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Post by coopdad on Jun 17, 2009 7:52:27 GMT -5
Guys, I thought I would start posting the WIP I am in the process of building. It is going to be a loooooong build but have a good start (so photos will be coming quickly at first then slow drastically). I have always loved Broncos and racing so I thought I would combine both in one: "Big Oly." It was one of the first ground up, purpose-built vehicle for desert racing. Built by Bill Stroppe's shop, it went on to win the '71 and '72 Baja 1000s and a few others in the hands of Parnelli Jones.  Since there are NO early Broncos kits other than a few resin bodies, I will have to scratch-build almost totally. I started with a plastic toy made in the 70's. It is almost exactly 1:24 scale.  Here is my first and fourth attempt at casting the sides:  Good enough to work with (hopefully). The real Bronco has been channeled and width reduced by 3". Luckily my miter saw blade scales out to very close to 3" scale inches so...   The fender shapes and flares were no where near what the real truck has so I cut these out so styrene and superglued on:  Then after A LOT of work sanding, shaping, filling, filing the flares look much closer... we will see after I get some primer on.  After looking at it I then realized the front fender flares are much too low on the body. Gotta fix that asap. I will try to post often. If anyone has questions feel free to ask. John |
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Post by coopdad on Jun 17, 2009 8:04:11 GMT -5
To get the photos caught up: The grill on the real truck and the toy are VERY different so I pretty much had to totally hand build it. The only thing I was able to use was the strip across the center with the F O R D on it:   To the rear:  And of course there is no tailgate... built the area where gas tanks will go:   The grill was "stuck" on, then the rear area was made to match the same width. This area is critical as if I don't have the width correct then the cage will not fit in.  So this is where I am in the (long) progress. I will add more pix as I get parts built/finished. John |
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Post by The Mad Modeller on Jun 17, 2009 11:35:01 GMT -5
That is one sweet build John. I always loved that Bronco. So you will have this done for Cookeville next year right?
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Post by coopdad on Jun 17, 2009 16:21:44 GMT -5
That is one sweet build John. I always loved that Bronco. So you will have this done for Cookeville next year right? That is certainly the goal... that is about 9 months, right? I better have it done in 9 months! I did hear a few days ago that Cookeville's show will March 13, 2010 so mark your calendars! John |
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Post by The Mad Modeller on Jun 17, 2009 19:03:48 GMT -5
I will be there. I look forward to that show all year.
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Post by Gary Kulchock on Jun 18, 2009 6:46:16 GMT -5
;D This is going to be nice. Great job on the bodywork. ;D
I might have to make it down to that show next year just to see it.
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Post by The Mad Modeller on Jun 18, 2009 7:25:40 GMT -5
You would like the Cookeville Show Gary.
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Post by fireguy14 on Jun 18, 2009 19:00:38 GMT -5
That is just fantastic John! I've always thought "Big Oly" was an awesome truck since I first saw it in the original "Gone in 60 Seconds". Never would have thought to use a plastic toy like that, just incredible! You got any plans to sell the components once you are done? Hint, hint, nudge, nudge! Can't wait to see more!!
Dave
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Post by willysurvive on Jun 23, 2009 23:15:31 GMT -5
Wow John that is absolutely incredible. Outstanding work so far. I never would have thought about using an old plastic toy like that. Very impressive. By the way you came an awful long way in 4 pours to get the sides that nice. Great job John.
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Post by coopdad on Jun 25, 2009 22:12:44 GMT -5
Thanks for all the kind words guys. Got a little bit more done (between all the research and measuring) Here are few new pix. I started on the cage:   and the rear section got the first of the two gas tanks. Note: the hole is where the cage will go through and connect to the spring cups.  And now that i have the twin I-beams (thanks Bobby and Chris) I am starting on the front suspension. Thanks for watching, John |
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Post by willysurvive on Jun 25, 2009 22:32:18 GMT -5
This build rules!!! Cage looks great.
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stefan
Junior Member
Posts: 85
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Post by stefan on Jun 26, 2009 12:36:27 GMT -5
Scratchbuilding at its best!  |
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Post by The Mad Modeller on Jun 26, 2009 15:47:12 GMT -5
Great stuff John. Glad the parts made it.
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Post by coopdad on Jul 3, 2009 6:08:27 GMT -5
Thanks gang for all the kind words. I have been making VERY SLOW progress on the truck, mostly frame.  Again, tons of measuring, test fitting, and remeasuring. It seems that every aspect of the build is critical. It is so easy to get something off. For instance, the front spring buckets. If they are not exactly in the center of the front fenders then the wheels won't be centered. If I move the frame back slightly inside the body to compensate, the rear tub will not fit. John |
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Post by The Mad Modeller on Jul 3, 2009 7:33:37 GMT -5
Thats a work of art John.
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Post by coopdad on Jul 20, 2009 9:46:27 GMT -5
A little more SLOW progress... Most of the front suspension close to done... still need do is the steering and of course the hubs/brakes. Still looking for springs. They are very large, much larger than ball point pen springs.  While searching for the springs, hubs, steering parts I am working on the edges of the thingypit. When that area done I will know where the rear suspension will be (the cage will be in its final position relative to the body then).  John |
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Post by The Mad Modeller on Jul 20, 2009 11:27:15 GMT -5
Awesome work John. I might have some springs. Let me look when I get home tonight.
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Post by coopdad on Jul 21, 2009 10:40:08 GMT -5
Awesome work John. I might have some springs. Let me look when I get home tonight. Thanks Bobby, but I think I might have found springs at 3am. I am sure I will need other stuff soon. You know, if I bring this truck to shows I am going to have to put "Built by John and Bobby" on the judge's sheet!  John |
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Post by coopdad on Jul 31, 2009 9:49:05 GMT -5
Another update... Rear suspension is now on. Right now it is just held in place with little bits of wire... not sure yet if I will keep it fully functional or glue it in place. The cage above it will be next (as I gather engine and brake parts).   Can anyone recommend PE disk brakes that are vented but not drilled? Also, need braided coolant hoses with fittings. If the same guys made them it might save a few dollars shipping.  John |
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Post by Gary Kulchock on Jul 31, 2009 11:17:58 GMT -5
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Post by coopdad on Jul 31, 2009 14:06:36 GMT -5
Thanks Gary. I will hit their site asap.
J
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Post by coopdad on Nov 24, 2009 21:44:48 GMT -5
Been a long time since I have posted anything on Oly so I thought it was time since I had a photo of the test-fit of the outer panels handy:  Finally it is starting to look like more than a pile of tan and white parts. So far I have gotten the floor, door panels, rear bulkhead, as well as cage, steering box, windscreens/dash and headers all built. Sorry no pix yet. This holiday weekend I will be doing some tests of the alclad/Bare Metal foil/Aluminum foil to shine up the wings. Still left to do: build radiators (help!), put/make all the stuff that goes on the front of the engine, brakes, fuel filler stuff, on and on and on. Sure hope I can get it together by Cookeville! Will post again soon. John |
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Post by The Mad Modeller on Nov 24, 2009 22:51:29 GMT -5
That is looking sweet.
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cecil
Junior Member
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Post by cecil on Dec 2, 2009 10:12:37 GMT -5
What a Great project ! Fantastic idea for the casting of this rare Bronco body ! I remember the real Big Oly Bronco and yours is a very nice model of it, Your scratch building is GREAT ! Thanks for sharing it .
Cecil
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Post by willysurvive on Jan 1, 2010 10:55:51 GMT -5
Absolutely fantastic John. Great scratchbuilding on a very cool project.
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Post by The Mad Modeller on Jan 1, 2010 11:02:41 GMT -5
How about an update John.
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Post by coopdad on Mar 8, 2010 17:04:33 GMT -5
Boggy, Things have been crazy here... work deadlines, sickness, cub scouts, you name it. Just hope everyone is well for this weekend (Cookeville). So anyway, here is the final shot of Big Oly:  Kidding of course. My son decided that he just had to have his own Big Oly for his pinewood derby car this year. He did a great job I think. He did all of the body and paint himself. I printed out the "decals" for him but he put them on. He even won "Most Unique Design" but sadly was inched out by another car for the "Safety Award" (slowest car). And his sister just had to be part of the fun so she directed me to build her a jewelry box car. I did my best (and fastest) to follow here plans:   I will make time to give you a real update on Oly very soon. John |
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Post by coopdad on Mar 8, 2010 17:13:43 GMT -5
Bobby, recognize those fuel tank things?  Got them on along with homemade radiators and rest of rear cage. Also was also able to get some paint on the motor:   I also finished the front of the motor. Scratch built the pump, pulley and belt. Also added mounting brackets to the alternator. The fan in real life looks like it was quickly painted with a spray can so I tried to do the same by painting over bolt heads. Scratches on the blades (and oil pan) showing metal underneath are intentional. They will be mounted later... gotta make sure I can get the motor into the frame with that stuff attached. I would hate to have to take it off.  Also receiving paint were the wheels which came from RMS Resin. They started out very deep so I cut them down to a more realistic depth. Note, fronts and rears are different. Top is the original, left is the rear, right is front.  Ryan threw in the knock offs for free. And after paint I think they look pretty close. The wheel with the red knock off is the spare... not sure why they painted it different.  John |
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Post by The Mad Modeller on Mar 8, 2010 17:49:27 GMT -5
Are you bringing it to Cookeville?
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Post by wtsf150 on Mar 8, 2010 18:12:14 GMT -5
John shes lookng good i hope i can make it to Cookeville also where did you get that plastic tubing
Willie
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