Oldsmobile to Holden

[Jerry55]

Wanted to build something a little different. I love Speedway, especially 70 -80's Hot Rods (Dirt Track Racecars)... but no kits around with Aussie car bodies,
unless you want to spend a fortune on resin bodies.   I wanted to build something similar to these cars,  a 1948 Holden (FX) stock car.
Something like these girls....

 
So I had to improvise.... but what could I use as a "Host Body"?....

I looked at my models and saw my 1950 Oldsmobile , which I was never really happy with , and so I carefully dismantled this build and got to work.

 first I googled the dimensions between the 2 cars (the Olds and the Holden) and set to working out where to start cutting!.




The Oldsmobile went into a tub of brake fluid to remove the paint, then it was mark the cut lines, then out with the "surgical instruments" to start the surgery.


Stay tuned....

"Jezza"

[deuce]

Good luck! Just me, but I've seen some European cars that look closer to the Holden than the Olds does. But, you're already started, so keep chuggin' along.

[Jerry55]

  Ok... After having cut these sections out, time for a little "togetherness", So out with the cement and start reassembly.





Also need to "fatten" up the front mud guards (fenders)...


A whole heap of shaping, putty filling and sanding to be done...





It's kinda getting there?....

[deuce]

Wow! You've made some progress, haven't you?

[fordrodnkustom]

Wow amazing slice and dice work on this most ambitious project! Lookin good so far. Thanx for sharing progress.

[Jerry55]

G'day Fellas and thanks for your interest. I keep thinking that I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew, but it's really cost me nothing but
a bit of patience and time. I guess I could have spent $30AU on a resin cast body, but this is a bit more challenging, and it is afterall a build
that hopefully will resemble  a "Vintage 1948 Holden Speedway Stockcar (Dirtracker)".

 Well the puttying and sanding and puttying and shaping continues!....

[Jerry55]

Now that I have the basic shape of the body shell, I measured out the "Oldsmobile" floor pan, again a fair bit of cutting and cementing until
it was a nice fit. Then I started on "The Office" (Roll Cage etc.), which was made from sprue and some round "Evergreen".
Seat was made from the back part of a bucket seat and modified with Evergreen sheet.  Race harness was printed on to Matt photo paper,
 cut out & glued into place.

Engine is a 6 Cylinder Holden 189, fitted with twin "Stromberg" carburettors. 




 Oops!  Got a little "Mud" on the tyres....


The body so far... A bit smoother now...


Wasn't happy with a smooth bonnet, and because the actual car had a centre crease,  I Superglued some cotton thread
down the centre...then applied some Spray Putty...
  I'm turning my attention to designing the decals which will have 70's era Perth (W.A.) sponsors etc.

More to come soon...  Cheers F' now... "Jezza" 

[Jerry55]

G'day there!... Ok after a few more "Body Mods", sanding and spray putty, I'm happy with the look of the "Holden" shell,  so now
it's off to the Paint Shop and from there we'll get the "Signwriters" in to do their handywork...







I know there are still a few "imperfections" in the body work, but then these "dirt track" racecars were never
perfect when they came out on the track.  Even the later day vintage restorations of these cars are not perfect.

Anyway, to any of you are are interested in this build, once it is ready for race day, it will be posted in the
"Completed Models" column.     See you there!.

"Jezza" 

[tomqvaxy]

a bit bummed out since the photos are not showing, but i applaud your initiative!