Plastic Modeling

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

LOL I was actually going to use something like that but wasn't sure if it was just a Canadian commercial.

It's a great campaign. I appreciate anytime execs have the balls to let their marketers bring the funny.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

LOL I was actually going to use something like that but wasn't sure if it was just a Canadian commercial.

I'm surprised you guys have it up there! I thought it was a US thing only!

[Tcoat]

Quick mockup using the Dodge body. Looks like I am going to need to trim a hair off the barstool height but the cabinet is bang on. There is no way the front seats will fit in using the locators. They don't even clear the kit body so need to move closer together. I raised the rear about 3 scale inches when I built the suspension so the rake looks about right.

[bcj]

[gtpvette]

Bringing back some memories with that van. A buddy had a 1969 Chevy version, engine cover between seats, bed in back, shag carpet, cabinet. That would of been about 1973-74.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by gtpvette

Bringing back some memories with that van. A buddy had a 1969 Chevy version, engine cover between seats, bed in back, shag carpet, cabinet. That would of been about 1973-74.

Yep! Anything built much before 1975 was usually a more subdued decor since the real van craze hadn't started yet so interiors were more "functional" than over the top as they would become. In this case the real thing was built by a guy in 1974 so it was a very early member of the custom van craze. It had passed through a couple of people before I got it and I soon discovered why.

The 351 Windsor engine they had crammed into it was just to much power for driving in anything but the best of weather. Nobody dynoed it to see what the actual horsepower was but it had a performance cam, four barrel, headers and a few other performance upgrades I just don't recall. Combined with the engine placement and light weight of the van it was almost impossible to drive when wet out or even if the tires got too cold. It was also an hour job to pull things apart just to check and fill the oil.

The C6 auto transmission in it had the most wonky homemade linkage ever. If you left it in park while running for more than a minute it would pop into reverse all on it's own. I discovered this when I came out of variety store to find the van doing lazy circles in the luckily otherwise empty parking lot.

On the plus side, in warm weather when you could get traction, it would pick the front wheels off the ground for 50 feet!

I eventually got bored/frustrated with it and sold it (at a hefty profit) right in the heart of the van craze. Nostalgia has now twisted my perspective of it and if I could get it back tomorrow, as it was, I would!

Unfortunately the guy I sold it to pinched the battery cables (battery was in a housing under the driver's seat beside the doghouse) in the doghouse cover and burned it to the ground about a month after he got it. The remains sat behind a local body shop for at least 15 years before disappearing.

[Tcoat]

On another note.

Almost done!

[Tcoat]

I have a body!





I need to find some slightly smaller tires. These just look like balloons. The chassis needed some considerable rework as the body is about 3/8 inch shorter than the Lindberg kit. I sort of anticipated this which is why none of the interior was glued into place yet.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I have a body!

Thank God for context.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Thank God for context.

Yep.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Yep.

Supposed to be plastic models, not sexy ones.

[x808drifter]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Supposed to be plastic models, not sexy ones.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Thank God for context.

It applies to several contexts!

[Tcoat]

Found this in a box of model parts I was digging through.
That is a vintage 1967 glue stopper pin.
should I contact an antique store.