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Post by stevielewis on Apr 12, 2018 10:26:10 GMT -6
I'm currently working on this VW Beetle AA/FA build. The body and interior sheetmetal are from the Modelmartin "Ornery Otto" kit. It's a conversion kit I bought about 10 years ago. The chassis, engine are from the AMT "Winged Express" Altered Rod kit 1/25 scale. I started the chassis and engine before I put it in storage back in 2013. I got it out several days ago and started working on it again. The mockup photos below show where I am with this build so far. I haven't painted anything yet. I wanted to see how the stance was with the wheels added to see if the chassis frame was square. Looks like it's in pretty good shape. I hope to keep this thread going as I work on this build. Comments welcomed. Thanks for looking.   I noticed in the second pic I didn't have the injector head added. Oops...  |
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Post by kabdriver on Apr 12, 2018 16:43:26 GMT -6
Ohhhh, great start Steve! Looks GREAT! Got an idea on color yet?
Did it take much work to get the body to mate to the chassis?
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Post by stevielewis on Apr 12, 2018 19:29:58 GMT -6
Ohhhh, great start Steve! Looks GREAT! Got an idea on color yet? Did it take much work to get the body to mate to the chassis? I'm still thinking of colors for the body yet. Got a couple of ideas though. As far as getting the body to match up to the chassis, it literally fits right on top of the chassis as the interior sheetmetal fits over the chassis frame. I'll get some photos of that soon. |
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Post by kabdriver on Apr 13, 2018 8:23:08 GMT -6
Oh nice! Cool that you don't have to do a load of hacking and chopping!
Something sparkly might be nice for the paint 😍
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Post by stevielewis on Apr 13, 2018 10:59:56 GMT -6
Oh nice! Cool that you don't have to do a load of hacking and chopping! Something sparkly might be nice for the paint 😍 That's what I was thinking along the lines of.  |
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Post by stevielewis on Apr 13, 2018 16:24:33 GMT -6
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Post by kabdriver on Apr 13, 2018 20:37:20 GMT -6
So you should get it done within ten years of that post huh, bud?  |
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Post by stevielewis on Apr 14, 2018 1:30:14 GMT -6
So you should get it done within ten years of that post huh, bud? Gawd, I sure hope so! |
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Post by stevielewis on Apr 22, 2018 10:57:38 GMT -6
Hi guys! I been thinking of going with these rear wheels and size slicks for this build. They are much larger than the Winged Express supplied slicks and they almost touch the front of the rear wheel cut outs. I'm guessing the wheel cut outs should be made larger as I can't move the rear axle back. Let me know what you think. Also note, I located the fuel cell where the radiator would be and the top of the "hood" contacts it. Should I leave as is or should I modify the "hood" so it doesn't rest on the fuel cell?   Thanks for looking. |
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Post by kabdriver on Apr 22, 2018 15:32:02 GMT -6
If there's not an easy way to move the mounting point back a touch for the axle to get the clearance you need, yeah, I'd probably open those arches out a scale inch or two
The issue with the tank doesn't look too bad from the pics - but maybe THAT would be an easy piece to relocate a little lower?
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Post by stevielewis on Apr 22, 2018 16:57:59 GMT -6
If there's not an easy way to move the mounting point back a touch for the axle to get the clearance you need, yeah, I'd probably open those arches out a scale inch or two The issue with the tank doesn't look too bad from the pics - but maybe THAT would be an easy piece to relocate a little lower? Concerning the rear wheels and slicks, I've decided to keep the original wheels/slicks. Instead, I'm changing the front wheels from the spokes to 5 Slot Halibrands that I purchased from Competition Resins via Slixx Decals. I think going that route will bring the look together. I think your suggestion of moving the fuel tank lower will fix the issue of it hitting the bottom of the body/hood. I also started painting the engine and cockpit sheet metal today. Engine block/heads are dark Gunmetal, clutch housing is Magnesium gold, blower manifold is silver, and the chassis cockpit sheet metal is silver. |
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Post by Paul B. Canney on Apr 23, 2018 9:02:27 GMT -6
I can't see the roll bar in yours Steve, but, if you are not going to use the wing, I would remove the 3 rings it mounts to. Unlike the green one you referenced.
Also, I moved the green one because according to Dave's parameters, it does not qualify as a completed show rod
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Post by stevielewis on Apr 23, 2018 12:27:59 GMT -6
I can't see the roll bar in yours Steve, but, if you are not going to use the wing, I would remove the 3 rings it mounts to. Unlike the green one you referenced.
Also, I moved the green one because according to Dave's parameters, it does not qualify as a completed show rod I already have removed the three rings that the wing mounts to on the roll bar. I didn't like the look it would have with the wing attached. I totally agree on the green one not being a "Completed Show Rod", but that was where it was where it was originally posted when I did a search in that category. Thanks for making it right. |
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Post by stevielewis on Apr 29, 2018 17:44:30 GMT -6
Hey guys...small update to my build...I received the 5 slot Halibrand wheels from Slixx. I cleaned out the slots, drilled the opening on both for the front axle. I like how they look with the wider tires that come with the Winged Express kit. I also started painting the engine. I've been looking at pics online of 1:1 Alterds to see how the engine block, oil pan, blower, etc., were painted or not. I'm also going to wire the engine and add some tubing from the fuel tank to the injectors. It's not going to be complicated. Here's a side pic with the Halibrand wheel installed...  Thanks for looking. Comments accepted. |
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Post by kabdriver on Apr 29, 2018 20:34:43 GMT -6
Ohhh, I really like those Halibrands Steve! Really looks great! Basically ready to paint now, right?
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Post by stevielewis on Apr 30, 2018 2:22:29 GMT -6
Ohhh, I really like those Halibrands Steve! Really looks great! Basically ready to paint now, right? Almost ready to paint...weather is not cooperating so far. I'm hoping later in the week. Keep your fingers crossed. |
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Post by showrodjohn on Apr 30, 2018 2:50:50 GMT -6
Kool looking forward to see it finished.
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Post by stevielewis on May 1, 2018 14:58:36 GMT -6
Ok, did some work on this build earlier today... I decided that I'm going to wire the engine using a Preston's Car Parts Vertex Magneto with yellow wires. I de-chromed the valve covers and the breathers that go on them, drilled out the spark plug holes in the covers, glued the breathers on the valve covers. Once they are dry I'll paint the valve covers and breathers. In the photos the covers are sitting on the heads while the glue dries.    The last photo is an over head view that shows the four breathers in place on the valve covers. I also see in the seat a large ejector pin mark right on the padding and seatbelts. I'll have to take care of that before I paint the seat. Thanks for looking. |
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Post by kabdriver on May 1, 2018 15:11:00 GMT -6
Ohh, that's a COOL looking chassis Steve!!! I'm really enjoying seeing this come together! Thanks for posting all the progress pics!
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Post by stevielewis on May 1, 2018 16:16:40 GMT -6
Ohh, that's a COOL looking chassis Steve!!! I'm really enjoying seeing this come together! Thanks for posting all the progress pics! Thanks! I've watched many times as someone else did a W.I.P. build of their car, plane, spacecraft, etc., and I thought this would be a good way to get some feedback from others while I am building. It's coming along slowly, but that's the enjoyment and fun of model building. Rushing through a kit to finish it, in my opinion, just doesn't seem fun to me. Anyway, thanks for your comments. They are appreciated. |
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Post by kabdriver on May 1, 2018 16:41:18 GMT -6
Rushing through a kit to finish it, in my opinion, just doesn't seem fun to me. Once you've finished it, you can't build it anymore! |
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Post by stevielewis on May 1, 2018 18:40:20 GMT -6
Once you've finished it, you can't build it anymore! EXACTLY!!! |
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Post by stevielewis on May 3, 2018 5:46:08 GMT -6
Ok, maybe you guys know, what is the outside diameter of sparkplug boot tubing for 1/24, 1/25 scale? I used to remember but have no clue now. I don't have any in my supplies so I can't even measure it if I wanted. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Also, without purchasing aftermarket items, what do you use to make wheel valve stems? Wire or plastic?
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Post by kabdriver on May 4, 2018 21:31:53 GMT -6
Ok, maybe you guys know, what is the outside diameter of sparkplug boot tubing for 1/24, 1/25 scale? I used to remember but have no clue now. I don't have any in my supplies so I can't even measure it if I wanted. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Also, without purchasing aftermarket items, what do you use to make wheel valve stems? Wire or plastic? I used to go to Radio Shack and get some black wire for plug boots - just kinda eyeballed it. Hopefully someone can give you some better guidance than that though... I like wire for valve stems - but some plastic rod works pretty well too! |
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Post by stevielewis on May 5, 2018 1:29:04 GMT -6
Thanks kabdriver. I think that is how I'll have to find some of the boot tubing. I was thinking wire as well for the valve stems.
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Post by kabdriver on May 5, 2018 7:27:53 GMT -6
Thanks kabdriver. I think that is how I'll have to find some of the boot tubing. I was thinking wire as well for the valve stems. The nice thing with wire is that you can easily bend it into an L shape to make it easier to glue onto the rim |
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Post by stevielewis on May 6, 2018 8:17:36 GMT -6
Raining here today so no painting of the body/interior sheet metal. I am doing some small parts like the brake disks and calipers, other small items. Hopefully have some progress pics later today/evening. Got some wire for the valve stems, solder for fuel lines. I was going to try hardlines for the Crower injector but I don't have a pin vice that will securely hold a number 80 drill bit, so I'm not going to attempt that. Lines from the fuel tank to the block and back will be fine.
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Post by stevielewis on May 8, 2018 7:35:34 GMT -6
Valve stems added to all wheels, got a coat of paint on the valve covers and the blower, brake disks and calipers painted.    It's coming along slowly but surely. |
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Post by stevielewis on May 11, 2018 19:42:36 GMT -6
Got the spark plug wires installed. Here's a couple of pics...   Should get some more work done on this tomorrow after work. |
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Post by Paul B. Canney on May 12, 2018 2:17:34 GMT -6
Got the spark plug wires installed. Here's a couple of pics... Should get some more work done on this tomorrow after work.
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