mustang1989 Posted October 22, 2016 Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 (edited) I picked this kit up about a month ago because it was IMO just too dang cool. This one will be a sideline build when I either get stumped on or waiting for paint to dry for my current aircraft project, in which right now I'm waiting on paint to dry and trying to figure out some fit issues with it so I figured I'd start this thread. I'm not going to get as crazy as I did with my '54 Chevy just because I don't want something that in depth. But I do want to have some fun with this one so here goes.Der Beetle Bus:Now when I opened up the box I looked at the body and knew right away that this body was not going to fly at all. The wheel base is ridiculously short for my tastes and it would look more like a cartoon van than an actual vehicle. Here's where we start:and I just couldn't leave it like that so I bought another kit and went to work:Cutting the bodies at just the right points yielded a wheel base that I could live withTop view of the difference it made:and the side view : Edited November 3, 2016 by mustang1989 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildBill50 Posted October 24, 2016 Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 Keep up the tinkering. I think we are all going to like what you come up with and how you do it. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted October 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2016 I was going to keep it simple and go for a look like this: But then I said to myself, "Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaah" and started pondering what the rear wheel wells would look like with some different wheel openings. Like the ones on the '54 Chevy Panel Wagon that I just got through with. I just so happened to have a spare panel body soooooooo........................let's get to work on changin' some stuff. Take the wheel openings from here: and test fit 'em onto here: Yep. Already like it better! Stay tuned.......graphing work to follow.................... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewahl Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 Hi, Joseph, You are going to blow my mind . . . AGAIN! Ed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted October 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 Hi, Joseph, You are going to blow my mind . . . AGAIN! Ed LOL. Thanks Ed for the funny reply. I've got the R/H side graphed in. I still have to do some body work and trimming but it's in there. I've got it mocked up here with my spun aluminum Weld Draglites. I may have to order a 5 lug version with a deeper offset in the back for that deep dish effect. Although the graphed sections aren't initially not trued up, I'll get it all ironed out in the body work process. I think I've got my color selection down too. I'll be going with GM paint code 79U- Mystic Teal Metallic -a.k.a. Chameleon. Yeah...............this look suits me a whole lot better! This picture captures the Mystic Teal Metallic paint color change fairly well. The sides look green and the hood has a purple hue to it. Other areas will appear blue. I've always liked this color and can't wait to put it on this van. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryDavis Posted October 28, 2016 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 Oh yea...I see why you like that color. It looks awesome on the computer...I'll bet it's FLAT GREAT in person. Is that a factory color or custom blend?? Man...That will look cool on the bug... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildBill50 Posted October 29, 2016 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 BAAAD!!! Are you going to have side pipes out the sides? Just wondering. Keep up the great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted November 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2016 (edited) Thanks Gary and Bill. It's a factory color, 79U Mystic Teal Metallic is what it's called and was used by GM starting in the mid 90's and going through like 2002 or so. It was used primarily on Camaro's and Firebirds but I've also seen it on Suburbans and Tahoes. I do plan on running pipes towards the sides. Not sure of the exit style yet but I've got a ways to go before I get to that point so I've got some time to think about that. Folks this doesn't look like a whole lot of progress but rest assured that it's huge for me because of all the work involved but I feel pretty good about the outcome. I've still got to relocate the spring perches and use a different rear axle and suspension but I'll get to that a little later. Here's some progress pics of the wheel tub and center section mods...........Before:During:And after. I also managed to clean up the header exit cut out holes on the sides of the engine/ transmission cutout area. Here's the results. Still have some filling to go but it's minimal.Still working on the clean up around the rear wheel opening on the body. It'll be a bit before I post any substantial progress due to this being the idea and development part of the build. Edited November 3, 2016 by mustang1989 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afulcher Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 GM also used a color on the SSR called Aqua Blur (one word or two, I don't remember). Looks strikingly similar. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted December 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 I think I remember that color..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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