1973 Vel's Parnelli Car Hauler/Trailer WIP
Apr 3, 2019 8:28:31 GMT -5
indy, racerbrown, and 2 more like this
Post by harveythedog2 on Apr 3, 2019 8:28:31 GMT -5
Okay, this is a little off the beaten path but something I have wanted to do for awhile. Years ago I found a black and white photo of the 1973 Vel's Parnelli Jones car hauler/trailer. At one time I was going to do it in 1/25th scale and place a few resin built cars next to it. That was the dream anyway. I never seemed to have the trailer and the model kits at the same time and other builds got in the way. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I came across the trailer photo again. I got to thinking, I wonder if anyone made a 1/18th scale semi & trailer from the 70's? I did a search on Ebay not really thinking I would find one but boom! A company called Nylent produced several! I was shocked at some of the prices for these things ($70 to $400!) but I found one that was in rough but decent shape for $30. I bought it and so here we go!
The whole truck to my dismay is folded steel held together with tabs and rivets. I proceed to start on the cab and took it apart.
I didn't have enough stripper to strip the whole thing so I first started on the cab. Simple interior that I plan to paint and detail more. The cab also had an open window on the right side that I need to close off as well as some opening on the back of the car for exhaust that I need to re-route. After stripped I start with placing masking tape over the openings and use my trusty JB Weld to seal them off from the inside. Once dry I will peel the tape away and use spot filler to smooth on the outside.
The trailer is going to be a little tougher. The rear door opens but is made of plastic. Need to figure out how to take it apart and get it back together and function before I strip the metal trailer. The door opens upwards which is a cool feature that I want to keep. Lots of added on sheet plastic will be needed also on the trailer side but first things first.
Crazy project but More soon!
The whole truck to my dismay is folded steel held together with tabs and rivets. I proceed to start on the cab and took it apart.
I didn't have enough stripper to strip the whole thing so I first started on the cab. Simple interior that I plan to paint and detail more. The cab also had an open window on the right side that I need to close off as well as some opening on the back of the car for exhaust that I need to re-route. After stripped I start with placing masking tape over the openings and use my trusty JB Weld to seal them off from the inside. Once dry I will peel the tape away and use spot filler to smooth on the outside.
The trailer is going to be a little tougher. The rear door opens but is made of plastic. Need to figure out how to take it apart and get it back together and function before I strip the metal trailer. The door opens upwards which is a cool feature that I want to keep. Lots of added on sheet plastic will be needed also on the trailer side but first things first.
Crazy project but More soon!
