Pete in Lincs Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 As a longtime fan of TV shows such as Overhaulin,' Fast n Loud, Car SOS etc I would love to have a go myself. However, I can't weld, I don't have the space or the money and the old joints are stiffer than they used to be and don't like lying down on cold floors, or kneeling, or....) So, after seeing a picture of a Custom VW pickup I had the urge to build one in miniature. I got a Revell VW type 1 Samba kit from Amazon warehouse deals for about 15 pounds with the intention of converting it into a pickup. I put out a request for pickup measurements here on BM and amongst the replies was an offer of a used Hasegawa one from @Marco F. in Germany. That arrived after a few days and I am very grateful indeed for his kind donation. The Hasegawa kit is a type 2 and there are a couple of differences between the kits and also between the real types. Notably the cooling vents on the sides. I managed to get an hour or two this afternoon in the manshed. Lots of measuring, muttering and thinking ensued. Here for your perusal are the results of this. Some of the main bits. The Hasegawa chassis is the grey one. A bit different to the Revell. These are both 1/24th kits BTW. The Hasegawa pickup body. It's been paint stripped with brake fluid but survived very well indeed. Note the Horizontal vents above the rear wheel arch, They're vertical on the Samba. A close up of the two chassis'. The end result will be lowered so I'll need to play with the running gear but I'm not too concerned about the underneath and will call it a 'kerbside' model. As I said, lots of measuring and muttering ensued. As on the real thing, cut lines marked with tape. The kit is for a LHD vehicle so I'll leave it that way. This window section will be cut out of the samba side to go here on the left. The back of the pickup cab will be cut off and there will obviously be a cut across the roof too. I'll need to fit a section of the Samba roof which has a sunroof to be filled, but I like the roof windows so may splice those in while I'm about it. On the RH side this door and the B pillar will be spliced in. I may well put a spacer behind it in what will be the C pillar and then fit the cab rear. So we get four seats/extra stowage but a smaller pickup bed. Marco also sent the dropdown side panels which should fit nicely with one section sliced off. And that's where things will stay until the next time, maybe the weekend, I'll need my brave pills before I get the Dremel out! Back at work tomorrow after over a week off. It was great, but now the real world beckons. Rats! Thanks for looking in, Pete 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 You have my vote, go for it! Should be interesting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marco F. Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Hi Pete, ...so the show starts... I bought myself some beef jerkey bags, some drinks and occupied my chilling section just to follow your WIP from the beginning. The chassis had been cut in the wheel wells area bcs of the idea to be able for a lower stance, but the result is that it's loosing the strength, so you should think about some support to re-strenghting this part. If you won't use it,it may help to find some ideas how to lower the build. But, by looking at your first pictures, I guess you are know what you are doing 😅. Good luck for your project, I know you will create something special! And it was my pride and joy to have a chance to support your idea for this custom. Btw because of the paint stripping with brakefluid, the body may be a little rough on the surface, but my experience showed me a little bit of primer and may be 800 grid sandpaper will solve the Problem. Highlight models are offering some nice PE parts for Volkswagen, you can find these parts also at hiroboy... Let's all of us enjoy your WIP Cheers Marco F. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 Thanks very much for the above, Marco. The body isn't as rough as some I've stripped in the past and is stronger too. It must be that good Hasegawa plastic. I've learnt a lot from watching the customising programs. A couple of the most important things being, measure twice three times and cut once, and dry fit everything! With all this chopping I can use some of the techniques I've used on my Sci Fi and Aircraft builds when it comes to filling gaps. Especially the sunroof. I want a strong chassis, but as I said, I'm not too bothered what the underneath looks like (at the moment) I may change my mind later! The engine will barely be visible and one flat four looks pretty much like another from underneath, so I'll just say it's a bored out 2.4 Turbo. The paint finish plan is for something almost standard and a little worn maybe. Nowadays I prefer the subtle changes that look almost like they could be as manufactured. Anyway, this build is really just to keep @MAD STEVE happy down in S.A. Thanks again, Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Interesting project, nice start will sit by the bar a watch and learn Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 Oooh, I do like!🤩 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 I was having a good ponder on this as I drove the van around in the winds this week. (Flat out on the A1, into wind, indicated 53mph!) I wonder if I can scratch the door and LH window panel section, or even another door on the LH side. After all, I have a door to copy. Door handles would be 'shaved' anyway so no handle 'dimple' in the new door. I think I have a way to make the B post from laminated card. The door hinges aren't that prototypical, so I could get away with what I'd do on a full size build, use internal hinges from a front door. If I can do all that, then maybe I can just use card to build the roof section I need. I can then save most, if not all of the Samba and maybe still build a decent model out of it. I need to have a good long look at this tomorrow. Thanks for looking Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaddad Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 34 minutes ago, Pete in Lincs said: (Flat out on the A1, into wind, indicated 53mph!) I can only dream of doing 53mph. I see a lot of sanding in your future. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 Just now, spaddad said: I see a lot of sanding in your future. It'll match almost everything else I've ever built then. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 It's update time. I got a couple of hours in the manshed and, with a large cup of strong coffee to hand I started cutting. As I said above, I've had a slight rethink on the original plan and decided to make doors for both sides rather than cut the Samba. I also decided to use my ancient microsaw for the cuts as they are straighter than using the Dremel and control is finer. At the back we have the body with a chunk out of it. Just the sills (Rockers for those across the pond) joining the front and back. The two upright bits on the part in front of it will need to be transferred as they support the rear window section seen here at the front right. Two doors made from plastic card bottom left. Curved to match the body by drawing between thumb & ruler edge, Just like curling gift ribbon ends. In the middle, doorcards (interior trim). There aren't any in the kit, shameful for something costing over thirty quid. These are multi purpose items; as they help to join the front and rear to add a little strength and also they'll support the new side doors from the inside. In close up, the doors have the VW trim added from a strip of plastic card with the edges rounded. The dark line marks the rear edge of the B pillar. On the door cards I've added a trim strip and arm rests. The smaller tab will glue to the inside of the shell under the load deck. Here we see the doorcards in position. There's room in the front cab for them and they'll stick to the front doors and also support the new rear doors. I'm going to use the Revell dashboard as a pattern for a custom scratch version. I have seats in a spares box. The windows will also have to be home made. See that row of holes across the deck? I have no idea what they are doing there but they appear to be original to the kit. Next time I need to sort out the rear of the cab + C pillar and have a look at filling the gap in the roof. Once all that is done I'll have a look at suspension etc. I'll see what I have in the spares boxes. Thanks for looking, please leave comments under the mat by the back door. Edit, I looked at my reference pictures this evening. It seems I'll have to use external hinges due to the curve of the bodywork. The correct term is tumblehome. There also seems to have been two styles of crewcab where the C pillar is either thin or thick. I think I will need to mock up the rear seats and maybe cut more of the deck away to give legroom and then I'd use the thin pillars. Of course that means the roof will be even longer. I'm planning to use strips of card and milliput so that shouldn't be a problem. Inside I'll add a roofliner which will hide the mess, not that a lot will be seen anyway Pete 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marco F. Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 Hey Pete, these holes on the deck are inserted bcs of the wooden rails which were installed to the original. I didn't send you these parts... sorry but I need these for one of my coming up ideas.. But for a custom I thought you might going to add something like alloy or stainless rails... I think you will get a lot of ideas during the build. Good luck for the progress Cheers Marco F Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 Ah, all is clear. 9 minutes ago, Marco F. said: But for a custom I thought you might going to add something like alloy or stainless rails... Now there's a good idea. Many thanks, Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 Liking your build a lot Pete. Great minds think alike, just wish I had a great mind. Here's something I've been gathering info on for a possible future build. Hope you don't mind me dropping it into your build thread. Mark 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 23, 2019 Author Share Posted March 23, 2019 On 3/18/2019 at 9:05 AM, mbdesignart said: Hope you don't mind me dropping it into your build thread. Mark, sorry I only just noticed your post. Please feel free, the more the merrier. That one's been stretched a bit I think. If memory serves it's carrying a Formula junior? or something like that from the '70's? Mine will be similar but with a slightly shorter cab behind the rear doors. Not much to report today. I don't have any headlight shells for this one so I raided the spares boxes and found some for a custom 50's car. I used bleach to strip the chrome and glued them into place. They now stick out a fair way which is the effect I wanted, something different. I've also filled all the holes for the side & tail lights and the bumper bracket holes & the door handle recess' as they will all be non standard too. Hopefully I might get an hour or so tomorrow. Thanks for looking, Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo NZ Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 The single seater is a Formula Vee. It has a VW engine, gearbox and suspension. A very popular basic formula in Europe in the seventies, like Formula Ford in the U.K. The giveaway is the VW five bolt wheels. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morty_3333 Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 Hi Pete! Ah, there You are!! I must agree with Your comments in the first post,(no room etc, but I did a bit of welding in My younger years), I will be following this build due to the fact that I have the Revell 1/16th Samba, which I am hoping to covert into a mobile hotel room, My 1958, 6v, fixed top RHD Devon 3 camper, which was My very first vehicle in 1978 when I was 20 years old , I wish it was My current vehicle ........................ I look forward to seeing the progress and finished job, I know it will be great after Misfit 2 ! Keep Sticking! Cheers, Pete P.S Mine was a 1200cc, the fastest it ever went was when the clutch went, and a Mate towed Me home with His Mk1 Escort Twin-Cam!! (That would be a serious amount of money tied together now!!!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 16 hours ago, Jo NZ said: The single seater is a Formula Vee Ah, thanks. I'd forgotten about them. It was a long time ago though. 1 hour ago, morty_3333 said: I look forward to seeing the progress and finished job So do I! It's mostly there in my head, I just need time to match up reality with neurons. I got an hour this morning, I put a bit more filler on the door handle dimples and everything else rubbed down nicely. I've found a window for one of the new rear doors and a windscreen that I can cut down for the cab. Lurking in a spares box was a set of Fuchs wheels from a re-purposed 911. They have low profile tyres and a quick mock up says that with a little work they will do very nicely. So nothing worth taking pictures this time but we'll see what happens next weekend. We'll be invaded by kids and grandkids very soon. Apparently we STILL have to feed them! And then it's early to bed, work at 05:00, a wagon full of beer for Cambridge is the plan. Thanks for looking, Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichO Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Cool project Pete! I'll check back from time to time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted April 13, 2019 Author Share Posted April 13, 2019 Back again at last. The last few weekends have been busy with family stuff. Last weekend I got literally five minutes before I heard the words "I'm ready to go out now". Today I got a couple of hours at the bench and very productive they were. The chassis I got had had the rear arches cut out, but I decided to rebuild them so set to with the plastic card. Card, TET and time has resulted in something probably not far off the original (I hope). I've done a test fit of the wheels and they are okay, but I need a bit more clearance on the body so I'll need to sand inside the shell a bit. I hope to get a minute to take a couple of pictures tomorrow, then another test fit before I put some chassis paint on. Thanks for looking in, Pete 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 It's going to turn into a spaceship isn't it? You've got form in this regard Pete... This does look a marvellously suggestive bit of work; Bravo geezer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted April 13, 2019 Author Share Posted April 13, 2019 3 minutes ago, TheBaron said: It's going to turn into a spaceship isn't it? Weeeeell, no. I just fancied something different. For the next stage (after the chassis) I'll be following your example and cutting side windows. Then I have to cut down the windscreen I found in the spares box. Then I can plan the bodywork build sequence. And then finally build it! Not too dissimilar to a certain Aircraft build of this parish. Thanks for popping by, Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted April 14, 2019 Author Share Posted April 14, 2019 I got about three hours at the bench today. I've cut the cab windows, sanded down the work on the arches, made sure the new dashboard fits properly, and modified the two new side doors. I decided against a window in one as it would be difficult to hide the glue. So I cut window holes in both panels and beveled the edges of the holes. Then I stuck a piece of card on the back so it looks like a pressing where the window could be stamped out during assembly. I only managed to get three pictures, (all related to the chassis) before dinner was called at four by Her indoors, Roast chicken so no messing, let's eat! The re-instated arches. I'd also put patches over holes in the front arches. All this was later rubbed down. The flip side. The axles are just tube with a metal rod running through them. Not pretty and not very prototypical, but I did say this would be a 'kerbside' model and I'm going for the easy option under here. See, despite the cheat under there I think the result is worth it. I'm undecided as to whether I will do the usual black bits on the Fuchs wheels. Since this picture I've fitted the inner door cards and a panel inside across the front which hides the back of the headlights. Which reminds me, I didn't have the correct VW lights, so you can see I've modified the holes using bits from a '50's custom car. And that's all for now, thanks for popping by Pete 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted April 20, 2019 Author Share Posted April 20, 2019 Once again we return to sunny Lincolnshire and the VW works for the latest thrilling update. (probably). Lots and lots of garden stuff got done today. But, after that I got an hour before dinner and hit the workbench. I fitted the new rear doors and the rear cab panel and did a roof job. But first, a close up of the new headlight shells. They remind me of an early 60's American Ford/Dodge? Or possibly the Mystery machine? Scooby Doo! After the glue dried on the doors I did an 'as seen on TV' trick and slathered on the filler. This will be well rubbed down to ensure a nice flat surface. You can also see how I did the window recess. The other side is of course the same as the above. (Just the other way around). Here, obviously, is the rear of the cab. Just to prove that it's all coming back together properly. And of course there's a big hole in the roof to be filled. Plastic card, scribe the ends and they then comply to the curve. Now this will need more layers of card and filler and yet more rubbing down before it becomes ready for paint. The good news is that the shell is now a lot stiffer. During the build I just had the sills to join the front and back. The even better news is that after searching the planet three times I finally found my packet of Slaters microstrip. It was hidden in amongst other packs of similar stuff that I'd already checked. Doh! We're out for Lunch at Guy Martins pub tomorrow, So the next update may be Monday if I can manage it. Thanks for looking in, Please leave comments etc under the doormat with the key. Pete 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpnuts Posted April 20, 2019 Share Posted April 20, 2019 Some serious surgery going into this mate, braver man than me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian T Posted April 20, 2019 Share Posted April 20, 2019 I’ve just come across this Pete, there’s some lovely work going on there, well done indeed. Regards Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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