm Truck I just finished.

Rommelkiste, you're really outdoing yourself - super! I am loving this...

I think I have the cowl and above mounted fuel tank worked out and will go with this.  I just need to work some mounts for the tank and get everything ready for assembly.  Here is a quick mock-up to get a better idea of this mess.  The front suspension has been a pain, I broke it twice.  I glooed it to my finger once and broke it again prying around on it.  Thats modeling luck.  I HOPE this looks better with some paint and some weathering!  Don't laugh too hard guys.

I gotta say rommelkiste, your scratch-building skills are amazing! Can't wait to see it all done.

Hi Gang!  Since I completed the Farm Truck I have started on the Model T Tractor conversion.  I found an old 25 T gloo bomb I took apart and will use for this.  I searched the parts pile for some rear wheels and found some 1/16 Lindberg wheels and tires from an old Mercedes Racer.  I turned the "Tire" part off the wheel and wrapped it in 4mm evergreen strips to look like an old solid tractor wheel.  The "Paddle" is parts from an evergreen HO stairway kit.  I also added some .060 rivets from Tichy Train Group as a lot of these were attached that way.  The following pic is the rear wheel under construction next to a stock T wheel.

I will file and sand these to shape when finished.  The T frame has been shortened and I added strip with some Grandt Line bolts to the rear for the larger rear axle attachment.  I have modified a larger rear axle from a Monogram Duesenburg kit.  I have also added an extra Transmission to the T trans.

This is a quick mock up of what I kind of have in mind.  I am now working out the cowl and fuel tank ideas and I hope it works!  More photos as I get a little more done.  

Excellent work there mate! I really like your weathering job on the wood. It's just enough without going overboard. And the paint chipping on the hood is nicely done too. The dog is a nice touch. What's his name?

Where's the dog?

That's a super effort, Rommelkiste!

You nailed it! I can see it parked out back next to the barn.

WOW! Looks great.

OK, here is the 23 T Farm Truck ready to go into the fields with Farmer Brown and his trusty mutt.  This is as far as I will go with this one and I am calling it done.  This build has been fun and went pretty easy.  Next will be the T tractor conversion and then I would like to try a 1925 TT truck with a full wooden cab, followed by the farmers family sedan or coupe.  I plan a scale country store to display these with but I will by no means have that finished by the end of this group build.  Hope you guys enjoy this one.   

Rommelkiste,

I like the details including the dog. :)

I finished up the engine on the Gremlin. I should have it finished this week. Kinda gettin tired of looking at it hehehehe.

Funny thing happened this weekend. I went to sand the MonkeeMobile to prep it for the first clear coat, and the paint just rubbed off like rubber. It's a new paint I haven't used before and the only thing I think of is that it doesn't like the primer I used, or maybe the humidity? Oh well, it's in the strippin' tank now hehehehe :)

So, while I am waiting for the paint to strip, I started on the 70 GSX. I sprayed the yellow base coat. I am thinking of using a yellow pearl on this one.

L8TR,

Eric