The Classic 1950's Automobile Group Build Starts 4-16-07

Bill, I'll change ot for you right now.  Looking forward to it.  This will also be my first attempt at flocking.

Still time to pick up a kit and join this build.

Hi there,

Got my workbench cleared off and ready to start the build.  Hope we're still a go for the group build.

Jim

I'm ready, the past two weeks have been very busy so I'm trying to get caught up on some other GB's I'm in but I'm looking forward to this one, the hardest part will not be starting today since I'm actually off and have plenty of time.

I'm really thinking about doing the 50 chevy truck as a Salvage Corps truck, like the Insurance companies used to run along side the fire department in some cities.

Jim, everything is still a go! Aaron, go ahead and start if you like, I won't throw a penalty flag.

Guys, I will be out of town Tuesday thru Monday this week, an unexpected trip came up.  I will be out mining for gold for the week (one of my other hobbies).  So just jump in and get going on the build.  If anyone new joins the build I will get you added to the list as soon as I get back.

Everyone have fun and post along the way.

I'm not starting, but I thought I would start with a pic of the kit box and sprues. I'm working tomorrow, and have obligations I must fulfill tomorrow night, so it might be a day or two before I actually glue anything together.

I'll add the group badge in as well, now that it's close to starting! 

Ok, I spent a little time searching for 1950's salvage vehicles. This is a rough draft I did with MS paint to give some idea of what my concept is. Hopefully the model will look a little better than this.

I'll be starting on schedule (I hope). I like Bgriggs idea. Soon as I figure out exactly what parts I'm using from what kits I'll post a pic. Using the '53 as the basic car but using parts from 5 other kits plus some out of my parts boxes. When I thought this up it was a great idea. All I have to do now is.....is.....is oh yea remember what those plans were.

Hope everyone has as great a time as I know I will.

Jim

I'm using the AMT/Ertl 1950 Chevrolet 3100 kit to build a Fire Department salvage wagon. The primary job of these trucks was to protect the property inside a fire building from water and smoke damage as well as securing the building after the fire. These vehicles are not very common anymore as most of the Insurance company funded Salvage Corps or Fire Patrols were disbanded by the 50's / 60's. This truck will be for my fictional 60's era fire department.

I started by extending the chassis frame about 1" since the kit represents a short bed and I'm putting a 9' body on the truck.

Here is the body, I'm doing better than most builds because this is actually the second body, the first looked to much like a rescue body so I set that one aside for another project and started this one last night.

Wow, that body is off on a great start!

I went and caught a cold, and it's kept me away from the build table. I'm going to give it a whirl tonight, but my vision is still blurry. Not the best time to build!

Aaronw, the chassis looks great. Can't tell where you added the 1". The body looks good too. I started on my '53 tuesday night. Been busy filling dents in the frame and getting it ready for a front clip from a vette and also a rear one. They are both independent suspension set ups that have real springs and hopefully they will work. Sanding all the chrome off the body and making some modifications to it. Hopefully I can post some pics tomorrow night.

Bgrigg, sorry to hear about the cold. Would the blurred vision be a help? 

Jim

fox wrote:

Bgrigg, sorry to hear about the cold. Would the blurred vision be a help?  Jim

LOL, with this old AMT kit, it's might be. When I looked at it the other night it the midst of the worst vision it looked pretty good. But now I can see all the problems! Lots of places where the styrene slumped in the molds, or perhaps it's sat in the hot LHS too long. 

Bgrigg, I have an old AMT '53 Studebaker kit 3 in 1. It has a white Mr Speed Bonneville racer version on the top. I'll put a pic of it on tomorrow. I started the racer version many years ago but set it aside for some reason. If I haven't cannablized it too bad, maybe I'll build it after the GB is done.

Jim

Bgrigg, Here's a pic of the '53 Studebaker kit that I have.

I also have a pic of my build so far. Aaronw, I don't know how you got that frame that far so fast and looking great. Do you give lessons?

Jim

Jim,

It's the same kit. I'm building mine stock, but it comes with that hood and the twin blown race engine. Yours looks older than mine. The one I have, the details are very soft and the mold has shifted on the bucket seats, messing up the pattern.

I've managed to put much of the engine together, but haven't yet painted the block. With my cold I can't handle the smell of the glues and paints. So no more pics until I finish the paint and detailing.

Bill

Bgrigg, Mine is probably a  LOT older than yours. When you reach my age, the first thing that goes is.....is.....is Oh well I think I've had it since ...................were dinosaurs still around in the 60's? Forget what the first two numbers are. Anyhow, I think it was somewhere in the 60's because in the 70's I switched totally to racing R/C sailboats till in the late 80's and I've only bought 2 or 3 kits since the late 80's and that is not one of them. My stash is made up of all old kits I bought back when I was building and doing some local competeing in the 60's.

My dad had a good cure for the common cold. Make a HOT cup of tea and put a double shot of your favorite whiskey in it and drink it while it is still as hot as you can drink. Then you go to bed with a good heavy quilt covering you. You will sweat like crazy and it will sweat the cold out of you. Don't get out of bed during the night or you might catch pneumonia. He did it during the 50 years he worked for the same refinery anytime he felt a cold coming on. He was never out a day sick in 50 years.

Jim

LOL, I just drink the whiskey (single malt scotch) without the tea. Doesn't seem to help with the cold, but who cares?

You got that right. I'm a double Dewars on the rocks man myself. I hope I spelled that right. I haven't had any for about 20 years. I forget what it tastes like.

Jim

Hi guys! I'm still in but haven't got much done. Been laid up for about a week and a half, I had a bad fall at work and wound up with my leg messed up a bit. Problem is my workbench is in the basement and I can't do stairs too good. I managed to get down there yesterday and did a little messing around. I started fixing all the little casting uglies and since it's going to be a custom the chrome trim was removed and will be replaced later with something else.

Ron.

Builds are looking good so far.  Back from my trip to Nevada and hope to get started on my '58 soon.

Sorry to hear about your injury Ron, hope you recover quickly.

I am in the process of building a Futura, it is abot 80% complete.  If I knew earlier about this GB I would have waited. Unfortunately, I already have other several other projects I getting ready to start which won't fit this build.  I would have liked to have joined this.

I have a few reference shots for the kit I am building.  I just have to figure out how to do the fender skirts.  Anybody have suggestions?

The method I use is to first glue some mounts inside the edges of the fenders so the skirts have something to keep them flush with the fenders. Then use some Evergreen sheet styrene the same thickness as the fender to cut the shape you need, file the edges until it fits. Don't bend the part because it has a memory and will try to return to it's original flatness, instead, if a curve is needed, laminate the sheets together where the curve is needed and file it to shape. I'll see if I can find some pictures to make myself a little clearer and post them later if you like.

Ron.

Okay, cold is mostly done and I've started work on the engine. I'm not going to wire or plumb, as the AMT kit is, well an AMT kit, so the hood will remain closed for the most part. Here's what is glued and painted so far:

Been filling and sanding, filling and sanding, filling and sanding, and the body of the '53 Chevy still looks bad. The frame is even worse. It looks like they tried to put the plastic in the mold when it was almost cold. The only thing glued together is the skirts to the body and the scoop to the hood. I'm molding them into the body. Anyone out there know where I can get green putty by the 5 gallon bucket? Oh, oh, oh, just got an idea. I still have a can of Bondo that's still in good shape. That should work. 

Bgrigg, glad the cold is done and you are back to the build.

Jim

Thanks, Jim!

I see a couple of spots that need to be touched up. The camera eye does not lie! I'll be adding a wash to the filter to knock the white back a bit more, and whoever put the fan belt on must have cut themselves as there is some blood on the belt!

Bill 

Hey Bill, the blood on the belt looks realistic. I'd leave it in. But, the sterling silver fan belts is stretching it a bit.

Jim

Ron, the car in your pic is really great. Having trouble figuring out what car you started with. Looks somewhat like a '50 or '51 Chevy? Great job. Love the subtle flames in the paint job. Do you give lessons??????

Jim

Got it primed but its been raining the past couple of days so I'm kind of stuck until the weather improves. I'm thinking about painting it red overall with white doors.