Showrods...

[Brandon]

I just figured I'd stir the pot, or board up a little bit. I was talking with Tim Nolan today on the phone and we both agreed that most of the old timers on here seem to have been having a wave of personal stuff that has hindered building. Most of us used to crank out three kits on a regular basis. Now... for whatever reason, progress has slowed. A lot can happen in a few years time, and I am not immune. I've been through quite a bit, but each winter I return to the benches ready and eager to build. Some make it off and into reality, others get stuffed back into boxes.

I think the Gallery on Dave's is great for inspiration. I also think that some of the newer gang are not familiar with the ol-schoolers' work, Scury, Boom, Schteve, Scott, BiLL, DonV, Barten, Harley, Rob, Tim, and the others (I hate trying to remember everyone to include, but you get the idea...) have all done some incredible things in the past. Many of which went off to Ebay or were not documented.

Personally, I have several models that have not made it to the gallery due to lack of time to shoot them properly with adequate lighting. I was cleaning out some stuff today, and popped a couple of shots of most of my stalled brain farts and several completed builds some folks may not have seen. I still have a bunch more at work, like the Rommel's Rail, but I wanted to throw most of them into a post and shake the stale energy a bit. I know some of you have been complaining about the staleness of the board, and the lack of showrods, and I ain't xmas shopping for any of ya, so I've decided to spread the good model holiday cheer and give you guys a peek into some of what is lurking in my hall closet.

I'd like to encourage you guys, especially the elder crowd to do the same, and hopefully fires will be lit, and we will build and get this board back on track...

Without any futher adue:






The Bed Buggy. I added a bigger motor and took a few liberties with this one.








The Rum Runner... filled with contraband black barrelled rum. Dingy motorbike on the back and dual canons.




The Red Baron Trike.... as soon as the Tiki Trike combo-thingy came out, I opened it and shredded the heck out of them both. I made a Triumph trike from an old bike I had and the other trike kit, but it's at my work.





The Rail Rod... an Honest Engine that I wanted to make realistic. The driver sits in the coal car and reaches across to the engine. I'd totally drive this one....



My Flame-Out kitbash... again, I wanted to make it more realistic. I extended the frame with a "ladder bar" extension, added Red Baron rims and Chevy V8 power.




Famoso Sanitation... I used only early 60's parts that might be found on an old dragster.



The Beer Wagon II.. I noticed the similarities between the Garbage Truck and the Beerwagon chassis and made a newer version of an old classic.



This one has been painted SIX freakin' times..... six. It almost went under the boot. Invader and an Ice T.





I doubt I'll ever finish this one....



Alan gave me a motor from the Caterpillar track bulldozer.... I HAD to put it in something. After trying to figure a way to hot rod the three-engied Bison tactor it hit me...



My Name Game entry.. Psyco Sidewinder.... You drive it from the rear. You can see where the three engines from the Bison went... lol.



This one is stalled... mostly a gathered pile of parts for the "El Mirage Fuel Company"



the "Fastest Car in the Valley".. if Milner lived in Bakersfield, his coupe would have looked like this...




The "Showboat"... oh, I LIKE this one! Roth side panels make the rear wheels fit.



My other Name Game entry.. Bud's Exotic Flower Delivery... Pink Panther and a Japanimation kit.



How do you hot rod the Dragula? Add more horsepower....




and finally... Old School.... I sectioned a Japanese school bus and have twin hemi's for the front. I have had this on the burners for a while.... it makes me smile..



That's what i shot today... hope you guys can dig them and enjoy it. i might shoot what I have at work one day and add to this thread.... in the mean time, Happy Holidays to you.

[modelcitizen]

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!!!

The three "B" 's

Brilliant Bashing Brandon!!!

;D ;D ;D



"Paulie"

[rallygsc]

Hey Brandon: cool builds,

I am building some show rods and customs, but I am trying to go for the almost box stock look on them,

the reason, I am trying to complete my collection first, then I will try to get some to hack and such.

at the moment, I have T'rantula almost done, it is being done as Black widow, then I have Ice T being done as milk wagon express, both of them are basically stock builds, but I decided for different colors and decal comninations.

if the decals arrive this weekend, I should have Ice T done, if not I will focus on T'rantula,

I understand what you and Tim are talking about, this is a show rod site, and you want to more builds based on that idea,

I am not flaming anyone, but I build them all, Hot rods, drag cars, muscle cars, customs, show rods, WWII planes, WWII armor , or Japanese animation related models.

but those customs you are building are pretty wild,

I just got back into the hobby after 2 years of avoiding it. I have an annoying friend who moved to Florida, but he always bugged me to sell him my models I built, it got annoying so I decided to put them all aside and go for other hobbies.

things should pick up after the holidays, I hope, I am working on the two right now off and on, I just finished a stock build of Bad medicine which was cursed from the start.

a few pieces disappeared into the black hole, so I had to bug a few board members who I still thank for their efforts, then the worst part was a few tiny pieces that broke, so I had to repair and replate them, I also have to thank the board members for the refresher course on Alcladd,

I am really glad this site exists, especially because of the help I have had on my projects,

I hope to have some more show rods up soon,

take care and happy holidays
George

[chromecop]

Love'em all!!!!!! You've just gotta finish'em!!!!

[Deleted]

Loved the Beer Wagon and the Garbage truck - great stuff!!

Lance

[Alan Alexis (stavanzer)]

Bravo, Brandon!
Your work is really superb. Many here have not seen the evil that lurks in your brain when the styrene fumes get to it.
This was a nice taste.
can we get more Pics of the TJ Taxi, though?

Alan

[nitroc]

Wicked mutations!
Chun ;D

[robriley]

now THAT my friends is the way it's supposed to be done !!
great stuff brandon.
i just sent dave r some pics for the gallery of a build i just finished up.
i think the 2 up coming contests will give the site the jump start that it's been needing.
brandon is right, time constraints, life, family, and work get in the way of building sometimes.
but, i know we'll bounce back.
thanks for making this post brandon...you done good !

[stilljustharley]

Hmmm, well I am guilty of lurking in the first degree but my main issue is technology. Most of the time you US guys are posting I'm at work which blocks the majority of picture attachments so I'm rather losing the buzz of new builds, finds etc.
I hate turning on the computer at home and, even when I do, it's so slow as to make downloading something like Brandon's first post above a full evening affair! I know I could upgrade blah blah blah but I'm really not that bothered so I only occasionally get to see what you guys are up to.
I am still building but a full scale two wheeled project has taken up a lot of time and money over the last couple of years. It's getting close to being finished (just as Winter arrives, clever huh?) so maybe the scale stuff will get more attention. I do have a build with Dave for the Guest Gallery though, it's a full on '70's tall T show rod so the flame is still burning on this side of the Atlantic!
There's also a global project I'm working on that has/ will involve a number of the Klowns hanging around here. Most of the tasks are/ have already been sorted but if anyone would like to volunteer something as a cargo load for the project that would be cool. It can't be more than 1 inch square but please PM me first if you think you've got something to offer. Ooooh, mystery!

[Honest Charlie]

Brandon, is that all you got started?

Happy Holidays to you also.

[barten]

It is good to see inside your mind again Brandon! Thanks for posting. . . . . man wild builds with the rare kits most of us don't have. . . HOW COOL!

SHOWRODS RULE

I have two more printers that just gave out? So who knows what is coming down the pike! And I do have my name game almost done. . . but. . . I'm not posting for a while. And then the open contest. . .again one almost done. . and the modem build is done! Parts used, modem, shampoo bottle, mirror clips, curtain hangers, Lego parts, and the scrap bin!

I'm telling you it is wild! ! ! and fun. . . and simple.

Thanks again!
GB
Barten

[robriley]

hey harley !!
i know what you mean...there is a nasty web blocker here where i work too. i can't see the pics that get posted 90% of the time. i'm in the same boat with you on my home computer as well...still running on slow dial up.
remember tho, i work nights, which is days for you, and that's when i do the majority of my postings. however, if i need to post pics, i have to do that from home because i can't get to photobucket from work..it's blocked too.
when i do post pics from home, it takes forever for them to upload to photobucket. that alone could be an hour long project.
good to see you posting harley.

[barrisfan- Mark-78Pinto]

GREAT STUFF. I LOVE the Bed Buggy.
Like I have said before, I found this site by looking for Barris builds. Now I am hooked and I tell EVERYONE that I see about it. I even have a "billboard" as part of my display at all of the shows I do. I will admit that i do not build a lot of show rods but I will as soon as I am done getting copies of 1:1 cars built.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!

Mark

[stevehammann]

You've been holdin' out buddy! All that schtuff is a real eye opener. I've got several "in the werkz" builds too and in the last year I have sat down to the table maybe six times for a total of 3 hours. I just don't have it in me anymore for whatever reason. I haven't given up totally, just can't seem to find the time right now for the psycho-social therapy.

[Deleted]

Fantastic models, Im glad You showed them!!!

[Darren "DJ" Finlayson]

Okay... I may has well say it - I'm pretty upset right now. Actaully, I've been upset for a while, and one or two others have noticed that as well.

There's been something brewing here. The elders of the board have noticed a increase of hot rods and customs being built and posted on various sections o this board. I am also getting the impression that the elders (and others) want to see more showrods built. Am I off the mark here?

Brandon, those are some really wicked builds, but why I don't remember seeing them in the guest gallery? No, I am not tearing a strip off ya here man, but I don't' remember seeing them in the gallery.

There have been a bunch of other posts lately in the completed section of showrods as well. I really like that pink armored car with the nekid lady in it! That would be cool in the guest gallery (if it passes the censors)!

There is also the infamous Wine wagon build and Piewagon kitbash with Bobby is doing! If those don't get into the gallery.... There's also the bubble top based on a '56 nomad, a kitbash based on a '29 Ford and '58 impala, a trike based upon an Outcast, and the "Monkey Machine" kitbash as well.

I've tried to start on one myself - De-Bird XP-18. Granted I haven't made much progress, but I thought people might like to see what a wreck I've had to start with and follow along. I wanted to help make a difference here. If that project doesn't get accepted as a showrod I'm hacking it up more, or DRIVING OVER IT! Funny though people have looked, but not too many people have commented. But there there are ideas which still stick in my head over it "stock build" or "custom". If it doesn't get to be a showrod, I'm driving over it.

I've also hit a few more speed bumps which make me wonder why I even build model cars. And I've been very tempted to liquidate my collection.

What are people REALLY looking for? Showrods? Kitbashes of various cars to make a showrod - or does that just make it a "custom"? Or are people looking for kitbashes of various showrod models? Or box-stock builds of showrods?

Yes, I am livid right now. I hope I don't get sent of to "Band Camp" over my anger right now, but if I do so be it.

DJ

[scurvy]

A peek at my name game entry to whet your appetites and maybe re-start this thing:



"Rattlin' Bones" isn't really a tow truck... but you'll get the whole picture after she's finished. For now, I just mocked up the major sub assemblies while i try to figure out the belt drive for that three-blower setup.

EDIT: DJ, that armored car was entered in one of our contests a couple of years ago - I think you can find it in pics on Paul Canney's site. As for the rest, go ahead and build - just know that we really dig the over-the-top wild stuff, whether it started out in a kit that way or not.

[barten]

DJ just build them. . . And have fun! We all have had times where we were wondering if the builds would be accepted. And as far as getting things in the gallery. . . I think people post here and forget to submit them to Dave to be added to the Gallery. I know I have. . .but most of my scratch builds don't use common materials and are hard to embrace at first. . . .because there is nothing we can relate too. . . but for me it is the challenge of seeing a build in a common thing. . and then trying to make it work. . .and some work great and some don't and . . . and then I just move on.



I build them out of things around the house and office!

These top three are my sons. He is 9 now. . and all he wants to do is kitbash . . . .




This is the 1/4 mile missile launcher. . . and it was a sale rack item. . and converted.


This is my road warrior project. . . and I started from a simple bag kit . .no instructions. .and I built it all unpainted and then went back into it. . . the bars on the side are parts I found in a parking lot, as well as the remote control (the trailer) and there is a train car for the TAR on the trailer. . and the sides are a coke can found in the street.



This is Listerine packaging and parts from on of my daughters hospital stays with a McDonald's toy and some parts.



This is the back tires made from hotel shampoo bottles and added to a prowler kit. . .that I added a plastic shoe horn on each side. . . . someone called it a "tick" I love that name. . . and the pipes are make-up brushes from a product I was working designing packaging





This is my old EPSON 740 COMPUTER PRINTER. . . if anyone wants to build this I just had another one die! This is stalled. . . .waiting for a chassis


This is built from promo stuff (bathtub for bath products) and a toothbrush holder. . .and the back tires are 20oz Pepsi bottles cut down and put together. . .. . in the background was the start of the modem build . . with a ink cartridge for the body. . . but that is all changed.



This is the monster contest on Paul's site. . . great site. . . .the monster is hand made and then the car is tubbed and altered. . .and a rat fink with the curve ahead road sigh in the spare tire compartment int he back. . . this was a fun build. . . .



This was my first attempt at building from scratch. . . All tape dispensers. . and other packaging. . . it is rough. . but it was the start! And a fun build. I have added a driver to this since the picture.


This is also at Paul's site. . .bubble contest. . and it is from computer mice (apple) the mother board from the modem. . and a Christmas bubble.


This is also at PAUL's site. . . . This was the TOM DANIEL tribute. . well being from Chicago area. . .I rebuilt the St Valentines day Massacre with Tom (being Capone's boys) who came dressed as police to the event and Roth's cars being Bugs Moran boys that got gunned down. . and Ed figure was Moran who was down the street having coffee and was running late. . .and missed the party. All the details are right on. . . address, time date. . . and rough layout of the results.



This is in concepts. . and will be a gasser


I also have a remake of Rommel's Rod in my head . . and a Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in mind also. . but I don't know how to construct these. . . yet. . ..

And in between these builds. . .I will build a box stock TD kit. . .

It was fun going through these old builds again . . . and I forgot alot of the details of these. . . thanks for the start of this ! ! !

Sorry for the long post. . . hope you like the pictures.

The Mad Scientist!

GB
Barrten

[ShowRodFreak Don V.]

dj said:

Okay... I may has well say it - I'm pretty upset right now. Actaully, I've been upset for a while, and one or two others have noticed that as well.

There's been something brewing here. The elders of the board have noticed a increase of hot rods and customs being built and posted on various sections o this board. I am also getting the impression that the elders (and others) want to see more showrods built. Am I off the mark here?

Brandon, those are some really wicked builds, but why I don't remember seeing them in the guest gallery? No, I am not tearing a strip off ya here man, but I don't' remember seeing them in the gallery.

There have been a bunch of other posts lately in the completed section of showrods as well. I really like that pink armored car with the nekid lady in it! That would be cool in the guest gallery (if it passes the censors)!

There is also the infamous Wine wagon build and Piewagon kitbash with Bobby is doing! If those don't get into the gallery.... There's also the bubble top based on a '56 nomad, a kitbash based on a '29 Ford and '58 impala, a trike based upon an Outcast, and the "Monkey Machine" kitbash as well.

I've tried to start on one myself - De-Bird XP-18. Granted I haven't made much progress, but I thought people might like to see what a wreck I've had to start with and follow along. I wanted to help make a difference here. If that project doesn't get accepted as a showrod I'm hacking it up more, or DRIVING OVER IT! Funny though people have looked, but not too many people have commented. But there there are ideas which still stick in my head over it "stock build" or "custom". If it doesn't get to be a showrod, I'm driving over it.

I've also hit a few more speed bumps which make me wonder why I even build model cars. And I've been very tempted to liquidate my collection.

What are people REALLY looking for? Showrods? Kitbashes of various cars to make a showrod - or does that just make it a "custom"? Or are people looking for kitbashes of various showrod models? Or box-stock builds of showrods?

Yes, I am livid right now. I hope I don't get sent of to "Band Camp" over my anger right now, but if I do so be it.

DJ

Actually I think Brandon is trying too get the oldest members too build something. Like we used too. LOL


oneyed
don v

[RatRod]

Every single piece is awesome Brandon!!! You have a great imagination, and obsession with multi motors..... ;D Keep at 'em as time allows buddy!!!

As for the rest of the kool stuff posted.....I love it all!!! Can't wait to see Scurv's build finished!!! And Dan, you are one of a kind, and you do really great stuff with really odd things, but they work well!!!

[Paul B. Canney]

barten said:

DJ just build them. . . And have fun! We all have had times where we were wondering if the builds would be accepted. And as far as getting things in the gallery. . . I think people post here and forget to submit them to Dave to be added to the Gallery. I know I have. . .but most of my scratch builds don't use common materials and are hard to embrace at first. . . .because there is nothing we can relate too. . . but for me it is the challenge of seeing a build in a common thing. . and then trying to make it work. . .and some work great and some don't and . . . and then I just move on.



I build them out of things around the house and office!

my all time favorite Bartenization Creation!


frikken genius when you realize the source is (are) tape dispensers!!

[Paul B. Canney]

showrodfreak said:

Actually I think Brandon is trying too get the oldest members too build something. Like we used too. LOL


oneyed
don v

I think Paeth is the oldest

[Paul B. Canney]

scurvy said:

A peek at my name game entry to whet your appetites and maybe re-start this thing:



"Rattlin' Bones" isn't really a tow truck... but you'll get the whole picture after she's finished. For now, I just mocked up the major sub assemblies while i try to figure out the belt drive for that three-blower setup.

EDIT: DJ, that armored car was entered in one of our contests a couple of years ago - I think you can find it in pics on Paul Canney's site. As for the rest, go ahead and build - just know that we really dig the over-the-top wild stuff, whether it started out in a kit that way or not.

The name game thing is dead. However, This needs to be finished for the Open Showrod Challenge

[theflame]

Its dead?!?

[Rallymaster]

Brandon! You been holding out on me my friend! Please buy some light bulbs and send me test shots of at least two of these babies--starting with the Bed Buggy.

[Paul B. Canney]

theflame said:

Its dead?!?

It will always live on in our hearts. However, unless a miracle happens and FAST, only the handful that got their decals, got decals. (and that makes it a very small show)

Those with completed builds can submit them for the Open Showrod Challenge. Send them to [e-mail] or to Dave for Guest Gallery submission

[metalburner]

love all of them sick sick sick!!!!!

[Darren "DJ" Finlayson]

I am curious, has the matter of the lack of showrods been resolved? Or is this a case of frustration with some of the elder members of the board who haven't been able to work on a showrod lately?

I do have another question too. If some of these showrods have been in a contest could the contest cars be added to the gallery much like the "bubble top" contest a few years ago? Was it 2003? I remember waiting for the results and getting really excited when they were posted on the gallery.

And to be honest I am not having much fun with building right now either. I started that project because I was... mad and wanted to help improve things.

Are the showrods (which people want to see) hiding in personal collections? Have they been in previous contests? Are there a bunch of models which ought to be in the guest gallery? Is there a lack of showrods? Are the elder members frustrated with a lack of progress with their projects?

Personally, I would really like to see the issue resolved! Is there even an issue posing a problem anymore? Has it been cleared up?

If there is an issue that is still unresolved, let's find out what the issue really is and resolve it.

I felt I tried to step up to the plate and deliver the progress of a showrod. I felt it quite discouraging when the people who have asked to see a showrod stay in silence when presented the project. I am still haunted with the words "stock" and "custom" when I look at De-bird (and parts for the project donated by others). And I'm not afraid to drive over it if it's not a showrod! I also have about $2,000 to $3,000 in model cars sitting in my closet collecting dust too. Maybe one third of those kits are modern re-issues of showrods.

Maybe I'm starting to ramble now. Maybe I have TOTALLY missed the boat. Maybe my current "showrod" offerings are duds. Maybe I ought to just stop what I am doing and go away for a while. Maybe I ought to liquidate and look at the goodies offered in the "Fatbook". I dunno anymore.

[scurvy]

DJ,

I think your T-bird fits the fill. I have to admit I wasn't crazy about it at first, so I didn't comment, but there have been plenty of projects on here that I didn't "get" at first that came out bitchen.

[Psychotic Hillbilly]

DJ... I have had the same thing happen to me a few weeks back. I presented a project and got no feed back. I kept on going and now that it is near completion have received a lot of feed back on it..(the Scout)....Dont give up on something you love to do. dont do it because everyone else wants you to do it. I never build a kit because thats what someone else wants. I have a bunch of show rods in my closet. I have an order to my building and I stick to that. If it is not its time to be built it sits there and waits. My next project is a 57 1/12 scale. but at this moment I am doing the INFINI T.... just go with what you want. if it also happens to be what everyone is looking for then great.. if in is not, too bad...

Keep building man. you have some great work. dont sale because you will have let this thing win. do it for yourself. dont worry about the conflicts.