68 VW, Revell ... first car model in almost 50 yrs (Finally finished)

I will be away from the bench for a short while, and wanted to post a quick update before I go. I painted the floorboard, glossed it black, and painted the mats with Vallejo's 'dark rubber'. It looks pretty dark on airplane tires, pretty light for black floormats but I think the contrast might work out nicely?

And the astute viewer might notice that my gear shift lever shaft is chrome plated. I really don't know how that happened. I swear I didn't touch the Malotow pen in the plastic cup nearby.

The shift knob, however, is properly white. Thank you, Bill.

Sorry about the cell phone pic, short on time tonight.

When I get back I'd like to post a better pic of the pedals because I think they are neat, and maybe the gearshift lever and parking brake once installed.

Those rubber mats look really good! Yep--they were kinda a lite rubber color--maybe from all the use!

There is a really nice set of pics over on the GRautogallery of Grand Rapids---of a nice 68 in 'slug bug green'!

Also in the instructions the parking brake lever is in the wrong direction

Thanks, Andy.

I'll try to check out  the autogallery, can't have enough reference pics.

And a big thanks on the parking brake lever. I'm not home right now so can't look at the kit instructions, but I gaurantee I'd have just followed the pic and put it on backwards. In fact, my memory is so bad I may still........

The end points forward, the handle is black and there’s a little white release button on the end.

Theres a rubber bellows type of deal on the hinge end.

I have a vw Model I’m about to start over in GB

GMorrison

The end points forward, the handle is black and there’s a little white release button on the end.

Theres a rubber bellows type of deal on the hinge end.

I have a vw Model I’m about to start over in GB

 

And I thank you for that.

Which GB, may I ask? I'd sure like to follow along.

I hope you do.

Aces on the wrong side of history.

GMorrison

I hope you do.

Aces on the wrong side of history.

 

Great, thanks Bill!

Missed this when you posted it Greg!!! Looking good buddy.

Back from short getaway.... I installed the seats.

The seats have been handled after painting more than any other part or assy which I dind't clear coat for protection since I started back in '13. I am not impressed with the durability of Vallejo. I already knew this and thought I could get away with it. Laziness has it's costs.

I like the red interior so far, thanks to Bill for that tip.

And also to Andy. I remembered to install the parking brake the right way.

Just runnin' the traps. The project is looking good! Thumbs up here!

Maxie

The interior looks great! That is interesting about vallejo too. Yet another reason for me to pursue using it.

Man that red does set that interior off Greg. Looks awesome man. One thing that can be done to bring the detail out on things like that seat is to apply a wash to it. Not the typical one that we use on military stuff though. For things like these seats a darker shade of red can be used it works like a charm. Paint a spare part with the Vallejo red and follow it up with a darker red wash and see what you think.

Thanks for checking in Max and Steve, surely appreciate it.

Joe, good tip, thanks. I wonder if I might get brave and try it on the seats already installed. Hmmm.

Test it first..........................

Yeah, you're right.

Looking good Greg.  The texture on those seats is spot on from my memory.

keavdog

Looking good Greg.  The texture on those seats is spot on from my memory.

 

Hey, thanks John! It's neat you looked closely, and I'm almost surprised you can see the seat texture. That red is oversaturated (my fault due to cell phone pic!)

Well Hey there Greg. How in the Wide, Wide World of Sports have I been missing out on this VW build of yours!!!! I am certainly taken aback to find you building one you sneaky devil you. I just happen to stumble across this and very excited I did. I'm now full on following along. I still need to go back and catch up on all of your progress but, I've seen enough to say that you are doing one heck of a job on building this Bug. You really are taking to this like you've been car models all your life. Absolutely stunning work.

Not sure if I've ever told you about this but, I've grown up with VW's all my life. No, seriously, my father owned a VW repair shop/junkyard/museum here in Moab. VW's have been apart of our family since before I was born. Although my father passed away 11 yrs ago, we still have the shop and yard and some 260+ VW's. We have been slowly liquidating the collection since his passing. At the time of his death there were over 600 VW's in the yard of all types. Also toss in a few Porsches. Here's a few pics of the collection in it's current state:

Needless to say, I grew up driving VW's. It was great. If I wanted a car to drive my father would make me drag one out of the yard and it was up to me, with his help, to do everything to get it running and driveable. As such, I know my around VW's pretty well.. 

With that said, should you have any questions concerning any details about your Bug I likely have an answer or picture. Know what I mean?

You're doing awesome Greg and I am hugely excited to follow along. 

WOW, cool Joe, I want one.

Yes that's a fine job looks sharp.

Joe, first off, I just figured you were boycotting me.

Now then, if that isn't the craziest thing about the family VW yard!!!! When you get around to reviewing this thread you'll see there is no lack of first hand knowledge amongst the folks (except ME!), but man, I think yours takes the cake for sure.

Thanks for sharing those pics. Had I known that, might have been that road trip to Moab we've been talking about before I even started. So whenever we finally get out there, I just gotta see it. Ok?

Greg, As always, I would love to have you come visit. And yes, I will gladly give you a personal tour. Trust me, there's a lot more to this museum than what you see in the pics.

Model Crazy, Well, come on down and pick one out. Maybe two. They're all for sale and mostly in restorable condition. By the way, did you not end moving away from Meridian? I haven't been in touch as much lately and as I recall you were preparing to move.

Joe, yes I moved to the Dallas area for a little while. As soon as the doctors release me I'll move back to Idaho.  Maybe while going back I should stop by and take a look. One of my wife's dreams is owning a VW as well as an older Jag. Heck my dream cars are a VW and 75 Vette.

Steve

Cool picture of the VW Ranch Joe!!! What's a Fiero doing in the mix??? Good grief I remember working on those things when I worked at the Pontiac Dealership in Dallas. Terrible cars.

I had forgotten how cool the 'parts list' is on the Revell instructions. Really comes in handy especially since I don't know much about cars.

So here's one for all you VW experts. Please look at part #63 below:

Parts list says #63 is a flower pot. Why is it a flower pot and does it really belong on the dashboard of my '68 VW???

The flower vase was indeed a stock item on the Beetle. It was also incorporated on the new Bug when introduced in 1998.

modelcrazy

Joe, yes I moved to the Dallas area for a little while. As soon as the doctors release me I'll move back to Idaho.  Maybe while going back I should stop by and take a look. One of my wife's dreams is owning a VW as well as an older Jag. Heck my dream cars are a VW and 75 Vette.

Steve

 

JOE RIX

The flower vase was indeed a stock item on the Beetle. It was also incorporated on the new Bug when introduced in 1998.

 

Include that thing and we'll never speak again...

Oh oh, I've unwittingly posted a controversial question.

Thanks for your input, Junkyard Joe (your new handle, btw).

And yours too, Bill. I presume "Flower Power" or something like that would be an inappropriate part of this reply, then?

Eek, not looking at the part right now but looking at the instuction pic of the dask, that area is serrated and those assy holes look to be a challenge to fill.

Thanks for your input, gents.

PS, Bill, I've been watching for your VW over in Aces GB. How's it going?

[quote user="Greg"]Oh oh, I've unwittingly posted a controversial question. 

Naw. No controversy from my end . All good on GM's clarification.

I do have a question after seeing your instructions. Is the steering wheel actually on the right of this kit? That's an interesting detail.

Keep it rolling my good friend.