1:18 Volvo Amazon

[AmazonSprite]

Hi, just been given a link to this forum!

I'm looking to convert a Revell 1:18 Volvo Amazon 2 door into the estate / wagon to match my everday car. The tricky bit is that I want to have all the panels opening, so any body alterations need to be strong, especially the new centre door pillars due to the way the door hinges work. Looking in the tutorials section, it mentions various epoxies etc for gluing the metal, but does anyone know what is the best way to join wood and plastic to the metal? The roof, tailgates (opens in two sections like a Range Rover) and several other parts will need to be completely scratch built, so bodyfiller / bondo won't be enough!

I've got as far as building a mock-up fo the new rear body (using card / paper / tape etc) & have another model to act as the donor for extra hinges, additional door handles etc, but until I've worked everything out properly, especially how best to modify the metal body, I don't want to start on it. I'll try to post a few photos shortly


Cheers!

Paul

[AmazonSprite]

Mock-up as it is at the moment:




The start of the paper roof shows where the 'B' pillar needs to be moved to:


Door hinge detail:

Haven't seen this type before, but it gives a much more realistic opening arc to the door. However, it means that I need to ensure that the mountings for the rear door hinges are very strong!

What the new body needs to look like:

The tailgate splits between the two handles - sorting the hinging could be fun.....

Anyone have any tips as how best to build the new roof etc?

Thanks

[LA-CUSTOMS]

all i can suggest you use is really strong glue, i use GRIPFILL contact adheasive, you apply the glue wet to each piece of what you want to join together, wait for it to dry and then join them and its lyk a weld, i mean iv jus cut a car in half an stuck it back together with the stuff, wen you have made a basic frame plate over that then filler the rest of it or use fiberglass, looks like it could turn out really well good luck with it !!

[rasta_dubbed]

this would be a GREAT project... u can do it man!

i think some of the guys can make suggestion on this one...

[AmazonSprite]

Cheers - is the contact adhesive what you've been using on the metal? If so, that's just what I need as I really want to have all the panels opening.

As for the other areas, it will no doubt end up made of all sorts of things - card, balsa, cocktail sticks, filler, plastic....

The aim at the end is for it to look as though it was a bought model (ie no visible messy bits)

[LA-CUSTOMS]

yep the contact adheasive is what i used on the metal, make sure you read the instructions though because it isnt like other adheasives ! good luck dude keep us updated on how ya goin with it

[blubaja]

Wow!! GOod luck man. Looks like one hell of a hard project.

[nosliw2004]

loads of work, but you can pull it off!

[Legolas PT]

uuuu...that gonna be a great project!! =)

[nosliw2004]

the paper model doesn't look that bad. you can just color it red and have some hinges and your done! lol

[AmazonSprite]

Thanks for all the encouragement!

Won't be able to start for a while as I need to find the right materials etc, including buying a dremel, so I can cut the rear half of the roof away, and also grind in the step which the new roof will bond to. It will look superb next to the white 2 door Amazon that I also have. At the moment a 1:16 Bugatti Royale plastic kit is keeping me busy (visible behind the volvo), but that should be finished soon!

[rasta_dubbed]

ill be waiting for updates.... hope you'll do it soon..

[nosliw2004]

yeah i was wondering if you gave up or something. you havn't posted in a while.

[AmazonSprite]

It's a (very) long term project (the mock-up was done in Aug or Sept) so don't hold your breath!

However, I am intending to start soon!

[Legolas PT]

so get on... =)