California Cruiser

This is an original issue of the ’76 kit by Revell I’ve had in my collection since it was brand new. The box art on this kit was pretty cool looking, (photos of the real vehicle), but this one is a little rough due to a leak we had in the attic many years ago. And the decals are not going to be usable…
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05014_zpsxodtpszm.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05014_zpsxodtpszm.jpg.html)
Fortunately I filed an extra set of original decals away, just in case. They are a little yellowed now so I’ll sun bleach them.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05019_zpsfbs07o2n.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05019_zpsfbs07o2n.jpg.html)

The body is warped, but not too badly to use.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05016_zpsbjub77n5.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05016_zpsbjub77n5.jpg.html)
I put a piece of sheet styrene in as a spreader and left the body in the sun for several days.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05017_zps43zmvaft.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05017_zps43zmvaft.jpg.html)

The engines/transmissions are pretty weak on detail and overall accuracy in this series of kits. Since it will be barely visible once the van is done it isn’t too big of a deal. Plus I’m building this for the nostalgia of the kit, and fun...
I had a spray can of Intermediate Blue handy, close enough to Corporate Blue for this one… Sprayed the trans silver and brush detail painted the rest.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05040_zpsfd4zwcsu.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05040_zpsfd4zwcsu.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05041_zpsrmn0nogb.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05041_zpsrmn0nogb.jpg.html)

I’ve never run into this before. Thin CA makes the plastic fall apart/shatter. Just the smallest application and pieces break/fall away on their own. I’ve seen something similar to it with CA accelerator on stressed parts, but his is not the same. I had to replace most of the front suspension parts, and then fix a couple of those once I realized it was the CA doing it.

I assembled the frame as the instructions show, but I did not cement the front of the leaf springs to the frame or the lower ends of the rear shocks to the axle so I can adjust to get all four wheels on the ground if needed.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05050_zpsbv4xd0lt.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05050_zpsbv4xd0lt.jpg.html)

The frame is pretty true, so I used it to straighten out the floor pan which was warped, although not as bad as the body.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05042_zpsxz9ym3cg.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05042_zpsxz9ym3cg.jpg.html)

This will be a blast from the past!
I think this was the first Revell car kit I built as a teenager.
It didn't survive moving around so it finally disapeard during one of my moves to a new apartment and today I think I only have the wheels and maybe the engine left.


/Niclas

I decided to reinforce the body from the inside with some sheet styrene. Unfortunately as soon as the CA hit the yellow plastic it too cracked in multiple places. And it wasn’t even stressed. The Zap-a-Gap green label CA works fine on this plastic, it is the Hobby People house brand thin CA that is causing the problems.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05051_zps4nytl2oi.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05051_zps4nytl2oi.jpg.html)
I repaired the top areas and cemented the rear valence in at the same time. I went very heavy with the gap filling CA with no cracking issues.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05052_zpswnjiyzux.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05052_zpswnjiyzux.jpg.html)
(The instructions call for the valence and front spoiler to go on after the chassis is installed in the body, but the photos of the real van show those seams are filled smooth.) Plus the addition of those two parts really strengthens the body.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05053_zpsooo0kuwf.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05053_zpsooo0kuwf.jpg.html)

A light dusting of white primer was applied as an adhesion promoter and then wet sanded with 2000.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05055_zpsu0fufjb1.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05055_zpsu0fufjb1.jpg.html)

The body is painted (Tamiya TS-16 from the can) and the chrome trim is done so it’s ready for the kit provided decal graphics. I made chrome Mylar pieces for the rear custom window trim.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05068_zpsc8p8cord.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05068_zpsc8p8cord.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05069_zps6gpjps5f.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05069_zps6gpjps5f.jpg.html)
I’m pleased with the way the side marker lights came out…
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05070_zpsxortf3zc.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05070_zpsxortf3zc.jpg.html)

I also made some chrome frames for the sun roofs.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05059_zpsioqzfima.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05059_zpsioqzfima.jpg.html)

I used gauge and radio decals I drew for the 2007 IPMS Convention decal sheet for the dash. The wood grain is freehand painted. I added a more modern (90’s era) DIN mount stereo where the CB would go according to the instructions. I’ll move the molded CB to the overhead panel, where they already engraved another CB…
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05054_zpsgofyqcpg.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05054_zpsgofyqcpg.jpg.html)

The rear doors get a graphic that goes across them. Even though the decal is done as two parts, I wanted to make sure they lined up once the van was assembled so I glued them together. I also added the chrome trim.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05066_zpshkwkcznc.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05066_zpshkwkcznc.jpg.html)

“Period correct” bedding colors…
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05067_zpssntkuelt.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05067_zpssntkuelt.jpg.html)
Refrigerator and T.V.; I hand painted the wood grain and used a wet coat of smoke for the T.V. screen.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05072_zpssrijfmrc.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05072_zpssrijfmrc.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05073_zpslmhioxfd.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05073_zpslmhioxfd.jpg.html)

I don't know what this is from but it's turning out pretty sweet!!

Nice details too.

I was a little apprehensive about the decals being so old. I sun bleached them and all the yellowing went away as expected.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05071_zpsfkebyaqg.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05071_zpsfkebyaqg.jpg.html)
But I was more concerned with them being brittle. I was pleased when they not only released from the paper quickly and even more so when they all slid off without cracking. They responded well to a little decal solvent too.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05074_zps7xktzi79.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05074_zps7xktzi79.jpg.html)
The door lines are printed on the decals, not a big problem for the driver’s side…
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05076_zpsnmzliuag.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05076_zpsnmzliuag.jpg.html)
But on the passenger side they don’t line up and are overall too long. I cut the decal at the front door line and moved the section on the front fender back to line it up with the molded in door line. But the other lines will have to be as they are since the design doesn’t allow for any adjustment without it looking worse.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05075_zpswrnh2wba.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05075_zpswrnh2wba.jpg.html)

It has those not so popular two piece vinyl tires.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05077_zpsepm7pihd.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05077_zpsepm7pihd.jpg.html)
But by using a contact cement I was able to glue them together strongly enough to be able to sand the tread without the halves slipping around and they trued up nicely.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05078_zpsaplf0xzm.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05078_zpsaplf0xzm.jpg.html)

The chrome on the wheels didn’t look too bad at first… Then I noticed each one had a goober in the chrome.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05037_zpspndakwao.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05037_zpspndakwao.jpg.html)
And while trimming the sprue off them the chrome began to flake off as well so I stripped them and shot them chrome silver.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05092_zpsbtejsdtx.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05092_zpsbtejsdtx.jpg.html)

I tried to paint the tire lettering, (trying to build it the way kit came), but acrylic paint would not even stick to the vinyl, and I know from experience that enamels never cure on the material. So I sanded the letters off and used resized art I made for my Vega tires.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05102_zpsiwugsipt.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05102_zpsiwugsipt.jpg.html)

I painted the black window trim (Tamiya Semi-Gloss Black) and installed the interior side panels. I also painted the interior wood grain panels molded into the upper sides of the body.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05103_zpsgxxdsxq2.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05103_zpsgxxdsxq2.jpg.html)

Except for the windshield, the body is ready to install onto the chassis. The kit provides two license plates, but both are for the rear. I painted out the rear only registration tags on the front plate. The tail lights looked kind of blah on the sprue, (being molded in smoke tinted clear didn’t help), but once painted look pretty decent.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05122_zpsf4r2uisa.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05122_zpsf4r2uisa.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05126_zpshu7tjrvk.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05126_zpshu7tjrvk.jpg.html)

The chassis fits into the body very well. About all that is left to add are the chrome exterior trim parts.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05127_zpsdztix10r.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05127_zpsdztix10r.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05128_zpsaevr2cdz.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05128_zpsaevr2cdz.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05130_zpsz1e2dx8c.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05130_zpsz1e2dx8c.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05131_zps7r40opmh.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05131_zps7r40opmh.jpg.html)

The side pipes have a different color of metal in the main center sections. Since the mold lines were heavy and the chrome was clunky I did a little clean up and shot those areas a light pearl gray. It’s not like the parts really match the real ones…
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/DoctorJones/California%20Cruiser/DSC05132_zpsp67lhwm0.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/DoctorJones/media/California%20Cruiser/DSC05132_zpsp67lhwm0.jpg.html)
Hopefully the next pictures of it will be in the finished section...