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Nigel Chapman Autor
First problem - fuel tank too high and impeding the body fitment.
Second problem - no support for the interior tub and body on the chassis

So fuel tank was carefully cut off the chassis and will be refitted in the same location just at a lower position.
I have started fabricating a subframe support that matches the contours of the chassis using Evergreen 0.60 mm square section glued to a 0.20 mm Evergreen panel attached to the interior tub floor giving the body a level, solid frame to sit on. The lift is enough to be hidden by the body and looks right proportionally.
It will be a tight fit for the tunnel and front seats which may some artistic license to install.
Next up will be to build the rear half of the subframe then fabricate some basic front and rear inner wheels arches.

Nigel Chapman Autor
Interior nearly there. Tunnel was awkward with different angles needed to get the seats to fit.
I divided the tunnel into two sections then cut pieces of styrene sheet to fill the space. Dashboard had to be adjusted slightly to fit.
The wheel arches have reshaped and some material removed with the Dremel to give the look of a wider opening.

Bozzer
Thanks mate. I guess I was waiting for you to say something that I didn't know, but I'm glad you cleared it up.
I found that on full speed, it's best to fire everything up, before you start painting. However, if you own animals, use any kind of fabric for crafts, etc, or basically have hair, then there's always going to be an issue with hair or fibres, hitting your model. The fans, suck them in, but wet paint is like a magnet to them! Apart from painting naked, in a clinically controlled environment, I doubt I'll ever solve that problem? Bloody hairs are a curse.

Bill Newcomer
My booth has lots of fans thus lots of air volume (cfm), I run it at full blast while I set up everything. The theory is that it will pull all the dust out of the air while I am moving about in the room. While painting, I set it to medium which sucks out all the overspray without attracting a lot of dust. Once the items are painted, I set it to low and park my pieces in the booth to continue to slowly draw the fumes from the outgassing paint while minimizing dust disturbance. I also tend to leave the room to prevent me from touching anything.

Paint booth | Album by musclecarfan (1:25)

Nigel Chapman Autor
Thanks Yngvenett and welcome!

Nigel Chapman Autor
Mk3 roll cage already. The Mk2 version was too high so I had to cut the square section off and cut angles out to 'insert' it between the lower cross pieces.
I also added extra smaller supports for the rear which looks much better visually.
It looks a bit rough but I think it just adds to the home made look I am aiming for.

Bozzer
After a fantastic Superbowl, I thought more about your dilemma. You could consider the motor out of the Bandit kit, or even possibly the S'cool bus kit? The exhaust plumbing might give you a few ideas too?

Nigel Chapman Autor
Great ideas Bozzer but I want to avoid a V8 engine and have something a bit different hence the diesel. I have couple of ideas

Bill Newcomer
Glad to see it finished. Good thing it a show car. Driving it a speed into a swarm of insects would be no fun. 🙂

Nigel Chapman Autor
Thanks Brandon
You can't beat flies in the teeth

Bozzer
Issues noted, thanks Nigel.
It's looking like I'm gonna have to buy a "sensible" beetle, to do the car justice. But, I've now got two nightmares, to play with! I'll be more aware of Union Model kits, in the future.

Nigel Chapman Autor
I don't think the Union kits are bad. Given their age the quality is not as good as today. Just be patient and test fit everything.

Nigel Chapman Autor
Been pondering over this one for a few months.
Original idea was to use the running gear from the 1980 Dodge Ramcharger but the chassis is too big and needed some major surgery to fit.
Found another Aoshima lifted Hilux kit at Model World Telford which looks the better choice as the chassis is narrower and I already have a moulded in engine so less work (famous last words🤪) it can easily be shortened to fit the VW.
Been watching SEMA 2024 videos this week so I'm considering a blinged up chassis.

Bozzer
Was this a recent eBay purchase, Nigel?

Nigel Chapman Autor
Yes got it earlier this week. Engine and suspension built, the rest is mint and unbuilt.
Moulded in a bronze colour that I have never seen before. The sprues seemed to be quite brittle and easily snapped.

Bozzer
If it's the one that I was looking at, the moulding is broken, on the cab, where the windscreen meets the firewall?
I have always wanted this kit, and have been teased by a friend in the USA, who had a sealed one. That's now sold, so when I saw that one come up, I nearly bought it. I'm glad now, that I didn't, because we would've been bidding against eachother. I wouldn't do that, to anyone I know. However, this kit is available in a few guises.
I like it, because of the mini Peterbilt front end. It's a cool little thing, and the quirkyness appeals to me. I was actually thinking about getting the Midnight Cowboy kit, and just swapping out the back, for a 5th wheel? Anyway, I look forward to seeing the build progress on this. Great purchase mate, well done 👍

Nigel Chapman Autor
Yes my cab has that break as well but should be easily rectified..
Wierdly I was not a fan of the Midnight Cowboy kit, I prefer this one and it goes nicely with the Brute Force Chevy van.

Nigel Chapman Autor
Thanks Chaps. That's VW Urano Grey with with Matt lacquer and all bright work Matt black.
It does look sinister. Ideal Halloween transport 🎃

Bob Hall
Slap a Jack Skeleton on the door and coffin hanging out the back window and.......... BOOO-YA, ya got yourself a stabbin wagin 🚙 !

Nigel Chapman Autor
My holy grail of model kits! Although the first £60 kit I have bought, it's a bargain.

Bozzer
A bloody good bargain! These sell for £200+!!!
Nice work Nigel 🙂
Whilst I'm here, you won't believe what I recently picked up?
Take a look at my latest purchase..

Nigel Chapman Autor
My first Revell van for a great price

Nigel Chapman Autor
Another bucket list kit for a good price and my first £60 kit

Bozzer
I saw one of those going down the M6, near Keele Services. It sounded awesome!

Nigel Chapman Autor
Yeah, there are quite a few old and new T-cabs about the UK - can't beat the that Scania v8 sound

Bill Newcomer
Well done my friend. I have been following for quite some time. I am impressed with all the effort you have given it. You have way more imagination than I have.

Nigel Chapman Autor
Thanks Bill

Nigel Chapman Autor
Another bucket list kit - all original and complete with just the engine block glued together .

Nigel Chapman Autor
My first ever £50 kit for my birthday. Original unbuilt condition apart from one assembled wheel. What a bargain!