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
EDIT: For safety reasons, due to dangerous and uncontrolled expansion of this project it has been separated into 3 threads, one for each year of the series.
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Tri-Five Project Part 1 - 55 Series
Posted: Wednesday, January 03, 2018 - 07:19 PM UTC
Posted: Wednesday, January 03, 2018 - 07:40 PM UTC
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
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
Hwa-Rang
Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: June 29, 2004
KitMaker: 6,760 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,182 posts
Joined: June 29, 2004
KitMaker: 6,760 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,182 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 06, 2018 - 04:12 AM UTC
So you're building a series og shoeboxes. You know this is an automobile forum, right?
Posted: Saturday, January 06, 2018 - 04:26 AM UTC
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.
Posted: Saturday, January 06, 2018 - 05:03 AM UTC
Quoted Text
So you're building a series og shoeboxes. You know this is an automobile forum, right?
Jesper, first up with the mud-slinging! Welcome aboard mate, thanks for looking in.
Quoted Text
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.
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
Posted: Saturday, January 06, 2018 - 06:07 AM UTC
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.
Posted: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 - 09:30 AM UTC
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
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
KoSprueOne
Myanmar
Joined: March 05, 2004
KitMaker: 4,011 posts
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Joined: March 05, 2004
KitMaker: 4,011 posts
Auto Modeler: 851 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 11, 2018 - 07:22 AM UTC
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.
Hwa-Rang
Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: June 29, 2004
KitMaker: 6,760 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,182 posts
Joined: June 29, 2004
KitMaker: 6,760 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,182 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 11, 2018 - 11:09 AM UTC
Shaving the pully belt makes a big difference. Will try this on future builds.
Posted: Friday, January 12, 2018 - 01:55 AM UTC
Quoted Text
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.
KSO, great to have you on board, thanks for checking in!
Szmann
Netherlands Antilles
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,371 posts
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,371 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 14, 2018 - 09:35 PM UTC
Thanks, D, for steering me to the right forum thread. Following. I love shoeboxes.
Cheers!
Gabriel
Cheers!
Gabriel
Posted: Wednesday, January 31, 2018 - 02:36 PM UTC
Wow! getting the popcorn out for this one! Awesome set of kits...
Posted: Saturday, February 03, 2018 - 04:33 PM UTC
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
Cheers, D
Posted: Monday, February 05, 2018 - 09:02 AM UTC
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?
Posted: Monday, February 05, 2018 - 10:38 AM UTC
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
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
Szmann
Netherlands Antilles
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,371 posts
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,371 posts
Posted: Monday, February 05, 2018 - 04:30 PM UTC
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
Cheers!
Gabriel
Posted: Wednesday, January 02, 2019 - 12:37 PM UTC
Since I find it impossible to focus on one kit at a time, here is the second '55 build for this series. Kit is AMT 1/25 '55 Nomad, conversion to custom "El Camino"
In the kit has a pre-made roofline and tray bed for conversion to an El Camino, but I wasn't really happy with the lines so I set about chopping and sanding to get what I liked.
I have a bit of body work to do to smooth out the rear window surrounds but I'm happy with the look so far. My aim with this build is for a maintained but well-used work truck, maybe flat black or pale blue.
Cheers, D
In the kit has a pre-made roofline and tray bed for conversion to an El Camino, but I wasn't really happy with the lines so I set about chopping and sanding to get what I liked.
I have a bit of body work to do to smooth out the rear window surrounds but I'm happy with the look so far. My aim with this build is for a maintained but well-used work truck, maybe flat black or pale blue.
Cheers, D
Hwa-Rang
Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: June 29, 2004
KitMaker: 6,760 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,182 posts
Joined: June 29, 2004
KitMaker: 6,760 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,182 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 02, 2019 - 06:16 PM UTC
Pretty cool work so far Damian.
Szmann
Netherlands Antilles
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,371 posts
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,371 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 03, 2019 - 01:29 AM UTC
It's coming along nicely, D!
Glad to see you back to the bench!
Gabriel
Glad to see you back to the bench!
Gabriel
Posted: Wednesday, January 09, 2019 - 02:53 AM UTC
A small update, I blew the cobwebs out of the airbrush gear today and found out whether I remembered how to do this!
First up the El Camino. Not much to show here as a lot of the engine components are plated, and the exhaust is moulded to the floor pan. This will be masked and sprayed along with the fuel tank.
Then the Convertible. Much nicer moulds and detail than the AMT kit, and separate exhaust systems will look much better. Once again the fuel tank will be masked and sprayed.
Cheers, D
First up the El Camino. Not much to show here as a lot of the engine components are plated, and the exhaust is moulded to the floor pan. This will be masked and sprayed along with the fuel tank.
Then the Convertible. Much nicer moulds and detail than the AMT kit, and separate exhaust systems will look much better. Once again the fuel tank will be masked and sprayed.
Cheers, D
Posted: Wednesday, January 09, 2019 - 08:29 AM UTC
D, did you use a straight up flat black for the undercarriage or a semi gloss?
Hwa-Rang
Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: June 29, 2004
KitMaker: 6,760 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,182 posts
Joined: June 29, 2004
KitMaker: 6,760 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,182 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 09, 2019 - 07:14 PM UTC
Looks good Damian.
Posted: Wednesday, January 09, 2019 - 10:30 PM UTC
Hi Mark. Definitely Flat Black (XF-1). The sheen in the transmission tunnel is because I'm impatient to get photos and the paint there hadn't cured.
Thanks Jesper, much appreciated. I'm having a lot of fun with this one.
More work on the Nomad/El Camino today.
Task #1 - cut and file down some sprue to give a neat finish to the gap between the rear cabin wall and the rear window frame.
Task #2 - clean up and remove chrome from diff, rear axle and rear leaf springs. After all, this is a work ute!
Task #3 - stop dithering about and make a decision on the interior colours.
Task #4 - engine assembly.
So, mission for today completed. The seat is not glued in place yet, just dry-fit to check the overall look. I think the two-tone grey interior is good for a work truck, and a wash of thinned Tamiya Black enamel will make the details pop. I still have some hand painting touch-ups to do and will follow with some earthy oil paint weathering once I'm happy with the look.
Cheers, D
Thanks Jesper, much appreciated. I'm having a lot of fun with this one.
More work on the Nomad/El Camino today.
Task #1 - cut and file down some sprue to give a neat finish to the gap between the rear cabin wall and the rear window frame.
Task #2 - clean up and remove chrome from diff, rear axle and rear leaf springs. After all, this is a work ute!
Task #3 - stop dithering about and make a decision on the interior colours.
Task #4 - engine assembly.
So, mission for today completed. The seat is not glued in place yet, just dry-fit to check the overall look. I think the two-tone grey interior is good for a work truck, and a wash of thinned Tamiya Black enamel will make the details pop. I still have some hand painting touch-ups to do and will follow with some earthy oil paint weathering once I'm happy with the look.
Cheers, D
Szmann
Netherlands Antilles
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,371 posts
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,371 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2019 - 01:16 AM UTC
D., I certainly like the two-tone interior!
Nice work all around and good riddance with that chrome
I'm glad to see you on high octane again! Keep it up!
Gabriel
Nice work all around and good riddance with that chrome
I'm glad to see you on high octane again! Keep it up!
Gabriel
Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2019 - 02:58 PM UTC
On with the El Camino chaos, interior 99% done and assembled. The only thing I want to add is some earthy washes in some places for contrast in the filth.
I spent a while pondering how to mask the underside to paint the exhaust and tank, then went the opposite way. I detail sprayed the exhaust and tank then masked them and touched up the underside flat black. Still a couple of spots to touch up, but the underside will get a mud/dirt/earth/grime wash so I'm not too worried.
While all that is settling down, it's on the the part that scares me the most, the bodywork. Lots of smooth shiny paint
First I washed the body down with a Q-tip soaked in Tamiya X-20A. Primer is on! Mr Surfacer 1200 Grey thinned 50:50 with MLT, sprayed at about 15psi. A neat trick I picked up (from one of the 4000 forums I live in) is to give the body a light spray of straight MLT straight after the final primer coat. This moistens the top coat and gives it more time to level out and cure smoother. I'm pretty happy with how this looks, but my next visit to the LHS I will pick up some Mr Surfacer 1500 and give that a try.
I'm still undecided on the body finish. I like the idea of a flat black evil work truck with a weathered dusty finish, and I'm leaning that way, but I also like the shiny black and bling chrome combination.
All comments, critiques, thoughts, opinions most welcome and gratefully accepted.
Cheers, D
I spent a while pondering how to mask the underside to paint the exhaust and tank, then went the opposite way. I detail sprayed the exhaust and tank then masked them and touched up the underside flat black. Still a couple of spots to touch up, but the underside will get a mud/dirt/earth/grime wash so I'm not too worried.
While all that is settling down, it's on the the part that scares me the most, the bodywork. Lots of smooth shiny paint
First I washed the body down with a Q-tip soaked in Tamiya X-20A. Primer is on! Mr Surfacer 1200 Grey thinned 50:50 with MLT, sprayed at about 15psi. A neat trick I picked up (from one of the 4000 forums I live in) is to give the body a light spray of straight MLT straight after the final primer coat. This moistens the top coat and gives it more time to level out and cure smoother. I'm pretty happy with how this looks, but my next visit to the LHS I will pick up some Mr Surfacer 1500 and give that a try.
I'm still undecided on the body finish. I like the idea of a flat black evil work truck with a weathered dusty finish, and I'm leaning that way, but I also like the shiny black and bling chrome combination.
All comments, critiques, thoughts, opinions most welcome and gratefully accepted.
Cheers, D