1/25th Scale Model that is!

Well I finally got this project done about a week ago. It started out as a “quick build” curbside project and ended up spanning a 9 month time period. After 2 unsatisfactory paintjobs the third time was not perfect but I had had enough!

The stance was lowered in both the front and rear. The kit tires were used and I am not sure but I think the wheels are from the 56 Ford Harley Davidson panel van. Behind the rear wheels are “drums” painted body color and behind the front wheels are disk/rotors.

The paint is House of Color Candy Red with blue pearl in the first few clear coats. The blue pearl powder was sprayed heavier at the front end from the front of the fenders to about the door and then across the top of the character line that spans the length of the body. Then lighter passes were made on the rest of the body. It was then topped with an additional dozen or so coats of clear lacquer and polished out.

The bed cover is made from the back side of an old Halloween your decoration; it is a very thin black vinyl material and was glued on a piece of thin styrene.

Enough text, click the link to get to the photos.

http://images7.fotki.com/v129/photos/4/48848/1611264/PC120006-vi.jpg

http://images6.fotki.com/v101/photos/4/48848/1611264/PC120025-vi.jpg

http://images8.fotki.com/v132/photos/4/48848/1611264/PC120023-1-vi.jpg

http://images8.fotki.com/v131/photos/4/48848/1611264/PC120005-vi.jpg

http://images7.fotki.com/v130/photos/4/48848/1611264/PC120019-vi.jpg


Here it is with the 68 I built
http://images7.fotki.com/v126/photos/4/48848/1611264/PC120033-vi.jpg

MORE PHOTOS HERE (http://public.fotki.com/craigdamodeler/in_progress/66_elcamino/gotrdun/)


Comments and critques welcomed as always.

That is wild! The first picture could pass for the real thing if no explanation was attached. Cool stuf. Well done. 8)

wow man your 66 kicks as.s man i have a 66 el camino of my own i got it a couple of months ago good job

was that a model kit you have or did u make everything your self? btw awesome job tho

was that a model kit you have or did u make everything your self? btw awesome job tho

This is built from a standard model kit. I cut the front end frame and fender wells to lower the front end and raised the rear end by installing the rear axel assembly up as high as it would go without the shocks.

The body paint is all lacquer and has a smoother finish than any 1:1 car you will ever see.

Here are a couple pics of the interior.
http://images7.fotki.com/v105/photos/4/48848/1308033/P9070017-vi.jpg

http://images7.fotki.com/v106/photos/4/48848/1308033/P9070018-vi.jpg

Dash before final detailing
http://images7.fotki.com/v106/photos/4/48848/1308033/P9070015-vi.jpg

wow man thats awsome i bought a model kit myself and tried to build it and it came out awful :S how do you get the detail on the smaller parts like the dash i tried painting with a toothpick and that was a no go :S any tips for me for my next model ?

wow man thats awsome i bought a model kit myself and tried to build it and it came out awful :S how do you get the detail on the smaller parts like the dash i tried painting with a toothpick and that was a no go :S any tips for me for my next model ?

This particular kit had a decal for the dash and instuments although not all kits do. Instead of trying to get the decals in place the standard way. I did not used them as decals rather I cut out the molded in dash and glued the decals with the backing onto a fit cut peice of plasitc styrene and fit it in the dash. After the dash was painted and the instuments assemblies installed, I put some clear enamel in big drops to give the lens look.

http://images8.fotki.com/v108/photos/4/48848/1308033/P9040001-vi.jpg

Any time you or anybody need some help building a model. I am always glad to help!

Most of the models I built the past few years I build a photo album with some as you go photos. Here is a link to this project but you can go my Public Albums-In Progress to see the building steps for several projects that may give you some ideas. You can always email me direct with any specific questions.
66 Camino in Progress Folder (http://public.fotki.com/craigdamodeler/in_progress/66_elcamino/)

You even have the keys for the car in one of those interior pics!! And yes, that first picture and some others could deffinately be a real car. The only way I can tell they're models sometimes is because some edges are rounder than usual or some things that would be chrome in real life are painted. This thing could still pass for a real "1:1" though! Nice!! :-D

where did you get a 66 i had to buy a 65 : ( how much was this model kit i wanna give it a shot ;) did your kit come with the trim chrome like that? on my kit i had to paint it on i didnt come out too well :S i guess i just bought the cheap one what kind of paint did you use? and how did you paint the emblems on mine i accidently sanded them off lol

WOW! amazing work! i know the time and dedication it takes to build quality models, i built model airplanes for a span of maybe 10 years when i was younger... never have time now.. :(

Amazing, simply amazing! 8) Great craftsmanship & thanks for sharing. I agree with everyone that the first pic would pass for a 1:1 if I didn't know any better. And that's a killer paint job in any scale. Did you actually wet sand between coats to get it that deep and shiny?

OMG, I feel like a total dickhead. I thought they were all real, even the 68. I had to read through to the build up pics. I get the dumbass award today.

Very nice work, now stop playing with toys and go build a real one just like it. :P

Well I must say I am flattered at all the interest and comments from this group on my model. I will attempt here to answer all the questions you guys have posed.

66_ELKY- I am not sure exactly where I got this kit, I think I won it as a door prize at a model contest. It is not a rare or unusual kit as far as I know but unlike some builders who are collectors of kits, I just build’em not collect them! I am sure if you check ebay someone must have one for sale or check hobby shops on line like Hobby Heaven.
The “chrome” trim is done with a product called Bare Metal Foil (they have a web site). It is a very thin foil with adhesive backing you cut strips, lay it down over the trim and cut along the trim edge. (This is a simplified explanation) Here is a photo example. The door trim is already trimmed the rear fender is ready for trim. (I usuall do this after painting, this was done for maksing the fine detail in the trim on this project)
http://images4.fotki.com/v41/photos/4/48848/429934/PA020867-vi.jpg

The emblems I intentionally sanded off on this one. I had bought a detail set of photo etched parts for the kit (from Model Car Garage, they to have a website). It is metal parts such as scripts, keys, grille and such (photo etch is done similar to electronic circuit board in that they lay down a photo of the parts on the metal, treat it with a chemical that removes anything not covered in the photo). It was my intent to use the scripts but I did not think they went well with the paint scheme. The grille, tailgate lettering and some interior parts are photo etched.
The paint is lacquer which requires a good primer coat so it does not etch the plastic.

RUSHGATOR-yes the paint is wet sanded between coats. Typically I shoot 3 good wet coats then sand and repeat. Usually I try and get at least 4 sets or 12 coats of clear lacquer on the color coats. A little bit about the sanding. If you are familiar with typical sand paper you know 2000 grit is pretty fine. I use a polishing kit that has grits from 1800 down to 12000 (yes twelve thousand) grit. Shooting out the air brush I usually start with the 4K and work up the 12K. Then I hand polish with a Maguire’s polish (usually about 3 or 4 times) then a good wax then a top coat wax like turtle wax express shine that hides any light swirls it finish may have.

As you may notice I enjoy talking about models as much as I do building them. I also appreciate the interest, comments and questions. IF you guys or anyone else would like more info on model building I am more than glad to help. Email me direct or find me here on the forum.

Well I see DENNIS68 just chimed in just before postings this…..Dennis, if I had the time, money and the place to build real cars I would not be building models!!
I posted a couple other models here and I did not think I could fool anybody into thinking this one was real. But I guess the photos are worth a double take!

For anyone interested who has not already see it, I have lots of other builds on my Fotki site One album in particular has similar “real car” photos is the OUTDOOR PHOTOS album. There is a link in my signature below to the site Stop by an have a look. Comments always welcomed.


Dang this got long! I told you I like talking models.
Here is whats on my bench now, this is a 1/12 scale (big about a foot long)
http://images5.fotki.com/v59/photos/4/48848/761330/P3081736-vi.jpg

how much money is it gonna take me to get started on one of these projects that looks like fun i wanna try that and can you post a pic of the engine compartment of that elky :D i also thought they were real cars :S