1/18th Custom Diecasts

[Zarana-X]

This is awesome work, almost to the point of showing off
I've only slightly modified die cast vehicles, they just seem all around harder to work on than plastic kits. And then theres the parts...

[ramfett]

This is awesome work, almost to the point of showing off
I've only slightly modified die cast vehicles, they just seem all around harder to work on than plastic kits. And then theres the parts...

Thank you, I try!
Yeah, diecast is definitely a tougher format in which to model (I can't tell you how many hours I've spent grinding away with a dremel tool on metal parts that would come right off on a plastic kit). And yes...parts. Enough said.

One last thing, I have to tell you I was inspired by your wastelander '57 Chevy, to the point that I sought out a 1/18 '57 to give the MM treatment to. That one's a work in progress, but I will have some pics up before too long. Still, I wanted to give you credit, seeing your awesome model made me do it

[Zarana-X]

Thanks! All of my models are pretty much works in progress, as I rarely leave well enough alone. I've done some battle damage on the 57, and still have soem work to do on my Roadrunner, and am currently doing a total rebuild on the Soarer. Work is slow, and generally work in spurts here and there.

[MFP 2020]

I don't poke my head in this forum too often, but I had to say that these are AMAZING!

[ramfett]

I don't poke my head in this forum too often, but I had to say that these are AMAZING!

Thank you, I really appreciate that!

Here's a bit of an update: Admittedly, I've been lax on working on my models lately, this is a busy time of year for me. The XA has pretty much sat for awhile, to be resumed when I get more time to put in some serious work. I did win a '69 Torino on ebay, but I'm having doubts as to how well I'll be able to use its wheels on the XA. I've done a little bit on my '57 Chevy this past week, mostly tweaking the suspension parts to accomodate a set of off-road wheels...pictures of that model soon!

For now, I can at least show what the '57 looked like before I started:

[Zarana-X]

It's cool that you got a standard 57. I have a few more junker 57 Chevys, but 99% of all model 57 Chevys are Bel-Airs. It's not conceivable to have a squad of post-apocalyptic Bel-Airs.

[ramfett]

I hear ya about the Bel-Airs. It's a shame there aren't more of the standard base versions produced as models. I've never been a fan of the fancy trim on the 55-57 chevy's, they look so much cooler without all the ornamental chrome stuff and whitewall tires such. I really prefer them as stripped down racing machines, with more effort put into going fast than looking good...which to me makes them look all the better.

I got a good idea for yet another 1/18 project, this one will be a '71 Hemi Cuda. I've already begun some work on that one while my inspiration is fresh, and I'll be getting a lot more time for working on it and my other in-progress models soon. Pics to come shortly!

[ramfett]

Okay, as promised, here are some pictures of the two in-progress cars I mentioned.

First up is the '57 chevy 150. I was able to snag a cheap 1/18 Hotwheels 57 Chevy drag car off ebay, my idea was to turn it into an off-road monster with pushbars, rollcage and lifted suspension over big tires. The first thing I did after removing the body from the frame was to remove the drag wheels and modify the suspension to accept a big set of wheels and tires I took from a 1/43rd toy monster truck. Its rear axle was used as well. Next I took the ugly air cleaner cover off the engine and replaced it with a pair of cast resin air filters, one for each of the dual 4-barrel carbs. They stuck up above the hood, so I cut a hole and added a hoodscoop over it, which I really like the looks of. The interior was pretty much good to go, already having a rollcage and bucket racing seats. The bumpers got a pair of scratchbuilt pushbars made from styrene tube, one on front and one on the rear. I also added some little guards for the headlights, not exactly sure how well they'd protect, but they look cool. After sanding down the body and priming I airbrushed what was supposed to be a faded green, with darker green as the base with a lighter shade of the same color over that for the faded look. It turned out sort of gray, but I'm okay with it. The hood got a functional flat black treatment. I've done a bit of weathering on it, with more to go. Remaining work is mostly paint and weathering, with a possible revision on the front pushbar. I also have some chain I'd like to incorporate, but I don't yet have any good ideas (suggetions, anyone? )







The second car started off as a 1/18th Ertl 1971 Hemi Cuda. My idea for this one was for it to be stripped down and modified like one would do for racing as a stock car, only beefed up for survival in the post-apocalypse: light, fast, strong in the right places to take a beating. After the usual disassembly, I began by removing the go-wing from the decklid, the chrome rocker panel trim. On the front end, I removed the grille, stock bumper and lower fascia, but I did retain the headlights. Then I filled the open space with a bumper connected to the frame, with a grate to protect the radiator. The bumper I made out of styrene tube, with thin steel rod inside to hold the shape of the bends. I sort of wanted to add an agressive look, like that of the car's namesake, so I made some panels to resemble a barracuda's sharp, jagged teeth. The rear end got a heavy duty bumper as well, replacing the stock one. I filled the space for the rear passenger windows with metal grate, mostly because it looks neat. I yanked the exhaust off from the headers, chopped them apart and rebuilt them to exit from the sides by the rear tires. I also trimmed out the wheel wells for better clearance of the tires. While doing that I also dremeled out some dents and scrapes on the body. The bar on the roof you see in the pictures was the fog lights on the car, I just placed it up there as an idea for some extra lighting, an idea I've since abandoned. Some additional work I'll be doing includes adding a rollcage, detailing on the motor, and of course, paint and weathering. Still thinking up paint schemes for it.





I will of course post pictures of the completed product for both the Cuda and the Chevy.

[raindogs]

I am ecstatic... :fingerup:

I thinking it is much beter to work on this 1/18 models than real one... it is cheaper, cleaner, working in warm room, faster and easy to storage lots of them... and looks very nice just like realones... cool..

[ramfett]

I am ecstatic... :fingerup:

I thinking it is much beter to work on this 1/18 models than real one... it is cheaper, cleaner, working in warm room, faster and easy to storage lots of them... and looks very nice just like realones... cool..

Oh, if I had the money, resources, space & skills to build real ones I definitely would! But scale models are pretty fun, too. Not to mention slightly more practical.