Snowman Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 I decided that I want to create a sleeper as hotrod version of the VW Samba bus after seeing a couple of outlandish mods on Netflix and YouTube! I wanted a worn looking Samba so not be an obvious rod, but it had to be low slung to show intent. To achieve this I at first wanted to stick in a 911 engine, but that is so "old hat" and done to death in the real world, i wanted to try something else. Thinking about this for while longer, I decided to create a "hybrid" Frankenstein by combining a Revell Audi R8 for its engine & wheels with the Revell Samba kit. Where to begin? How to modify? How to blend the two kits in a way that it does not land up being a total waste of what is essentially two very nice kits? I have lots to ponder, as this is a very unfamiliar world, far beyond just adding a bit extra detail.🤔🤯 I will post some photos of my WIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 An interesting idea. I have an R8 kit and I also have a Hasegawa VW van kit. Hmmmm All I need is time! (Fat chance). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiny Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Not wanting to put warped thoughts into your mind, especially as it sounds as though you've settled on the R8 drivetrain, but a few years ago I did come across a VW van with a Viper engine in it... It'll be interesting to see how your build goes. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 16, 2019 Author Share Posted January 16, 2019 12 hours ago, Spiny said: Viper engine in it Hi ya! The Netflix project had a de-tuned supercharged dragster boat engine (1500hp - 750hp) on a lengthened six wheel chassis - outrageous, but way too OTT!! It looked like something out of Mad Max, and this definitely not the way I wanted to go.😵 I want something that looks slightly out of the ordinary but not out-worldly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan R Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 (edited) 16 hours ago, Pete in Lincs said: An interesting idea. I have an R8 kit and I also have a Hasegawa VW van kit. I have the Samba kit (Revell), but no R8... Not sure I want to Cannibalise the R8 when I do get one... Cheers, Alan. Edited January 16, 2019 by Alan R typo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 16, 2019 Author Share Posted January 16, 2019 2 hours ago, Alan R said: Not sure I want to Cannibalise the R8 when I do get one... I can appreciate your sentiment there Alan. At £20 a pop, I hope that I do the build the justice it deserves. 😓 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Just for grins, I did a quick search of the interwebs for a 1/24 Merlin..There is such a thing, from an outfit known as FireRods! Looks like they have proper auto engines, too, if you want to tone it down... The Merlin would be very cool! Just sayin'... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 I have a spare 1/24th Merlin from an Airfix Spitfire.... It would just about fill the back of a Samba. Plus, where would the fuel tanks go? I'm also willing to pass on my R8 for a decent bid. Like I said, when I'll get the time I have no idea. Or there is this on Amazon warehouse for less than 9 quid! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Revell-07100-Mercedes-SLS-Model/dp/B003E47HO6/ref=sr_1_71?m=A2OAJ7377F756P&s=warehouse-deals&ie=UTF8&qid=1547667151&sr=8-71&keywords=model+kits+plastic 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikkita katana Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 I watched that Netflix series, Tony and Constance were awesome. I wanna work there part-time and I'd settle for sweeping the floor if it gets me in the door!!! It'd be a bit of a commute tho. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richellis Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 I’d use the engine from the Airfix 109, German engine in a German van! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 And the weight capacity of a Samba is? google says a Merlin weighs 1,320 lbs. (600 kg). Then add fuel tanks, a gallon a minute, ish. A 22 gallon beer barrel weighs in at about 126 kg. Plus an oil tank, say about 50kg. It may not work in real life without space frames etc, I think the body/chassis would twist. You'd need to weld the doors shut. But it could be a cool model. Oh yes, consider the exhaust too. With a rear exit it could melt the lights on a following vehicle. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 20, 2019 Author Share Posted January 20, 2019 Well, here are my test subjects for my Frankenstein build. I tried to do some initial planning for cut outs to fit the R8 engine and compared chassis to see "compatibility" Next round I'll show some of my work on the chassis's. Till later. Test Subjects: Samba + R8 by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr Chassis planning: planning chassis mod by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr R8 engine: R8 engine plan by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr Chassis comparison: Samba chassis vs R8 chassis by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted January 20, 2019 Share Posted January 20, 2019 Now that is surprising. The Audi wheelbase is slightly longer than the VW. It looks wider too. And it's only a two seater! The prep work looks good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted January 20, 2019 Share Posted January 20, 2019 37 minutes ago, Pete in Lincs said: Now that is surprising. The Audi wheelbase is slightly longer than the VW. Exactly what I thought! The Audi is huge compared to the VW. But then I thought, the VW bus is awkwardly small in real life 🙂 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 20, 2019 Author Share Posted January 20, 2019 Yeah, quite. So, this will require a bit of finessing......more to come.😓z 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share Posted January 21, 2019 The mission continues.... The chassis don't quite match......check Some surgery is required....check The cutout for the engine needs to be bigger. need a bigger cut out for R8 engine by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr Chopped off the rear portion of the R8 chassis to mate with the lower portion of the Samba chassis chopped cown R8 chassis + engine by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr mmmmm......does this work??? chassis test by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr Plan B or that C or D........lost count??? Anyway I have decided to use a chopped down R8 chassis pan. cut down R8 chassis by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr The upper Samba pan needs more surgery to accept the R8 pan.......I hope........... cutting down samba inner pan by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr YIKES!! This is definitely turning out to be a Frankenstein!! Till later. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 Oh boy! 😏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 22, 2019 Author Share Posted January 22, 2019 Well on wards and upwards!🤩 I put the wheels together and gave them and the engine a wash finish. Using the full Audi suspension was the intent, but after having to slim it down to mate with chopped up Samba inner pan I may have to cut back on the suspension, not that you would notice as the double wishbone sits well within the wheel rim - this give me a bit wriggle space. engine & wheels by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr trial fit wheels by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr The engine looks good on the back of the hybrid chassis. test fit seats and engine by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr The body was a bit of work as it comprised of about 12 pieces including the rear port of the inner pan that was chopped off. assembling body by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr body assembly by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr body assembled by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr Next up is the engine bay!! What to do??🙄 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 That's a nice bit of progress you made. I wouldn't have thought after yesterday's last post 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 22, 2019 Author Share Posted January 22, 2019 1 minute ago, JeroenS said: That's a nice bit of progress you made. I wouldn't have thought after yesterday's last post To be honest, this is recent work catching up very quickly to where I am now........very far from completed!😓 I did not want to post anything if it was a total failure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiny Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 I think it's fair to say that it's not looking like a total failure, it's looking great so far. That R8 engine looks huge in there, but at least you should have enough weight over the rear wheels to assist with traction... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 9 hours ago, Spiny said: I think it's fair to say that it's not looking like a total failure, it's looking great so far. That R8 engine looks huge in there, but at least you should have enough weight over the rear wheels to assist with traction... Thanks for that! The other mods I have seen land up dropping the engine smack bang in the middle. Not ideal in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 27, 2019 Author Share Posted January 27, 2019 Well, work is progressing on my Frankenstein Samba, the engine bay needed to be addressed. I have decided to blend the R8 hatch back layout with the Samba in this area. Started off with card template to make the engine bay. engine bay template by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr This allowed me to construct the interface and firewall. engine bay trial by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr trial assembly 2 by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr trial assembly by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr That is looking snug, but I need to think of how this beast will breathe? I decided to mimic the R8 and create side intakes. INTAKE 1 by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr INTAKE 2 by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr Thanks for looking!🍻 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 Ha! Very nice! This should be a cool "Bus" when done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted February 27, 2019 Author Share Posted February 27, 2019 I have been tinkering on the Samba Sleepah, done some pre-rusting paintwork on the main body. pre rusting by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr Doing a bit of work on the interior and have started with the dash and plumbed in the "go faster" dial. go faster dial by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr plumbed in by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now