31 Pickup

G'day all. I can now finally post something on this board A few weeks ago, I asked the question about recommendations for a 31 Pick up kit. I went with Steves suggestion and dealt through Scale Automobilia. A pleasure to do business with. Unfortunately, they didn't have the exact kit I wanted in stock but I ended up getting this one.





As I explained in my earlier post, I don't plan to actually build the plastic kit (at this stage) but I wanted it so I could use it as a reference to scratch build, in steel, a copy of it. As you all know by now, this is my usual medium but I'm used to building bikes so this will be a real challenge. I must say though that I am a little concerned about the accuracy of the scale of all the parts, ie: the wheels seem to be a little small in diameter for the guards but I guess thats where I'll use my own judgement to make it look right. More piccies as it progresses

I'm looking forward to this one Pete - should be a very interesting journey!

Bryce wrote:I'm looking forward to this one Pete - should be a very interesting journey!

A journey no doubt littered with more car eating pot holes than the NSW part of the Hume Hwy.

with that one u can build a cool rod.

Well ther journey has started. I got the wheels today and have already disassembled them, modified, drilled and welded. Here's a before and after shot.



They're almost 90mm diameter which is roughly twice the size of the wheels/tyres in the kit so I guess I'm building this in 1/8 scale. Does this mean I'll be banned from this folder and transferred to the large scale folder?



I don't really like the low profile tyres or the sports, semi slick tread pattern but when you build in this medium, you're forced to take what you can get.

I'm looking forward to see more.

Geez you'll be able to drive this one away when it's finished. Good luck and like everyone else, I'm looking forward to more progress reports and pics.

Well a bit more work has been done this weekend. I've finished the basic chassis. There'll be more brackets etc to add but it's basic shape is finished.



I've also done the bulk of the work on the diff and axles.



Notice I've used a very unrealistic basic set up. I was going to fabricate leaf springs and shocks etc but decided that for this first attempt at this type of model, I'd settle for just a simple stand off appearance. Same with the front end. It's got a drop axle but it's simply welded straight onto the chassis.



Next came the motor. Everyone seems to use V8's so I decided to be different and am using an old Holden straight 6. It's a 202 red which has been stroked and bored to 220.







More later.

Awesome Progress so far!! keep us posted

I am gobsmacked! That is coming along so well - it's simultaneously amazing and delightful to watch a master at work. i don't want to miss any of the progress Pete so keep those pics coming. Can't wait to see the body.

its amazing to see you build this from nothing more then an idea.
really looking forward to seeing more of it.

tezza43 wrote:I am gobsmacked! That is coming along so well - it's simultaneously amazing and delightful to watch a master at work. i don't want to miss any of the progress Pete so keep those pics coming. Can't wait to see the body.

Thanks for the kind words but I think names like master is going a bit far. I consider myself a hacker. Or perhaps I should use the term of masocist. If you saw the work that has gone into making that distributor or the wheel hubs, I must love pain.

Pete wrote: Or perhaps I should use the term of masocist. If you saw the work that has gone into making that distributor or the wheel hubs, I must love pain.

That's OK Pete - I'm a sadist!

Got a little more done today. Basically the engine is finished apart from a final clean and paint.

I managed to take advantage of some warmer weather this arvo and give the engine a trial paint. There's still plenty of detailing to do such as painting the enamel on the spark plugs and enhancing some join lines. I'm also not happy with the plug leads as they're way too big but I'll have to search around for some really small guage wiring. But overall, I'm happy with the effect always bearing in mind that it's made up of some 25mm gal water pipe (crankcase), 15mm RHS (cylinders/head and rocker cover), socket head bolts (harmonic balancer, water pump pulley and alternator) and a few nails (spark plugs, fuel line).

Nice work Pete - coming along just fine. Hey - can you arrange a photo of the car with a 50 cent coin or matchbox in front for size comparison? I'm having some difficulty in visualising the overall size of this model.

tezza43 wrote:Nice work Pete - coming along just fine. Hey - can you arrange a photo of the car with a 50 cent coin or matchbox in front for size comparison? I'm having some difficulty in visualising the overall size of this model.

Your wish is my command. I think you could compare it in size to those radio controlled cars and buggies. It's about 18 inches long.

Hi Pete
That's a bit of a challenge, building it all in steel. I'll stick to plastic kits and resin models Thanks. The only one I built in steel ,sort of, was Pocher's 1/8 Ferrari Testarossa. I'll keep watching.

Ron

Well a bit more progress today. At least now its starting to take some sorta shape.











Still to come are the doors, floor, radiator interior and mudguards/running boards. Oh my aching head.

Pete wrote: Oh my aching head.

It will all be worth it in the end cause this is gunna look awesome!! Kepp plugging away.

Pete that is just amazing. I look forward to your progress pics every time. Your creative skill with metal is inspiring. Keep us posted mate.

Progress continues slowly. With work commitments and short daylight hours, I really only get to do work on the weekends but it's really starting to take shape now. The doors are made and hung on real hinges, the radiator is in place and the cab has a floor and a steering wheel.









Next I think will be the interior. The bench seat will be a major job in itself.

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!! This must be getting heavy so I hope you have a heavy duty shelf to keep it when it's done

Awesome.
That cab looks supurb in bare metal. You're not going to paint it are you?

zenrat wrote:Awesome.
That cab looks supurb in bare metal. You're not going to paint it are you?

Believe me, photo's can be very deceiving. The body work is great in some places like the roof, but bloody terrible in others such as the doors where the hinges are welded in. The problem is that the tin I use is only about 0.8mm thick and it's so easy to blow holes through especially when welding much thicker material to the tin. Then when I do get a hole, I try to fill it with weld. But the body will come up fine with only minimal use of bog. But already I'm at bit of a loss as to what colour to paint it. Anyone got suggestions?