Hi, Mark, Damian. I used spraying matte enamel from a distance for replicating the canvas on truck covers. I used the main base color though, followed by dry-brushing. I'll post a picture as soon I reach back at my computer.

Cheers!
Gabriel

Hi Mark.

I’ve seen both headliners and exterior vinyl tops done a couple of ways. Some use Tamiya tape applied over the whole area then painted to give the texture. Others use primer sprayed from a distance so that it partially dries and gives a textured finish, top colour coat over that. I also read about somebody applying the colour coat and “stippling” it with a stiff paintbrush while it’s still wet.

All seem feasible to me, I will be trying them out on some old CD covers before I hit the kits to see which I prefer.

Cheers, D

Hey D, I've got a 57 Bel Aire coupe in the que. It's a curbside, so no engine detail to worry about, but how do you do the headliner in something like that? Just paint the inner ceiling the rooftop color? Just apply flocking to the ceiling, or build in some sort of headliner from cardboard / card stock?

Gabriel and Russell, thanks for checking in. Very glad to have you guys following along and always welcome any feedback on what I'm doing (right or wrong!).

Cheers, D

Wow! getting the popcorn out for this one! Awesome set of kits...

Thanks, D, for steering me to the right forum thread. Following. I love shoeboxes.

Cheers!
Gabriel

KSO, great to have you on board, thanks for checking in!

Shaving the pully belt makes a big difference. Will try this on future builds.

I'll be around for the ride on this one. I never really got into the '50s era automobile design scene but I like static plastic builds of almost anything.

As a wise man (or possibly a drunk swagman) once said, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Well, here we go!

Engine components for Orange paint


Basic engine assembly


Pulley/belt part. I have spent a few minutes shaving back the belt on the two long sides, you can see the original dimension on the short side. Well worth the little bit of time spent so the belt isn't 2" scale thickness!


Main sub assemblies done


Feels good to make a start, small as it may be!

Cheers, D

My '57 is a snap tite kit, limited chrome for the trim. The spray is molded in, with fairly good detail. I'm waffling back and forth between using Bare Metal Foil after painting, or some sort of chrome paint on it before painting the rest of the body.

Jesper, first up with the mud-slinging! Welcome aboard mate, thanks for looking in.




Mark, it's all about the BLING, you know that! I will probably strip the chrome parts and give them the Alclad treatment, or possibly another new paint from a local manufacturer here in Victoria (https://www.scalemodeller.com.au/) which I hope to test out soon.
Again, thanks for checking in, much appreciated.

Cheers, D

Well Jesper, they are chrome plated shoe-boxes. Can't wait for the '57s. I want to see how he gets that chrome spray on the rear fenders.

So you're building a series og shoeboxes. You know this is an automobile forum, right?

First car in the workshop is the 55 Bel Air Convertible, 1/25 Monogram kit. I picked this kit up a few weeks back from a local Facebook Buy/Swap/Sell site.

Box Images






Sprue Shots











Body Detail





Decals


I will also post images of the instruction manual with progress shots of each stage as things progress.

The instructions have the colour call-outs for the box image as Shadow Grey/Coral, which I quite like, so I will start digging around to see if I can come up with a match.

If anybody would like to see more specific part details etc please let me know.

Cheers, D

G'day Autophiles, Grease Monkeys and Gear Heads!

Along with the Corvette series, my favourite cars have always been the 55-56-57 (Tri-Five) Chevy series. From the base 150, to the 210, Bel Air, Nomad, 2-door or 4-door, even cut down to “El Camino”. Classic styling, lots of chrome, lots of options, box-stock, mild or wild they are just super-cool!

I have been keeping an eye out at swap meets and BSS sites for kits of any and all of these options with a view to putting together a Tri-Five build collection. So far in the stash I have the 55 Sedan, 55 Convertible, 55 Nomad, 56 Nomad, and a 57 Nomad with an El Camino Conversion commenced. I will document my progress here with any purchases, OOB reviews and full builds.

As always, all feedback, advice and constructive criticism are most welcome, and I fully expect the usual hot air from the Mopar and Ford crowds. Bring it on!

I also welcome contributions of 1:1 images as well as completed or in-progress kit builds from others. This is not a formal Group Build, and there is definitely no time frame, just a long-term project that I’m ready to commence.

Cheers, D